(This thread is great btw @illmatic99 It’s a very good question) I want to say yes, but it’s all about the return. Less than OG and it seems like a bad idea. It feels like our starting lineup needs either a defensive 3 or 4–like OG or Bridges—with Jerami acting as the other forward. Ideally similar to a better version of Chief and Mo. So if it takes Ant and picks to get a player of that caliber then so be it. Otherwise, it seems like we in here (for one) might be undervaluing his value.
The fact is that we need to move on from the Dame/Ant back court. The other fact is that if we are serious about acquiring an all star to play with Dame then Ant's contract is likely going to be needed in a package just to help match that of the incoming all star.
Omg this feels verbatim what we said about CJ, too. All the words. Lol. What a weird place we are in as a team.
It's so surreal that we're having these exact conversations about 6 or 7 years later. I honestly think that there is a case to be made for keeping Ant if we are moving on from Dame but if we are building around Dame I just don't see how you do that successfully while retaining Ant. Again, things said about CJ over half a decade ago.
To me, Ant's best skillset is his shooting. He's not a facilitator. He'd be great in the 6th man gunner role. A Lou Williams or Jamal Crawford type role. Ant is such an awesome guy. But you have to trade something of worth to get back a quality player of need. The business side of pro sports sucks. But it ain't changing anytime soon.
Agreed. Someone said, and I don't remember who? Maybe TBPup, but they said you can keep two of: Dame, Ant, Sharpe, Lottery pick. My thing would be Dame and Sharpe. But what does Ant and #2-8 get you? I don't think Ants value is very high.
We better hope it's more than you think. If not, the Blazers shouldn't be keeping him anyway at that high salary amount.
I think if the commitment to Dame is that we're going to get him a second all star at a position of need then you'll probably have to trade Ant, Nurk, our pick and/or multiple other first rounders (23 and future).
Ant makes too much money for the liability he is on defense. He’s an exciting young player that will never get you too far in the playoffs
I think this is a great example of a trade. Would Atlanta want Ant? Who knows. But great to come up with an actual trade vs saying "trade him" or "keep him". Gold star post!
He might believe his value has the potential to rise. Ant could make a spicy deadline move if he's on a hot streak.
1. Starting Dame and Shaedon, with Ant off the bench, could be the best 3 guard rotation we've had, maybe ever? 2. Ant is our best trade chip to improve at another position of need. Decisions, decisions
Anfernee is too small for full time SG on the already undersized Blazers roster. When Ant can get on a heater it's fun to watch. But its also very apparent when opponents take advantage of Anfernee's wimpy defense. If the Blazers blow it up, Simons will be a terrific lead guard to grind out Portland towards top 4 picks. If the Blazers want vets that play defense, and take winning games more serious then padding personal stats, then Simons must get traded. I don't hold anything against Simons, he's a bright young man with terrific athletic ability. He could eventually become a top 10 scorer in this league. Anfernee is simply a misfit in the confusing coagulation of Portland's franchise narratives.
