how about using it as a trade chip to land a starter/star level two, three or four? something like our pick, simons, cj for derozen? Havent looked at who is available. So not sure who really.
Blazers currently at #13 in the Lottery but also effectively tied for #11. I posted these numbers before but they are again appropriate here. Just going from #13 to #11 more than doubles the odds. Current Lottery standings: #14 - Kings #13 - Blazers (1 GB but +2 in the Loss column) #12 - Pels (1GB and own the tie-breaker with the Blazers) #11 - Spurs (1 GB but with 2 less losses than Portland) #10 - Suns (3 GB but with only 1 more loss than Portland) #9 - Wiz (4.5 GB but have played 3 fewer games than the Blazers) #8 - Hornets (6 GB and likely no chance of Portland falling that far) Chance of getting into the Top-4: #14 - 2.4% #13 - 4.7% #12 - 7.2% (3x greater at #12 than #14) #11 - 10.4% #10 - 13.9% #9 -- 20.3% (This is where the first big jump occurs) #8 -- 26.2% (That is the absolute highest Portland could get IMO....but very unlikley) #10 is within easy reach (~3x better odds than the current #13 position) but if there is any way of getting to #9 or even #8, that is where the odds really start to go up. A greater than 25% chance of getting into the Top 4 is nothing to sneeze at. It would feel like this season had some redeeming quality to it if we could jump up to the Top-4. It's not a great Draft but that level, there are pieces there that could help this talent depleted roster.
That doesn't come close to working salary wise and because the Blazers didn't trade Hassan at the deadline trades similar to what you are suggesting are extremely difficult. Plus Olshey said they were unwilling to include their 1st in deals at the deadline. I'd be surprised if they traded it later.
and why wouldn't it work salary wise? and what does not trading Whiteside at the deadline have to do with making that deal in the off season?
