Yes, I could absolutely move either to the bench to start Zion. My counter-question to you--which of our current presumed core-4 do you believe to be most "benchable" if the Blazers were to trade for a superstar talent?
It's a really good question. I like having both of those guys starting. I suppose Deni makes the most sense to move to the bench? But I'd prefer Scoot on the bench, and roll out sharpe/camara/deni/ zion/clingan
hypothetically, Avdija would be great coming off the bench. He has a salary that matches that too. With Scoot/Sharpe (Simons?) in the back-court and Zion at PF, that's a lot of on-the-ball action that would make Avdija and awkward starter. but I'd imagine the Blazers would have to give up one of their young rotation guys in a Zion trade
How about Sabonis, does Sac want to reboot and does Sabonis fit this team. Guessing if he was available lots of teams would want him. Ant (or other vet) and Thybule for Sabonis and most likely at least 3 first. Guessing they’d want one of our young guys, sticking point but he’s one of the elite players in the league so you’d have to consider new lineup Scoot Sharpe Camara/Deni Sabonis Ayton/clingan/ rw3
I'm still not sold on Scoot as a core piece at all. I was courtside last night and was even less sold up close. I know he's young, has made significant strides, and seems like a good dude, but I don't see a star at all (hope I'm wrong). Sharpe, I'd keep rolling with him at the 2 no matter what. If its between Camara and Deni, I probably keep Camara. I just don't see Avdija being happy coming off the bench long term. I think he'd have to be moved if you brought Zion in (and he miraculously stayed healthy). I guess he could be a good insurance piece/starter when Zion inevitably goes down with injury if he would be willing to accept that
How about Sharpe and Scoot need more time to grow and they could be one? Never thought of that? Both are still super young man. I’ve seen how much you bash things in here, but quite frankly you suggesting Zion is one thing, to suggest Zion for 3 first rounders and a player is crazy to me. And how big of impact can he be difference maker wise if he is only available half of the games played in 5 years? It’s a huge roll of the dice that I think isn’t worth taking imo
Easily. All you have to do is convey the pick to Chicago and you unlock multiple years of picks. Cronin has said that he and Chicago have had conversations in the past about working out something so we can unlock our picks. We also have a 2029 pick we can trade.
IMHO, neither are Batman. So assuming, safely I believe, that Clingan, Avdija, Toumani, Sharpe and Scoot all turn out to be very good players, what superstar can we go after to take that next necessary step
Anyone trading 3 lotto picks for Zion at this point is an idiot as he’s not worth it. He’s proven totally chronically unhealthy. Cost should be one first plus a young potential role player of either Deni or toumani caliber (I’m not a fan of this deal anyway but that’s the value)
They drafted well with those picks. You should embrace love instead of this whole back and forth stuff
Said this before but if we don't get into the top 4, I want to explore trading our pick for Lauri Markkanen. Elite shot making, still only 28. Think he's the perfect target.
Yeah, we can't overpay for Lauri. Ayton and a top-10 lottery pick should be close IMO. Lauri will average 50 million a year over the next 4 years. That is a negative so an ending contract and a top-10 pick in this excellent draft (so I am told) is a fair return. But yeah he will want much more.
they'd have zero interest in Ayton, IMO. Kessler is a much better modern C and he's still on rookie scale. And they have 3 more years of Flipowski on rookie scale, and he can hit the 3 at an elite rate for a C
Didn't realize Lauris contract is that large. Even so, on court fit wise, I think he is the archetype
