We got the #3 pick. Discuss the possibilities.

as illmatic said, no...can't do that. Although I remember that there might be some additional stretch options in the new CBA. Not sure if that's true and if true, what they are

 

I don't understand why you don't think he won't come off the bench. Is it a salary thing? We all know he should now that Sharpe has a year under his belt, so why doesn't anyone think he won't? Even if he did start, all three will still get enough minutes. By playoff time who is best suited for coming off the bench will figure itself out.

Now we can still trade Ant, but if we trade #3 for a forward, a Dame-SS backcourt can still be intact with Ant coming off the bench.

 

What has Sharpe done in meaningful minutes to warrant starting over Ant?

 

In so far as saying "I want a trade," you are correct. But he has let everybody know that if things do not go the way he wants this summer that he and Blazer management would be having a discussion. We are all adults here I believe. I know you are. We know what that conversation will be if/when it occurs. Portland has to make business decisions, and Dame will as well. In the end it's just business. And you are correct, Dame is all locked up for three more seasons at a shit ton of cash. But we all know he will ask out if things do not go the way he likes. Then all of the blind allegiance Dame fans will be flooding here explaining how we owe our all time greatest player respect and deal him where ever he wants to go with no regard to how that impacts the Blazers. The contract he signs means nothing to them, and possibly him. It's just a minor impediment. Why sign the extension if you may not like the direction of the team? Wait to see if they draft Scoot. Oh right, the money. He has to lock in the money before assessing if he likes the roster makeup, then have the conversation. I'm just not a fan of duplicitousness. Just play out the contract and move on if you want, simple.

 

It is more about how the team will function the best. Sometimes it just makes sense to stagger your shooters so you have a potent 6th man. Many see Ant as a Vinnie Johnson or Lou Williams. Every team needs one

 

I'm not against the idea of balance, but I'm not seeing the major advantage to starting Sharpe over Ant. Sharpe isn't a signficantly better defender. Ant, on the current roster, is worthy of playing 30-34 minutes, so the amount of time he's playing w/out Dame will be minimal, and those minutes can be staggered regardless of who starts. Frankly, it's probably easier to stagger the minutes if Ant does start.

The team isn't so superior in the talent department that they have luxuary of deciding what good players will get minutes, when. Right now, Ant is better than Sharpe.

 

The upside Sharpe has demonstrated is worthy of starting in year two. But, in my opinion, it has more to do with the fact Dame/Ant is Dame/CJ 2.0. Two small guards starting got Portland nowhere with CJ and I seriously doubt it will work with Ant. The size Sharpe brings will be a welcome change. And with that, I doubt Portland needs $24 mil playing sixth man. Ant should be moved as soon as a worthy deal is found.

 

I hear you and I disagree with Sharpe being worthy of starting based off potential or height. Sharpe should start when he's proven he's a starting caliber player, which he has yet to do.

I agree that Portland paying Ant $24/year to come off the bench, on top of the other salaries, makes little to no sense.

 

All three of them can and should play over 30 minutes. Maybe it doesn't matter who starts.

 

What has Sharpe done, in meaningful minutes, that gives you confidence he's ready to play 30 minutes on a winning team?

I see his potential, but last year he looked real green the majority of the season. And I can't put a ton of weight in how a guy plays when everyone know the team is actively trying to lose. There is no pressure at that point.

 

All I say is look at the game he played against the Timberwolves. He refused to lose in the midst of tanking. He was relentless in his attack against gobert all night. Absolutely clutch in the 4th. He was so clutch that they had to sit him out in the 4th against the grizzlies. We may have been losing games, but all the defense had to worry about was Sharpe. He absolutely delivered! He did struggle against the pelicans, but he will continue to learn and grow.

 

Simons just isn’t cool. He’s the quiet kid. He’s a dork. But Sharpe is the bees knees. Simons is probably into something nerdy like dungeons and dragons.

 

I watched the game, he was awesome. He was very good the last month of the season (minus the Pels). My previous point was that it's a totally different ball-game when the team is trying to lose, you're teammates are clearly inferior, etc. Can he produce, at a high level, as the #4 option, when the team needs to win? That has yet to be seen.

 

Sharpe makes Ant seem outgoing.

 

No way dude. Have you seen the video of him winking at the camera? The kid has charisma. Simons very well might be a robot.

 

That's like saying "have you seen the video of CJ McCullum dunking? The kid has hops"

 

CJ can’t dunk. Those were deep fakes.

 

So was the wink!

 

AI isn’t clever enough to replicate that kind of star power. The kid has “it” meanwhile Ant is talking about suckin his own song.