Time to trade CJ

CJ has been much better (offensively) this year from an efficiency and passing standpoint, but I think the point made by others above still holds. His contract is an anchor in an undersized backcourt. Trent (while having lapses) is much better defensively and Elleby, for all his lost/dear-in-the-headlights moments, showed that he better defensively even if it was a glimpse.

Last night's team effort and scrappiness was a welcome reprieve from the stale, no-effort on defense sequals we have seen far too often this year.

 

This is probably a pipe dream, but Siakam isn't performing that well this year.

 

A good trading partner could be Philly. They need CJ and if we add Collins and Simons plus a #1 - is this enough to nab Ben Simmons and Tyrese Maxey?

 

I do not want to trade CJ just to move his contract. That however is a trade I would do.

 

Siakam disappears in the playoffs. Blazers need to find a real 4 like Aaron Gordon. I expect Neil to go after him again.

 

Hmm, one has a ring, the other has won 1 game in the playoffs. I would take Siakam

 

Yeah, I think Toronto would rather stick with Siakam. Getting McCollum means going with a tiny backcourt in VanVleet and McCollum if they cut bait with Lowry after this season. For the same reasons it's non-ideal for Portland, it would be non-ideal for them.

 

I said it was probably a pipe dream! Gosh Minstrel!

 

I was agreeing with you! That's why the "Yeah" to start out with. Man, you don't handle agreement well.

 

Stop agreeing with me!

 

You're right, we shouldn't be in agreement.

 

At least we agree on that.

 

Down the stretch of their finals run they had a smaller backcourt than Dame and CJ. Green's minutes diminished while Van Vleet
and Lowry increased. (3rd and 4th on the teams in terms of minutes) Of course, they had Kawhi and Siakam on the floor as well, but that does not change the fact that their super small backcourt was not an issue.

 

Lowry is unusual, in that he plays bigger than his size, because he's very strong for a 6'0'' player (in addition to being a very good defensive player). That's why I said if Toronto cuts bait on Lowry.

Neither VanVleet nor McCollum are unusual in that regard, though VanVleet is at least a pretty good defender.

 

This hasnt been moved to the melo thread yet?

 

If it is, someone really screwed up giving him $30m/year.

 

This team is an elite wing away from contending. DJJ is not that dude. If we could trade CJ for a small forward, we could win the whole fuckin thing.

 

I fucking hate how everytime the team plays well without C.J.... or when Gary Trent Jr. plays well... It becomes "We're better without C.J."

 

Yep it’s ridiculous.