ok, I'm assuming we are talking about all these guys reaching close to their upside, and when they are no longer on rookie scale deals. If one falls short of their potential then it's not an issue because he'd be just a backup or role-playing starter anyway, "preclude from adding"? maybe not 'keeping'? nope. I question if the Vulcans would even sign off on more than 2 max or near max contracts. Not much of a chance of them agreeing to 3 max deals. And Portland always seems to initially overpay for rookie extensions there is also the reality that if Portland is banking on having a 3 guard all-star-level rotation in the backcourt of 6'3, 6'3, 6'5, then one of the two avenues for adding major talent in the front-court, trades, would be pretty much closed down now, if the OP was talking about this year and next year, and even the year after, sure, it can work because two of the three will still be on their rookie deals. But Ant and Sharpe will both be due for new contracts on July 1 2026; coincidentally, Ayton, Williams, and Thybulle will be due for new deals at the same time
the Blazers should have 2 FRP's this summer. Will Portland draft another guard and make it a quartet ?
Only if it’s Castle. Topic is a possibility if he’s able to shoot and play off the ball, but I don’t think that has a high likelihood. I also don’t think a team should draft Topic and take the ball out of his hands. Buzelis has the height of length of a PF but the playmaking potential is real and he will be able to play SG, if you want to consider him someone who can play guard, maybe him. Outside of that, I’d rather bring in forwards who have some playmaking ability. Tristen Watson is great to bring in if you want to make a ‘quartet’. Player who will impact the game right away, two way player who can shoot and pass the ball, Brogdon sized. He’s a mid 2nd rounder though. I would use the 1sts on improving the forward and big man depth.
That’s not fair. I said it was fine to have all three for now and Illmatic said he was talking about in the 3/4 years down the line when they are all up for extensions.
Scoot is more traditional PG that I would prefer be the starter once ready for now I’m ok with him coming of bench as long as he’s getting minutes to improve. Having Brogdon is is going to cut into the minutes available so he needs to go. Ant would be huge as 6th man who could bring instant offense off bench. Personally can’t see him being happy in that role so if Scoot develops into the elite PG that we expect him to be then very likely we end up having to trade Ant. Love love love this problem of having talented players pushing stars for their spot. This is a good problem
The only way this happens is if one of the 3 of them is 100% committed to being the 3rd guard and can't check his ego at the door (most likely it's between Simons and Scoot). It just feels doubtful that this is possible.
So you are saying the Ant will not be a starter since the two options both narrowed down to the same person?
I think that unless/until Scoot demonstrates above-average starter capability over an extended period of time, this will be a moot point. I think that if Scoot does improve to the point that he is routinely playing like an above-average NBA starter, then we will gain a statistically-relevant data sample from which to analyze and draw conclusions as to which pairings are situationally the most effective. I think that despite a couple recent positive showings, Scoot still has a long way to go before he has any kind of legitimate argument to be starting ahead of Simons (or Sharpe).
Agreed. Scoot isn't ready to start yet, so it's not really something they need to worry about right away. The bigger issue is Malcolm's place on the team. If there was no Scoot, he'd be a perfect 3rd guard.
So given assumptions that Sharpe is indisputably a long-term starter, and that Brogdon most certainly is not, maybe the question should be--if all are healthy and playing at rotation-player (or better) level, is the team better served by: Ant/Sharpe, backed by Scoot Ant/Sharpe, backed by Brogdon Scoot/Sharpe, backed by Ant Scoot/Sharpe, backed by Brogdon I'm tempted to start a separate thread with a poll.
We'll see. I think Ant and Shae is a little clunky right now with Ant getting way more shots but Sharpe being more efficient and having the way way higher upside. I think if Scoot develops that Scoot and Shae seem ideal just given what their projected skill sets look like and how that would work together. I hope none of them are players that a team could afford to bring off the bench and I think both Shae and Ant have shown they are better than a bench role would indicate. I think it's only a moot point until some other team comes along and blows our doors off with an offer for Ant or Scoot... more likely Ant than Scoot right now but I don't really see this as an issue this season and probably won't really know how to answer this until the trade deadline next season at the earliest. I mean if someone offers us a crazy deal around this deadline for Ant, I could see us taking it but it would have to be massive. With all of that said I don't think there's a viable or smart way for all three to be on the same roster long term if all three are reaching even their mid potential, let alone of all three max out their potential.
Blazers have ONE player on the roster (Ant) with more than a single full season of tenure on the roster. Yet posters are worried about how we will fit some of these players possible raises for future contsaccts under the cap in 4+ years? Totally beyond premature to say the least.
Yeah this is a very real possibility. Does anyone think Cronin will pass on BPA if it's a guard? I'd bet against that.
Simons, Sharpe, and Ayton will all be free agents in 2.5 years. Scoot will be a free agent the following year. You can’t ignore future contracts.
If you want to win today it's option 2 and it's not even close. The reason to push for option 1 is A) to sell high on Brogdon for a team that can better use his wins now B) Develop Scoot with the hope he improves long term. Prior to the season I may have considered option 3 - but with Scoots play that or #4 don't make any sense.
