2023-24 Roster. Who stays? Who goes?

This is shaping up to be an active offseason for the Blazers.

Currently the Blazers have 9 players under contract:
- D Lillard
- A Simons
- J Nurkić
- S Sharpe
- N Little
- T Watford
- J Walker
- K Johnson
- J Williams

6 Players are free-agents:
- J Grant (Bird)
- J Winslow (Early Bird)
- D Eubanks (Early Bird)
- C Reddish (Restricted Bird)
- M Thybulle (Restricted Bird)
- K Knox (Team Option)

Assuming the Blazers use all 3 draft picks (big assumption), what 3 players stay, and what 3 go?





I'd look to bring back J Grant, D Eubanks, and M Thybulle.

After that, I'd be looking for trade options for moving Simons and Nurk, perhaps packaging them with draft picks to upgrade the talent. I would keep the #3 pick and use the #23 and #42 and future picks (yes, I know, depending on how the Blazers can get more flexibility with that Chicago pick).

Although I was bummed the Blazers didn't land the #1 pick, getting that #3 pick certainly opens up the options.

 

I think that the Blazers, at most, have 2 rookies next year, so I am going with 4 renewals. Grant, Matisse, Winslow and Eubanks

 

I'd like to bring in a backup big like Brook Lopez and draft Derek Lively.

Nurk/Lopez/Lively

That way, we can trade out Nurk if the need ever comes and not be worried about our C rotation. The cost for Lopez? Not totally sure. He's 35.

 

I believe Knox has another season so won't be a free agent.

I'd expect we overpay for Grant. If we trade Dame, then we should be more tough with negotiations as it's more important Grants contract has trade value.

I voted Eubanks and Thybulle; but that is only if we can get them for QO and vet minimum. If they want more let them walk.

The other players are all scrubs and irrelevant, unless there is a chance we need them in a sign and trade to match salaries for another trade.

 

I mean if he wants to still be a starter at 35, that's fine. We'll have to re-assess Lopez.

But I think having Lively as a third string big and another backup C strengthens the big rotation while not having to give up assets just to get rid of Nurk.

 

Keep Grant and Thybulle. Wouldn't mind Knox.

 

I guess for Eubanks I would give him the bi annual exception. He should ideally be about a 10th-12th roster spot situational big man. He should not be a main primary backup center that is one of the first backups off the bench. He also shouldn't fill in as a starter if we have one injury. So if he makes a million or two more than the vet minimum that's fine. But I wouldn't give him the MLE.

 

It's obvious changes are coming to the starting lineup through trades, and maybe a signing. I think Ant, Nurk, Keon, and Nas will be involved in moves to facilitate trades. I'd like Skylar Mays to be brought back as a backup PG. I really liked what i saw in his abilities. I'd like the Blazers to pickup the team option on Kevin Knox. I think he can be a player that when called upon, actually will provide something. He seemed to really get in a groove with the Blazers late last season. I really like Justice Winslow. I know he hasn't stayed healthy through his career, but he provides another player near the end of the bench who can actually play . As far as free agents that can have an impact immediately , adding Brook Lopez, and Jae Crowder ( and actually play him, Hello Milwaukee) would be nice moves. I don't see either getting that 20 mil. area money again so both might be able to be had. Crowder just wants to play. I felt Phoenix really missed him, and shafted him. Milwaukee shafted him by not playing him. A lineup of Brook Lopez , Grant , Mikal Bridges , DeMar DeRozan , and Dame is pretty damn good. Bench: Sharpe , Crowder, Watford, Mays, Eubanks , Thybulle , Walker, Knox, Williams, Winslow? . rookie.

 

Knox did allright in his tank minutes.
He averaged 18 and 5 in his last 5 games.
30/11 against the Clips

Is he undersized and bad at defense? Probably, but that seems to be a reoccurring theme in Portland.

 

Not sure where to post this article. but here works:

https://hoopshype.com/lists/trail-b...ck-trade-possibilities-jerami-grant-and-more/

 

Wasn't Brook a runner-up for defensive player of the Year? Seems hard to imagine he can be had for our MLE.

 

Undersized ? He looks very long

 

Where’s Mays?

 

It looks like he is a free agent. Blazers have no Bird rights or exceptions to bring him back other than simply the min salary.

 

I think he had a pretty major surgery right?

Yeah if it was him just not able to get over minor stuff this year I'd consider resigning him, if we try to win with Dame and need some depth.

 

Non bird exception is what 120%?

Blazers do have bi annual exception too right?

They have MLE but can't imagine they would use that on Mays.

 

Yeah I think Milwaukee at the least gives him a 1 year deal just above the full MLE.

 

Yes. The Blazers have the full MLE (~$11.4M) and BAE (~$4.4M).

The non-Bird exception is up to 175% of previous year's salary.
(edit - should say 'Early Bird' is 175%)