Man, since the trade request, I’ve been restless thinking about the possibilities of what our team can look like. Ant(18)/Scoot(30)/Wright Sharpe(32)/Ant(16)/Thybulle Martin(30)/Kris(10)/Jovic(8) Grant(32)/Clowney(6)/Jovic(10) Capela(26)/Clowney(12)/Badji(10) This was just a rotation I came up with assuming he goes to Miami and Herro goes to Brooklyn, and we trade for Wright’s expiring for a vet presence and Capela to have a stopgap at C for 1-2 years. Great if we get a blue chip prospect back, but as long as we get back the 1sts, it’s fine. I think that team is good enough to compete for a play-in spot. In theory, we have 3 years to take advantage of Scoot and Sharpe’s salaries. So here is the FA classes the next 3 years, year 3 is the summer before Sharpe’s extension kicks in. 2024: OG Okungwu (RFA) 2025: Ingram AD PG 2026: Tatum Adebayo Giannis Jarrett Allen JJJ Smart Are any of those guys catching your eye for someone who could help us relatively soon?
If Scoot snd Shaedon become what we think they can become, we have a real shot of being legit contenders by 2026 imo. Theoretically we could clear the decks - Sharpe still on rookie deal - Scoot still on rookie deal - Ant’s salary is filled by either a long term wing position or expirings - Grant’s contract could be long gone for someone like Jarrett Allen (who would be a FA in 2026) Assuming Dame got 4 1sts, Ant got another 1st on top of a long term SF, Grant got another 1st, we have a whole bunch of picks to acquire the next big star that demands a trade. Or we could maybe have cap space to bring in a third star + valuable role players like Smart.
No way we just move him for a small package though. I’m betting we don’t let him go until he gets us at least 2 1sts and expirings. If we’re giving him up for less than a 1st, I don’t see a point of moving him. There’s enough minutes for each guard to play 30mpg+ if only 3 guys get the minutes.
What direction is that? This team has ZERO identity, so where does Ant transgress here? Please explain.
And Full-Court pushing the ball. I think the last time the Blazers identity was full-court running the ball was Clyde and Porter and Kersey.
I really love the idea of looking forward to our future but the problem is that our future is all sorts of tangled up in this Dame drama. When this gets settled I will definitely be looking forward and not back.
TV is dead dude. I used to watch those shows because that's what was on. Now I can queue up any number of apps and watch whatever I want.
PLEASE tell me this is more than just a guess. This has me more hopeful about the future of the team than anything I have heard in a long time