Plausible destinations for our vets?

Simons: "Simons' trade value will likely be determined by how he plays here over the two months before the deadline. If he doesn't play well, the team might be better off holding onto him to see his value rebound next year. But if he does play well, the Blazers might be able to parlay him into something interesting."
"Simons is one of the more difficult evaluations in the league. On one hand, he has shown the ability to be an extremely explosive scorer, averaging 22 points per game on a true shooting percentage hovering around league average. However, this season hasn't been as clean, as he's dealt with several injuries, including an illness and a right-hand sprain. He's down to about 16 points per game, and his true shooting percentage is nearly 10 percent below league average. He also has real defensive deficiencies that cloud his game. On a good team, Simons is probably more of a sixth man as opposed to a definite starter. It's possible he could find the right team and role that allows him to be a starter on a great team. But right now, his game profiles best as a microwave scorer off of the bench.

Simons is still just 25 years old and an interesting player. The problem for Portland, though, is that he only has a year and a half left on his rookie extension that he signed back in 2021. The organization has also made several investments into on-ball backcourt players, including Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe. This might be the time to try to cash in on Simons. But he makes $25.9 million this season, followed by $27.7 million next season. Those are hefty numbers for the production he's providing."
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/59...e-board-jimmy-butler-zach-lavine-cam-johnson/

 

Ayton: "I don't see another team particularly prioritizing acquiring Ayton on this deal at the deadline. But is it possible he could be used to salary match another player's contract from a team that is looking to keep that salary spot on their books for next year?
This has not been Ayton's best season so far. In his second year in Portland, his scoring numbers have dropped to a career low, as have his rebounding numbers. He's shooting a lower percentage from the field than ever, although that can be tied to him taking a 3-pointer per game. He's also taking several midrange jumpers, and those aren't falling to the same extent they did last year (he's actually posting a career mark around the basket). All told, the Blazers are about four points per 100 possessions worse with Ayton on the court as opposed to when he's off the court. Largely, that has to do with defense. Undeniably, in the games Robert Williams III has played, he's looked better than Ayton. That's a problem for the Blazers, as Ayton makes $34 million this season and $35.6 million next season. Based on what he's done so far this year, he's not worth anything near that kind of deal."

 

Grant: "The Blazers have seemingly set a high price tag for him over the years, but I don't think he's worth a first-rounder right now. If the team wanted to get off the contract and move on, it's possible it could do that with a team desperate for size and shot-making on the wing. But he's more of a fourth or fifth option now and being paid like a top-three option over a longer term that extends pretty far into his 30s. This feels like a tough contract to move.
Grant signed one of the more dumbfounding contracts in recent memory in the summer of 2023, as the Blazers decided to give him a five-year, $160 million deal months before trading Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks and starting a total rebuild. In the second year of the deal, Grant makes $29.7 million this year and still has nearly $103 million remaining for the following three years. The bigger issue for the Blazers, though, is that his production has fallen off in a big way, and he's now over 30. He's averaging just 16.1 points per game on a true shooting percentage that is 9 percent below league average. While the 3-point numbers have been fine, Grant has been an incredibly poor finisher at the rim this season in addition to struggling from the area just beyond it. He's also not quite the defender he used to be either. The good news? He still makes catch-and-shoot 3s."

 

So, the Athletic's take is that Ayton and Grant are probably untradable, Simons is iffy and Williams probably get two second rounders. Not a pretty picture.

 

so then, basically that article is saying the Blazers are fucked because Cronin foolishly loaded up the roster with overpaid vets who have flawed games. And the one vet who plays well and has a good contract can't stay healthy

 

It would be a big disappointment if Williams was the only one traded.

 

Will be interested to hear what the Cronin apologists on the site use as an excuse if we get past the deadline and all these vets are still here.

 

I remember the chatter around here after Dec 15 last year. Tons of hopeful trade idea involving Grant, Simons, Ayton, Timelord, Brogdon, Thybulle. Lots of anticipation of major change by the deadline. And all that happened was Banton

I'm at the "I'll believe it when I see it" stage of Cronin trading any of the vets. I'm anticipating no moves followed by a bunch of excuses. Really hope I'm wrong

 

Yeah heard the same back in the summer too... I remember at the draft all these posters talking about how the Blazers had only just started the offseason so there was soo much more that was going to change with the roster by opening night. Then excuses we had to wait until free agency. Then we had to wait until summer league. Then we need to wait until training camp.

Eventually opening night rolls around and the only difference from draft night is some two way guys.

 

Honestly not holding my breath regarding any deals until these are all expiring contracts, save Timelord and Thybulle.

 

Yeah I think this is right that Ayton is basically worthless as a player and only positive/negative value is his 34/35.6 million contract.

I wonder what the contracts are that are even out there to trade for Ayton?

Nets - Ben Simmons 40.3 - I'd expect they prefer to just wipe that off this summer.
Bulls - LaVine 43.3 45.9 48.9 - Don't think the Blazers want to eat that extra year. If we can get our pick back I might do it
Pelicans - CJ 33.33 30.6 - contracts are similar I've always thought this is the best possibility but would seem CJ would need to go to be sent to a third team

Just doesn't seem like theres that many bad contracts any more in the NBA.

 

Yeah I think we'll trade Timelord at the deadline if he is healthy.

Other than that I'm starting to think we'll just hold onto all these guys. They all seem better suited as bench players on a contender, and contenders don't have that salary room in the new CBA. Maybe next season there will be an injury or more trade options.

Just seems so pointless to have assembled these vets here the last few years.

 

If we ever had a first on the table we should've jumped at that deal. I was shocked there were so many posters here in the summer saying that Cronin needed to hold out for two FRP or such.

Really concerned that we are going to be stuck with Grants $160 million contract for the full 5 years.

Will be super annoying to watch him in a Blazers uniform in 2028 earning $36.4 million.

 

Robert Williams is probably the only one of our vets I thoroughly enjoy watching play - and might be the only one that has trade value thus the most likely one to probably be dealt.

 

Just hoping that those of us who know he's not a good GM are pleasantly surprised by some underwhelming but not disastrous moves as opposed to the most disastrous outcome of no trades of the vets.

 

Probably, but in theory, teams do often benefit in trades from having large ending contracts We never seem to, but still, I would rather have them available for a trade than not have them.

Ayton 35.5
Ant 27.6
Williams 13.3
Thybulle 11.5 (if he opts in) Plus the trade kicker

 

Our best chance might be sneaking into some trades as the 3rd or 4th team.

The Pelicans will be interesting what they do, I could see them standing pat, trying to bring someone in, or trading any of their big players (Ingram, CJ, Zion)

 

Teams benefit much more from not having those contracts at all and then absorbing a contract with cap space or MLE space for a pick. Spurs did that months ago getting a pick to add Harrison Barnes, OKC has done it often, Utah, etc.

 

Maybe theres a Jimmy Butler trade we can sneak our way into somehow;



Probably need at least a pick going to the Pelicans

 

Sure but you said having them was pointless and I don't think that is true.