I take it you think Nurk/Ayton are so similar because they have similar #'s as well? In my opinion, there is a little more to it, but you may be right.
How many players are we going to see that the Blazers are "targeting"? I've already seen that we're targeting 7-8 players. Hoping this means we'll be active and aggressive, but as they say, fool me once....
Well, I suppose the good news there is that my wallet won't be lighter (as I won't be spending money to attend any games or purchasing merchandise).
LOL... I'm with you. This appears to be more like favors to agents than anything. Feels like LaVine or Beal have near 0% of going to Portland this summer. Even Ayton seems highly unlikely.
I wish this thread had a poll to determine how unified everyone is that Beal is not the player or position we should be targeting.
Cronin has said all along he's targeting forwards to pair with Dame....Beal doesn't seem to be anywhere near the type player Chauncey or Joe are targeting. Beal is an alpha...he's not playing Scottie Pippen to Dame ...his agent knows this too. If they did pick him up it'd be to trade him down the road but I don't see that pairing doing anything for our core moving forward
I feel like we're still about two steps away from worrying about having the right players at the right position. Until it's time to contend, I think the #1 focus should be on building your assets. If we could trade our starting lineup (minus Dame) for the 4 best PGs in the league, I would do it in two seconds. You could easily flip 4 of the top 5 PGs in the league for a contending roster.
A lot of you are seriously underrating Beal. This is a guy who averaged 31 ppg just two seasons ago. He also won the first three first round series of his career going 12-3 in those series. If it wasn't for Kelly Olynyk going off, he would've reached the ECF in 2017. Dame wants to play with a star. Beal qualifies as a star. And a lot of you act like if we get Beal, we can't also get good players at other positions of need. Why not go after both? Remember when Boston traded for KG and Ray Allen without losing Pierce. That's the kind of splash we should be looking to make.
How does that math work though? I suppose salary differentials can play a large part, but by and large, if our current starters, minus Dame, have the value to trade for the best PGs in the league, then would not those same four starters be able to net the right guys in the right positions from the get go? To me that seems like kicking the can down the road? The only way I would see that as a goal is if there is clear end game and player that is coveted that we already know we can get, through discussions, that Beal would net? And if that is the case, why not just have a three team trade? I am sorry, but I am just not seeing the upside from targeting high priced guards when we have a very solid trio currently.
I'm not underestimating him...I'm calling it a redundant signing because he's a franchise pt guard and we have that already..Beal won't want that situation...he needs Dame's position on a team to do what you like seeing him do....Jimmy Butler sure...but we need Jimmy Butler...we don't need Beal for what he brings to the Dame era..my view. Pierce and Ray Allen weren't playing the same position
Lots of questions to unpack here! 1) The math doesn't work in my hypotheical situation. It was to simply make a point that there is value in obtaining the best players, regardless of position. 2) The opposing teams would not trade their best PGs for our starters because our talent level it too low. Which is the point, we need more talent, regardless of position. 3) I wouldn't call it "kicking the can down the road", I'd call it a plan to actually be a contender vs praying we can flip our current roster into a contending one by being super picky about only taking on a couple players that fit todays needed. 4) Three team trades are MUCH harder to facilitate. Flipping players allows you to mix and match assets from other moves. What do you see the path being of turning Dame, the hope of Ant, and some role players into a contender?
Beal and Dame don't play the same position. Beal is not a PG. He's a SG. He scored 31 ppg while sharing the ball with Russell Westbrook. Yes, the Westbrook who always wants the ball in his hands and took 19 shots per game that season. It's safe to say he'd be very effective sharing the ball with Dame.
Josh Hart is a two guard at a fraction of the price....I don't see Beal not wanting his own team..to captain a team and run the offense. Maybe I'm wrong...I just don't see this as a fit at all....Josh Hart scored 44 this season too. Also playing with Westbrook you're going to get a lot of long rebounds....he's a clanger. CJ was called a two guard too but CJ is also a pt guard really.
If given the choice, would you rather: 1) Obtain a redundant star 2) Obtain an average player in a position of need Obviously we want the star in a position of need, so I left that option out.
