We got the #3 pick. Discuss the possibilities.

If Ant could play defense... he'd have been my uncle

 

yep...just the rumors from this morning have expanded options for Portland. How realistic some are is unknown. But what's nearly certain is between now and the draft, even more options will become visible. And after the draft and heading into the off-season, more options again

for instance, from the rumor mill this morning combined with previous rumors:

Ant+Little+23 for DDR+Caruso+obligated 1st's dismissed....#3 for #6+Franz Wagner....Draft Asur Thompson (or Amen/Walker/Hendricks)

Dame
Sharpe
Grant
Wagner
Nurkic

with Caruso-DDR-Thompson off bench (or other combos) plus Thybulle-Eubanks-Watford-Mays-Knox

and the possibility of Nurkic+future 1st fetching something better

not sure how realistic that all is but is sure seems more realistic than all of the fantasy trades proposed here over the last month or two

now, the naysayers will chime in with "that's not a contender"...and it may not be. But it doesn't have to be finished product. And frankly, if you would have listed Miami's current roster last summer, everybody would have been saying "that's not a contender"

 

Agree and I think the key here is trying to get better next year without giving away the future. So either keep #3 and SS for the future or trade #3 for someone who can help next year........ but is still young enough where they (and SS) will also contribute to the future.

 

I agree with you there is more than one path.

Though I'm likely to push back on options that has us decreasing out defensive personnel, bringing a $30m/yr guard off the bench, and rely on multiple players under the age of 21 to win.

 

DeRozan would not be coming off the bench. He would start at SF. He played mostly PF last year (which surprised me ) but I think at 6'6" and 220 lbs he is better suited at SF. We could back him up with either Miller or Thybulle who are a little longer.

 

isn't it time for another petition?

 

I agree... the post I responded to suggested "Bring DDR off the bench", which was the cause for my response.

The problem started DDR, is the defensive unit is probably worse, but certainly no better, than last year.

 

I'm thinking perhaps an edict this time.

 

I keep seeing Wagner’s name floated and I don’t get it. Why would Orlando trade him?

 

I'd have the lineup at Nurk, Wagner, Grant, DeRozan, Dame With Sharpe being the 6th man, and maybe a potential 6th Man of Year. I like that roster. That starting five is potentially lethal.

 

Man! The more i look at that lineup , the more i really like it . Wagner is coming into his own, and his future is super bright. DeRozan's the best mid range guy in the league, and gets to the FT line a ton. DAMN let's go. Of course Orlando would have to want Scoot, or Miller bad. But none of the guards they've drafted, or traded for , are consistent.

 

they might not; probably not

but there is the possibility they really want somebody who will be there at 3 that won't be there at 6. For instance, if Charlotte takes Scoot at 3 and Orlando is in love with Miller, who happens to play the same position as Wagner, they might be willing to make that deal

and for the Blazers, they might get Wagner + one of the Thompson twins for #3. Could be a win-win...maybe

 

Wagner is so much fun. I get the sense that they see their core as Wagner, Paolo, Fultz, and whomever they look to acquire this summer via trade or draft.

 

I thought that was weird to have Sharpe over Derozan. . and I'm a Sharpe fan!

 

Or let's say Miller is off the board....would Orlando prefer to have Scoot and use #6 to replace Wagner? And would Portland prefer to have the 21-year-old Wagner over Scoot? I think that is possible but if I am Orlando I am not throwing in #6. (maybe #11)

But let's say the best we can get is a straight trade .....#3 for Wagner and nothing else....that is a good deal for Orlando. Is it for Portland? That is a tough call because we don't know how good Scoot or Franz will turn out. But Franz is a little more proven and gives us size at SF.

 

I don't think so...too much generic value in a 3rd pick, especially if it's a 3 person draft like many are saying. Maybe the 6 is asking too much, but the 11 wouldn't be in my view

 

So you are saying you walk away from the deal because #3 in 2023 has much more value than #8 in the 2021 draft.
I agree but what if no one gives us a better deal? Are you sold on Scoot?