Trades possibilities....and what teams are open for business

A Mega-Meal-3-Team-Deal for the Blazers and 2 gotta win now teams:

Lakers — trade Rui, Gabe Vincent, and Knecht. Add in 1 first rounder, 2029 — Receive Brandon Ingram, Banton
Pelicans — trade Ingram (who they don’t want to pay, reportedly), Herb Jones, Trey Murphy — Receive Ayton (rumored interest) and Jerami Grant
Blazers — trade Ayton, Grant, Banton — Receive Jones, Murphy, Rui, Vincent, Knecht, Lakers 2029 1st (Vincent gone … Rui may be flipped)

Bigs — Clingan, Time Lord, Reath
A host of forwards — Jones, Murphy, Rui, Walker, Murray, Camara … and the starting SF— Deni Avdija.
Guards — Scoot, Sharpe, Simons, Knecht, Rupert

Blazers trade away 2 of their best 3 players, but get 4 younger guys who can shoot (2 also defend), and all are on the right timeline. [Vincent traded or waived.]

 

Rui would be a great fit at our PF position. He doesn't need touches, a tough defender who can be physical, and able to knock down the occasional 3 when needed. The more I think about fit, this is the one move I would like to see.

 

Is this true? Is he a tough defender? I have no idea. But if that is true then that makes it easier to accept him, a filler, and a 1st.
His defense was my only concern with him.

 

He is a good defender, though not a great rebounder, which is strange. I think he's a better fit than Grant, but I'm also a fan of ball movement.

 

might be that Cronin was playing a little too much hardball

more than one first for Grant might be a bridge too far for the Lakers, especially with 4 years left on his deal at nearly 33M/year.

 

might depend on the protections, but generally, with a 4-year contract at 33M/year, I think two first's is too heavy for a 3rd/4th option

 

#2 in the NBA in 3pt FG% among guys over 6-7 (min 200 attempts).

Even if he’s not in your long-term future he’s not a bad piece to have around off-the-bench.

 

My guess: Cronin wants 2 unprotected firsts, they’re offering 1 second.

Cronin is just trying to get them to 1 unprotected first and ‘stuff’.

 

too rich

 

No way New Orleans would give away Ingram, Murphy, AND Jones for Ayton and Grant. They lose that deal terribly. And we should know that.

 

Could this mean expanding on our Washington deal or did it already go through?

 

Maybe. I could see Brogdon getting rerouted.

 

It will be fun to watch when and where Grant ends up

 

Lakers seems like the only real possibility don’t you think?

 

Knecht dominated the Big Sky two years ago then went and dominated the SEC last year!

He can play. Biggest steals in most drafts are older players that fell because of age.

 

If we get another first, absolutely.

 

Pretty sure laker just signed their picks so no trades for them for a bit.

 

Malcolm's expiring is good for a team that will get crushed in next summer's luxury tax. I haven't looked into 2025 OMG payrolls. Phoenix? Bucks ?? Malcom can shoot, he's got handles and vet savvy. There was a small handful of Blazer wins where Brogdon contributed good performances. There's no doubt he's still a baller.

The Wizards have options. They can squeeze some goodies from a contender, or just wash their hands and roll with the picks from Portland.