Yes, I think this is one of the few guys I would trade him for; I'm almost certain NY would not make this trade.
When Porzingis shows that he can take apart one of the best defenses in the league in the playoffs, then we could talk.
No. Unproven talent as much as there may be is still just that. Simmons might not come out and dominate the league. Kid want's to be a Laker, forgets the old adage "Be careful what you wish for, it might come true."
Hell no...I watched one of his games recently and I don't get the hype honestly...he's good, he's not a difference maker on the NBA level from the small sample size I got from one LSU game...reminds me Allan Crabbe was Pac 12 player of the year...didn't make him the next MJ
He has inside, outside, ball handling and length. He is at worst going to be a more consistent Batum.
I have no doubt he'll be an NBA rotation player at some point, but CJ is starting quality right now and has chemistry with the roster...I would not trade CJ for a high draft pick period. College ball is pretty weak this season.
The Bulls traded away Elton Brand, a young PF with 20/10 numbers and ROY award for the right to draft Tyson Chandler. Chandler, they said, had way more upside. A legit 7' guy who'd be the PF next to Eddy Curry for a decade+. Chandler is still in the league, but he never put up 20/10. His 3pt shot disappeared as a pro. His hands are small and he fumbles the ball a lot. A terrible trade. We know what we have in CJ. We don't need to trade him for a Tyson Chandler. .400 and trying to win builds a winning culture. If you play to lose, the goal will be to pad stats, and you won't see these guys suddenly deciding to run back on defense or do other things winners do. Losing, even big, in the playoffs is valuable experience. But they do have to play the games. 41-41 Bulls team took the defending champs to 7 games and several thrilling OT nail biters. I'd rather see them play the games than concede defeat. Go Blazers!
You just said earlier that you would trade CJ for Okafor if that was an option. Change of heart the minute we are projected to be in the playoffs? If so then I certainly don't blame you as it would no doubt drop us back out of contention but that is a pretty quick reversal of thoughts.
Brand was a big 3 player on a terrific Kings team. Chandler got traded for 39 year old PJ Brown. Sure, I'm happy to trade PJ Brown for Chandler.
I said before that Nic Batum would carry the load against Memphis in the playoffs and become an allstar as a Blazer....ask me today..different perspective
Great post Denny. I'd add that making the playoffs is also a good way to get attention around the league. If you aren't playing late April, then you probably have the TV on to watch some of the playoffs. I'd imagine a lot of players watch the playoffs in their off season. ''There's no such thing as bad publicity'', if the Blazers make the playoffs and get blown out, they would still be on Free Agents minds. If the Blazers make the playoffs and find a way to win 1 or 2 when everyone thinks they should be swept, then you start really turning heads and guys start wondering if maybe Portland isn't the place for them to take their careers to the next level. Sounds like a big win to me if you have guys wanting to come play along side the second best (could become the best) back court in the NBA.
Only thing he is proven to do is keep us out of playoffs this year. Which you just stated is important to a young team.
Wow. First time I agree with DC. Building a winning culture is as important as acquiring talent. Building talent in a losing culture doesn't necessarily improve the W-L ratio. I've said this numerous times. Some of the best teams I've ever followed were simply teams with great chemistry that played above their individual talent. For opposite examples, look at some of the Portland teams that were loaded with talent and couldn't win - sadly, this franchise has many examples of such.
