it's not the direction Portland should go, but Powell is a better player than Ant and I think I'd rather have Mann at 11M/year than Ant at 26M/year
That’s what I’m thinking too. Grant would be a good fit with him. And on the other end, two years of Allen at $20m/yr is an amazing deal. I’m really liking Izan Almansa in next year’s draft, I think he has both high offensive and defensive potential. Allen, Almansa, and a third big could be a really good C rotation.
Trade Simons for Lauri Markkanen to get the PF we need. Although Simons is paid more, it would be worth adding cash or SRP if required to replace Simons with a solid swish3 scorer, defensive PF, and rebounder that can make the Blazers a contender. This could be a deal the Jazz would make.
Addition of Lauri Markkanen to the Blazers might be sufficient reason for Dame to decide to change his decision and stay with the Blazers, given that this roster would be in a position to contend, at least within the next 2 seasons. This would be an excellent use of Simons as an asset.
Why? Why do you believe that this could be a deal the Jazz would make? Given that they're already paying $40M/yr to Sexton and Clarkson, why would they give up their best player for a redundant, overpaid, 3rd guard?
If Brogdon is on the table for Ant, and healthy, you think Cleveland would take him, Blazers get Allen and Boston Ant?
Boston has Smart & White as the starting back court and they want to shed salary, not add. They are 11M over the tax line, 5M over the 1st apron, and less than 6M below the 2nd apron. Adding Ant would put them about 3M below the 2nd apron....and it could put them over the 2nd apron next season when Brown's extension starts besides that, for years now, Boston has placed a high value on defense. Ant and defense are ANTonyms.
Mitchell and Gobert were all stars, they traded them. That is to say things that may seem inconceivable could happen. But I know where you're coming from, and I agree. My post was simply IF that swap were to happen, we'd be better than Miami. I only said that coz I saw a recent post suggesting the same.