We got the #3 pick. Discuss the possibilities.

Well, if the clone is a healthier version that might be alright...

 

That's a lot to ask of a 19 year old rookie.

 

I think Dame could temper him for the betterment of team ball.

 

https://theathletic.com/4535111/2023/05/19/nba-draft-rumors-notes-hollinger/

Marang has said the Blazers #1 option is hoping Boston loses and trade #3 + Ant for Jaylen Brown because Jaylen Brown actually wants to come here. If that doesn't work, try to trade the same package for Mikal Bridges. Doesn't think Bridges is available though even for this package. They don't want/are not willing to pay for whatever Toronto is asking for Siakam. Both Marang and Highkin have been pretty plugged in the Blazers plans in the Cronin era.

I saw @hoopsjock stream last night and he basically said the same thing as Marang.

Also all 3 folks ^ have basically said if they can't get anyone on their short list (re: Brown, Bridges), then a break up with Dame is entirely possible, even likely. So better hope they can shake free someone on their short list. Marang and Highkin have both send on the record that if we walk out of the draft using the pick, it's most likely lights out on the Dame era.

 

This seems reasonable. Agreed these are three actual plugged in sources.

If so it would alleviate my fear the Blazers would explore a poor Siakam deal. I heard Toronto wants Ant, Sharpe, AND #3 for Siakam. I'm hoping the Blazers don't give into Masai negotiations, as a simple Ant and #3 for Siakam trade is still bad.

I can understand #3 and Ant for Brown or Bridges. I probably hold firm asking for a bit more if I was in charge. But if the Blazers are drawing the line with those two and no additional picks, I don't hate it.

I'd be very excited for either core of Ant/Sharpe/Miller or Scoot/Ant/Sharpe. Yeah Dame probably doesn't fit with either, especially the latter. But it is what it is, and if theres no realistic way to contend with Dame now, thats just where were at.

The Harden noise is certainly something to pay attention to. If Harden does infact plan to sign with the Rockets, Morey seems like the type of GM who would have no fear trading out the MVP if it better positions the franchise long term.

But once the #3 pick is made, and if the Blazers don't trade it, I think that kind of ends these thoughts of trading the pick to win now with Dame. Teams want to pick their exact guy at the draft, not try to work out a deal weeks or months later.

 

I think Ant + 3 is an overpay for Bridges.

 

I get what your saying. I hope the hype for Scoot / Miller goes through the roof. That way # 3 is way more valuable, and maybe could net (pun intended) Mikal Bridges / Nic Claxton for Ant / # 3. It really relies on the Hornets though. We need them to fall in love with Miller.

 

In a vacuum and on pure trade value sure, but in the context of where Brooklyn is, I don't think it's crazy for them to decline. If Bridges was on a team that had control of their draft picks it would be different.

 

LOOOVE the fit of Claxton on a suped-up Dame-led Blazers team. Young, long, energetic, productive without the ball (or need for shots), solid and versatile defender, CHEAP... He and the Magic bigs are our best bets for addressing that spot, if we're building around Dame, I think...

 

Maybe if we had a more dependable top10 center and Sharpe fully reached his prime I'd be on board for that trade. Grant would be the worst starter. Then Ant + 3 for Bridges has a real chance to make us a legit contender. I can see overpaying a bit if its the final step to contend.

But Sharpe might still be a good 3-4 years away, and Nurk isn't that center. The Blazers just aren't that close.

They need a better move first before an all in final move. Something such as hitting on the #3 pick being a star on a cheap rookie deal has that chance.

 

I wonder if there could be an element that Brooklyn thinks they could bundle all their future picks (mostly from Phoenix) and get Dame from us? Might make them hesitant to trade Bridges away now.

The Blazers have the advantage as you note that if they trade Dame away and lose more it improves all of their own draft picks value.

It's a very odd situation to have two teams straddling the win now vs rebuild line and both looking at acquiring the others star.

 

Yeah, Brooklyn and Portland are playing two sides of the same coin.

 

Saw this as well and while I don't love it, I think it has legs.

Ant + 11 for OG after or something. Draft at 6 or trade that too.

Would increase the streak of my avatar becoming a Blazer one year after changing. I'd change it to Giannis next....

 

Adding WDC and OG would be the most Olshey move that Cronin could make. Just enough firepower to get back to the 5th or 6th seed while wasting a top 3 pick. So exciting.

 

Can't see Toronto trading OG. He is a great guy to have next to Scotty Barnes.

If Toronto is moving anyone this off-season it is either Pascal or FVV, or both.

 

yeah...it solves nothing at all. Fence-straddling-can-kicking nonsense, and yes....it's vintage olshey

 

Some of these tweets make the plan sound like its to be one of the better mediocre teams instead of one of the worse mediocre teams like we used to be. Very exciting stuff.

 

I think WCJ and OG are significantly better than anyone Olshey ever acquired. But I get the sentiment in that neither are all-stars or close to it.

 

To be 100% honest, I don't think they're trading anyone. I think Ant for OG is fair value in itself, but Masai has a "Olshey with CJ" kind of love for his players, so they're most likely going to re-sign Poeltl and run it back.

 

Dame shouldn't have said publicly that he don't want the Blazers to draft another 19 year old or he's out. In hindsight that comment was extremely dumb. It has put the Blazers in a very difficult situation and all executives around the league know they have to trade the Pick to keep him in Portland. Dame should have said it to Cronin behind closed doors but not publicly