Game Thread 2022-23 Game #31 - BLAZERS @ THUNDER - DECEMBER 19, 2022 - MONDAY - 5:00 PM (PDT) ROOT

[UKRAINEFAN]

It makes no sense at all. GP2 has been in conditioning for 2 months! Nov 15 was supposed to be his return and then the wait was 2 more weeks. He’s practicing with the team. I don’t get it. What are they waiting for? What an awful signing. We would’ve been better off giving money to Zach Collins.

They haven't really said it, but have implied that he has a mental block now, apparently so worried that he will get hurt again that he won't go out there and play. I hope he gets through this by the trading deadline.

 

[THE HCP]

Bound to have a few games where you get beat by a team you shouldn’t it’s a long season. Move on

Goes hand and hand with games you win against teams you shouldn't. Referees' calls even them selves out just like wins and losses.

 

[tlongII]

It sucked to lose the game, but the good thing is we play them again in the same place tomorrow. Let's see how that turns out.

 

[Tince]

Oops, I almost liked that until I saw you would trade Hart.

I like Hart, but I'd be shocked if he doesn't get traded.

 

[HailBlazers]

I like Hart, but I'd be shocked if he doesn't get traded.

Really? I feel like he's what we've been missing.

 

[THE HCP]

I like Hart, but I'd be shocked if he doesn't get traded.

He is the type of player we need out there with Dame….. I hope not.

 

[blazerfan11]

We needed Nurk. Is he playing tomorrow?
He's not an all star but he tips the scales in most every game he plays.

 

[wizenheimer]

I like Hart, but I'd be shocked if he doesn't get traded.

I'd be shocked if he is traded because he's worth a lot more, on the floor, to Portland, then elsewhere

 

[Tince]

He is the type of player we need out there with Dame….. I hope not.

I'd be shocked if he is traded because he's worth a lot more, on the floor, to Portland, then elsewhere

I sure hope ownership is ok going way into the tax to keep him. I haven't seen anything to indicate that they are, but maybe I'm missing something.

I feel like I need to repeat this part: I like Hart and I hope we can keep him.

 

[blazerkor]

He is the type of player we need out there with Dame….. I hope not.

I would love to see reasonable extensions for Hart and Grant in the coming weeks. I think both guys are very complementary to Dame's game and if we're going all in on winning with Dame then you lock both up before the off season.

 

[wizenheimer]

I sure hope ownership is ok going way into the tax to keep him. I haven't seen anything to indicate that they are, but maybe I'm missing something.

I feel like I need to repeat this part: I like Hart and I hope we can keep him.

into the tax next season? maybe. I think you may be over-estimating how deep Portland will be in the tax. And they might now be that deep if they trade Payton. I still don't get that signing

I'd much rather have Hart than Payton

 

[Tince]

into the tax next season? maybe. I think you may be over-estimating how deep Portland will be in the tax. And they might now be that deep if they trade Payton. I still don't get that signing

I'd much rather have Hart than Payton

Do you think Portland is going to resign Grant? Seems inevitable to me. That would mean approx $115m for Dame/Ant/Nurk/Grant. Another $5m in dead money. Another $30m for the players still on contract. That leaves us at $12m before going over the tax apron (assuming we let Winslow and Eubank walk) for the last 3-4 roster spots.

The path to resign Hart, improve the roster (they have to add a serviceable big), and stay under the tax seems tricky to me. Let me know what assumption I'm making that are unlikely.

And I'm curious how much you think Hart will command.

 

[HansenYang]

Here is where I think they'll be:

Projected Cap: $134M
Projected Tax Line: $162M

Under Contract
Dame: $45.6
Ant: $24.1
Nurk: $16.9
GP2: $8.7
Sharpe: $6.3
Little: $6.3
Keon: $2.8
Watford: $1.8
Walker: $1.8
Dead Cap Space: $4.4
Subtotal: $118.6 (for 9 players)

Re-Sign
Grant: $28.0
Hart: $18.0
Eubanks: $3.0
Subtotal: $49

This puts Portland right around $167M (or ~$5M over the tax) for 12 players.

Adding one rookie (second rounder at $1.6M) and one Tax-MLE FA (at $7M) would put Portland at $176M for a full-14 man roster. Being over the cap by ~$15M would mean there is a ~$35M tax bill associated with that roster.