We were 3rd seeds twice with Dame but never a contender. Got swept once against the Pelicans but made the WCF the other year. To me a contender is a team that is trying to win multiple playoff series and has a realistic possibility of that happening. Giannis gets us to that level. Some can argue semantics but we're splitting hairs here with word definitions. We certainly wouldn't be a top favorite with Giannis but we'd be one of the few teams with a chance - which is very rare. The Dame teams never had enough two way players on defense or offense but with Giannis, Deni, Camara, Scoot, Clingan, some of our youth improving it's at least a possibility. Ultimately Giannis being dealt depends on all 3 of what team Giannis accepts going to, what the market is, and what the Bucks decide to do. I certainly think the Blazers should heavily explore the possibility though. It eventually might turn out its better for us to be the 3rd team in a Giannis trade or just keep those Bucks picks for a future year. I will say that it is nice to have a Blazers offseason where there is a scenario we could acquire an All-NBA level player and that it could actually make sense for the team both short and long term. Been a LONG time since that was the case. Even when we had Dame and either the #7 pick or #3 pick to flip for a Jaylen Brown level of vet it didn't seem like that type of roster would actually have the two way players to contend. Having two way wings in Deni and Camara opens up possibilities this franchise hasn't had since at the least the best Aldridge teams. It might be the best foundation we've had since the Rasheed era. I enjoyed watching Lillard but I never saw a realistic way to transition a team with a short poor defensive ball dominant player into a title contender. Not saying that will happen now, but at least we have a couple of the correct pieces to start working on the puzzle.
Unless we traded them Dame with the understanding that if it didn't work out we'd give them back their picks and short term contracts in exchange for Giannis...
The problem is that you need matching salary. The Blazers have a shit ton of expiring money with Ayton, Simons, and Rob. OKC does not. We also have some young talent that we can part with. Scoot and Shae would be a very intriguing combo to build around for a team that wants to start over. Same problem with San Antonio
I think OKC has plenty to offer with all their picks. The matching contracts are not exciting, but to get all of those picks, Hartenstein and Joe (or Dort) are not a bad return
Sure, they have plenty to offer. But we have THEIR picks. I already broke down why I think we can make the best offer. I'm not going to do it again.
No way are we the best offer. My money is on HOUSTON. Alperen Sengun (routed elsewhere for more picks?) Reed Sheppard Jabari Smith 2025 #9 1st Best of 2027 #1 between Phx, BK, and Hou 2nd Best of 2027 #1 between Phx, BK, and Hou 1st Best of 2029 #1 between Phx, Dal, and Hou 2nd Best of 2029 #1 between Phx, Dal, and Hou Bucks probably could trade Sengun to the Pels and get Zion and their 26 and 27 picks back.
If OKC offers up one of Chet or Jalen Williams, it's a centerpiece that is likely better than anything we could offer up. Ultimately, I think Houston makes a big push for him and land him this offseason.
If I was OKC, I would hold on to Chet. Dude is gunna be special. I wish we have him. Admittedly I thought he was gunna be a bust. I saw him play live at Moda when he was with Gonzaga and he underwhelmed.
I think you guys are really stretching in thinking that Portland could make a strong offer for Giannis compared to other teams to start with, Portland's 1st's for 26-27-28 are encumbered. Yeah, blahblah I know the Blazers can make low-value conditional trades of those picks but other teams won't have to add conditions. For another thing, if Milwaukee is trading Giannis and starting a rebuild, they'll want to start the rebuild right away; they won't want to wait till 2029. Other teams can fill in picks for the years Portland can't. As for the Blazers pick this coming draft, It may very well be that Giannis won't ask for a trade prior to the draft so that might not be any leverage Portland can offer a couple of expiring contracts in Ayton/Simons/Timelord/Thybulle. That might carry a little bit of weight but those are not rebuilding assets; and other teams can offer expiring contracts too
yeah, that looks like a damn good package would that have to wait till Sengun's new deal starts in July or is BYC not a thing anymore? I wonder if the Bucks would be more interested in Van Vleet's big expiring + all those picks + Shepard + Amen + Jabari for Giannis + Kuzma. Bucks move off a lot of salary that way.
I think the Spurs could offer a pretty damn good package for Giannis and if Giannis wants to win he would be much obliged.
Yes - would have to be after July. From Houston's end, I would anticipate that they would rather keep Van Vleet for roster balance over the alternative. Figuring that Gainnis is really more of a C/PF these days, Houston has less need for Sengun - but would need Van Vleet's shooting. After thinking about this a bit more - here is what I think both teams do: TRADE: Alperen Sengun Reed Sheppard Cam Whitmore 2025 #9 (Drafted by Houston & Traded after signing new contract) 1st Best of 2027 #1 between Phx, BK, and Hou 2nd Best of 2027 #1 between Phx, BK, and Hou 1st Best of 2029 #1 between Phx, Dal, and Hou 2nd Best of 2029 #1 between Phx, Dal, and Hou Bucks keep Sengun, Sheppard, & Whitmore, & the draft pick. You let Lopez walk and you S&T Portis to a team that can use him. Bucks would be under the tax line, so they wouldn't need to cut any more salary. You let Dame rehab... IF he's showing promise that he might make it back - you trade him at that point... If not, you just ride out his contract. Houston makes a deal with Van Vleet to opt out of his $44M contract & re-sign for 3 yrs at $100M. This would allow Rockets enough room to fill out the rest of their roster. Re-sign Adams for ~$12M and Tate ~$5M. Target someone like Dinwiddie with the Tax-MLE.
yeah, that's probably better, especially if the Bucks can get under the tax but my gawd, the wings Houston would have: Giannis, Jabari, Eason, Brooks, Amen...even with Giannis playing C half of the time that's still a logjam. I'd wonder how well Amen would fit with Giannis. Not well I'm thinking as they both want to slam into the paint at every opportunity and neither can spread the floor. Houston would not be a good shooting perimeter team
