Apologies for all the posts today, but I thought it may be helpful to look at another facet in how we could improve the team, which is the sign and trade. Here's the list of free agents the Blazers have: https://www.spotrac.com/nba/free-agents/portland-trail-blazers/ Here are the list of free agents the Blazers have where we have at least some form of Bird Rights 1. Grant 2. Reddish 3. Thybulle 4. Winslow 5. Eubanks
I think you can quickly rule out 2-5 having any S&T value and look at Grant. Feels like a Grant S&T is only seriously on the table if we're looking to trade Dame.
Also, which free agents might we target and obtain via a sign and trade with our players under contract? 1. Lillard 2. Simons 3. Nurkic 4. Little 5. Sharpe 6. Johnson 7. Knox 8. Watford 9. Walker 10. Williams
Winslow and Reddish have no value. Eubanks probably has none either - he's close to a vet minimum guy and we can likely just retain him for that or a small raise (we should). Thybulle I'd expect the Blazers resign - he was only worth a couple 2nds at the deadline and was getting DNP all year on Philly. Some think he could make up to $7 million or so. The unknown is if the Blazers needs some luxury tax room for the full MLE; then I suppose its possible Thybulle is let go. Or if the Blazers move on from Dame. Grant is probably 100% resigned or 100% the team prefers a sign and trade depending on the Dame situation.
Knox and Williams we cut IMO as their contracts are not guaranteed. Seems like Simons/Nurk/Little are probably the most likely to be sent out in sign and trades. Sharpe/Lillard don't make sense and the others salary is too little to matter (Keon/Watford/Walker). Thing to remember is if Blazers acquire a sign and trade player is then they are hard capped. They can't exceed the apron and more likely try to duck the tax AGAIN. So then sending out a similar or larger salary as they bring in becomes more critical.
Signing Green will cost the Warriors an extra 160 mil. of tax money. They owe 74 now. Sign him and that takes it to 239 mil. They're getting ready to pare off cost. Reason for shipping Poole for expiring. More and more teams are working to get under that apron before the CBA. I think adding Green is a possibility. But i think adding OG is more of possibility.
