If we stay healthy, bench Ant and Grant l, 47 wins. If we start Scoot/Sharpe/CamarA/Deni/Clingan and bring Ant/Thybulle/Murray(Walker)/Ayton off the bench… 47 wins. Book it.
Watch the Blazers trade for Lauri Markkanen or Julius Randle and most fans just be pissed off! Blazers win 53 games and in the playoffs. Problem solved!
After wasting this season next season really doesn't matter. No reason to be pissed next season. This was our chance. We either get super lucky in this draft or we've got what we've got. Just as well win as much as possible next season.
Are you saying there is no talent available in next years draft class? I just figured they would probably be a late pick again next year.
I'm saying we probably won't be able to lose enough to increase our odds of drafting a star substantially. We'll probably be picking 10 or later barring serious injuries across the board. Trading for better players and trying to win is about our only chance to make any real noise...
Yeah, that's how it looks... Unless we get really lucky. Hopefully we have a much better front office now. *Edit* We do have a better constructed team outside of the star... So here's hoping...
Not really. Camara, Avdija. Dame never really had that level of forwards….both offensively and defensively. This team is in way better shape post Dame
You like Camara and Avdija more than LMA and Batum in the moment when Dame was a rookie? I’m not doubting you (I remember your opinions back then) but pleasantly surprised by the implications.
Of course, in order to add a star caliber player we'd probably have to trade those assets, right? Or maybe we can offer up draft picks, Ant, and Ayton's expiring? Maybe? Would that be enough?
I should have said recently. LMA and Batum were great forwards to be sure. Hopefully our current two can be as good of a combo. I don’t believe either will be as good as LMA was
Strong case Aldridge has hit a few of the most common thresholds for inclusion in the Hall of Fame 7 All-Star appearances 5 All-NBA selections 20k+ career points. Eventually voters may start considering potential stat inflation due to the proliferation of 3-pointers and increased pace of the modern era, but that doesn't apply much to Aldridge's career. Even if it takes him a couple rounds of voting, don't count him out.
If only OKC could eventually find a few assets that provide production on very low salaries - like future draft picks.
I think our record at 2026 will really depend on what we do with our draft pick. If we keep it and get a rookie deserving of PT we might only be about a .500 team as rookies always have a learning curve If we flip the pick for a vet, or send out two picks like the Deni trade maybe we get closer to 50 wins. Not really sure the 2026 wins should be a priority though. Id think trying to build for 2028 wins and a higher likelihood of being a contender should be a better goal.
