Yeah, I forgot about Grant. That's the problem.... if we keep Dame, there are going to be some moves that won't make any sense long term. I guess if we sign Grant, we could turn around and flip him at the deadline.
I would be shocked if they kept the pick. It's go big or go home time. And if we don't go big, Dame's gone next year for sure.
You trade Lillard before he demands a trade. Otherwise his value will just continue to plummet. And we’ll get Otis Thorpe and Randolph Childress.
Phoenix wants to fix their team Dallas wants to fix there team LAC owner is nuts and will pay for talent Memphis is too good to blow it up OKC is young, but loaded with strong athletes Minnesota can't tank, they have no picks Lakers cashed out to become a menace Sacramento's good year was no fluke What I'm getting at is it will be extremely difficult to jump this pack and contend with Lillard's Blazers next season. Damian is making a big fat check, and clearly doesn't mind taking the last month of the season off to tank for picks. Keep the hot new rookie, let Damian play grumpy, Lillard's shooting efficiency is off the charts. Rebuilding a team through the draft with an iconic NBA superstar playing at peak performance is an unusual tactic, but it's clearly working in Portland's favor.
If Miller is available, I don’t see a problem with keeping the pick and Dame as long as other moves are made to add more vets. Trade Ant, #23 and a 2nd for OG. Sign a decent backup PG. Use the MLE to get a solid vet backup C. Start Dame, Sharpe, OG, Grant, and Nurk. Miller gets time at SF and PF. Thybulle backs up Sharpe. Vet PG backs up Dame. New C backs up Nurk, with Eubanks and Watford getting spot minutes at 4 and 5. That’s a lineup that should make the playoffs and is only going to get better over time as Sharpe and Miller grow their games. I’m not sure if I see a reasonable way to make it work if Scoot is the pick.
Not saying those teams won't be good, but as of right now, if we make one good move and re-sign Grant....we could match up with any of them. A healthy Clipper team would worry me the most. Sacramento is not going away, as Fox and Sabonis are good, but they are not scary good. Now part of my optimism is a much better Sharpe and I admit he is still another year away from being a star, none-the-less he will be better. I really just think we are one good forward away. For example, you slip Wagner into the starting lineup (for #3) and not lose any of our depth, plus add a backup 5 with the MLE (or 23) along with Ant, Thybulle, Little, and Watford...you have a chance. Not saying it is ideal, just that the competition is not that great as of today either.
This could turn out true and this scenario could change a thousand times between now and the draft. Could also be the Brass bucking up and getting it out there that we aren't going to get jacked in any trade. How bad do other teams want Scoot? Time will tell
Granted talking heads /writers don't know shit, probably less than we do, but they do say there are a lot of teams who value him. I think 25 mil is a good number, but we will have to go over it to keep him IMO. Can we afford not to resign him if we choose not to go the rebuild route?
I'm going to go out on a real sturdy wide limb and state unequivocally that no matter how many years he has to develop Miller will never be a Durant, Bird, Magic or Jordan level talent let alone in a few months. Thats a ridiculous standard to hold anyone to, which might be the point??? So let me guess, the logical only option is to trade the pick and multiple future 1sts to acquire vet talent to stack around Dame next season? STOMP
What in the world has OG done to warrant such a return? Is it that he's always seemingly always injured? Or is it the career 13.2 PER? He's either not playing very well or injured. Depending on what else transpires this summer, the very most I'd part with for him is Ant & even then it's not something I'm prioritizing. STOMP
It’s his defense and the fact that both Lillard and Cronin value what he offers. Obviously, your opinion is lesser. The price tag Toronto put on him at the deadline was higher than my suggested deal. If Cronin can get him for less, great. Per Woj at the deadline: "A 6-foot-7 player, a two-way player. I think there's a belief that Toronto could get as many as 3 first-round picks in a deal for Anunoby if they decided to move him. They've certainly talked with teams to see what the market is on him and I think virtually everybody on that Raptors team." Anunoby is a very good 3-and-D player. He can play multiple positions at both ends of the floor and defends perimeter players quite well. He's also a solid offensive contributor. Anunoby is averaging 16.9 points per game on 36.6 percent shooting from 3-point range.
OG, at no fault of his own, has become over-rated in my opinion. Doesn't mean he isn't good and wouldn't be of value on Portland's roster.
OG would be a fantastic addition to this team. But, Toronto has overvalued him so much, that trading for him is unfeasible with any sense of fairness.
I think that Toronto will come off of the asking price Woj mentioned. His contract expires after this season and no way is Toronto going to pay the money OG wants. They risk losing him for nothing if they don’t make a trade this summer. The reasons I listed him in my scenario are that his salary doesn’t currently require any other players than Ant to make the deal work. Siakam would be better, but he’d drain the roster of seasoned players. OG would also be something of a placeholder until Miller is ready to assume a starting role. Just my thoughts. Your mileage may vary. Correction: OG has 2 years remaining.
Hard to D up when a guy is injured yet again, but remind me of when has Cronin spoken to valuing what OG offers? Since you say it's a fact that he values him so greatly, I'm sure you'll be able to relay the quote(s) that I apparently missed... or is this all Woj rumorama? btw, it's been said that Ant is worth 11dbillion 1st round picks as I just said it. The Blazers might be willing to come off that asking price somewhat... STOMP
Not sure why you have an issue with what I said. It’s been common knowledge that the Blazers made a run at OG last summer, but couldn’t agree with Toronto on the price: https://basketball.realgm.com/nba/teams/Portland-Trail-Blazers/24/news/wiretap/archive/2022/5 “The Blazers (27-29) were also linked in trade rumors to Toronto forward O.G. Anunoby. But the Raptors were reportedly seeking three first-round picks and a player.” https://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/...ar-by-trade-deadline-fail.html?outputType=amp If OG’s health is s concern I’m sure it will be discussed. I just mentioned a theoretical trade. If it gives you so much heartburn you’re free to ignore it.
