Free Agent Gary Payton II to the Blazers

Discussion in 'Portland Trail Blazers' started by Blazer509, Jun 30, 2022.

  1. SharpesTriumph

    SharpesTriumph Well-Known Member

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    If we don't make a trade I'd expect Hart gets the majority of his minutes at SF.
     
  2. Rastapopoulos

    Rastapopoulos Well-Known Member

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    That's funny, because my impression of pre-Warriors GPII was that he was like a poor man's Westbrook with even worse BBIQ. What is this strange magic the Warriors wield?
     
  3. Natebishop3

    Natebishop3 Don't tread on me!

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    Sadly it sounds like the hard cap will prevent any of that.
     
  4. SharpesTriumph

    SharpesTriumph Well-Known Member

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    Kind of a waste to pay $28 million if he doesn't play much?
     
  5. TBpup

    TBpup Writing Team

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    Sure...in theory, but Dame isn't going to 30 mpg, so it's a bit unrealistic. Simons as a starter, averaged more than that as well. Still a log-jam....which is the bigger point.
     
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  6. SharpesTriumph

    SharpesTriumph Well-Known Member

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    Also not being hard capped would've given the team flexibility for a number of other improvements.
     
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  7. SharpesTriumph

    SharpesTriumph Well-Known Member

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    With the roster as is; I'd expect Hart plays almost all his minutes at SF.

    Also Sharpe might not get those or any minutes when everyone is healthy. Give him a few months to practice and get used to the pro game, then give him a few chances on back to backs or when a player(s) inevitably misses a few games.
     
  8. Blazinaway

    Blazinaway Well-Known Member

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    Payton is not a backup "PG", his role is as an SG/wing, he can defend at least the 1-3 positions very well. Ant is the backup PG
     
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  9. HailBlazers

    HailBlazers RipCity

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    IDK but hope Billups can replicate it.
     
  10. BLAZINGGIANTS

    BLAZINGGIANTS Well-Known Member

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    #totesFAMS
     
  11. Bingo Bango

    Bingo Bango Well-Known Member

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    I’m no expert at building an NBA team, but what the hell? This is the same kind of acquisition the Blazers make every year: a B-level player who might help plug a gap here or there, but not a guy who will move the needle. There better be a big trade on the horizon for somebody 6”9 or taller who can score, rebound and defend, or this team is going nowhere.
     
  12. julius

    julius I wonder if there's beer on the sun Staff Member Global Moderator

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    in todays NBA, 9 million is what you pay your backups.
     
  13. UKRAINEFAN

    UKRAINEFAN Well-Known Member

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    Then this signing of Payton doesn't make sense to me. Because it seems trading Simons for a forward would be the best use of our resources.
     
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  14. UKRAINEFAN

    UKRAINEFAN Well-Known Member

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    I hope this is right.
     
  15. UKRAINEFAN

    UKRAINEFAN Well-Known Member

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    One other way to open up the log jam at guards; Lillard for Durant; but I know that won't happen.
     
  16. STOMP

    STOMP mere fan

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    Speculating... struggling to make a NBA roster for years may have led him to truly evaluate himself/maybe he matured?

    STOMP
     
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  17. tlongII

    tlongII Legendary Poster

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    I love GPII. He will be a nice addition to the team, and this takes something away from the Warriors.
     
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  18. julius

    julius I wonder if there's beer on the sun Staff Member Global Moderator

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    Maybe not 30 minutes, but there are minutes there for Payton as the backup PG. Dame shouldn't have to play 36+ minutes a night anymore. not only because he's getting older and they should cut his minutes, but in the past the team had no choice but to play him. No backups to save their lives.

    Having 2 legit backup guards (Hart and GP2) give the team the opportunity to cut into Dames minutes so he doesn't have to carry the load as much. So much of Stotts offensive plan was "Dame saves us". Plus, having a PF who is capable of scoring more than 8 points a night will help too.

    Not saying the roster is perfect, but it's at least more balanced than it has been in a while (and that's saying a lot because it's still guard heavy...at least now the extra guards can play defense)
     
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  19. SharpesTriumph

    SharpesTriumph Well-Known Member

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    Another way is to just cut Lillard.
     
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  20. SharpesTriumph

    SharpesTriumph Well-Known Member

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    Also keep Dame fresh so he can actually be most productive when playing the regular season minutes and especially in the playoffs. Remember seeing bubble Lillard? Not a coincidence that was after a long rest.
     

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