Exclusive 2022-23 Portland Trail Blazers Roster

[PCmor7]

I'm not suggesting not playing him. But even the post suggests exactly what I'm referring to. "....shouldn't sink us to the point we can't risk....". I'm suggesting, the players I listed aren't contributors or aren't ready, and as you have indicated, will have to be carried. Nothing wrong with that, but it certainly doesn't change my assessment of where they currently are as players.

No, you're reading your bias into that.

You're also selective with part of my post and ignoring the context you don't want to acknowledge.

There's quite a spectrum between "being carried" and being complete non-contributors. At least 90% of the players in the NBA are effectively role players in some way, shape or form who do what they do well and have to be balanced in the things they don't, and how they perform from team to team might vary greatly depending on the makeup of that team. Most of that 90% can only dream of Sharpe's athleticism and tools.

"Carrying him" would indicate you're putting him on the floor SOLELY to get experience (which, BTW, is the thing he really needs) and that he brings no ability to contribute as a spot-up shooter or cutter/dunker or anything else. I don't think that's the case at all. Further, I think we have a coach that probably knows how to play Sharpe and with whom to play him to develop his game, not to "carry him."

 

[HansenYang]

Eubanks is fine in a pinch. When the season start, it will be exactly one year since Sharpe last played organized basketball. Not two years that some of you blazers fans are saying. Even then, at the healthiest this team is a play in team anyway. Our chemistry is gonna be so bad at the beginning of the year, but with dame we will make a miracle mid season run. The western conference is loaded with the suns, warriors, grizzlies, pelicans, clippers all for sure better. Then we are battling the nuggets, Mavs, lakers and Timberwolves for the play in. I bet we will be a lottery team anyway

The issue is Eubanks wouldn't be used 'in a pinch'. Blazers appear to be using him as the one & only backup to Nurk. As it stands now - hell need to have regular rotation minutes

 

[riverman]

Where is Moses Brown these days? Seems like he would be a decent option for our bench.

Moses Brown just got signed a couple days ago I believe....I think it was the Clippers...Wenyen Gabriel did too I think to Boston?

 

[riverman]

Eubanks and Payton have chemistry and have hooped together already...if they come off the bench together should be seamless. Eubanks has a motor...gets to 50/50 balls and a wicked hook shot. Our bench with Winslow, Eubanks, either Payton, Hart, Watford or Walker should be able to run and score a lot in transition. Figure Ant will be with them a lot. See who starts....My guess is Nas starts at the 3

 

[BigGameDamian]

Eubanks and Payton have chemistry and have hooped together already...if they come off the bench together should be seamless. Eubanks has a motor...gets to 50/50 balls and a wicked hook shot. Our bench with Winslow, Eubanks, either Payton, Hart, Watford or Walker should be able to run and score a lot in transition. Figure Ant will be with them a lot. See who starts....My guess is Nas starts at the 3

So your saying that we have the best bench in the NBA?

 

[Dougnsalem]

Where is Moses Brown these days? Seems like he would be a decent option for our bench.

I do agree with you 100%. I hated to see him go. It just felt like a Jermaine O'Neil kinda trade. He hasn't played tons, but then, Stotts never really gave him a chance from the start. I'd LOVE to see him back here. More so, than Collins or our other options.

 

[Dougnsalem]

Eubanks and Payton have chemistry and have hooped together already...if they come off the bench together should be seamless. Eubanks has a motor...gets to 50/50 balls and a wicked hook shot. Our bench with Winslow, Eubanks, either Payton, Hart, Watford or Walker should be able to run and score a lot in transition. Figure Ant will be with them a lot. See who starts....My guess is Nas starts at the 3

You are SO correct! Eubanks worked his butt off. Win or lose, he tried his hardest. Dad and I have even wished that he would start before Nurk. I know that is drastic to say. That is how we feel. Nurk gets lazy at times. Eubanks fights to the end. LOVE IT!!!

And Payton??? This is gonna be a fun year....

 

[PCmor7]

I'm not as sold on Eubanks as others on this board.

He is the one semi-legit back-up 5 we have, so it'd seem he'd have to get minutes. On the other hand, he's undersized, a poor shooter outside the paint and an average athlete at best. His stats in a quarter of a season last year were good, but they also were compiled essentially for a G-League team in mostly meaningless games.

I wouldn't be surprised if some of his minutes end up going to Watford or Walker when Nurk is on the bench. They aren't a lot smaller than Eubanks and they offer more things, especially in defensive flexibility.

There's also the chance that the Blazers sign either Kyle Alexander or Luka Garza as a two-way player. Obviously, both offer things Eubanks doesn't and are more natural 5s than is Drew. If Cronin keeps either of them, they could either take some of Eubanks' minutes or platoon with him.

There's also the chance the Blazers pick up someone else as a backup 5 before the season.

I'm just not sold that he's a definite for steady minutes even if it looks like he has to be Nurk's backup right now. There are a lot of other options there.

 

[new22]

Our bench with Winslow, Eubanks, either Payton, Hart, Watford or Walker should be able to run and score a lot in transition.

For the love of god... It sounds so familiar. It has Tolliver Henzonia written all over it.

 

[Dougnsalem]

For the love of god... It sounds so familiar. It has Tolliver Henzonia written all over it.

As a Blazer fan, if you can't wish/hope for success each year; then what kind of Blazer fan are you? Don't jump on his shit!!! Riverman is one of our most positive posters.... An intelligent, and knowledgeable one. Who are you???????????

Edit: And just so you know.... I had HIGH hopes with Tolliver and Mario. We had some other issues going on.... Ones that posters here have complained about, for years. I do believe that we are on our way to getting those fixed. Time will tell......

 

[new22]

As a Blazer fan, if you can't wish/hope for success each year; then what kind of Blazer fan are you? Don't jump on his shit!!! Riverman is one of our most positive posters.... An intelligent, and knowledgeable one. Who are you???????????

Edit: And just so you know.... I had HIGH hopes with Tolliver and Mario. We had some other issues going on.... Ones that posters here have complained about, for years. I do believe that we are on our way to getting those fixed. Time will tell......

It must be Sharpe situation, that made me that pessimistic. Billups is the reason why I still have hope in this team. But this tread is about Roster. Bringing up Eubanks, Winslow, Watford and Walker as a good bunch doesn't really look good. I know is Riverman's thing to be optimistic, but it reminds me Tolliver too much. I remember I was high on Bazemore and he supposed to be DOY. I remember Mario - Scalma's dream and was high on him as well. Tolliver, well..
I like Billups and Cronin way more that I liked Stotts and NO. I hope to see this team finally fighting for it.
But this is a Roster tread and I just have flashbacks from 19/20.
I blame Sharpe.

 

[Dougnsalem]

It must be Sharpe situation, that made me that pessimistic. Billups is the reason why I still have hope in this team. But this tread is about Roster. Bringing up Eubanks, Winslow, Watford and Walker as a good bunch doesn't really look good. I know is Riverman's thing to be optimistic, but it reminds me Tolliver too much. I remember I was high on Bazemore and he supposed to be DOY. I remember Mario - Scalma's dream and was high on him as well. Tolliver, well..
I like Billups and Cronin way more that I liked Stotts and NO. I hope to see this team finally fighting for it.
But this is a Roster tread and I just have flashbacks from 19/20.
I blame Sharpe.

I understand, and agree with what you say. I know this is a roster thread. Still, I think Billups is the key, to our roster. He will play the young guys, like Stotts never did. I have high hopes for Sharpe. Toss him aside, since he is injured (already. ). I'll take Walker, Eubanks, and Payton; in a second. Our second team isn't looking too bad. Still, that's just me wishing for the best.... By the way..... My name is Duhhhhggg. Nice to meet you!

 

[Dougnsalem]

It must be Sharpe situation, that made me that pessimistic. Billups is the reason why I still have hope in this team. But this tread is about Roster. Bringing up Eubanks, Winslow, Watford and Walker as a good bunch doesn't really look good. I know is Riverman's thing to be optimistic, but it reminds me Tolliver too much. I remember I was high on Bazemore and he supposed to be DOY. I remember Mario - Scalma's dream and was high on him as well. Tolliver, well..
I like Billups and Cronin way more that I liked Stotts and NO. I hope to see this team finally fighting for it.
But this is a Roster tread and I just have flashbacks from 19/20.
I blame Sharpe.

We are missing a Maurice Lucas, at the 4. As much as I DETEST the guy, we could really use a balls kicking, Daymond Green. We are SO close. (IMHO)

 

[riverman]

So your saying that we have the best bench in the NBA?

I think we have a scary bench for most other benches to face but I don't know who's coming off the bench for most teams...don't really follow other teams closely.

 

[riverman]

It must be Sharpe situation, that made me that pessimistic. Billups is the reason why I still have hope in this team. But this tread is about Roster. Bringing up Eubanks, Winslow, Watford and Walker as a good bunch doesn't really look good. I know is Riverman's thing to be optimistic, but it reminds me Tolliver too much. I remember I was high on Bazemore and he supposed to be DOY. I remember Mario - Scalma's dream and was high on him as well. Tolliver, well..
I like Billups and Cronin way more that I liked Stotts and NO. I hope to see this team finally fighting for it.
But this is a Roster tread and I just have flashbacks from 19/20.
I blame Sharpe.

bench players are roster players so I don't know what you're referencing about "this thread" Nobody on our bench reminds me of Tolliver or Hezonja except for Didi and I didn't include him ...it's all speculation....Sharpe will be fine...better this happened now than in November. It's all about team chemistry ...we had a glimpse after the CJ trade of Nurk, Winslow, Hart and Ant...it was eye opening and nothing like 19/20 seasons at all in my view. I think that's the closest we came to seeing Chauncey ball last season and I liked it! Those guys beat a full strength Warriors team together.

 

[tykendo]

I think we have a scary bench for most other benches to face but I don't know who's coming off the bench for most teams...don't really follow other teams closely.

With Hart, Payton II, and Winslow, there's a lot of "don't take no shit" attitude. I love the prospects.

 

[damianlillard]

I don’t think Eubanks will get a ton of mins anyway. Not due to him, but due to Billups philosophy. We’ve seen it last year when we were winning games. But his philosophy is once Nurk is off the floor, we go small ball run and gun type team. That is why a bench of Payton, hart, Winslow, and Watford with simons/dame next to them would be lethal. A combination of Nurk strength and run and gun will wear other teams down, especially their big men

 

[SharpesTriumph]

We have too many players you just can't play in anything but a blowout game.

Brown
Louzada
Sharpe
Johnson
Eubanks

That is a significant amount of our roster that won't contribute in anything but a blowout or emergency. Yuck.

Sharpe is a project, but great potential. I don't expect anything from him as a rookie, would be nice if we get any pleasant surprises. Missing summer league really hurts for him as he desperately needs reps against talent. Hopefully the injury doesn't prevent him from playing 5v5 this summer or into training camp, or it could turn into a lost season.

Keon still has potential, he may not be ready for minutes either but has value to keep on the roster.

Brown, Didi and Eubanks can all be cut, they're all worthless and could be replaced by a buy out guy or scrub with no difference to the team. Obviously this team is focused on staying out of the luxury tax so a move won't happen unless it makes sense for Jody's checkbook, but from a talent perspective they're all worthless.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

Looks like Portland has a little over 3.5M to play with under the apron. Ignoring roster spots, that’s hypothetically enough for two minimums or Jabari + a minimum.

The apron doesn't matter; this team is going to prioritize avoiding the luxury tax as evident by stretching Bledsoe. The roster we have now is basically it. There will likely be an end of the bench or injured player(s) currently on the roster moved out at the deadline.

 

[Scalma]

The apron doesn't matter; this team is going to prioritize avoiding the luxury tax as evident by stretching Bledsoe. The roster we have now is basically it. There will likely be an end of the bench or injured player(s) currently on the roster moved out at the deadline.

Stretching Bledsoe means they have the full BAE to use but it also means they can now cut Didi and add Walker and another minimum.

 

[Scalma]

Btw what is up with blazer fans obsession of accusing ownership of being cheap? Is it a kink? If all Jody cared about was her “checkbook” why has she given out $200M+ in contracts this summer? Why is her team hovering at the apron? Why has she been paying the tax in every season except the one where her superstar was shelved? And it’s not just Jody, it happened with Paul as well. LOL. You guys don’t know what an actual shitty ownership group even looks like. I would know, I used to be a Chargers fan. Maybe relax a bit?

 

[HansenYang]

If Portland is going to pick up anyone based on their summer league play, they need to get either Amar Sylla (Cleveland) or Aric Holman (Houston).

I think both of these guys are quality bigs. Holman hasn't played very much in their 2 games because they are trying to force-feed Jabari Smith minutes.

Given the choice, Sylla would be my primary target.

 

[Natebishop3]

Btw what is up with blazer fans obsession of accusing ownership of being cheap? Is it a kink? If all Jody cared about was her “checkbook” why has she given out $200M+ in contracts this summer? Why is her team hovering at the apron? Why has she been paying the tax in every season except the one where her superstar was shelved? And it’s not just Jody, it happened with Paul as well. LOL. You guys don’t know what an actual shitty ownership group even looks like. I would know, I used to be a Chargers fan. Maybe relax a bit?

Btw what is up with blazer fans obsession with other blazer fans?

 

[Fairly-Hard]

Btw what is up with blazer fans obsession of accusing ownership of being cheap? Is it a kink? If all Jody cared about was her “checkbook” why has she given out $200M+ in contracts this summer? Why is her team hovering at the apron? Why has she been paying the tax in every season except the one where her superstar was shelved? And it’s not just Jody, it happened with Paul as well. LOL. You guys don’t know what an actual shitty ownership group even looks like. I would know, I used to be a Chargers fan. Maybe relax a bit?

Used to be a Chargers fan? So when they moved to LA you told them to shove it?
Nice! There's a solid side to you most are disrespecting!

 

[Scalma]

Used to be a Chargers fan? So when they moved to LA you told them to shove it?
Nice! There's a solid side to you most are disrespecting!

Yeah, never gonna root for an LA team. I just stopped watching NFL all together after that happened.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Yeah, never gonna root for an LA team. I just stopped watching NFL all together after that happened.

There was talk 10 years ago about the Vikings possibly moving to LA. I'd have done the same thing as you if that had transpired.

 

[Scalma]

Aldridge
Cousins
Whiteside
Baynes
B. Griffin
Harrell
Keef
Juancho
Millsap
Howard
Ed Davis

All still available. Not saying they're all fits or I'd wanna sign all of them, but I see at least a couple I'd be interested in.

 

[illmatic99]

Aldridge
Cousins
Whiteside
Baynes
B. Griffin
Harrell
Keef
Juancho
Millsap
Howard
Ed Davis

All still available. Not saying they're all fits or I'd wanna sign all of them, but I see at least a couple I'd be interested in.

i can see us waiting til midway thru the season before making the decision to bring in someone else.

we can go a few different routes:

1. Pay another team cash to take Didi to just duck the tax.

2. Use the Roco TPE to bring in a ~5 mil player and just take the tax hit this year.

3. Evaluate the roster a few months in, and bring in another big with the BAE or the minimum if we have a pressing need. This also is not that restrictive, because we can try to dump Didi & Keon or do an imbalanced trade at the deadline or after the season to duck the tax. I think this is what they'll do since most of these player will probably still be available in December/January.

Regardless, I just don't know why ducking the tax is a priority for this team. At most, we'd be looking at a ~10 mil payment, which is peanuts in the grand scheme of things. Maybe they want to reset the clock on the repeater and push the absurd payments to 26/27 instead of 25/26 but I really don't see this as a big deal.

 

[Scalma]

Whiteside:
23 PER
2.1 BPM
1.2 VORP
.238 WS/48
Utah was also +10 with him on the court compared to +4 with him off it.


Aldridge:
19.6 PER
0.7 BPM
0.7 VORP
.141 WS/48
His rebounding percentage was the highest its been since 2018, when he was an all star. His block percentage was higher than at any point in his prime. Brooklyn was slightly better with him on the court.


They are the primary two I'd be interested in, as well as Baynes if hes healthy. Cousins would be pretty decent as well, Denvers second unit improved once they acquired him and he offers some of the same things Nurk does ie playmaking, rebounding.

 

[B-Roy]

Any interest in Goga Bitadze? Indy needs to dump his salary in order to offer Ayton a max. We can take him into the TPE.

Need to move Didi though...