CJ/Powell/Simons

Discussion in 'Portland Trail Blazers' started by Scalma, Dec 16, 2021.

  1. Scalma

    Scalma Well-Known Member

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    We have three starting caliber guards, yet none of them can consistently create for others. And because of how this roster is constructed, the majority of them see minutes at the three, where they’re all undersized. It’s very redundant.

    We talk a lot about trading CJ, but to me, two of these three should go. All of them have more value than say, RoCo. Not saying Roco shouldn’t also be traded, but we’ll get the most value from trading these guys.
     
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  2. illmatic99

    illmatic99 formerly yuyuza1

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    Simons has shown more playmaking ability this year than ever before in the past. It's reflected in his AST%.
     
  3. riverman

    riverman Writing Team

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    Powell can't be traded
     
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  4. Scalma

    Scalma Well-Known Member

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    so instead of 2.9 APG/36 he averages 3.3. Thats still poor for a point guard.
     
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  5. illmatic99

    illmatic99 formerly yuyuza1

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    think it's obvious that he's been miscast as a PG. I was simply remarking on him having some more playmaking chops than previously assumed.

    Powell, otoh, has Gary Trent esque blinders. But that's also probably a function of his role on the team. And he's untradeable effectively until the summer. While I like his attitude and grit, he too can move eventually.

    Gotta be CJ if we want to make a move sooner rather than later.
     
  6. Scalma

    Scalma Well-Known Member

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    CJ is assumed. But our best asset after him is either Powell or Simons. And since neither is a playmaker, I dont see space for both, especially when Powell is never gonna come off the bench.
     
  7. illmatic99

    illmatic99 formerly yuyuza1

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    Given the state of this team and the amount of roster flaws-- everyone on the team can go. Put Dame on the shelf and gut the squad.
     
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  8. TBpup

    TBpup Writing Team

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    It is what made Drexler at SG such an incredible phenom. Dame, as a PG, has still yet to catch Drexler in assists through almost 9 1/2 seasons and Clyde didn't start his first year like Dame did. But even if it's not a SG, this team desperately needs another playmaker who can create easier shots for teammates. It's why I think Simmons would be quite helpful here.
     
  9. wizenheimer

    wizenheimer Well-Known Member

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    he's 98th in the NBA, tied with Andre Drummond, and behind Nurkic, Vucevic', KAT, & well behind Gordon Hayward, Sabonis, Embiid, Julius Randle, SGA. RHJ had a higher assist rate last season than Simons has this season. Caleb Swanigan had a 14.1% assist rate 2 years ago compared to Simons at 14.3%. Simons had a 13.7% assist rate as a rookie and has only improved to 14.3% 3 years later

    it's his 4th season and he's had consistent minutes the last 3 seasons. So it's not like he hasn't had opportunities to work on it
     
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  10. riverman

    riverman Writing Team

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    Simons is Alan Crabbe
     
  11. illmatic99

    illmatic99 formerly yuyuza1

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    Yes, he's not a PG-- but he's making better reads and playmaking better than we ever saw from him before. I look to his role on the team as a 6th man scorer.

    Compare his 14% to guys who have similar roles:
    -Jordan Clarkson - 12.9%
    -Patty Mills - 11.7%
    -Buddy Hield - 11%

    all dudes in the same ballpark.
     
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  12. Scalma

    Scalma Well-Known Member

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    more like CJ lite. But he’s young, so he can still get better.
     
  13. illmatic99

    illmatic99 formerly yuyuza1

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    Depends on what kinda market there is for him in FA. If we can get him for a reasonable $ number, he could have value in a future trade as well. We need these 10-15 million dudes on the roster just for trade purposes to make the finances match easier. I'd probably keep him over the others for that reason alone outside of their games.
     
  14. tester551

    tester551 Well-Known Member

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    Which is fine - as long as he's paid commiserate with the role.
    A 1-way scoring guard should be paid ~$8M to $15M in today's NBA. Paying someone $30M for that role (ie- CJ) is asinine.
     
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  15. wizenheimer

    wizenheimer Well-Known Member

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    I agree Simmons would probably work well in Portland

    but Dame is only 243 assists behind Drexler while Clyde played 162 more games. If Dame was healthy he'd pass Drexler sometime in March with somewhere around 130 fewer games. And would pass Porter next season
     
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  16. Scalma

    Scalma Well-Known Member

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    if it was up to me CJ and Powell would both be traded before Simons. But the things you listed also add to his trade value. I just hope Cronin isn't like Olshey and he trades the young asset (Trent) instead of the vet(s)
     
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  17. TBpup

    TBpup Writing Team

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    Of course he will pass him. But as a PG for a decade compared to a SG for a decade, it took almost the entire stretch for a PG to catch a SG in assists. Nothing against Dame....that is just how good Drexler was.
     
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  18. Scalma

    Scalma Well-Known Member

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    CJ is overpaid, but he's definitely worth more than 8-15M. There are less than 30 players in the league that score 20 points a night, and if you wanna dive deeper, less than 10 at his position.
     
  19. 1 Eye Jack

    1 Eye Jack Well-Known Member

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    Agree the way you improve is making the game easier for others. Reason why players loved playing with Nash and Kidd they helped guys have career years. No one on the roster does that not even Dame
     
  20. wizenheimer

    wizenheimer Well-Known Member

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    OK, although his 4 year assist rate track 13.7% --> 9.2% --> 11.4% --> 14.3% is only showing improvement because his baseline was so poor. Maybe the rookie season should be dismissed, partly, because of sample size, but still, that's not really good for a guy who handles the ball a lot. Better than Powell or Trent though
     
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