We got the #3 pick. Discuss the possibilities.

I didn't know he has a deep range.

 

Phoenix
Ayton -> Nurk + Little + 23
Phoenix gets more depth, with only a slight downgrade at C.

Dallas
Bertans + Bullock + 10 -> Ayton
Dallas get's their C.

Portland
Nurk + Little + 23 -> Bertans + Bullock + 10
Blazers get off the longer contracts & moves up for a second lotto pick (Hendricks or Wallace or Dick or Lively)

 

This trade makes sense if we are blowing it up.

 

I would not want Bertans; he's useless and way too much salary. And I wouldn't send the 23 to Phoenix; probably don't need Little in this either, but I wouldn't miss him. Still, let Dallas provide the filler to make Ayton to Dallas work, not Portland. Blazers can take back Bullock and McGee...and the 10

 

I am going to be very blunt right now -- IF any trade idea has Ayton coming to the Blazers it's a crap idea plain and simple ..... next

 

Christian Wood to Portland, Deandre Ayton to Dallas and Jusuf Nurkic to Phoenix works on the trade machine.

 

Christian wouldn't if he t was up to me

 

I think your intel is correct. If Cronin doesn't deliver an all star for Dame with the third pick then Cronin has probably already agreed to get Dame to a situation where he can have a realistic shot at contending (see Brooklyn Nets). I could totally see us taking on Simmons and giving him a last ditch effort at rehabilitation and at the same time getting the rights to pick 21 and 22 plus possible future unprotected Phoenix picks.

 

I would not include Dallas in that trade. Ayton is the freak athlete C that Dame has been asking for. If we can acquire him for Nurk, Nas and 23 we might be able to draft whoever we want at 3 and keep Dame happy. Actually I think this works the best if we acquire Miller at 3 but still we should take the best player in the deal and that's Ayton IMO.

 

I don't like Ayton coz he's expensive, but if the price is Nurk/Nas/23, Cronin would likely do that. To still have Ant, #3, plus future draft capital to improve the team is good.

After only the aforementioned move,
Dame
Ant
Sharpe
Grant
Ayton

After the Draft
Dame
Sharpe
Miller
Grant
Ayton
Ant 6th man

Trading Ant, future pick
Dame
Sharpe
OG
Grant
Ayton
Miller (or even Scoot) 6th man
keep Thybulle
That team with a healthy Winslow, good backup C and solid role players, some may be already on our team, will contend

 

Yeah the backup C could be acquired with the TPMLE. That seems like the best roster Dame has had since the mass exodus of 2015. We might even be able to get a backup PG with pick 43 if it's Miller and not Scoot and none of the trades mentioned Nas so he could be in the rotation too when healthy. With Trendon, Keon, Drewbanks, Jabari, Knox and others (hopefully Mays) at the end of the bench we might really have a contending roster on our hands.

 

I like it, although "a healthy Winslow" make me lol

 

I feel like Ayton's value is low at the moment. He is an unfortunate victim of being the 4th option and having to face the joker.

Winslow is inexpensive, has size, plays good defense, can run offense (very underrated skillset). He is a poorman's Draymond green WHEN healthy.

As for #3, My eye says Miller coz taller and can dribble, can shoot deep, but I have faith in Schmitz.

 

Ayton May just need a change of scenery. He was looking pretty good a year ago

 

I doubt it either, but was obviously responding to someone who proposed such.

 

Rumors are that Chicago wants to break up the Lavine-DeRosan duo...I would not give up # 3 for either, but I would like to draft Miller and make a trade centered around Ant for DeRosan. Those two salaries match. That gives Dame a vet he likes and still gives us youth with Miller

https://hoopshype.com/2023/05/27/zach-lavines-tenure-with-bulls-nearing-end/

 

I'm ALL OUT on Simmons. Dude has zero passion for the game. He's a malingerer . And if adding Dame to the Nets makes a contender, surely adding Bridges to Portland does the same. Their lineup ain't that great, and Cam Thomas is not liked by their head coach.

 

I love that move. Wish we could get both Siakam & DeRozan.

 

DDR for Ant doesn't seem like enough of a step forward for the massive gap in age Portland would be giving up. Ant is ascending, DDR descending. Dame might like that, but it would be a bad franchise move.

 

That is possible. But i see a new coach in Phoenix able to potentially fix the discord.