I think we're 3 years away from being a top seed in the west if we're lucky with health and a few guys really pop in their second or third year....Clingan is going to be one of those guys who'll be in a groove after 3 years facing NBA bigs. I hope Sharpe and Scoot breakout this year.
I went with 5-7, but I think it will be 4-5 years. Much depends on if Portland can jettison the vets that need to be moved, securing a top two pick in the next draft and possibly the one after.
Screw the one after. If they get a top-2 pick (I'd even say top-5) next summer, it's time to start trying to win.
I agree, but if they trade Grant, Ant and Ayton they are incredibly young. That will put them in high lottery again after the capture the Flagg draft. But it would be fine for them to play to win with that young core, just not expecting them to make play in.
Depends on what the returns on those deals are. Also, I'd say Ayton won't be traded unless/until Clingan is ready to play starter's minutes. But yeah, I'm not saying that a high pick in 2025 means they're in the play-in by 2026...just saying that another high pick in 2026 would not be needed to build a playoff team.
I don't think the goal should be a playoff team. The goal should be a dynasty. If we fall short and get a playoff team that's fine. We already suck. The hard work of going from good to bad has already been done. Let's do it right.
I agree about Ayton. Many here want him traded. I am fine with him, at least for this season and then he is an expiring, RLEC 2.o! But if Portland trades the vets they should and embraces the youth this season and the one after, they could be a lottery team. No SGA on the team unless someone blows up.
Kind of depends on what happens with other franchises, right? I'd say it's going to take 5 years to clear out the likes of the Bucks, Nuggets, Suns, Sixers, etc. Of course, then you've got the young competition who are somewhat ahead of the Blazers...OKC, Spurs, Rockets, and so on as competition. I'd say five years is a reasonable window though.
Looking at past champions, it's clear the draft put in good position, but also they didn't do it with just a couple of guys that hit. There were key trades and acquisition for veterans to propel them to the next level and contention. Denver is a good example and even Boston had to make some key moves for older vets to compliment their Dynamic Dual.
No. If this team is going to be good enough to contend, then it doesn't matter what the other teams are doing. We don't want to replace the top teams after they fall off; we want to develop and surpass them, even at their best.
the cheap owner stuff was more about the Root broadcast TV scam. Asking Blazer fans to spend more to watch a bad team? the PR guys told us "It's not Jody's fault, it's out of her hands. Comcast & Root jacking up prices was the best TV package available.".... how on earth are fans going to know what TV deals were available 5 years ago ?? the new hotshot owners are offering much better TV packages to fans. Meanwhile Jody refuses to budge. If it's not a cheap owner situation, it's definitely unusual.
Go back 8-9 years and look at the top 10 in the drafts. Some super nice players but only two that were key in a championship. Brown & Tatum
I'm just saying that if you're looking at being top-6 in the league, there's going to be a significant changeover in about 5 years. Right now, the West is particularly crowded with good teams that trend older and young teams moving to good. It's tougher to break into top-6 contention when the field is so crowded. No matter how good the Blazers get, there are other teams pushing that direction too. Clearing out some of the dying wood occurs naturally.
Im thinking that Joe is going to wait till he really knows what he has in Scoot & Shaedon this next year before he starts dealing either Simons & Grant. He may know by trade deadline.
I agree. I voted 2-4 years but management has to make the right move(s) to find that pc to the puzzle and its a decent sized pc. I like our youth and expect significant jumps from Scoot, Shae, Camara and Walker this year. What is truly essential and the single most important thing to have happen this upcoming season is to stay healthy. If we aren't healthy we will never truly see what ww have, to then determine what is still needed. Health is the number one priority this season, to me.
