Rob Williams is likely sticking around now?

[Everything Beagle]

Portland is the NBA’s no-kill shelter. He is worth zero as an NBA player. I’m sure he’s worth much much more as a human being with heart and grit or whatever. He’s now Raef Lafrentz’s Expiring Contract II.

 

[BlazerBeav]

I just can't imagine anyone taking a flier on him with his health issues - seems like we'll just have to play it out and if he can play and help us win some games, great.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

Thing about Timelord is that you have to wait for him to get healthy before you can trade him and then by the time you pick up the phone, he's injured again.

But, assuming we keep him AND he's healthy - shouldn't he be our starter?

Timelord doesn't play back to backs nor big minutes - a backup role is perfect for him. He might be the most effective of our centers per minute of play but starting him won't increase those minutes.

Clingan should certainly get the chance to start. It will be interesting if Yang or Duop takes the other center minutes. Will be happy if Yang can earn them but I expect he will need time until he's ready for that role.

 

[wizenheimer]

simply because they weee vets. Cool story.

it's a cool fact, not a cool story. Over the last 3 season, Simons+Grant+Ayton played 435 games. They started all 435 games.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

it's a cool fact, not a cool story. Over the last 3 season, Simons+Grant+Ayton played 435 games. They started all 435 games.

Well theres a happy ending - next season it will be somewhere between 0-82

Perhaps tonight we will hear its 0.

 

[Ripcity4life77]

Only reason Rob might be getting traded is -- he is made out of tissue paper and it's the ONLY reason the team cannot get much outside of MAYBE 1 to 2 second round picks and an expiring. It's a catch 22 cause if he could stay healthy and play 65 games and 15 to 20 min he would be a lock to keep for this season to be a mentor for DC and Yang.

 

[HoopsFanAZ]

I like what Time Lord does on the court. I hoped he would get beyond his nagging injuries. Bad luck. Everything. I still hope that he does.
Since Ayton can go dominate somewhere else, having Clingan, Yang, Reath and Time Lord (both Duop and Rob at PF/C) sounds about right. Short manageable contracts.

Even though Cronin has worked on the roster in less than expected ways -- Yang at 16, Ayton paid to leave, Simons for a better 2-way, shorter-term professional in Holiday -- Cronin does look like he's getting there. [Grant, Thybulle, and Time Lord remain questions.]. Even if Grant remains for his 2 + player-option years, he's not creating a logjam for Deni, Toumani, or anyone else. And his and Holiday's contracts (potentially) leave at the same time erasing $73.6M in the summer of 2028.

 

[BBert]

You seem to be trolling. You win. I’ll talk about rainbows and stuff instead

I like unicorns. Can we talk about unicorns?

 

[riverman]

I think Jrue will appreciate Rob on this roster.

 

[Mediocre Man]

I like unicorns. Can we talk about unicorns?

This is a safe place. You can talk about Kristaps Porzingis as much as you want

 

[SharpesTriumph]

I like what Time Lord does on the court. I hoped he would get beyond his nagging injuries. Bad luck. Everything. I still hope that he does.
Since Ayton can go dominate somewhere else, having Clingan, Yang, Reath and Time Lord (both Duop and Rob at PF/C) sounds about right. Short manageable contracts.

Even though Cronin has worked on the roster in less than expected ways -- Yang at 16, Ayton paid to leave, Simons for a better 2-way, shorter-term professional in Holiday -- Cronin does look like he's getting there. [Grant, Thybulle, and Time Lord remain questions.]. Even if Grant remains for his 2 + player-option years, he's not creating a logjam for Deni, Toumani, or anyone else. And his and Holiday's contracts (potentially) leave at the same time erasing $73.6M in the summer of 2028.

Yeah Timelord is an awesome player on the court when playing. He doesn't have trade value since he's been so injured - so we might as well roll with him next season. We can only HOPE he is creating a minutes crunch with our bigs as that means he's healthy and then we can always consider flipping him.

Jrue seems like it wasn't a smart choice - but there is upside if he can physically bounce back to his level of play 13 months ago. If he does that we're looking at a player worth multiple first round picks to contenders. Even if not yes the Blazers cap sheet long term is much better than the average NBA franchise. We've locked up the savings from Ayton expiring deal. While Grant/Jrue might be overpaid contracts its just two more seasons after this and then they are gone. I'd prefer to not have their contracts - but I'm certainly not giving up young talent or a pick to dump them.

The next test for Cronin will be young player extensions. Camara he can't screw up because its capped at 90 million. But will Joe make good moves with Sharpe extension, Scoot next summer, Clingan the year after? I'm concerned as these types of moves have been the weakest part of Cronin's GM tenure.

 

[Trailblazers76]

One thing is for sure, between Clingon being prone to gassing out and RWIII only being good for 15 games a year, the door is wide open for Yang Time.

My main concern is seeing a lot Reath playing big minutes at C.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

One thing is for sure, between Clingon being prone to gassing out and RWIII only being good for 15 games a year, the door is wide open for Yang Time.

My main concern is seeing a lot Reath playing big minutes at C.

Yeah we'll have to see what happens. RW certainly wont play B2B - so will the backup center on those nights be Reath or Yang to start the season?

Will we have a player we can go small with at center? That previously was often Jabari. Not sure if they think Grant will be able to do that role. Or maybe even one of Camara/Deni for stretches can.

Or perhaps we are aiming to never go small. That sounds difficult in today's NBA.

 

[inconceivable]

Yeah we'll have to see what happens. RW certainly wont play B2B - so will the backup center on those nights be Reath or Yang to start the season?

Will we have a player we can go small with at center? That previously was often Jabari. Not sure if they think Grant will be able to do that role. Or maybe even one of Camara/Deni for stretches can.

Or perhaps we are aiming to never go small. That sounds difficult in today's NBA.

Grant as small ball center is not an option, dude rebounds like a guard

 

[SharpesTriumph]

Grant as small ball center is not an option, dude rebounds like a guard

Actually no, Grant does not rebound at all like a guard.

He rebounds more like a coach.

 

[PCmor7]

Grant as small ball center is not an option, dude rebounds like a chair

FIFY

 

[wizenheimer]

Or perhaps we are aiming to never go small. That sounds difficult in today's NBA.

be even more difficult for the Blazers because their C's can't make teams pay on offense...except on the offensive glass with Clingan

 

[Pinwheel1]

Grant as small ball center is not an option, dude rebounds like a guard

Not sure that is a slight these days. Guards seem to be in better position to track long rebounds from all the 3 pt shots.
But yeah Grant is not good at it, much like Harkless.

 

[BigGameDamian]

 

[blazerkor]

Let's get this done and then worry about flipping Jrue.

 

[wizenheimer]

it's fucking ridiculous how every year it's always the Lakers are considering signing or trading for dozens of players they have no shot of getting. Missi was a bright spot for the Pels and not only he was the starting C, he started 16 more games than the 2nd place starter. There's no way the Pels would trade him for what the Lakers can offer

Timelord? sure

 

[inconceivable]

it's fucking ridiculous how every year it's always the Lakers are considering signing or trading for dozens of players they have no shot of getting. Missi was a bright spot for the Pels and not only he was the starting C, he started 16 more games than the 2nd place starter. There's no way the Pels would trade him for what the Lakers can offer

Timelord? sure

seems to me they're intentionally trying to alienate Lebron as to force him to ask to be traded

 

[SharpesTriumph]

Let's get this done and then worry about flipping Jrue.
View attachment 74406

The rumor only said Timelord - not Grant.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

seems to me they're intentionally trying to alienate Lebron as to force him to ask to be traded

I don't get that vibe... I think they just want to do whater will get Luka to resign. If LeBron wants to stay they are fine with it. But they're not going to ask for any of LeBrons input.

 

[blazerkor]

The rumor only said Timelord - not Grant.

Yeah and I'm saying if they want Rob so badly then they can take Jerami too.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

Yeah and I'm saying if they want Rob so badly then they can take Jerami too.

Why would they want him so badly?

He's played 26 of 164 games as a Blazer.

Maybe they prefer him over dead weight Vincent/Kleber salary but they're not going to eat Grants 160 million deal just to add a 3rd string option.

 

[HailBlazers]

Why would they want him so badly?

He's played 26 of 164 games as a Blazer.

Maybe they prefer him over dead weight Vincent/Kleber salary but they're not going to eat Grants 160 million deal just to add a 3rd string option.

All you gotta do is stash him for the playoffs.

 

[inconceivable]

I don't get that vibe... I think they just want to do whater will get Luka to resign. If LeBron wants to stay they are fine with it. But they're not going to ask for any of LeBrons input.

Much like Joe made Dame ask out without making it too obvious, I am sensing the Lakers' FO are trying to do the same with Lebron. Because Lebron can give them real assets in return, assets that will allow them to give Luka help for the long term

 

[SharpeScooterShooter]

Much like Joe made Dame ask out without making it too obvious, I am sensing the Lakers' FO are trying to do the same with Lebron. Because Lebron can give them real assets in return, assets that will allow them to give Luka help for the long term

Is there any evidence to the rumor of Lebron wanting out?
i don't see it. lakers are a final destination team. He did South Beach and NY isnt Hollywood. Chicago is too cold.
Lebron retires a laker or plays his last relevant game as as a laker. Could see him signing with Cleveland to retire his jersey there, but that's it.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

The price of getting Rob is getting Jerami as well. Your move Lakers.



Then Dame can join LeBron in Miami later.