There's actually no pressure for three years, we just showed him that. We showed him that he can perform at one level for three and a half years and if he just kicks it up a notch for a couple months he'll get paid at whatever notch he kicked it up to without even having to check with other teams to see what he's worth. If you're of the opinion that we did have him go out there and see what was available the only question that I have is why there wasn't any report of that but the news is fresh so maybe I'll get an explanation but until then I'll just assume it's the same business practice we used with CJ, Meyers and others which is to bid against ourselves and overpay for a reason I haven't been able to figure out.
Didn't hear anything because we had to lock him down before tanking. His numbers would have been off the charts if we let him finish the season.
I tend to agree that it's an overpay right now but in 3 years it might be a bargain and I'm going to hope it works out that way.
Guessing that other teams were aware of that as well. If they thought he was going to really blow up, there would have been offers for him. There were only 2-3 teams with the cap space to do so, and it seems none of them had an interest.
Why would teams waste time/energy offering a guy who wants to stay in Portland under Dame's tutelage. Especially since we clearly traded GTJ/Norm/CJ to bet on Ant's future.
You think he's the same as CJ, that was clear and the 11 million discount on money and the 8 year discount on Youth and the fact he's a completely different player is also unacknowledged. What wing is out there that we can get with that salary? Nothing says we can't trade Simons if say Kawhi, Durant or the like is available for trade. I would gladly trade Ant for KD for example. Speaking of which can we trade Ant now yea or nay that I don't honestly know, meaning this summer.
Fair enough and you will love it. Ant is special you and TBpup I very often agree with, but you guys will see you were wrong on this one. By the way, I was filled with murderous rage over CJ overpay, Crabbe overpay, and many others under Olshey. This is very different IMO.
Based on what can be expected next season, Ant is worth a $5M increase from his present $4M to $9M, or maybe a little more. But Simons does not merit a $21M raise in 1 jump to $25M, a value he is likely to fail to achieve. Who in the Blazers history got >$20M in 1 jump? This is an overpay that just doesn't make sense, and will take away the chance to use that other $16/yr on talented players to win the NBA Championship.
Well not Blazer history but Brunson went from $1.80 million contract to $26 million. That's the market thanks to the Knicks.
Whelp we already know how it goes. Wrap it up. Are we in 2026 yet? Everything is already figured out.
Please try to actually read posts before making blanket, abject statements that are just completely wrong. Countless times, I've commented on the difference in style and athleticism between Ant and CJ. What I have pointed out is how comparably bad they are on defense... sadly, Ant has often been even worse. And of course he is younger and cheaper... did you really need me to point out something so obvious? But the fact remains is, he joins Dame as the 2 highest paid players on the team. Just like Dame & CJ were the highest 2 paid players on the team. Neither one of those duos can play any defense, so there are certainly similarities there. And while Ant has very nice numbers as a spot up, catch & shoot player, if it weren't for Dame getting hurt and sitting out as the Blazers tanked, he would have never been the lead guard where he could jack up his numbers in meaningless games and he would have never been paid nearly this much. So we are basing that raise on a role he will play very little, in games that are way more meaningful. Happy to debate what I actually said, but making up things that are completely false is pointless.
That was just a comment on Ant's contract not his performance. Long guaranteed contracts have not traditionally put pressure on players. That doesn't mean Ant doesn't continue to progress, it doesn't mean he can't be just as good at SG as he was at PG, it doesn't even mean that he won't play up to this contract. Those are all big questions that we'll get answers too but even if all of those things go the best way for us, unless there was an offersheet that Ant told the team about that was for close to what we signed him to but less favorable to us (player options and whatnot) then this contract was just us outbidding ourselves again and that's a mistake every time. Even if Ant sucks at SG but shows his value in his minutes with Dame off the floor, he could still have trade value. Sharpe could be a superstar before 2026 and a contributor right away. The defensive players (Nas, Hart, GP2 and Justise) could make a huge impact. Grant might be a two way stud. Nurk might actually show his best self consistently. Then we would be a really competitive team with anyone.
I get what your saying Kor and Pup. The Blazers are speculating that he will continue to develop, and build on that nice run he had before the shutdown. That does have risk. Like everyone else in here, we hope the gamble pays off. The one thing i don't doubt about Ant is his character. So i believe he has the integrity, desire, and skill , to live up to that contract. With that comes pressure to perform at a certain level. We all hope he handles it with flying colors.
I think we can all agree on that. My concern is that he almost has to re-design his development. He skyrocketed in a role he just won't get much of this year. So, much like CJ, we may not see how good he can be because he won't be in his best role as long as he and Dame share the floor. Doesn't mean he can't be a good/very good player. He just hasn't yet nearly produced results in the role he will be in, versus the one he won't.
He just needs to be himself. Play with instinct. Go with the flow, and not be thinking, instead of doing.
