Exclusive Are the Blazers trying to make the playin next season?

The Blazers roster is set at 15 contracts and now under the luxury tax. I'm wondering if the Blazers are going to try and make the playin or better next season?

Deni is a huge upgrade from Camera/Walker/etc as a starter - especially on offense. Defensively we now only have two players under 6'5" on the roster.

If we have better health next year, our 2nd year players and youth make significant improvements with a year more experience, and we keep all of Grant/Timelord/Ant on the roster maybe we possibly can compete for the playin.

If this is the direction it seems like an odd strategic choice to go from the 3rd worst record in the NBA during an epically weak draft to a much worse pick in a loaded draft - when the Blazers at best are still many years away from contending.

 

There is no doubt in my mind that if they want to make the play-in next season they can if they keep Grant.
They have the talent and depth if they stay healthy. But my guess is Grant will be the one they move and maybe Thybulle as well.

So then it comes down to this lineup instead:

Scoot-Ant (Banton)
Shae-Ant (Rupert)
Deni- Camara (Murray)
Walker-Camara
Ayton-Clingan -(Williams)

Camara would need to step up offensively IMO for us to make the jump. (and of course Scoot)

 

Walker is a major weak link - shot a career high 29% from 3, can't make the playin with him starting. Camara/Walker might be able to split forward backup duties but it would be ideal if there was a better backup too. Perhaps Sharpe/Thybulle could slide to forward some, or just hope one of Ruper/Camara/Walker has that big improvement to be a productive backup.

If were trading away Grant I can't imagine were getting a talent upgrade at forward for next season. So if the primary goal is to make the playin I'd think we keep Grant. I'd prefer we trade Grant for a better long term asset but I guess we'll see what happens.

 

I do like Walker's rebounding. He works his ass off when he is on the court. I think it is possible for his 3 pt % to improve.

 

Yeah - thats fine for a 3rd string player that might fill in as a backup when others are injured. If its a starter - good chance were high again in the lottery.

 

I also believe his 3 pointer will improve.

 

It's set at 14 if they guarantee Banton, am I missing the last player?

 

I don't know. If you surround him with 4 scorers then he fits a need. I think he fits well next to Ayton. He won't end games but as a starter, there is nothing wrong with having one blue-collar type player on the court....assuming he improves his 3-point shot to spread the floor.

Having said that Camara is essentially the same size and I like his perimeter defense better.

 

I count 14 as well.

 

I hope so.

 

Toumani was much better last season (as a rookie) and shot ~34% which is ok, much better than Jabari 29%, plus is much better on defense. A Toumani/Deni forward duo would be fine on rebounding especially with a center. I don't know where Jabari would play on the floor with a center like Ayton or our backups - he is worthless on the perimeter, can't really initiate offense, and then it gets crowded with both him and a center around the basket. Honestly I'd explore cutting Jabari if we need that 15th roster spot so I'm just not a fan of his.

Toumani isn't desirable or any of these guys as a starter though if we want to win. Them starting was a major reason we had the 3rd worst record last year.

 

It's 15;

Sharpe
Scoot
Ant
Banton
Thybulle

Avdija
Grant
Camera
Walker
Murray
Rupert

Ayton
Clingan
Timelord
Duop

 

Thanks, I forgot they had not added Deni yet to the roster.

 

No wonder they didn't add another rookie. Spotrac didn't have Clingan.

So basically 14-15 depending on whether Banton is guaranteed or not. Banton's guarantee date is 1/10, so they can carry him into the season if no deals are made and just waive him if they need to do a 2 for 1.

 

We can carry 21 players in the off-season though right? So they can still make moves but if we take on guaranteed money we would have to waive some players before the start of the season.

 

Yes - the 15 man limit is near the end of the preseason so well into October.

 

Not using any seconds on a guaranteed deal makes me feel like no deals are imminent. They didn’t want to go into the season with their pants possibly down carrying 16 GTD contracts. Or they just really like Benton.

 

Yeah I was fine with not keeping a 2nd rounder - although we could've had one/two on two-ways contracts and not the 15 man roster - but it was indefensible we flipped the picks for only pocketing cash while other franchises were getting multiple future 2nds for them.

 

Yeah as well as the team being below the luxury tax - with a bit of room if needed for a deadline deal - has me suspecting the same.

The other possibility is the Blazers expect a Grant/etc trade will require them to take back multiple players so they will need to cut someone anyways at camp. Better to not add any guaranteed deals in that case.