Obviously we've got a weird roster: we've enough decent vets that if everyone is healthy we're almost a play-in team (we would certainly be one in the East). But (a) nobody's ever healthy, and (b) we're tanking, so that's counterproductive. So why're we keeping ANY vets? Presumably the answer is that young'ins don't learn without some vets around and the team culture tanks. But do we have vets who are ideal for culture? I mean, our "stars" are Grant and Ayton, and neither is a leader. Brogdon's presumably the most leader-ish, but (a) is he, though? and (b) he's the WORST for always injured (except maybe Williams, whose knee may prevent him ever playing again for all we know - you're welcome for the Championship, Boston) Do we offload vets at all cost? Hold on to them for a really good offer? Try to add more to be a non-laughing stock (the Heat model)? I think Jerami has skills that a contender could use, that is, solid defender, very good midrange shooter. But does the fact that he lacks the ball skills to play SF and rebounds worse than a point guard prevent him being worth anything? I would Offload: Williams (very good player, very bad knee), Matisse (I'm not as down on him as others but he plays a position that we have a million younger guys at), Jerami (just more valuable to some other team) Try to get half-decent value: Anfernee (hard to know who'd want him, though), Brogdon (he'd be great if he could stay healthy) Don't trade unless it's a good offer: Ayton (he had a tiny bit of a breakthrough at the end of the season - I'm intrigued enough to keep him, and there's no one like him in the draft)
I don't believe Cronin is 'intending' to trade any of the 6 veterans. He may trade 1 and it will be the wrong 1. Moving trucks being loaded and headed for an address in Purgatory
I say that if either or both miss out on Paul George, then Jerami Grant should be a cut-price fallback plan. I actually see Grant in Philly making a lot of sense. (The Magic need to be thinking about Anfernee, of course.)
Huh? Were we watching the same player? Ayton balled-out at the end of the year. Amazing stats. Not his fault the team was tanking.
No player on this team should be UNtradable...not even Scoot and/or Shae. Even our picks for this year should be available for the right deal.
I doubt he wants to leave LA after working so hard to get back home. But I can see why those two teams would want him. He could play SG in Orlando.
Still worth getting rid of Jerami, for his sake and the sake of developing our young guys and tanking for an actually good draft. Besides, if we offload all the vets I want to offload, we may not be.
Yes, the perma-tank plan is so inviting. Get rid of all existing guys who are the least bit competent and play the young guys to the never-ending glory of future drafts.
think of playoff teams that need cap relief next summer. There's only 1 Blazer that fits the bill of good performance on expiring contract, Malcom Brogdan. what can Portland get? They need an immediate salary cut to duck the tax. A smaller salary player, 1 injured buyout contract, and future picks might clear the ~8m necessary to keep Jody in the green. The only alternative i see to avoid the 'pit of despair' luxury tax, is straight buy-out Robert Williams 26m contract. Jody's rich, she can afford a heap of dead cap space for Cronin's maximum salary rebuilding experiment.
Yeah, think of all those games Jerami will win for us if we keep him. You know, like he did THIS season. He did a great job of lifting us to respectability, didn't he?
Maybe something in the middle? Figure out which guys fit then look to move the other vets for more experienced guys who fit. What gives me heartburn is the nonsense about dumping vets for crap and picks.
Are Ayton and Ant considered vets? Super unlikely they're traded. They are young enough to still be productive in next phase of the rebuild. Ayton was a monster to end the year. Ant didn't get to play with Sharpe, the Blazers want to see a year of them with Scoot. Timelord and Thybulle have little to no value. So it's really just Grant and Brogdon. If we can get a FRP then yes it would be a good move.
