the 4 or 5 weeks before the trade deadline week are usually pretty dead anyway so that could explain the lack of activity by Portland * there are 10 games between now and the trade deadline and 9 of those games are against teams with winning records, and 7 of those teams are at least 10 games over .500. Portland could be 19-34 or 18-35 approaching the deadline. At that point trying to salvage the season would be pointless. It's possible the Blazers have a trade or two lined up, but will call them off if Portland is in that deep of a hole. I mean, having to go 23-6 the rest of the way just to hit a .500 record is a hill they shouldn't attempt to climb, IMO * I think there has been some pressure from Seattle to keep out of the tax in future years. So, I'd look at Portland doing just what they did last summer, and that's trade expiring contacts for other expiring contracts, if they trade them at all. I'd also be skeptical that Portland would be willing to include a 1st. The last time they did that they gave up a 1st to get Afflalo, and when that pick came due, Malik Beasley, Caris LeVert, Pascal Siakamm, & Malcolm Brogdon were available
It is, you just have to protect it 56-60. It's not the same as 1st round picks because like @tester551 eluded to if they owed someone a protected 1st you couldn't trade the 1st with opposite protection and not violate the Stepien Rule but that rule doesn't apply to 2nds. Look at tankathon, we currently have our pick.
I know that it’s Portland’s pick if they finish with a certain record, but I’m saying that pick was already traded. How could we trade it again?
Technically we could trade it protected 30-39 to one team and 40-55 to another team if those teams really wanted to.
Maybe we could acquire a first round pick as an enticer. Maybe it's a second rounder? Plus we have the expiring's too. If they want him gone they will need to sweeten the pot.
That’s fine and not entirely wrong. But I’m also of the opinion that the team will look significantly different in a months time. There’s still half the season to be played. I’ve seen them come out of worse situations.
Realism is not the same as negativity, hoopsjock. I’m not looking for phony sunshine and lollipops, just posts based on what the Blazers can do to improve their chances as a playoff team should they be able to rally and make the 8th seed. I agree on Iggy. He’ll end up playing for the Lakers or Clippers once he finally bites the bitter pill of giving up money in a buyout or one of those teams buckles and trades an asset to Memphis. Not sure on 2. If the Blazers look to be healthy, with Nurk returning and Collins on the horizon, they become dangerous. I could see a good player being willing to sign on to play with Dame and Melo, especially given the Blazers can pay more with the Hood exception. I agree it’s the waiver route that makes sense. There’s usually a few good players with ending contracts that get cut loose by non playoff teams after the deadline.
