On the Simmons/Russillo pod this morning

https://www.theringer.com/the-bill-...gency-preview-extravaganza-with-ryen-russillo

Around the 86 minute mark. Tried to quote, but verbatim...

Discussion on how Portland and Denver could end up having the #1 record in the west next year.

Ryen: "The reports I'm getting back on Anfernee Simons are through the roof. It's not just talent, but if he puts it together, he's gonna be a monster. That sounds really aggressive but I wouldn't share it unless the guy that told me that has been right almost all the time on players."

Bill: "I've heard similar buzz with them just being really really delighted with how it turned out."

Bill: "They have Simons, they have Collins who I like. They have Nassir Little who people feel like they stole, and they have expiring contracts in Leonard/Harkless/Bazemore. Basically they have the pieces to put together a trade for any player they want over the next 6 months. It can be something like expirings and Little for Love, or even something ambitious for a top 25 player by throwing in all their pieces. I do think Portland is going to do something big."

Ryen: " I don't know what it is. The guy who told me this about Simons is the same one who was talking about CJ before he blew up. Simons still has to get out there and play but if he was that insanely good, then wouldn't Portland have found some minutes for him? Zach, I really like, he's gotta fight a little bit more. But there's always that next pissed off star in the next 6 months who will become available, and maybe they have enough pieces to load up on it. It's much better than everyone trying to break up their backcourt"

Bill: "What if they put together a three headed triumvirate and land Beal? But I keep coming back to Love. 4 months from now, you could have someone out there. Maybe PG is tired of OKC or Davis hates it in LA. "

 

Sounds like our guys have some value. I'd wait for the next disgruntled all star. No point cashing in our pieces for Love. And the Simons hype is getting mad crazy.

 

I really hope he blows up in summer league.

 

Looking for potentially disgruntled wing players, the name screaming out to me is Devin Booker. His stats are absolutely nuts but he doesn't win. Phoenix is going nowhere with him and already gave him a max. With their shitty owner, you never know...

Can we rescue him?

My dream is Ben Simmons. Putting him on the ball with Dame/CJ or Dame/Nurk would be insane.

 

I think he will! He's composed like Dame and also very confident and not reluctant to shoot or take over. I like that.

 

Just say no to trading Little

 

This is the same thing I was thinking: "Simons still has to get out there and play but if he was that insanely good, then wouldn't Portland have found some minutes for him?"

 

With Hood and Seth Curry on your bench and not wanting to take big gambles before or in the playoffs, no way Ant gets real court time--even if he was that good. He is a long term play. You don't throw him immediately into a tough playoff atmosphere.

Additionally, I think some of the hype is even since the season ended. They clearly seem ready to give him real minutes now.

 

The problem is, there is no superstar right now who wants to be traded. Griffin seems to be happy in detroit, Kevin Love? Not heard anything official except "rumors" from fans. In order to get a top 30 NBA Player, they have to demand a trade

 

I would imagine the thought is to see what happens in the first half of the season. I don't see AD going anywhere as he probably wants to live in LA. I could see PG getting tired of that situation if Westbrick struggles out of the gate. He's the only All-NBA player (all 3 teams) that I could see being unhappy enough to demand a trade, that would also be of a high enough level that Blazers would go all in.

 

Stotts doesn't play rookies unless he has to, I think he's got a long enough track record to say that pretty definitively. As Reep is saying, he didn't have to, which could be looked at as not a bad thing but as a blessing. Throwing a 19 year old into the fire isn't always a recipe for success.

 

That, and the kid was not likely ready early in the season. You don’t totally change your rotation midyear, in general. But Stotts seems like he’d be even less likely to do so. I mean, kid showed me a lot in Game 82. But I also understand why he wasn’t then thrown into playoff minutes when we’re getting crushed by GSW.

 

Personal POV is I like just throwing guys into the fire and see what happens, do they come out of it better or not? There are definitely good reasons, NOT to do that though.

 

Damn was listening to this on my run this morning and was gonna post a thread too. I really respect Ryen and his sources and man am I pumped for Simons. Seems given his contract he might be a more valuable TRADE asset than CJ. Not saying he's better.

 

CJ makes to much money. If Simons is that good, there is 0 chance CJ is on this team in October 2020

 

I love Simons. Future all star. But there's no way I would have played a teenager with no college experience his rookie year ahead of the established players we had last season. He wasn't ready, nor was he better than the players ahead of him in the rotation.

But he will be.

Next season, I expect him to play.

 

Zero chance?

Gonna have to disagree with you on that one bro.

 

I would trade CJ before I would trade Simons.

CJ has peaked. He’s a scoring combo guard who doesn’t pass the ball or play defense. That type of player used to be a dime a dozen in the NBA.

I think Ant could be special.