Trade Deadline: February 6, 2025

I agree Thybulle will certainly not opt out this summer. I've never understood the posters here claiming there is a real chance he will opt out.

 

Simons I would be ok giving an extension to, but it needs to be a salary that has him tradable as a 6th man. If he wants more let him play out his deal and test the free agent market.

Ayton I would not offer a contract. I'd prefer the most we just trade him this summer. If he finishes this year playing well I think you might have a team willing to flip some other player also on an expiring contract for him. I'd rather get a Drew Eubanks minimum big but a bit mobile and switchable defender to be a duo with Clingan. If we have to keep Ayton let him go to free agency and maybe at that time we consider offering MLE money at the most. He has athleticism, quickness, and skill. But he is such a damn lazy defender. I don't think I've seen such pathetic efforts from any NBA player in Blazers history. Even the fat cupcake eating Raymond Felton tried harder as a Blazer on defense.

Timelord I would like to keep the most - I would give him an extension that has nonguaranteed years like Zion at similar pay to Timelords current deal. With his injury risk I wouldn't offer more until the next summer though. Might make sense for both parties to let this go to free agency though.

Thybulle I would not extend, he's a 3rd string player.
Murray I would not pickup his 4th year option.

Grant I'd like to trade the most as that 2028 contract has the biggest downside. Hopefully as you say the Blazers don't add another stupid contract to their cap long term. They have done a ton of those in the past so I'm legit concerned about it.

Probably the most significant contract of all is the Sharpe extension. He has flashes off all-star upside, but other times he looks like a poor backup, and his defense is always a concern. This is probably the biggest potential contract offer we will have to consider. I could legit see a team eventually giving him a max offer - similar to what the Pacers did with Ayton.

 

What sucks is our progression to being decent is about 3 months to soon. What I mean is our young guys need to learn how to win and how to close out games. The problem is we are learning a few months before one of the biggest drafts in the last 5-10 years.

Now we have to hope we have a player on this team that will become a superstar. Honestly I think both Scoot and Sharpe have that potential.

Steps to building great team
1. Talent (at least one superstar)
2 assets to trade at later date to complete your roster
3 identity of team ours seems to be defense and playing scrappy team ball)
4 start winning and learning how to close out close games
5 players accepting their role and holding each other accountable
6 good coach

would have been nice to add one more really high draft pick but I’m starting to believe we have the makings of a good team with potential to be great.

still like to see Scoot and Sharpe both starting and Ant and Grant coming off the bench.

 

I mean sure... but it also would've been nice if we drafted Jovic in the 2nd round. We missed our chance on both of these things. Those ships have sailed.

 

The circumstances that would be needed for us to end up with Chet Holmgren are about the same circumstances necessary for Miami to end up with Greg Oden.

 

We have had about 10 top 5 picks since I began watching the Blazers in 1970.
Only one has had the ability to make us a contender. In 50+ years.......

So although I absolutely want another chance at it, I have become numb to thinking it will make a difference.

 

3 years from now, Blazers make Championship and Dame Dolla wins "6th man award" as a Blazer

 

So when is the trade deadline? Any good rumors?

 

I feel like Dusty cooked Danny in this segment.

 

I don't know why Danny is so combative.

 

Yeah, I haven't been able to stand him since he popped up here.

 

I’ve enjoyed the games all season. When we sucked, I rooted for the young players and didn’t get upset when we lost. Now that we’re winning, I’m enjoying this too. We haven’t had this dominant of a stretch since the 13 game winning streak in 2018. It’s been so much fun. I feel bad for the people who refuse to enjoy it.

 

LaRue Martin???

 

Refuse has nothing to do with it. I'm not going to set aside anything else to make time for it. If Scoot and Sharpe were starting I probably would.

Now that we've apparently decided the rebuild is done I'll enjoy the wins as they come. I'll catch games when I can.

But I'm not going to be excited about watching Ant and Grant start over Sharpe and Scoot.

 

I don’t, guy is a jerk. Hope he gets splinters keeping that bench from flying away.

 

Martell?