Is Anfernee even still on the team? Because everybody's talking about how getting Scoot will drive Dame out the door, but won't it drive Ant AND Dame out the door eventually? I mean, we all know the backcourt of the future is Scoot and Shaedon, and unless Ant is happy being our Vinnie Johnson (have your grandpa explain the reference)... But, of course, as has been hashed out a billion times on this forum, there's essentially nowhere that will give up anything of value for him. Here are my best suggestions: Brooklyn for a re-signed Cam Johnson (yes please - but unlikely) or (more likely) some combination of Dorian Finney-Smith, Royce O'Neal, Patty Mills, Joe Harris and Cam Thomas PROBLEM: Brooklyn probably thinks they've got a shot at Dame so won't want to do anything that make it more likely Dame stays. Orlando ideally for Wendell Carter Jr., but they would be more likely to want to offload a guard like Fultz or Cole Anthony (who is a poor man's Ant) along with Jonathan "Anti-Woke" Isaac. Toronto might be interested if they lose Fred VanVleet to free agency, but who would they give us? Not Siakam or OG, no matter how much we'd like it. You'd think Charlotte could use him, but then what would they do with Terry Rozier? And what would they offer in return? Gordon Hayward? Yeesh. He's 33 already! Maybe Sacramento? Except they have Monk, Huerter and Davion Mitchell. But I quite like the idea of Ant for a signed-and-traded Harrison F. Barnes (who is surprisingly only 31) Utah? They have Colin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson. See what I mean?
All good points, and all true, but you can't prioritize the Ant situation over Dame's. Yes, eventually they'll both need to be dealt with, but in the short term, if you're trading Dame, you can start Ant at PG and attempt to elevate his value to move either at the deadline or next offseason. We've got plenty of years for the Scoot/Sharpe backcourt, so Scoot coming off the bench for half or maybe one year, if it maximizes a potentially valuable asset (while we're not winning anyway) is probably the right call. Obviously if Dame decides to stay it becomes the big issue...
We hear Simons mentioned as a fantastic, highly talented young guard during national media trade Dame discussions. Lately around town, it's super rookie happy time. I haven't heard anything about Anfernee Simons, other then an occasional rumor to package Ant in imaginary deals to bring All-Stars into Portland.
I find it hard to believe Ant doesn't have value around the League. But even though he's not a very good facilitator , Ant is better than Malachi Flynn . Currently Toronto's only PG under contract. With Van Vleet's situation still up in the air . I believe Toronto will proceed with the OG trade at some point.
Scottie Barnes is their PG of the future. I'm sure Toronto would be happy to give us Gary Trent back.
Either Dame or Ant goes but I don't think both. Some fans mention his lack of value and then at the same time say there is no way he will accept coming off the bench. Does anyone really think his ego is that big that he would pout? I don't. Now the other argument is he makes too much to come off the bench. If Dame is traded for expiring contracts I don't see a problem until SS and Scoot are up for extensions.
I think Ant would be a great backup guard if Scoot and Shaedon are the starting back court. That's a really good three man rotation.
I like the kid's attitude and for the most part, what skill he brings on the court. But has others have said, realistically I don't foresee us getting a ton of return for him. He would have to be included with maybe someone like Nurk imo to get anything substantive back.
It would seem someone has to go. There are not minutes for all 4 in the backcourt and if they all stay, it means Shaedon has to play some at SF which is not is best position. I'm so tired of players having to play out of their strongest spot because we are so small. Ant is the most likely is Dame is staying. Oddly, Ant is probably the starting PG if Dame is moved. Let Scoot learn while not having the pressure of being the man, at least for a bit.
I think for a lot of teams, adding Nurk's contract makes it even more difficult to get a good return.....unless some team wants to dump a bad contract on us. Neither of them is on a team-friendly deal. Not horrible contracts, but still not great. Combined they make over 40 million next year. IMO if Dame is moved we make it a stipulation that they take Nurk too. But if Dame stays we might need to trade them (Nurk/Ant) separately, unless as I said someone wants to dump a bad contract to get a deal done.
Because he's one dimensional. Let's hope for one (1) first round pick. The players will be mid too, just like Ant is.
