Or those albatross contracts then become even bigger albatrosses and we have to package them with our more valuable young players... We could play this game all day. Agree to disagree on this one
They wouldn't be making more money. So they would not be more of an albatross. The only difference is our younger players would have played more and been more valuable (in the scenario in which we win more with them than we did with Ant, Grant, and Ayton). Those vets could even make up injury excuses if they wanted. And our star younger players would have more confidence, be further along in their development, and likely have better value as well. There is no scenario in which what we have done is the best move for the long-term future of this team.
https://ripcityproject.com/trail-blazers-repeat-wizards-costly-mistake-deni-avdija 1. Veterans were needed this season to have functional play so that the young guys would get productive minutes and have good growth. 2. Trades of at least some of the best veterans for timeline, fit, youth, and trade assets did not happen last summer or February. 3. The salary structure of the team needs restructuring prior to Scoot, Sharpe, Deni, Toumani, and Clingan getting paid. [AND the training wheels can come off … the bumpers removed or widened on their lanes. Pick your metaphor.] This is all a way of saying that the logic has been there for a tank BUT they did too well and now NEED to have veterans sit (with minutes limited for those who can play) to be healthy for the summer/trades. CURRENTLY at #10 for the lottery, they could reasonably get to 8. IMHO, Cronin should go for 8 and play the young guys.
The young guys have been playing. Grant is the only “old guy” and he’s been out of the lineup til last game.
Oh that's not a judgment based on the current game. It is based on the current season. I assume we're still actively trying to make the playoffs. Which is insane to even contemplate at any point this season.
Time to tank - period This is the right answer and any other answer and that fan(s) need to be educated cause even if a 1st pick is a longshot maybe even just getting the 2nd to 3rd pick is solid too it's not JUST a chance a Flagg even if he is the prize of the draft.
I was replying to the statement: "Then they can keep Simons, Grant and Ayton because those are the core you want to build around for sure." (it may have been sarcasm by kj...my meter is on the fritz) as for Scoot/Shae/Deni, they'd all have to improve a remarkable amount to be a big 3
It would definitely behoove us to sit a bunch of guys when we play Toronto and Washington on Sunday and Monday. We should also sit the majority of our roatation players the entire month of April (the last 7 games of the season). I think that would result in us losing out or maybe only picking up one more win. I also think it would secure us the 8th spot in the lotto.
Chances of getting 2nd or 3rd pick is low too. It’s not up to the fans to decide whether or not we should tank. As long as they’re trying to win, I’m rooting for them to do so.