I want to get away from all the negative, and see what you guys view as real possibilities to improve the Blazers roster . Obviously CJ's contract could net the most in return. If i'm the GM, we need to show Dame that we're going for it. Every contending team is up against the cap. So work with it. Moves are out there. Please don't include players, that in no way, the other team would trade for CJ. Example of who teams may trade for CJ : Simmons & Harris , individually match contract wise. Philly Fans showed their lovely side towards Ben Simmons after the playoff defeat. There's potential there. NO DAME TRADES PLEASE. I'm not trading our generational talent for a bunch of lesser players and crapshoot draft picks.
CJ to Detroit for Jerami Grant and Mason Plumlee works salary wise like a charm and gives you a backup center who can pass and a young talented PF ....It would save us a couple million in salary and give us two rotation players plus Dame and Mason are close friends and will play probably in the Olympics together this season
If Simmons isn't considered a viable CJ trade target for the purposes of this thread, then the number 1 guy I go after is Brandon Ingram. New Orleans needs a lead guard in the worst way, and CJ could make a sick pairing with Zion--at least that is the pitch I'm giving to the Pels GM. Next, I'm listening to any and all offers for Nurkic, because I just don't feel like I can trust him. I honestly have zero clue who would want him, and what they might offer, but if I can get more frontcourt shooting and defense, I'm in.
Chauncy is one of the most respected retired players in the league and the current players seem to hold him in high regard. Step back for a minute and think about how he could help reshape the style of ball we play but also be a magnet for possible FA's and those stars that could be part of a deal?
If Detroit is on board, that'd be a great deal for Portland, but I just don't see the upside for them. They've just drafted Killian Hayes last year, and they're likely getting Cade Cunningham this year. CJ's presence will do nothing but stunt their development.
I don't think we'll get a Simmons deal with CJ as the piece....I'd move on from that...he'll more than likely end up on the Knicks or Nets....maybe Warriors
Sorry--I misinterpreted your OP. In that case, then I go after Simmons hard first, and if they refuse, I then turn my attention to Ingram.
They need a franchise player that's not a rookie...they've been searching for that guy forever...Boston is rumored to covet CJ as well but Detroit could use him more than Boston in my view
I'd prefer to hold on to Nurk, but he has to put in the work like never before. Nurk is a player that thinks the grass may be greener, but if he continues to not work on his game , will find the end of another team's rotation. See Michael Malone. I'm hoping Nurk works out like Jokic, and comes back in incredible shape, with a better game. I think Chauncey will demand, and get more ,out of him.
Since we can't replace him, if Damian leaves. Have a fire sale. Rebuild with whatever you can get. We may never see another Lillard in a Blazers uniform ever again. If Damian stays. Every player on the team besides him and Powell are expendable, for the right trade.
Id rather have Ingram over Simmons. Watching the playoffs this year, you are dead in the water unless you have more than a couple gun slingers with firepower. Middleton saved the Bucks last night because he got hot and the Hawks struggle with their shots later in the game.
I think you read it wrong, Simmons is OK. CJ + DJJ for Simmons (as a PF!) + dork Dump Melo Dump Kanter Sign Norm Sign RHJ Sign Dude with Mid-level (or whatever exemption we have, I can't say who until I know which one we have) Hire medicene man for Collins body parts. Listen to offers for Nurk, but probably none will be attractive enough. No worries, unlike some, I'm not afraid of a Nurk/Simmons lineup Starters: Dame/Norm/RoCo/Simmons/Nurk Rotation: Dork or Dude/Ant/Little/x/Collins Hopefully the other of Dude or Dork is a rebounder/shotblocker If healthy, a pretty damn good team, and certainly one I'd be excited to root for. It'd be a team with an actual backup PG and a backup shot blocker.
CJ/Ant for Ingram/Hart sounds good. I like Josh Hart a lot. He is a skilled defender with tenacity. Offense is good as well.
I want to see what Chauncey can do with Ant...I don't see why we'd trade two 3 point shooters at this point in the game when we need to stretch the floor and take pressure off Dame....Ant is way more athletic than CJ and has shown glimpses of decent defense.