We got the #3 pick. Discuss the possibilities.

Still right though

 

I see you're playing the opposites game again and you're right, it's wrong

 

Except for the part where the discussion is a three way with Charlotte, Portland and New Orleans. In it they mention Char could try to leverage an extra asset by trading down and still getting Miller at 3, while NO gets 2 (Scoot) and PDX gets Zion. Portland has the leverage, not Char. PDX can just cut Char out if they are still stuck on Miller. But I do not want Williamson per se. His injury history is Odenesque (new word I just created, bonus points), he is overweight and out of shape. My nine year old shows more commitment than Zion does. Then we get into the recent personal info being splattered all over the web. I would honestly want their 14 back. If NO doesn't like it, oh well. While Zions contract is doable, the rest is sketchy. And I would try to manipulate the 14 into Lively, whatever that entails.

 

So you are saying that if the Pelicans say no to #14 you walk away from the deal?

 

I don't think that Bridges/Claxton thing is going to happen and Boston is not trading Brown, Toronto will not trade Anunoby. I kind of doubt if Toronto or New Orleans will give anything extra in trades of #3 for Siakam or Zion. So Blazers will have a big decision to make. (Maybe something with Orlando could happen; I wouldn't rule that out.)

 

Yes, as I said, Zion is too much of a gamble. Let him be the boat anchor in NO. I could be talked into him being here with getting 14 back, but I still am not sold on him ever getting into shape and losing the weight that is causing injuries. Barkley listened to Malone and had a HOF career. Right now most are just hoping Zion has a career. You can't rely on a player that can only play half the games and has not shown commitment to anything except for money. And why was he not playing at the end of the season when it was reported he was cleared and healthy? Did he go Ben Simmons? Seriously, I do not know. So yes, need the 14.

 

Blazers better get the most talent for #3 regardless if that's trading or drafting a player. I don't want them taking lesser talent in return because they're trying to appease Dame.

Sure if the Blazers can trade the pick and contend now then do it, that just seems extremely unlikely with this teams roster and assets.

If Dame wants out then deal with that later. Him leaving might be a blessing in disguise if there's no moves to contend now.

 

Yeah, this is historically the last year for Dame as only 4 players (Wilt Kareem MJ LBJ) have been older than Dame and led a team to a title.

The build a contender thing around Dame is likely dead unless Cronin pulls off some epic draft trades. Assuming nothing like that is available, it's time to build this team for the future.

 

I listened to this gentleman. My first thought is, is this guy a poster here? If not, why not? A mod should send him an invite. If I did it might seem creepy or stalkerish. He just gives his opinion on things Blazers related. Half with agree, half will disagree. Seems like a great, every day dude that should be part of the community. And if he is, I apologize for not knowing you already.

 

This reminds me of all of your trade ideas before the clippers/pelicans trades. I don't have a way to prove you wrong, I just doubt we end up with the type of talent your speculating of. If Cronin can do that then fine I'll believe it when I see it and take back much of my criticism.

 

There are some conflicting reports on this part. One video interview I heard said that he wanted to play but the Hornet FO did not think he was ready and did not want to risk it. So maybe the Ben Simmons comparison is not correct. But to your point....they were also frustrated with the fact that he was not ready.

Either way IMO I would not let #14 be the deciding factor. You either think he will take his conditioning more seriously or you don't.
My guess is if they put Zion on the trade market they will get better offers.

 

Doubt it, as they may entertain trade offers up to when the pick is made which could flip the selection either direction.

 

I completely understand that perspective, but damn, that is a ballsy, all in move that if it goes bad surely gets a couple people fired. Cronin has not done anything per se, so him being fired at this point is not a loss. But another executive will have to sign off on Zion and he would lose his job too. Zion is a no defense talent. Absolutely have to have a defensive center down low. I don't care if he can't hit the three ball. He needs to protect the paint, rebound and screen. Old school. The draft is four days away. I'm thinking the Zion trade discussions, if there really are any, only involves Char and PDX. Zion is probably only available for Scoot. Doubt they are offering him to Dallas in a S&T for Kyrie. Only really vying with one other team in my opinion. Could be wrong though.

 

Dame leaving would never be a "Blessing in disguise".

 

If the Blazers cannot swing a deal for Bridges or Brown this Indiana rumor / idea whatever you may call it might work IF done right so here is the framework on such a deal.

-- Blazers Trade #3 , Nurk and Little or Keon and Knox and pick 43 to Pacers for Myles Turner , Jalen Smith , 23' 1st Round picks #7 and #26 and 32 pick ( maybe alittle more but loose framework on deal )

THEN the Blazers use those 3 1st's and maybe Ant for another Vet OR and this is what I would do -- use the 7th pick on Lively

This might not be sexy like getting a Bridges or Brown but you keep Ant and get front court help in Smith and Lively and maybe use the 2 later 1st's for more Vet's or trade up or something.

The only problem with this scenario is we have to hope that Cronin is not a complete tool and can turn these assets into something more but were also not overpaying in giving up Ant and 3 like I said it's not perfect but kind of allows the Blazers to get Dame help and does not totally mortgage the future and tie up a shit ton of money more then 2 or 3 years.

 

I see the value, I just don't like coming away with both Turner and lively using our best trade asset

 

Getting Bridges isn't sexy. He's had one 27 game run in his 5 year career where he was all star level on offense and that was with the Nets having a losing record and no one else who was consistently scoring. I like the idea of getting Bridges and Claxton for pick 3 but that isn't sexy it's what they are worth or a slight overpay. I think if we do that deal, Ant has to be re-routed to a team like the Magic so we can send an expiring like Harris to Brooklyn along with Nurk and get pick 11 from Orlando.

 

Lively is just who I might select but also gives the Blazers a legit backup and maybe a replacement for Turner IF he was not to work out but the trade down for lesser parts is more of a gamble but if we think the scouting dept, is as good as we think it is then it could work but this way like I said we give Dame help without mortgaging the future too much but who knows not sure there is a perfect solution cause every thing I have seen has some risk to it the key is to minimize the risk as much as possible but still help Dame and NOT hurt the future too much


- I will admit Bridges as much as he might fit more seems more like a 2nd grade Robin still good but Brown is the better option by far I think but comes at a higher cost in terms of a new contract I think not much but a little cheaper next to Brown.

 

Naw i think the Blazers can come away bigger in a trading of the #3. Getting a top talent and a pick in return is more likely due to the interest in both Scoot and Miller around the League. Those Indiana players seem small potatoes to me.

 

Giving up 3rd pick for Bridges is the worst case scenario IMO. He is 27 and never been an all star… and one good defensive player will not make this a good defensive team overall. Plus you would lose 23 ppg from Ant. Definition of mediocrity… enjoy the 7-8 seed for 2-3 years while Scoot and Miller become stars.