probably true. Might depend on how low the pick is. But right now, the Blazers have traded a 16th and 23rd pick for RoCo. That's a pretty high price and we still have to see what the price point is for Nance. It's possible it could be a 15th pick. making the RoCo trade appear worse is that the Blazers traded Ariza and two 1st's to Houston for RoCo. And, less than 2 days later, Houston traded Ariza and one of the first's for Christian Wood AND, a potential lottery pick. Wood sure appears to be more than a role player averaging 21 & 10 while shooting nearly 40% on three's. Meanwhile RoCo is arguably a default starter like Aminu and Harkless. A starter just because the Blazers didn't have anyone better...when they should ************************************************ by the way, if anybody is interested, 82games did an 'expected' performance rating for draft pick slots a few years ago: http://www.82games.com/nbadraftpicks.htm they are not the only ones who have tried to calculate draft pick performance: https://tonyelhabr.github.io/nba-de...research-says-about-nba-draft-pick-value.html
This is another reason why I would throw 3 1sts to Philly for Ben, along with CJ and whatever else. If it doesn’t work out you just screwed yourself.
pretty sure you forgot the "not"...? I tend to agree. Blazers could trade unprotected 1st and swaps, but they'd be crazy to not add any protections past Dame's option year
If you put protections on the picks they become worth a hell of a lot less in trades. I'm fine with the Blazers trading unprotected if it makes them a real contender; but then there is a hell of a lot of downside if those become a good lottery pick. So the return better be a hell of a lot. A hell of a lot return is an All star player for Blazers least valuable contracts. Trading a borderline all star with flaws for an all star with flaws is not a hell of a lot. That won't change a team from not a contender to legit contender.
I understand all that. I'm just saying that 1): Simmons has a higher risk than most 3-time all-stars and 2) Dame is 31 and could leave in June 2024. So an unprotected 2025 pick is pretty risky. I'd probably want to lottery protect any pick/swap past the 2024 draft in a Simmons trade. Of course, that would only be the 3rd pick/swap Portland could give up. If it was CJ + 2023rd first + 2024 swap + 2025 first, not only is that a substantial price, it's really ratchets up the risk I'd probably still do it, but 2025 would be the cut-off for either picks or swaps without protection as far as contention...it's clear to me that the Blazers will never be a contender with Dame/CJ. They'd be closer with Dame/Simmons, but IMO, there was always going to be the necessity of other move(s) after that one to put the Blazers over the hump. It's not like it would be Dame/Giannis or Dame/Kawhi
RoCo is Gerald Wallace 2.o. His fall off the cliff is so dramatic it is hard to believe. I suspect the team will give him more time before they bench him.
Heck, I would trade him for any young player over 6'7" with a decent upside! We are in a transition period anyway, so now would be the time to do it.
True but he did get one this summer. Nance can dribble, pass, rebound, block shots, and set a decent screen. He might not be great at any of them but he is above average at all of them for a PF. Dame, CJ, NP (or Little) Nurk (or Zeller), and Nance will eventually be a decent lineup.
We don't need RoCo to be a play maker. Just make open shots and play defense. If he can't start shooting better and the rest of the team looks as good as they have thus far we should flip him for an upgrade at the trade deadline. Throw in Elleby, McLemore, picks and we can take back a $20 million salary.
I agree with you that Nance has a different skill set than the majority of forwards. Nance won't space the floor as well as Cov, but can do a lot of little things better.
