I agree, although there's always the chance that a team that's just a smidge below contender status could convince themselves that an Anfernee three-point explosion (off the bench, presumably) could win them a playoff game or two. Cronin should really push the JET comparisons. Of course, we didn't see many of those explosions this year. I didn't think Anfernee could disappoint me, but he kind of did this year - as I said before he looked a lot better as a temporary Dame stand-in than he did as his permanent replacement.
I was just spitballing an idea. A month or so ago I suggested a straight up trade of the two players, here, and was told that WCJ didn't have anywhere near Ant's value and that Orlando fans were tired of WCJ and wanted him moved. There have also been some Orlando fans on RealGM saying an Ant for WCJ swap was a good move for the Magic and I'd argue I'm not negative on Ant, I'm realistic
my question then is why the fuck is Portland holding onto a player who is standing in the way of a Scoot/Sharpe backcourt, and who would need a 1st added to him just to match the value of a routinely injured big who averaged 11 points and 7 rebounds? WCJ's games played history: 2018-19 44 2019-20 43 2020-21 54 2021-22 62 2022-23 57 2023-24 55 essentially, he has missed 25 games a year my question is which one of us is really negative about Ant?
There's absolutely no chance it takes adding to Simons to land WCF'inJ, I don't care how down people are on Simons.
Ant is worth more than nothing and the Blazers need to accumulate assets. I don't think Ant is in the way of Scoot/Sharpe at all. If Ant isn't here we just have more Mays/Rupert/Banton scrubs getting minutes. I'd rather have Scoot/Sharpe paired with a legit NBA player like Ant then getting blown out by 40 with those scrub alternatives we've finished the last 3 years with. Plus all 3 have missed extensive games - having those 3 gives the Blazers at least two legit guards to play when someone is out for those extended stretches. Thus we don't have to start a scrub. Not sure what you mean by "Portland holding onto". Should they just trade him for scraps? I didn't see the point of giving Ant the contract they did. There didn't appear to be any free agent fit for him - should've made him get a QO. But at this point its nearly an expiring. If Cronin hadn't given that stupid Thybulle contract out the Blazers luxury tax would be fine. I think I ranked Ant as a 3 out of 10 in terms of quality of NBA asset in another thread. The problem is the Blazers have so few talented players thats basically 3rd or 4th on this roster. Back in 2000 we probably had 8 guys that would be ranked higher. Even the Zbo/Miles era - probably the lowest point of Blazer history since I followed in the 80s - have a legit argument of having better rosters.
this is exactly the nonsense I was talking about. Where was it I said trade him for scraps? strawmen-r-us?. I just said WCJ and a late 1st and was called delusional. First I'm negative about Ant, now I'm delusional about Ant there's no fucking middle ground on Ant apparently. If Ant is so bad that he would have to be welded to a 1st round pick just in order to move him for an often-injured 6'9 C averaging 11 & 7, then just moving him, and his 27M/year contract would be bordering on addition by subtraction. Either that, or...all the reasons people give when propping up Ant's value are bullshit tell you what, just so we can have a framework of discussion, why don't you give an example of a trade that reflects Ant's realistic value
Sounds like way too much work.... much easier to just criticize others ideas than come up with one myself. In general I just don't think it makes sense for an Ant trade this offseason. I think the Blazers want to see how he plays with Scoot/Sharpe and if there are any additional improvements. Yes Ant's been in the NBA a long time - but he's still only 24. I also think Ant has a lot of weaknesses that would lower what an acquiring team would want to give up for him. Perhaps these dynamics change at the deadline or next summer. Now if the Blazers end up drafting another short guard with their top pick I guess that could all immediately change.
right obviously it's a mystery in Portland in judging the impact of a 6'3 SG who can't defend a chair.
Especially with four or more copies of him in this draft. Hell. Kentucky has three Simons alone in this draft, they just go by the names Dillingham, Sheppard and Wagner.
One strategy for offloading Ant (because he absolutely is in the way of Shae/Scoot) would be to get involved in trades that are pretty much inevitable. Examples: Donovan Mitchell to Miami (Tyler Herro revisited, anyone?) Trae Young to the Lakers
The writing is there for Ant heading into his 7th year as a 3-level scorer who can get his own shot with decent to good efficiency. And a reasonable contract expiring after 2 more years. So, yes, he has value in today’s game. A trade this summer would be right up there with getting lucky in the lottery.
Orlando fans don't seem too crazy about WCJ. Going through their boards, it does look like they're tired of him. I think it's mostly frustration over his injuries and that he's a "jack of all trades, master of none" kind of player when he has the talent to be much more. The trade proposal obviously favors Portland. A 2nd FRP feels a bit too much. I'm not sure how the Magic front office currently views Isaac, either.
we're used to that. Good for draft picks. Those Magic guards would make quality starters in Portland.
No idea why people keep bringing him up. I think we should trade Ant but we should be able to do better than him. I'd rather have picks.
The only thing I would want from Orlando besides Banchero (who is not going anywhere)....is Franz. And moving Franz would create a hole at SF for Orlando. So I have wondered about their potential cap space this summer. It sounds like they could get 51 million under the cap and be in a position for an un-even trade. Would they be interested in both Ant and Grant for Franz? Personally, I think we would be overpaying but saving on the cap space would also be advantageous. If we were able to move up to land Sarr, a starting lineup of Scoot, Sharpe, Wagner, Sarr, and Ayton, would be fun to watch. (Keep Brogdon and Thybulle) And a starting lineup for the Magic of Suggs, Ant, Grant, Banchero, and Isaac (or Carter) would be an improvement IMO.
