We would need Miami's picks in 2028 and 2030 and hopefully swaps but other than that, I think this works. We would have to roll with the fourteen man roster this gives us to stay out of the tax but it does work.
If Cronin can land 1 FRP for a 1 year rental of Josh Hart, I think the Blazers could get 2 FRP for Ayton at the trade deadline.
I personally think this team would be batter than with Nurk. I believe they would be competitive and they could be in a position to grow and maybe even add some pieces to contend. I also feel eventually you have to play Sharpe over Simons. Not sure that happens to begin the year but it could be something they will have to try. If the Blazers can have a player like Simons as a 6th man they would be a solid team IMO.
I don't think Ayton is a major upgrade over Nurk, but at least he finishes around the rim. Nurk's lazy play has really grown tiresome. Though I don't like seeing people on social media act like Nurk is a scrub...he can be very good on both ends (and he seems to be developing a 3pt shot). Another unknown factor is if Nurk wants to be in Portland? Ayton fits in more with our young core age wise.
I'd think I'd take Hart over Herro without exception. Not sure anybody is going to give up 2 firsts for Herro
Teams switching on D is part of a defensive system, you just need the right personnel to excel at it. Ayton is arguably the best 5 in the league at it having the ability to reasonably guard a variety of players. Nurk is on the other end of that spectrum, teams purposely hunt him on switches. I am sure that any team that has Ayton will be taking advantage of his ability to switch off. STOMP
Ideally, none at all. You would just hope it is just Nurk and a cheap contributing piece from the Heat trade (Martin). Otherwise, I wouldn’t be interested in him at all. I would expect a minimum of 2 unprotected 1sts and the ‘29 swap. If Ayton is the reason our total return is 1 1st, I’m good.
That's absolute nonsense. He definitely would. Josh Hart got us 1 in an expiring year. You don't think a 24 year old that averaged over 20 with those splits gets you that. Yeah, I don't think you're helping yourself.
With Scoot in town, and as much of a cheerleader as he is -> Id like to see if he could help Ayton with the mental side of the game
Hart got one late protected pick. The proposal I had for Herro was for an unprotected pick which is worth about 5x as much
From BlazersMetrics podcast with rumor of Jazz being a 4th team how about this; Heat get Olynyk for their depth, keep Martin, and save taxes Suns get two players for their depth and save massive taxes Utah gets Herro and Jaquez for their future Blazers get their "win now" retool but also 2 great picks and a swap all unprotected Ayton Reath Collins Walker Grant Murray Sharpe Thybulle Scoot Ant
I think at some point your going to have to choose between Sharpe & Simons. We’ve just been down this road to many times before.