After a strong preseason, what should the Blazer's goal be this year?

Same as I thought a month ago, tank. Preseason means almost nothing.

But if I were GM I wouldn't have held onto all 5 vets we have now (Grant Simons Ayton Timelord Thybulle).

If we are going to actually try to win it means putting Scoot into a deep backup position or 3rd string, I'd rather see what he has, even if my expectations are much lower than a year ago.

I'm fine if the Blazers want to try and win to see what we have for 5 or maybe if they get some wins 10 games of the season. But we need to pivot to the tank MUCH faster this year than Cronins other 3 seasons as the tanking is much more competitive this year as well as the draft being much better.

 

Try to lose I guess. Be losers!

 

Im sure there will be moves up to deadline...

 

That's what everyone told me last season, and our big deadline move ended up being trading for Banton.

 

We have plenty of assets available for the right deal. If the goal is to tank look for a few of the youngsters to be packaged with vets in order to move them. We will know after about 30 games if the tank is really on.

 

Play the best defense we possibly can.

 

You know? This is a great post. That honestly is what I should be looking for. Just really get the defensive part of the game going.

 

I think the goal for the season should be about having the most forum fights in history over whether to tank or not. It’s so fulfilling, and I am absolutely sure that this will be the season where at least one person’s mind is changed on the subject.

 

I don’t know? They still have both Simons and Grant!

 

Player growth and offloading those that aren’t developing or those already developed.

 

I think our plan should be what Utah's was, post Gobert/Mitchell trades: let the coach try to win, and if he succeeds, trade some more players until he stops winning.

Having said that, I'm not sure what the "missing piece" looks like any more. We have guards, we have forwards and we have centers. Sure, none of them is a superstar, but you would need the player to BE a superstar to be a significant step up from what we have. And as I type that I'm sort of amazed. I no longer think Flagg would be the perfect additions. I guess I'm going to go with VJ Edgecombe, just because his energy matches the group we have and he has Dwyane Wade potential.

 

Our goal should be to figure out the players who play best together, figure out what those players roles should look like going forward and developing those players while simultaneously securing one of the three worst records in the league. Definitely a goal should be to get the best return possible for Jerami before the trade deadline. If the front office feels the same way I do about how Ant fits with our other young players then a goal should be to get the best return possible for him too. Depending on how Clingan is coming along it may be time around the trade deadline to find the best return for Ayton as well.

So development, tanking and getting value back for our talent that doesn't fit here but would help other teams.

 

it’s either shaedon sharpe or an elite 3/4, imo.

 

I don't think we can search for a missing piece until we first have one single long term piece.

Scoot is unclear if he'll be a bust or not, Sharpe can't seem to stay healthy, the vets will probably be gone by the time any drafted player is in their prime, and our other youth might all just be role players..

If we can get a star of course that would be ideal, if not then just whatever the best long term player. Two way starters are always better than one way players, and wings are always needed. Outside that it's impossible to know what fit we will need to try and add now or add next year, so no point in trying to target a specific type of player.

 

I will say a year ago I never thought we would want to look at draft a PG in the next few years.

Now I'm waiting to see how the season plays out. If Scoot doesn't improve significantly I'm totally fine taking a PG in the draft.

 

Are there any stars that might demand a trade this season? Jimmy Butler, maybe, but he's too old. Devin Booker? The Knicks have supposedly set their sights on him, but we might have a better trade package. NOT interested in D'Aaron Fox. Can't see Zion or Jokic asking out, although I'd certainly be interested if either did.

 

You think we have the talent to be a destination for a disgruntled star?