Free Agent Who signs Ant Simons? Do we match?

I just think Hart & Dame would make a good starting combination. Hart is feisty defender and gets to the hoop more than Ant has in the past anyway.

 

I thought he’d be starting next to Dame? It be nice if he would be a six man however few players want that Jamal Crawford type role.

 

S&T with Detroit or Toronto if Ant and his agent want out of Portland

 

If Simons wants to stay and have an improved Blazers roster, then he will field possible offers but accept none. Portland needs him to stay at his cap hold. If that happens, his agent will have been assured of a significant contract with Portland or a sign and trade at the right time. If he accepts an early offer, then team B gets to wait the maximum time while the Blazers try to conclude all other deals.

 

And its not necessarily a negative if a sign and trade is explored by all. Could be exactly whats needed to better balance the roster. Im sure all sorts of opportunities are explored.

 

Ant's not going anywhere, except to the bank. You need 3 high tier guards. The Blazers will be set. It's PF & SF that will be the biggest additions. Blazers need 2 PF's (Draft & possibly Grant), and a quality 3 with a developing Nas already onboard. Then it's stock the rest of the bench with the highest quality players available.

 

that would be a great trade for Portland provided it meets CBA requirements with Ant's BYC. And it probably would if the first part of the trade was Milwaukee pick to Detroit for Grant (using Blazer TPE)

then use pick to fill hole at SG?

 

Not so sure. I want to keep Nas. He's really developing into a special player.

 

We don't know what Chauncey prefers. You are basing that statement on what Terry chose. Chauncey wanted Hart for a reason.

I would start Dame and Hart as well. But as long as all three of them get about 32 minutes per game at guard, I don't care who starts.

 

In fairness, he has started over 1/3 of the games in his career. He has a track record of being a solid rotation guy.

 

I agree. Size and defense are highly overrated. Forget that he played 23 minutes as a rookie and his minutes have increased every year. Forget he started every game last year and averaged 15 pts, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists. We need one-way players starting, not 2-way players.

 

Would you trade ant for Detroit’s pick this year?

 

Yes, for one simple reason. We are about to give Simons a huge pay increase with no evidence that he and Dame will work together any better than Dame/CJ. The chance to draft an all-star quality forward while having Hart start opposite Dame in a Wes Matthews role is very tempting!