Listen up, you dolts, the point of acquiring a 2031 first-round pick from Milwaukee is to control those sons of bitches' future for four straight years. If Giannis stays, they probably stink by then because he is old and would need to take a lot of Metamucil. If he demands out beforehand, whoever trades for him would have an incentive to give us some shit so that we can give Milwaukee back all their picks. Now, let me elucidate in terms so clear that even a child raised by particularly dim-witted geese could comprehend. This is not merely an exercise in asset accumulation—it is an act of financial alchemy so grand that the Count of St. Germain himself would marvel! For those unversed in the exploits of that illustrious swindler-sorcerer, he was a man who dined in the courts of kings, whispered secrets to empires, and claimed to have seen the dawn of Rome with his own eyes. We, dear brethren, are engaged in a similar endeavor, weaving threads of future catastrophe into a tapestry of unassailable dominance. And let us not dismiss Metamucil so lightly! A boon to the aged and wise, that gentle powder is the true elixir of eternity, the philosopher’s fiber. Do you think Giannis, in his twilight years, will be gallivanting through defenses unimpeded? Nay! His knees shall creak like the hull of a ship in stormy seas, and without the steadying grace of Metamucil, his very constitution shall crumble under the weight of time’s cruel embrace! Thus, by controlling Milwaukee’s picks, we do not merely bet against them—we command the fates themselves, puppeteers of destiny, architects of doom! And when they come crawling for mercy, we shall doff our caps and chuckle, for the die was cast long ago.
Ant, Grant, Thybulle, Duop for Damian Lillard! If there's an old guy I want on the roster it's that guy.
If the 2031 pick has 1-5 pick protection and broke that way for them, that sucks for the Blazers. And if that 1st cannot be conveyed from the deal made this year to 2032 (with 2031 being the latest they can trade?), then it’s a no-go. Getting no 1st rounder is unacceptable. Middleton is 1 + the p-opt and he’ll want that money. Flip to a contender for equally short contracts? Okay. Grant fits with them. 4 years of picks and swaps is good.
It'd be funny if the Blazers did it, but demanded that it's another unprotected pick. So they'd have the 29 bucks unprotected, 30 swap (unprotected, right?) and 31 unprotected.
Blazers have the 2028 swap unprotected too but that's a bit bound up in the encumbered 1st to Chicago
If this offer came in, it's an easy yes! If we could get a 3rd team involved for another pick for Middleton even better! Who cares about Middleton in the trade, that is not why we do this trade.
Middleton can still shoot the ball, it's the moving around part of hoops he's struggling with following knee surgery the summer of 2023 and surgeries on both ankles last summer. He's 33 years old, maybe he makes it all the way back, maybe this is the beginning of the end for him. STOMP
Middleton's body looks like Rodney Hood to me. Fragile. But he'd be a substitute for us, which might prolong his game endurance and prevent more injuries.
following surgery on both ankles last offseason, Khris doesn't move very well and can't keep his man in front of him... basically he sucks on D. His Defensive win share is 0.6, which is the worst he's done since his rookie year. https://behindthebuckpass.com/bucks-officially-khris-middleton-problem-corrected Does that sound like the sort of player that Chauncey values? If Portland were to make this move and Billups played him more then spot minutes, it would be because of an order from above and the tank is on. STOMP
Yes Middleton would be a more movable piece then Grant because his contract would be expiring, but many other expensive Blazers also have contracts expiring after the 2025-6 season. The calculation they'd have to make is whether they want to trade or resign any of Middleton, Ayton, Thybulle, Ant & RWIII or roll the dice that with capspace the right Free Agent(s) would want to join a core of Scoot, Shaedon, Camara, Deni, Murray, Clingan & their 2025 & 2026 picks. Free Agents with options generally want to A. get paid & B. win... Portland could be in the enviable position of offering both Once they start resigning their youngins this FA window will shut. I'd have to be offered a pretty solid return for one or more of those expiring deals to choose to pass on that opportunity STOMP
