Does it seem weird that Grant, Brogdon, and Ayton have been out with very little information about their injuries? We know Grant was in concussion protocol, but this is a long time to be out from a hit to the head. Brogdon and Ayton have been out with knee soreness. Are we stealth tanking? Are we keeping guys out to ensure their health for a potential trade on the 15th?
According to this, Grant (and Thybulle) can't be traded until at least January 15th. https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2023/08/players-who-cant-be-traded-until-january-15-7.html Listed below are the players who meet this criteria and can’t be traded until at least January 15, 2024. Players who have the ability to veto trades in 2023/24 are marked with a caret (^). Portland Trail Blazers Jerami Grant Matisse Thybulle ^
As for traded players, they say they can't be traded again for 2 months, unless they are traded alone. So I guess all of them can be traded as of now.
Stealth—maybe? I do think some of the guys are dealing with injury. I do also think that some of, or maybe all three could be playing if we were actually competing this year. I would assume that with a crackdown in tanking, there has to be legitimate reason to hold guys out. I think this is smart. Ant is just returning, let’s see what he is for a solid stretch of games back. His fg% may be around this range if the vets were traded for merely filler (assuming the picks are priority). Then, we can bring them back as Cronin looks to shop them. There’s going to be a point where we need to have all the guys in for like a solid 10 game stretch to really assess Ant. Even as an Ant apologist atm, I acknowledge we do need to see what he looks like with a full squad to see if I’m even correct in Ant’s efficiency and apg with better players around him. I’m ready to move on from one or both of Brogdon and Grant if Ant achieves both for a solid 10 game stretch. I’ve been feeling this way watching these last few games, I’m ready to turn this team over. This guard trio has more potential than any trio I’ve seen. It’s a shame GS whiffed on not drafting Melo, but even then, Klay had already gone through his injuries.
Maybe we're sitting players who are hurt longer than normal in order to get our youngsters more experience? Who knows?
Absolutely not tanking. This is the early season all out effort to win some games like we saw last season. The current injuries are legit, not faked like the final month of last season. Jerami Grant missed 14 games straight to end last year with a quad contusion? mmm hmmm... sure. Dame sat the last 10 games with a fake calf strain, freaked out, then demanded a trade to Miami. Nurkic loves tanking, he was faking who knows what to finish his season as weak as possible. Simons was fine, fully recovered from ankle sprain. Is your ankle still sore Anfernee?? you should rest. Nassir always has oddball injuries, so his benching for ping pong balls may have been legit. When this team starts officially tanking, there won't be any mistaking it. After the All-Star break, there may be times when Coach Billups has to yank young guys out the game because they're getting buckets. Losses become more important then personal accolades. I don't know if everyone watched the official tank Blazers in final month of last season. Most all the games Blazers lost straight up. But there was a small handful of moments where Coach was benching players for playing too well. It got weird.
What's really weird was a couple of games ago when Chauncey didn't use his challenge on a questionable call at the end of a tight game. I don't recall whether he was saving the timeout? But an extra possession and one fewer for them would have been nice at that juncture.
It does seem weird to me. Especially Ayton. Ayton's never missed a game for a knee issue. I guess there's a first time for everything.
The Blazers are right now missing the players with the most points, the most rebounds and the most assists this season for the team. Last season the Blazers finished the season winning 40 percent of their games, being victorious in 33 games. This season the Blazers have won 27 percent of their games. Obviously they can win a few games with the current healthy players, and will have to, to match last season's finish. The Blazers will have to win 27 of the next 60 games, 45 percent of their next 60 games, to to match last season's win total of 33. The Blazers don't need to do a severe tank to match what happened last season. If Ayton is being held out to get some close losses, he won't need to be held out much longer.
Developing the skills and character of young players, while building a team identity through trust and communication. I hope.
I don't think we're throwing games, but I have some serious questions about why our veterans all became injured at the same time. The Grant injury is legit, but Brogdon and Ayton are very curious.
I think there is no rush to bring anyone back from injury who is already experienced and could win us games in a season in which we plan on tanking. Is that tanking this early in the season? I'm not sure but Jerami and Malcolm will be back and play enough good games to make sure the league has a good understanding of their value fresh on their minds before both guys are traded. That could be soon for Malcolm but I would bet it's close to the deadline for both of them.
Grant's concussion occurred 10 days ago, so I guess it's a normal recovery at this point. He may be having persistent symptoms though and it sure isn't something to take lightly Brogdon was injured less 6 days ago in the Warriors game. Ayton played over 35 minutes against Utah 10 days ago. Both are out with knee issues the reality is that none of those injuries have resulted in major missed time yet. It just seems worse because all three are out at the same time. By the way, that's 86M in salary sitting on the bench; 98M if you count Timelord; 100M if you count Wainright
I wouldn't doubt if we're tanking early as it's probably not going to get you in trouble in the first half of the season. I'd be really disappointed if that's the case but it very well could be
Are the Spurs and Grizzlies tanking or do they just suck? And watching Detroit multi-years into their rebuild is what scares me.
I would say we are still tanking, but not at the level of San Antonio, Detroit, and Washington. Think they are locks for those bottom three spots. The next group is us, Charlotte, Utah, Memphis, and Chicago. Eight of our next nine are at home with Washington once and San Antonio twice. Am guessing we win a few but will remain close in the standings with those four teams. Think January is where we see how dedicated we are to getting another decent draft pick.
