Trades possibilities....and what teams are open for business

Long term plan with the above two trades is just to continue to acquire picks and young players - then hopefully in the next few years we get a couple guys who improve to near allstar level. Most likely that is one of Scoot/Sharpe or the 2025 picked player. Whenever that happens where we get an established star we can begin cashing in those picks in a trade to bring the final contending veteran 2nd allstar to our lineup.

If none of Scoot/Sharpe/2025 pick become a star the plan gets delayed and we just keep drafting. So a route such as this is much better with either path - if our youth develops this lets us build more assets to surround them with a real contending supporting cast. If our youth doesn't develop we have more picks, chances, or assets to move up in a draft and get that ellusive star.

The underlying concept is we really need to sell the current value of Brogdon/Grant/Ant/etc to teams trying to win now - and use that to get back much more long term value when Scoot/Sharpe/2025 pick/others/etc are entering their prime.

 

Magic trade is fine, Lakers trade would be disappointing.

Unless someone really opens up their war chest for us, I think Grant's optimal selling time is after teams strike out in free agency. We have enough ammo to get the guys we want in this draft, focus should be on '25...

 

Would Indy consider giving us Walker to upgrade from Turner to Ayton?

 

I'm not interested in picks where I may have died of old age before we get to use them

 

I guess I’m an Ayton homer, he showed me a lot in 2nd half of season. When and big “when” he’s on the court I think he’s a difference maker. His maturity and motor have always been the question, if he turns the corner on those two things I’d be happy with him as our center for the next 7-8 years.

 

I think big picture collecting picks is a great way to set franchise up for future. Having future picks can be used in trades or potential future stars. I’ll never be upset with stock piling future 1st rounders. I would be more upset if I was in Lakers position with no tradable 1st rounders for the next 5-6 years (believe they only have 1?)

 

I've not seen this thought posted here, which is a little wild given how much some on here love to bash on Ayton, but here goes...

I don't think Cronin has any interest or intent on trading Ayton, at least not for the kinds of "get what we can for him" type of deals thrown around here everyday. For better or worse, Ayton is the key piece coming back from Joe's biggest trade and our franchise player. That's not something you typically turn around and just sell for cents on the dollar, especially when they're as big and talented as DA is AND especially when your franchise isn't wining games anyway.

Ayton's on/off switch is maddening, I think we all see that. But when he's on, I can't think of many players in the NBA who have the ability to make plays on both sides of the ball inside and outside like he can. Barring a crazy offer or something going sour behind the scenes, I just can't see this front office trading him, especially for scraps...

 

Well said and exactly how I feel! Ayton still has so much potential. To be honest it’s the one position I feel most confident about. Obviously we all know Scoot and Sharpe have the most potential but Ayton still can be huge part of this franchise build.

 

Blazers aren't going to contend in the next few years - that is partly unavoidable.

As I detailed in posts, future picks can be traded for a second star once the Blazers get the first, so this actually would have the team win SOONER than holding or trading for irrelevant win now vets.

 

Lakers have two picks and some swaps available so they're not too bad off.

Phoenix is the example of a franchise without picks - it could get really ugly there in the next couple years.

 

I'm ok with keeping Ayton. Its a nice dream of him improving to All-NBA type level I just find that extremely unlikely. However players sometimes surprise us, Kyrie looked like a lost cause the last few years then was a key player getting a team to the finals. Certainly possible Ayton could have a huge improvement some season as he certainly has the talent.

I also think his contract will be better in future seasons so I'm fine with keeping him next year. If the Blazers don't get above average starter play from either Scoot or Sharpe then we might be so far from exiting a rebuild that Ayton will make less sense to continue to keep on the roster. But that can be a decision we look at next summer.

 

Yep. Center. Then we have a heck of a start with Scoot and Sharpe at the 1 and 2. Now, just need to nab a couple great forwards...

 

Look at the bright side. We might all die well before that.

 

And do we want our last moments to be watching the Lakers fleece us?

 

Jerami and 14 though?

 

Personally I'd then try to let the Hawks off the hook and trade 3 and 34 for 1. I'd take Sarr at 1 and probably Cody at 7. I think until he grows into his frame that Sarr fits with Deandre.

 

I think they should convert Malcolm into a pick now. If we wait till the deadline, he could get hurt. And everybody knows we're not going to resign him and they'll think we're desparate to trade him..