2023-24 Roster. Who stays? Who goes?

Blazers Sign Kevin Knox, Antoine Davis, Justin Minaya, Duop Reath, Malachi Smith
OCT 3, 2023 1:07 AM


The Portland Trail Blazers signed Kevin Knox, Antoine Davis, Justin Minaya, Duop Reath, and Malachi Smith, the team announced on Monday.

Knox appeared in 21 games last season after getting traded from the Knicks in February.

Minaya played in four games for the Blazers last season.

Reath averaged 13.0 points and 7.4 rebounds for the Blazers in Summer League.

Davis comes from Detroit Mercy, with Smith appearing in 37 games last year at Gonzaga.

 

Ant
Scoot
Sharpe
Grant
Ayton

Only way these young guys learn is playing. Scoot and Sharpe need 30 minutes a game.

 

Scoot
Sharpe
Matisse or Ant
Grant
Ayton

 

Agreed - for all the negatives of Simons defense, Sharpe has actually been worse. If Sharpe can provide value there then he should do that working to push Ant or someone out of a starting spot. Nobody should be gifted anything.

Totally fine for a 19 and 20 year old to come off the bench. Harden came off the bench for OKC and they made the finals.

 

If Blazers insist on keeping Brogdon,

Scoot (30)/Ant (18)
Ant (18)/Brogdon (25)/Thybulle (5)
Sharpe (30)/Thybulle (18)
Grant (30)/Walker (9)/Kris (9)
DA (34)/TL (14)

We probably win more games and give DA and Ant consideration for the ASG. Brogdon/Thybulle get traded by the deadline where we will make up the difference in the L column.

If he trade Brogdon,

Scoot (32)/Ant (16)
Ant (18)/Sharpe (20)/Thybulle (10)
Sharpe (12)/Thybulle (16)/Kris (20)
Grant (30)/Walker (12)/DA (6)
DA (28)/TL (20)

We probably get around the 5-7th best odds at the #1 pick.

 

Here are the Blazers I see confirmed signed to full-contracts:
- Henderson
- Simons
- Thybulle
- Grant
- Ayton
- Brogdon
- Sharpe
- Walker
- Williams
- Rupert
- Camara
- Murray
- Brown

That's 13. 2 open spots. The 5 players noted in the article would put the Blazers over the 15 max roster spots. I'm guessing these are camp invites.

The Blazers have also announced these 2-way contracts:
- Mayes
- Butler
- Badji

I believe the max number of 2-way contracts per team is 3. No more room there.

 

Correct.
Spotrac keep the rosters up to date really well - so you can tell what type of contract everyone has.
https://www.spotrac.com/nba/portland-trail-blazers/cap/

 

Billups said today the Williams will not start at the 4, so D) and F) are eliminated.

 

I always think rebounding is a major defensive skill

 

I believe the minimum is 14. So thats just one spot. We might hold off until days before the regular season to get there in case Brogdon is flipped for 2 players.

If we still have an open roster spot I'd rather sign a veteran over the age of 30 than signing Kevin Knox or some other guy that is hoping to break out. We have more young players to fill in for minutes and develop than needed. We don't need more potential to try and get upside. What I do have more concern of is the maturity of the locker room, staying professional, game prep, etc. Not that our players have any issues there, its just hard for any group of mostly young players that are likely losing games to excel in that area.

So a veteran minimum guy who doesn't need minutes but is a good locker room leader. Almost more of an assistant coach than a player. Think of Earl Watson's year here.

 

This is what I want, but I think we'll see option B

 

So it looks like we're down to these options -

A)


B)


C)


E)


My guess is Billups will go with option B. Most head coaches go with established experience vs young developing players. Most of us fans are probably rooting for option C.

 

My guess is A). Scoot been in the pros for 2 years. I haven't seen a more ready NBA prospect since Tim Duncan.

 

Scoot is also a Real point guard who passes the ball.
If Simons starts at PG I'll lose any belief I had in Billups.

 

Yeah A seems the most likely given what Billups has said. Sharpe needs minutes but might lose confidence if he has trouble as a starter. Scoot is NBA ready and should start Game 1.

 

"Starting jobs should be earned not given. Both Scoot and Sharpe will receive plenty of minutes regardless of starting status."

Then: "Anfernee Simons is absolutely starting at either PG or SG. No debate there."

What's this earning starting jobs baloney?

Simons is not as good of a point guard as Scoot Henderson. There's no way. Especially if Billups is serious about pushing the pace.

Simons is an under-sized shooting guard.

The elephant in the room is how will Billups ever take Simons out of the starting unit after he's a starter?

 

That's simply life in any field. You earn the spot. There's no "baloney" to it. Scoot hasn't played one NBA game. He's got a lot of film to absorb to be a franchise player. I'm sure he'll get there but I see it at the back half of the season and not the front. He'll play the most minutes even coming off the bench. He'll end most games. At any rate, it's Chauncey's call. We'll see. CJ came off the bench for two seasons before starting.
;;

 

"I'm sure he'll get there". Who will Chauncey take out of the starting lineup? Is he going to make Sharpe play small forward?

 

hater