The Portland Path Blazers have exited the 2024 NBA Draft after a decide, a flurry of trades, and a good quantity of debate as to their intentions and goals. The Blazers drafted heart Donovan Clingan seventh total, traded their 14th decide for small ahead Deni Avdija, then danced do-si-do with a pair of second spherical alternatives, ending up with no gamers however three future draft picks and money in hand.
Wrapping up the proceedings, let’s take a look at the most typical questions submitted to the Blazer’s Edge Mailbag following the occasion.
How Did the Blazers Do?
Total, I believe they did effective. The Blazers have been thrift purchasing by means of this expertise. Given the draft class and their decide place, you wouldn’t anticipate them to return away with premier outcomes. As an alternative they acquired a few wearable separates pretty low-cost. For me, that’s ok. I don’t see a ton of options that will have helped them extra.
Was Avdija a Good Get?
Fairly a number of folks expressed frustration with the commerce that introduced Deni Avdija to Portland. It really made a good quantity of sense.
Buying and selling Malcolm Brogdon was a no brainer. The Blazers aren’t going to win subsequent season. He was carrying a super-expensive $23 million contract. The Blazers are on the border of the posh tax threshold and dare not go over. Brogdon was protruding like a sore thumb. If he wasn’t moved now, it’s all however assured he could be by the commerce deadline. Pretty much as good of a participant as he’s, he had unfavourable worth to the Blazers.
Shifting the 14th decide for Avdija appears to be ruffling feathers much more than dropping Brogdon. That is even simpler to know, although. The expertise pool in the course of the draft was speculative, at greatest. Gamers obtainable there have been both actually younger, one-dimensional, or each. The Blazers are already stocked with younger prospects with holes of their recreation. They don’t want to begin recent with one other, particularly if the ceiling isn’t excessive.
In Avdija, the Blazers acquired a participant with 4 full years of NBA expertise. They like his effectivity, IQ, and passing potential at small ahead. Be mindful, Portland doesn’t have a developed level guard but. Fielding a number of playmakers who can hold the ball shifting helps. Avdija received’t demand photographs, however he’ll convert them. Offensively, at the least, it’s pick-up.
Two different essential components weigh in. Avdija has already inked his subsequent contract. It’s of modest worth—$15.6 million this 12 months—and truly declines by means of 2028. Second, Avdija doesn’t should be a franchise savior to make the transfer make sense. He solely must be higher than no matter participant the Blazers would have chosen 14th. He’s clearly that, with extra upside potential as well.
Briefly, there was nothing mistaken with this commerce, given Portland’s state of affairs. It might not “transfer the needle”, however it retains momentum alive greater than drafting a totally-unproven, low-upside rookie.
Will Clingan Begin?
Usually you’d anticipate the seventh total decide within the draft to begin quickly. I’m undecided the Blazers acquired Clingan with that in thoughts. He was possible one of the best participant obtainable from their draft board. His physique and rebounding will give him a head begin. Give him time to construct.
I don’t suppose Clingan opens up the season within the beginning lineup. I don’t suppose buying him means Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams III are any extra trade-able than they have been already (which is loads trade-able). The Blazers could transfer them, but when so, that was going to occur anyway.
Clingan is a undertaking, hopefully a serviceable starter or a key role-player sometime. His recreation doesn’t match with the trendy NBA however his measurement and defensive willingness will all the time earn him an opportunity.
What About that Second Spherical Stuff?
There’s no massive thriller about it. Presumably Portland didn’t fall in love with anybody within the second spherical. As an alternative they parlayed a few picks in a relatively-weak draft into future picks that is perhaps stronger. Getting money on the facet is a pleasant bonus. The workforce will worth each greenback they’ll recover from the following couple seasons. Once more, these weren’t world-changing strikes, however they made sense given Portland’s priorities.
Total Grade
In case you think about context, I’d give the Blazers a B or a B+ for this draft. Within the summary—gauging its total impression on the longer term—it’s most likely insignificant, perhaps a D. Think about what could possibly be performed total and what wanted to be performed in Portland, although. and also you’ll perceive that the Blazers did about in addition to they might.
What’s Subsequent?
Free company is looming. We’ll speak about what the Blazers are more likely to do (or not do) tomorrow.