Blazers trade the #7 pick for.....?

[TBpup]

There are more and more rumblings that the Blazers move their pick for immediate help rather than taking whomever is available at #7 and developing the best pick they have had since Damian Lamonte Ollie Lillard. The proposals have been multiple in nature, but given that Dame has indicated numerous times, that he wants to win here in Portland, and hasn't been anywhere near seriously contending, waiting for a rookie to be that contributor/star is not what he is looking for.

Any trade will likely have more parts than in the options below, and if it was Ayton, it gets a little complicated due to him going from a Rookie contract to a max.

I just get the feeling we are going to sacrifice the pick to get better.....but that it won't get us to real contender status.

 

[SharpeScooterShooter]

All of the options proposed I would be fine with over drafting at 7.
However, there is no option for any of the above.
I think the asterisk lies in the multiple pick option. Which picks? 25 & 27? No thanks.
15 & 20? Possibly. 10 & 25? Sure.

 

[Hoopguru]

There are more and more rumblings that the Blazers move their pick for immediate help rather than taking whomever is available at #7 and developing the best pick they have had since Damian Lamonte Ollie Lillard. The proposals have been multiple in nature, but given that Dame has indicated numerous times, that he wants to win here in Portland, and hasn't been anywhere near seriously contending, waiting for a rookie to be that contributor/star is not what he is looking for.

Any trade will likely have more parts than in the options below, and if it was Ayton, it gets a little complicated due to him going from a Rookie contract to a max.

I just get the feeling we are going to sacrifice the pick to get better.....but that it won't get us to real contender status.

No guarantees, but if we conveyed to Dame we would engineer the club through trades and Dame and Joe don't feel there is anyone at 7 or above? then we should trade the pick for a veteran 3/4/5.

 

[Phatguysrule]

Trade for Randle and get 11, then trade 11 for Grant (other expiring's and exceptions as necessary). This seems to get us the best shot at the most talented and balanced roster next season. We'd have 2 recent All-Stars, as well as several players who could be in the conversation for an AS selection during Dame's career.

 

[Predator]

I’ve got a feeling it’ll be Ayton and I’m going to have an epic meltdown.

 

[Phatguysrule]

I’ve got a feeling it’ll be Ayton and I’m going to have an epic meltdown.

I'd be good with trading Nurk for Ayton. Along with some 2nd rounders or a future first... but not at the expense of getting Grant and Randle...

 

[Hoopguru]

I’ve got a feeling it’ll be Ayton and I’m going to have an epic meltdown.

Why? If you added Ayton and a solid wing, we would be much improved.

 

[illmatic99]

i think the underlying aspect in all these trade 7 scenarios hinges on who might still be available in the draft.

if Ivey shockingly drops to 7, or if the Kings/Pacers/Pistons don't take Murray, I think drafting either of those guys is a no brainer and you thank your lucky stars that other teams are stupid enough to pass on potential all-star caliber talents.

 

[illmatic99]

#7 + Nurk for Ayton in a S&T is a drastic overpay, especially when Phoenix has little to no leverage in the situation.

 

[TBpup]

All of the options proposed I would be fine with over drafting at 7.
However, there is no option for any of the above.
I think the asterisk lies in the multiple pick option. Which picks? 25 & 27? No thanks.
15 & 20? Possibly. 10 & 25? Sure.

How about from the teams that have multiple picks?

Spurs - #9/#20
Hornets - #13/#15
Thunder - #12/#30

 

[TBpup]

#7 + Nurk for Ayton in a S&T is a drastic overpay, especially when Phoenix has little to no leverage in the situation.

Fine....so what would you suggest?

 

[damianlillard]

I don’t think we need to trade #7 pick to contend. We can easily get Grant without trading that. We can use our exception to sign TJ Warren to whatever deal make sense. Warren played great before they shut him down for the season. Sign vets here and there. Drafting a wing/forward at #7 would solidify our bench. Let say we pick mathurin in this scenario
Dame/simons
Hart/simons/mathurin
Grant/little/mathurin
Warren/Winslow/Watford
Nurk/Watford/Eubanks
Before factoring in the rest of the bench, that’s a solid team already. In fact I believe we would be champ contender. We can survive not only 1 injury but multiple injuries and wouldn’t miss a beat

 

[MickZagger]

Even with Jeramie Grant we’re a 1 and done playoff team. He’s an upgrade over what we got at that position but we need to do more this offseason to compete.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Some magic beans!

 

[BIG Q]

Living in Arizona, my sense is Ayton is available and the Suns know they have no leverage. I doubt Ayton is back next season with the Suns. Would I want him on the Blazers, hell yes. He is not a good fit in Phoenix who play more like Golden State. Ayton is a very engaged defensive presence when he is being utilized offensively, which Portland will do. He also has a great jump shot out to 15 feet though you want him dunking the ball. Phoenix wants a veteran and a future pick most likely. I'd offer Ayton max, but not have him sign offer sheet. I'd then propose trading Hart and the Bucks pick and calling it good. They would love Hart down here, and I love Hart in Portland.

 

[SharpeScooterShooter]

How about from the teams that have multiple picks?

Spurs - #9/#20
Hornets - #13/#15
Thunder - #12/#30

Thank you. I am not as up on what other teams have what picks.
I think I would do the Spurs or Hornets. I think I would want something more from the Thunder. A future 2nd? Is that too much?

 

[Predator]

Why? If you added Ayton and a solid wing, we would be much improved.

Paying a center 30 million+ is not a recipe for “championship” success.

Jokic?
Embiid?
Gobert?

How is that working out for those teams? And I’d argue that they’re all much, much better players than Ayton.

Now let’s look at this:
Mavs - Luka
Warriors - Steph, Klay, Dray, Wiggins
Celtics - Jaylen, Tatum
Heat - Jimmy

Not a 30 million dollar big traditional center in sight. Seems like star wings are more important.

 

[Hoopguru]

Paying a center 30 million+ is not a recipe for “championship” success.

Jokic?
Embiid?
Gobert?

How is that working out for those teams? And I’d argue that they’re all much, much better players than Ayton.

Now let’s look at this:
Mavs - Luka
Warriors - Steph, Klay, Dray, Wiggins
Celtics - Jaylen, Tatum
Heat - Jimmy

Not a 30 million dollar big traditional center in sight. Seems like star wings are more important.

I get it...Seems Golden State drafted a big guy while in the lottery. And by they wont win unless they get good solid play from Looney. Boston has a few centers that could hurt GS down low too.
Yeah, agree all star wings is where its at now but a 5 that can play D, post up and shoot can be a difference maker.

 

[Predator]

I get it...Seems Golden State drafted a big guy while in the lottery. And by they wont win unless they get good solid play from Looney. Boston has a few centers that could hurt GS down low too.
Yeah, agree all star wings is where its at now but a 5 that can play D, post up and shoot can be a difference maker.

James Wiseman isn’t a “big, traditional C”.

But the more important thing is…

Are the Celtics centers getting paid 30 million?
Is Looney getting paid 30 million?

And DeAndre Ayton wasn’t much a difference maker against the Mavericks who played *checks notes* Maxi Kleber and Dwight Powell.

Maybe, maaaaybe, maaaaaaaaybe AFTER we get an elite wing we can try and waste 30 million + assets on a traditional center. Not until then. And there’s a reason the suns aren’t keen on keeping Ayton around.


But hey, hope I’m wrong.

 

[Scalma]

I don’t think they will trade out of the first, I think that’s 100% media speculation/assumption. I think it’s more likely they trade down to gather more assets. But if Cronin really is an upside guy I think he’ll keep the pick, select someone, and use other picks to get more immediate help like Grant.

 

[illmatic99]

Fine....so what would you suggest?

if a deal for Ayton is available in a S&T, I don't think it should cost us more than just Nurk or Hart.

 

[Hoopguru]

James Wiseman isn’t a “big, traditional C”.

But the more important thing is…

Are the Celtics centers getting paid 30 million?
Is Looney getting paid 30 million?

And DeAndre Ayton wasn’t much a difference maker against the Mavericks who played *checks notes* Maxi Kleber and Dwight Powell.

Maybe, maaaaybe, maaaaaaaaybe AFTER we get an elite wing we can try and waste 30 million + assets on a traditional center. Not until then. And there’s a reason the suns aren’t keen on keeping Ayton around.


But hey, hope I’m wrong.

I don't see him going anywhere. The whole max deal is negotiating positioning.
Question? Is Ja Morant worth a max deal?

 

[Hoopguru]

James Wiseman isn’t a “big, traditional C”.

But the more important thing is…

Are the Celtics centers getting paid 30 million?
Is Looney getting paid 30 million?

And DeAndre Ayton wasn’t much a difference maker against the Mavericks who played *checks notes* Maxi Kleber and Dwight Powell.

Maybe, maaaaybe, maaaaaaaaybe AFTER we get an elite wing we can try and waste 30 million + assets on a traditional center. Not until then. And there’s a reason the suns aren’t keen on keeping Ayton around.


But hey, hope I’m wrong.

He's 7' tall. Are you saying he's more Kevin Durant?

 

[TBpup]

I don’t think we need to trade #7 pick to contend. We can easily get Grant without trading that. We can use our exception to sign TJ Warren to whatever deal make sense. Warren played great before they shut him down for the season.

I like Warren too, but he didn't play this season at all and only played 4 games the year prior due to injury.

 

[Mediocre Man]

They are moving their pick for Grant. Back for him, up for him or just 7

 

[Natebishop3]

They are moving their pick for Grant. Back for him, up for him or just 7

And there will be people who STILL defend Sell Low Joe.

 

[wizenheimer]

They are moving their pick for Grant. Back for him, up for him or just 7

"up for him"...?

as in something like 7 + Milwaukee pick for 5 + Grant?

that would be a good trade for Blazers IMO

7 for Grant would be the opposite of good

 

[HoopsFanAZ]

With the game as it is, a guard and wing duo looks best as #1 and #2 on the team. No argument from me. Boston is right there. Using Denver as an example should include their injury issues for a couple years. They and Philly should be the outliers other teams DON’T follow. Utah has a guard-center spat they aren’t getting over.

The essential argument is a team doesn’t need an elite or Tier 2 center making $$$ to contend. With the Nurkic (and other) untimely injuries, it’s an easy excuse on not getting back to the WCF. More reasonable on the early exits? Sub-par forwards who are neither stoppers nor consistent, significant scorers. Having a short, no-D pound-the-rock SG made the problems more visible. [Dame isn’t tall, but he’s not small.]

The only question for me is whether Ayton is good enough to be that #2 who hedges, gets back and covers the corner 3. I’d take him over Gobert in a heartbeat.

 

[HoopsFanAZ]

"up for him"...?

as in something like 7 + Milwaukee pick for 5 + Grant?
that would be a good trade for Blazers IMO
7 for Grant would be the opposite of good

I’ll play the mediator role to arrive at 7 + MIL ‘25 + Little = 5 + Grant. Just trying to help.

 

[Predator]

He's 7' tall. Are you saying he's more Kevin Durant?

Huh?
James Wiseman was drafted so high because he was predicted to be a Stretch 5 with a handle.

Not all 7 footers are KD or Rudy Gobert.

Evan Mobley for instance. Not a “traditional” center.