I would use CJ as the centerpiece of a trade for either a very good small forward or a very good power forward. I'm completely comfortable handing the starting spot to Crabbe. I think he's going to be a very solid player.
I think I would hand the starting 2 to Crabbe anyway, and make CJ the first guy off the bench. Assuming Aminu is not the permanent SF starter, I could see an energy sub lineup of Aminu, Ed Davis, and CJ being pretty effective.
Heck, if Crabbe improves enough to start at SG, I'm hoping Crabbe is good enough next season to do just that, and we can use our cap space/drafting/trading resources to upgrade other positions.
Trade CJ + Leonard + Plumlee or Davis for Boogie. Sign DeRozan. If there's any money left over, go after Whiteside. Draft BPA. Dame/Frazier DeRozan/Harkless Crabbe/Aminu Boogie/Vonleh Whiteside/Davis (or Plumlee)
Derozan hasn't given any indication that he wants to leave Toronto, so I'm not sure why he's continually brought up.
I not saying I think POR gets him (or even that he would be a top pick of mine) but TOR also has hinted they won't pay him max (which is what he is going to command, sadly - sad state of affairs the current NBA). Plus the tax situation in Canada is not all that advantageous to players. He is gone imo.
No, the reason he starts is because he's the 2nd best player on the team and because it's good to have another ball handler on the court with Damian as much as possible, since without a guy like Aldridge other teams can just focus on shutting him down. Maybe he'd go to the bench when/if the blazers get a better starting five, but I don't think his trade value is the only reason he's starting.
The indication didn't come from the DeRozan camp, it came from the team. They were supposedly looking at moving him before the season started because they didn't think he was worth the max.
Two reasons: First, because there are slim pickins at SG. Second, because he's continually brought up.
Sure trade him if you can get someone better. Not for someone as good as CJ, but someone who is actually better. And of course that player needs to also want to play in Portland and can't be a free agent this summer. I don't think you can find a player who meets that criteria, because I think CJ is really good. But if you can, go for it. As for the whole "too short" argument......not buying it. For the few scenarios where he may get abused because of his height, just play Crabbe more minutes at SG. Not a big deal in my mind. I also don't care if he starts or comes off the bench. I just know that I want him shooting the ball. In watching the Blazers for the last 45 years, CJ is already in my top 20, for best pure shooters. I feel really confident every time he puts it up.
I wrote this last year when people were talking about not wanting to trade Batum. You can't fall in love with your own players. But you also need to get value for them. CJ can score in so many ways, and that has enormous value. I have been a fan of his since he was in college, I loved it when we drafted him, and I am glad we're seeing him come into his own. But if trading him as part of a deal that gets us say DeMarcus Cousins, I would do it in a heartbeat. It all just depends what I am getting in return.
I agree with this generally, but one of my many inner voices says Boogie is a team/chemistry/organization nightmare.
Whiteside is a UFA, so no point trading for him. Drummond is untouchable. That will never happen. Supposedly Boogie is available.
Both Whiteside and Drummond, sure. Just not into Boogie. Im a huge George Karl fan and watched him with the Sonics for years. He is a great, easy going coach. IF you cant get along with him you will have issues with most coaches.
