CLE isn't going to get anyone nearly as good as Nic in exchange for Deng. At best they'd get someone like CJ plus a couple second-rounders.
OK, let's say I agree. The Blazers aren't very good. How does Deng make the team that much better? How does Deng potentially leaving the team this summer make the team better in the future?
Define "shit." It's not much of a statement when you use a vague term that can be interpreted many different ways.
What do you mean by deep in the playoffs? So this team can win a series or two, but not a title? I don't think you'll find many who disagree with that opinion.
I agree that this team has to get better to win a playoff series. But I think they can get better with who they have now.
I'm not convinced that any team outside of Miami, Indiana, and OKC can win a first round playoff series. Those three are locks. Everybody else? It's a crapshoot to me. What deal can be made to make the Blazers a shoe-in to do better than "shit" in the playoffs?
I think the Blazers are less likely to win a 1st round series than OKC, SA, HOU and GS based on strengths and weaknesses. I might put the Clippers in there as well.
I think Sly's Batum for Durant would be a good start. It'd help if we could do Matthews for LeBron James too.
