Anfernee Simons trade destinations

Sorry I was thinking of Nembhard who Indy is likely much more high on - he averaged 21 ppg against Boston in the playoffs.

Yeah I guess if Walker was still a big target of Schmitz and Cronin that could make sense.

 

Second half of season stats:


I think they trade Isaac. He's a great defender, but he was averaging fewer than 17 mpg and you KNOW he's going to get injured again. Because he only has one year on his contract we should either waive him or redirect him to somewhere like OKC (because I could not stand to have that doofus on our team).

 

This would only be a July trade possibility if Orlando wants to use their cap space elsewhere first. This would allow them to acquire Simons regardless of other moves being done first. The trick is then how does Portland get a pick or something in this deal weeks after the draft.

Orlando would be fine to move on from Issac if they have better use of the cap space - and feel their getting guys that can play significant minutes in the playoffs.

 

I'd prefer to target a future pick or two - just need to continue to build up that warchest of picks and eventually when the time is right those can be cashed in. 2025 picks would be great - but those are in such high demand it might need to be a later year.

Also I'd have some concerns of too many players on rookie contracts trying to prove their worth. Those 3 you list plus Scoot/Sharpe plus whoever we draft next week might be pushing it. We also have Rupert/Camara/Murray although they are lower tiered less relevant prospects. We need to have some vets. I'd try to sign 2-4 vet minimum guys for that leadership.

Yeah I'd much rather have your lineup then running it back or my big fear of us trading for vets.

 

Yeah I'm not saying the roster couldn't work with these 3 young guys added, I think that's where the Blazers really would need to have done their homework that guys will accept their roles.

It's also a reason I'd strongly prefer sticking with Billups as a coach - the Blazers just need some stability with this franchise if we have another major overhaul of vets leaving the team this summer. Then likely explore a new coach in the 2025 offseason which would probably be a mutual decision. Vulcan/Jody will probably go that route regardless just to save cash.

 

If they don't want to give up EITHER, there's always:


But I would definitely want a pick to make up for taking Jett Howard off their hands.

 

Does Ingles salary have any guarantee? If not they would just cut that.

 

This win total argument is totally illogical, and I suspect that you know it. One team was intent upon finishing with as poor of a record as possible in order to secure better odds for a top lottery pick (gee, that worked out well). The other team was intent on trying to scratch into the playoffs so that its aging former-championship roster could try to give it one more go. Additionally, the roster I'm proposing would have one new starting caliber forward on it, so it's not the same lineup. Couple that with games lost to injuries last season for the Blazers' top players, and their win total from last year is nearly completely meaningless in terms of looking at the future. The only meaning it could possibly have is if you think it's indicative of the current top players are too injury prone to be relied upon going forward. I don't see that, personally, given that the injuries were not to major joints and ligaments and were likely exaggerated for purposes of holding players out of the lineup at the end of the season.

The roster that I would go into next season with would be:

C - Ayton (Williams, Reath)
PF - New guy (Walker, Murray)
SF - Grant (Camara, Thybulle)
SG - Sharpe (Murray, Rupert)
PG - Henderson (Brogdon, Blanton)

It could be that the new guy is a SF, but I'd prefer to go bigger with a better rebounding PF and switch Grant to SF. Some of the backups will no doubt be moved and new rookies will be brought in. With anticipated improvements to Scoot and Sharpe, and with the connection that was developing between Scoot and Ayton at the end of the season, I have zero doubt that lineup can contend for at least play-in spot and can grow from there.

 

You just described why the Blazers should not do that, or in other words, why it would never happen because Utah will not do it otherwise, or maybe at all (I doubt they are ready to bottom feeder status and are willing to wait).

 

It's a simple fact - how can that be illogical?

The Blazers have tanked the last 3 years two of which had Dame. But you think they could run back 80% of the same starters and contend for the playin/playoffs when there is a loaded draft with more incentive than ever to tank? Who is being illogical?

 

Correct. I hate it. And, true, I am not most fans. I am the only fan who matters to me. I want to see the Blazers have an winning season again in my lifetime.

 

Doing these dual timelines and not being aggressive with a long term rebuild actually DELAYS the bounce back to having many winning seasons. The Blazers need to commit all the way to future assets hard - then once a draft pick has become an allstar PUSH HARD to win. I'd love it if Sharpe or Scoot is that allstar but we don't know - might have to wait until 2025 draft or later to get him.

 

Good grief.

 

Well, of course, that's the essential question. And, of course, I've been on this forum about the same amount of time as you so I know that whatever forward I suggest and for whatever package, the only correct response (not from you, but from the collective) would be that my trade is totally unrealistic and the guy I'm proposing to acquire is a bum. If it weren't for the fact that I have the head cold from hell at the moment, I might feel like playing the game. As it is, I'll get back to you when I'm up to it.