that has been said here several times and I have asked the question before, what exactly happened in that trade that sets up another trade? * Blazers traded away 2 players and brought back 3 so they now have a full roster. No open slots so that wasn't the strategy * Blazers got under the tax line but only shaved 6.1M off of next year's cap. That's a pittance compared to what Simons and Nurkic will get paid. So clearing salary for next season wasn't a significant component of this trade * because of this season's tax avoidance and next season's potential tax squeeze, the option of using Bledsoe in a trade before the deadline seems pretty remote. And trying to preserve his 3.9M guarantee as a trade chip around the draft would not pivot on any trade the Blazers make now * Blazers now have a 2025 2nd round pick as trade leverage....which is only slightly better than a bag of chips and a beer but more than all that, I haven't seen a single trade suggestion, for CJ or Nurkic or Nance that couldn't be completed if that trade hadn't happened. There is no connection I've seen yet. In fact, because the Blazers have a full roster after Friday's trade, if they do a subsequent 1 for 2 or 2 for 3 trade they have to waive a current player I'm not saying there is absolutely no way the trade wasn't necessary for whatever happens over the next 3 days. I just can't imagine what that need would be
I'm certainly not suggesting that somehow Cronin got some super special piece that's going to leverage [INSERT FAVORITE SUPERSTAR HERE], but let's use Herb Jones for example... Let's say in their discussions (because they've ABSOLUTELY been involved in these discussions) Chauncey is just absolutely convinced that he's the missing piece (as some here are)... It's no secret that NO has been in talks for CJ, but perhaps Jones is the sticking point? All my theory is really suggesting is perhaps Cronin sees effectively tearing off the tanking band-aid as gaining leverage on NO to include Herb. I'm offering from a place of rationality. As others have suggested, perhaps that's my issue, but I'm willing to give Cronin the benefit of the doubt at least up to the deadline that perhaps there was some strategic forethought in that aberration of a trade. Because again, if that's not the case, and he really just screwed the pooch, we're going to be miserable for a long time to come anyway.
Agreed. Add to that, if the LAC trade was necessary for a subsequent move, you do it as a 3 team trade when the big asset your trying to get is confirmed to come. You don't break them into 2 seperate trades where you might be stuck without agreements for the follow up deal. Being a GM 101. Otherwise this would be more like the Kings trading away picks to clear cap space to make an offer to Wesley Matthews.
Yes I completely disagree with your theory. If I'm right I have 3 more days to vent my frustrations with Blazers management then I'm probably going to take a break of following this team closely until the draft. I'm venting now because I'm pissed a team I rooted for the last 30 years sent out 2 starters for 3 scrubs earning 11 million next year with no way to replace them. I can vent all I want now. Your posting irrational justifications to explain a horrible trade doesn't make sense to me and I may call it out.
I know you know, but that's only 2 scrubs earning 7M and 4M in dead money. The good thing is that, IIRC, if Bledsoe signs with another team this summer, that 3.9M will be reduced.
Now THAT is a delicious trade and one I would endorse. Sabonis and a hopefully revitalized Hayes would be potentially awesome. I also love bringing Sabonis to Portland due to his dad.
