Trade Idea Realistic trade options for summer of 2023

I feel like if we got Wemby that Julius Randle could be available via trade... especially if they get gentlemen's swept out of the second round. I we would need a third team because the Knicks would have no use for Ant but get a third team involved and Randle is the exact type of PF you would want playing next to Wemby if you're playing Wemby at the 5.

Regardless, I'm ready to move on from Nurk. People are right that Wemby needs someone who can bang playing next to him but we just need a more mobile 5 than Nurk and Nurk needs a change of scenery to see if he can get his head screwed on straight as far as how he finishes and the types of passes he attempts to pull off. I'm over the guy. He could be really valuable but just won't stop the completely preventable errors on offense. I also just flatly disagree with @BonesJones I do not think Nurk can play in space and still be effective at the best part of his game which is protecting the paint. I think when he defends in space he is a worse rebounder, he is not the deterrent around the rim and he gets blown by a lot because he's fucking slow. Just my take on Nurk. Move him to a team willing to play him in drop coverage and to a coach that thinks he can get him to finish strong at the hoop and make simple passes.

 

Nurk is The Riddler?

 

Off topic but loved this from back in the day.

 

When we get Wemby, my main off season target would be Siakam

 

Siakam seems pretty skinny to me. So who do we have in the starting lineup that can really bang in the post?

 

I don't see a traditional back to the basket, barkley type PF in Randle either. He and Siakam are comparable players but Siakam has been a robin to a championship team, so I give him the edge.

At least we agree Grant should be 3. We need height at every position. Jerami is not too dissimilar to Siakam himself but I like how he can score w/o demanding the ball, hitting open 3s.

 

If we get Wemby; I'd just keep the rest of the roster as is with a vet MLE addition and see how it all works first.

Maybe Wemby and Nurk would be a good big man duo. Maybe not. Maybe we need the scoring at SG with Ant, or maybe not and we need defense. Maybe Sharpe develops quicker than we expect, or maybe he has a sophomore slump. Just too many unknowns, too much uncertainty on when Wemby will be ready to chip in for a contender. So it will be better to wait for these other roster moves until we have some clarity on the current roster.

If we can get Siakam or Jaylen Brown or Bridges, etc on a very reasonable deal of course go pull the trigger as always we should be looking to do. But I wouldn't push all our chips in right away this summer in that type of move. We might be more willing to do that all in later once we more precisely know how the rest of our roster fits together and that one of those additions would make us an immediate contender.

Would be very excited to have this problem next week!

 

Does a starting lineup really need to bang in the 2024 NBA? I'd say we need one or two guys on the roster, possibly on vet minimum contracts, for those matchups that can bang against Embiid/Jokic/etc. Other than that, I just don't see "bang in the post" as being important for the majority of lineups over 82 games, or the majority of opponents in the playoffs.

 

I just don't see Randle as possible for a reasonable cost - NY has their best postseason run in 23 years, they're going to want to see all of that core next season. His defense and lack of height are big question marks on fitting with a poor defense Damian Lillard led team. Now if we'd acquired him last summer for a cheap cost then sure that would've been great, but I wouldn't consider him on the level of Siakam or other allstars.

Agreed on much of your concerns with Nurk. He's way overpaid and just doesn't fit well for how the Blazers want to play at times or against quick opponents. He's more fitting of a role as a great 20mpg backup center such as Hartenstein, but he's paid $70 million. Just unlikely we can move him in a deal with his negative contract value. If something comes up and we can move him while acquiring a useful all around rotational player (such as Josh Hart, etc) I'd move him and not be concerned about cobbling together a few vet minimum centers to replace him.

 

Randle will be the scapegoat if the Knicks lose to Miami. I listen to the Jason Smith show on Fox Sports Radio and he is a YUGEEEEE Knicks Fan. And he is pretty much done with Julius. Too inconsistent. 2 years ago, he was the talk of the town. What have you done for me lately , Janet Jackson sings. So who knows. I think John Collins needs a new team. His game has gone to pot these last couple of years. He might be available on the cheap . I see the Hawks moving on from him and his contract. Maybe he becomes this years Markkanen.

 

Good point. I assumed Wemby replaces Nurk at C but he def linitely could just be the PF. He moves like a 3, actually.

Dame
Jaylen or Mikal
Jerami
Viktor
Nurk

Sharpe
Thybulle
Eubanks?

Assuming Ant would be gone, so need a backup PG

 

Dame - VetMin
Ant - Sharpe
Grant - MLE free agent - Thybulle
Wemby - Watford
Nurk - VetMin -Eubanks

I'm hoping Eubanks and Thybulle are 3rd string or at least 9th/10th men. I'd probably target a wing first with the MLE, then try to get a vet minimum PG/G and C/PF.

If I could actually pick the starters and guys would buy into whatever role I'd probably prefer the lineup of;

Dame - Ant
Sharpe - VetMin
MLE free agent - Thybulle
Grant - Watford
Wemby - Nurk - VetMin

Just don't think Ant and Nurk would be happy on the bench, so we probably do the other lineup first. Also we aren't certain Sharpe or Wemby are ready to start. By December if Sharpe and Wemby look polished as starters, plus everyone is healthy, then certainly can consider Nurk or Ant trades.

 

Is it fantasy to think the Blazers could trade for a player like Jaylen Brown or Pascal Siakam or Mikal Bridges and still retain Shaedon Sharpe?

 

no

 

With the lottery pick, Ant and the barrage of future picks we can offer should we buy off Chi, we can certainly get one. Especially one who is on the last year of their deal.

 

What team would desire a sophomore who did not even make 2nd all-rookie team?

 

Its probably possible. Blazers can unprotect their picks and trade those away for 7 years.

But is it possible to acquire those guys in a way that the Blazers have a realistic chance to fill out a contending roster? I'd say no. I guess we'll see.

 

Exactly, we'll see. But if the Blazers don't get lucky with the Victor pick, i think there's a real good chance to add a Bridges, Siakam, or maybe Brown because Brooklyn & Toronto are teams in transition, and the Boston / Brown Beef may have legs that a max deal won't medicate. Then you go after a Seth Curry or Joe Harris to have that instant microwave shooter off the bench. All possibilities. Have have no problems with someone saying they doubt it can happen. Where I draw the line is when someone say "there's no way that happens". The only Absolutes are death and taxes.

 

Even if Ant is on the team next season - Portland still needs to get a real backup PG.

 

This year he was 14th or 15th if I recall correctly. That list doesn't consider free agents from this year.