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

I still think the only way you get rid of players like Grant, Ayton or Simons (some think overvalued to build around) we would have to attach young ups and coming players like, Tou, Scoot, Walker, Murray or even Shae. If Atlanta offered a first & some for Shaedon & Simons not sure Id do it as you could be taking a net loss in the end.

 

This is projected to be a historical Draft. Watching very early season college film, Flagg, Bailey and Harper all look very legit. Traore and VJ also have looked very good at times and way above an average years #4-5 prospect.

Play the youngsters as much as possible. Find out what you've got. But any wins the Blazers get because of Ayton, Grant, Ant, Thybulle, Reath, etc is mostly a waste. Yes, the kids need to learn how to win, but they need to do it of their own volition. Help is on the way. Camara is already looking better. Sharpe was looking better in training camp until his injury (again). Scoot needs to show signs of improvement, you need to find out what Walker is, if Rupert will continue his growth curve, see what Kling Kong can do and if Avdija is a piece that can be a veteran to the youngsters, or is a trade piece for later.

Add to that a ridiculous bucket getter like Bailey (his ability to make shots is very advanced) an all-around playmaker like Flagg, a big floor general like Harper and this team starts to progress next year and the following year is a #6-8 Playoff team. By then, you have the future Draft picks you've traded for and whatever you got from Grant/Ant/Ayton/Thybulle, etc to add pieces to the foundation of your roster.

It will take time, but this year is the year to Draft that 'IT' player that propels them to the next level.

 

Like the old saying goes. Everything before "But" is bullshit. Good post.

 

We could have already traded Grant for a draft pick. We refused to do it.

 

The game is dangerous. That's the nature of competition.

Drafting high to build your team is less dangerous than not. That's just math.

 

Exactly. Is this team going to trot out Shaedon Sharpe for another full year and tell him to lose or he gets shut down? And then use the excuse of " We need to draft a player that will be great so you can play second fiddle to them".
At what point do you let the chips fall where they may?

 

I wasnt aware of any legit source on that?

 

Lol. I guess nobody is talking to anybody until a trade happens then.

 

Nobody is suggesting that. It's frankly disingenuous to frame the conversation that way.

 

Post your source. You make a bunch of blind accusations but here is your chance to show what ya got. Who offed a reasonable draft pick for Grant?

 

Excuse me???? What? They have done this for 2 years exactly already. Now he's hurt again and it's a shoulder that they can easily proclaim injured once again. Tell me again who is being "Disingenuous". There is someone who is here but it isn't me.

 

They should play as hard as they can through December, and then re-evaluate. A .500+ record at New Years' means we go for it, and .499 or below means we tank.... ish

 

Blazers got #1 pick in 1974; three years later they win their only championship with that #1 pick being the Finals MVP. All you need to do is hit on it once and the curse is lifted forever

Portland's #1 picks:

1972 - Larue Martin (a top-3 brain-dead decision)
1974 - Bill Walton
1978 - Mychal Thompson (arguably, 2nd best player in the draft behind Boston getting Larry Bird at #7 using a loophole that was subsequently closed)
2007 - Greg Oden

don't see a curse...just seeing a stupid decision followed by a pick that won a championship; followed by a solid choice; followed by a decision ignoring medical advice and the worst possible outcome. Should of honked twice

 

Exactly. I sleep like a kitten imagining Wemby will be damaged goods in five years

 

It's okay, I have enough ill-will for the both of us

 

Who was the source on the Ayton trade that wasn't happening until it did? Where there's smoke there is fire. Especially with Cronin. That's the way he works when trying to extract max value.



Report: Blazers Trying To Get Two First-Round Picks From Lakers For Jerami Grant

 

I really haven't heard about any offers for Grant? If it was a possible top 12 pick id probably do it, if not for just financial reasons. I just think unless there is a generational wired talent a tank strategy is more than 3-5 years more like 8-10 years and with the Blazers being the big ticket in town not sure we could endure a 8-10 year tank. I read at an article that when the Sonics were sold and they ended up with Durant their main strategy was to lose fans so that they could relocate even though they had Ray Allen and others. Im not opposed to tanking this year at all but would be against another 3-5 years after this.