From the way mocks have been looking the last few days the drop off happens after pick #2. I've seen a few of the big mocks with Bailey dropping to 4 and even 5. I'm a big Bailey fan so if he's dropping and we could trade up there because the difference isn't seen as being that great, I'd love it if we did that.
Klay + Washington + Naji for Ant + Matisse This trade works and might be a win for both teams. With Davis and CF at the forwards, Washington is expendable. They get Ant to fill in at PG while Irving is down, then they get his offense off the bench as a better option than old Klay. They value MT’s defense, he could be a great fit in an Irving, CF, Davis, Lively lineup. For us, we build a great bench. We’d have to probably move Grant and find a good backup PG. Scoot/ SS/Klay TC/Grant/Naji Deni/Washington Ayton/DC
I don’t think Klay would be happy playing his last year or two on a rebuilding Blazers squad. I’d love Lively especially if Ayton was moved elsewhere. I think Scoot would like Lively too.
So we tell his agent to find a trade. Just be transparent with him that he is brought here as salary filler and we already have other starters. He's welcome to contribute off the bench until he can find a team that wants to trade for him, or give a bunch of cash back in a buyout if he really doesn't want to be here. I still think Klay would accept the bench better than Grant/Ayton/Ant as he wouldn't be brought in with the expectation that its his starting spot. Similarly Grant/Ant/Ayton might accept coming off the bench for another team - but they won't here.
Houston looks like a great place for Durant and they feel they are close to contending; owning the ‘25 and ‘27 and ‘29 PHX picks helps; and youth — Sengun, Green, JSJ, Sheppard, Amen, Eason, Whitmore at less than age 25. AND FVV is an EC at age 31. FVV doesn’t help the Suns long-term. Brooks is all D, little O. FVV looks like the best filler contract … to the Blazers? With Grant, Scoot and TimeLord to the Suns along with getting back their 27 and 29 picks. The Blazers get 10, FVV and the previously rumored Jabari Smith Jr. [If the Blazers can say that trading Scoot after two years is the smart move, then do it. If they cannot, then they have to make a decision on Ant. That deadline of February for a trade will force a decision as doing sign and trades next summer is a bad idea — little to no leverage and otherwise.]
Remember when Jerami was playing well and teams were interested but Joe was demanding 2 firsts? Now we’d have to attach assets to move him.
You think Lively would be a good bu at 4/5? If he wants to start somewhere it wont be here w/ Block Lobster & Deni.
Lively was someone I did not like missing out on in his draft. He is his name. I don’t know if he will ever be a quality starter, but I like him as an active, back-up big.
Portland does not need to add a 1st to make a trade. Flat out, I reject that and even knowing some here will disagree and can make a strong argument. Grant makes just over 20% of the cap and that percentage goes down a little. His 2 years + a player option is easily one year too long. He has not looked real happy … and the smoke seems like he would not object to moving to a playoff team. Grant would be a really good 3rd (overpaid) forward who should age well.
If the Blazers KNOW / have a deal in place to get a 1st ( future ?) then I do not mind attaching a first to get rid of Grant. However if you tell me they jettison Grant bring back one or 2 vets maybe get a 2nd and use that player to round out roster then hell no. I do think there is a pretty good chance the Blazers would have to attach either a pick and/or a young player to get it done I buy that cause Grant has a bad contract and he is going down hill. I will say this I still think he has another couple solid years in him like 13 to 15 ppg with his NO rebounding and being a solid vet but again his contract is bad. I do have one more thought on Grant -- I wonder if the fact the Blazers want to diminish his role has affected him cause I do think on a top 10 to 12 team and having a set role he might be more consistent but the Blazers do not know when or how to use him with this group of players.
I've seen Evan Sidery tweet things that were wrong before so I'm a bit skeptical however, he didn't say the 'compensation' to move Grant would be a 1st. It could be a 2nd or two; or cash + a 2nd...or taking back a smaller but unattractive contract people should keep in mind that the history is that in the period of time between the end of the season and the draft, about 3/4 of the tweets you read about what teams are thinking are total bullshit; leaks of agenda
Sidery has no sources LOL. He throws shit at the wall based on logical speculation then tries to act like he had sources when something happens that was obvious.
People are acting crazy right now. Jerami's contract isn't that bad. I don't think it gets a big return but I definitely think it can be moved without attaching a FRP. If we bought Jerami out he'd be on our books for his entire contract anyway... who the fuck cares how "favorable" the buyout is, we're still on the hook for the cap hit, that's the NBA. SMH. We'll either trade him or not but the only thing that makes the guy a bit of a negative for us is the fact that he takes PT away from the young guys we want to be this team's future. He had a down shooting year last season but he's a guy that can do a lot for you on offense without the ball, with the ball and is a really good wing defender.
