LMAO you're making it all about 3 pointers so of course you don't see the big deal. Josh Hart is a consummate role player. Best rebounder at his position. Plays hard every play. Good passer. You're trading him for a late 1st which ends up being a nearly 24 year-old-rookie who hasn't proven a damn thing? If I was Dame, I would definitely be pissed.
1. Getting proper value in trade for #3 (Scoot) was going to be difficult based on who would be added from the Blazers side to match salaries. Younger players on rookie contracts were unlikely. Having to add Nurkic and/or Simons were the only two options for contracts of some size. Nurkic's value fits fewer teams. Simons needs to develop his D and running a team but is an excellent scorer. Getting back Bridges or Siakam for Simons +3 was debated and not seen as enough by MANY Blazers fans and talking heads. Zion became the hope but that was a bit far fetched. Shaedon wasn't getting traded. It was threading a needle. 2. Getting Murray at 23 was good value, IMHO, given how similar his game is to his brother's ... who has done well for SAC. Kris has plenty of time to develop. Jabari as a 10-year pro as a 6th or 7th man looks doable. Murray looks better than that. Rupert needs years, but he has NBA skills and down at 43 it's a no-lose situation. Center is the spot to seriously fix, and getting another quality forward is the challenge for trading Lillard. The backup forwards look like a good mix. 3. Salaries are fairly well cleaned up. There's talent in the lineup. Serious athletes. For a rebuild, this one looks like it can work. The Lillard, Nurkic (and maybe Little) trades will determine how much of a head start they have ... within 1-2 years which guys will be traded for what they need to address? Hopefully, Sharpe takes huge leaps and a mature Simons bags some good value in trade.
At first glance, are they ready to win now? Maybe. They have PICKS. Willie Wonka golden tickets named Minnesota. Lillard could NOT complain about going back to Utah as Weber State's favorite son. Ainge would build around him and do it better than Cronin ... Ainge would get it done. What Ainge wants to do? I don't know if win-now is it.
Even with Ayton, I'd target Mark Williams out of those teams. Are there any other good young prospects on those teams?
Walker will get small ball Center run. The bench is going to be Summer League with a hint of Nassir. How many times did Watford end up at the 5 spot last year? It seemed like a lot. Nurkic missed a bunch of games. Jabari is next in line to fill Trendon's role.
I'm not excited with our stash of forward and center prospects right now. They're all middling. Perhaps one can breakout at some point, but no clear cut prospect the way Scoot or Shae are.
And unfortunately, the good ones require giving up too many assets. You pretty much have to draft one. That’s why I’m in favor of tanking this year. Would the Hornets even entertain Herro, Jaquez, and 2nds for Williams and filler? I have no idea, but I would do that deal in a heartbeat.
Don't worry, you're bound to be right one of these days. Unless it happens over the weekend of course.
Dame's Cousin latest tweet: Edit: Think it's Orange for Florida...deal...(not sure what the diamond stands for or what city the deal is with).
