Summer 2025 trade targets?

[Phatguysrule]

Could this team win a title next year with Durant? I can’t imagine he has nearly as much value.

Send them Grant, Simons and depending on where it falls the 2025 pick and the worst of the 2029 picks.

Scoot
Shae
Durant
Deni
Ayton/Clingan

or a really interesting lineup of Deni/Shae/Tou/Durant/Ayton.

Nah. We're too young and leaderless. Durant can't lead a team to a title.

We'd almost certainly fail. But it's also probably our best shot at being a contender, aside from drafting a superstar.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

We won’t get Ace

Good.

 

[Foxx]

What are you talking about? Embrace love? Stop being a weirdo.

Cronin couldn't to anything to win me back. A nutless monkey could do the basic things he's doing. Trading for the oft injured, stripper impregnator, Zion would only solidify his idiocy.

You’re clearly letting your own ignorance win over any actual formidable opinion

 

[dviss1]

You’re clearly letting your own ignorance win over any actual formidable opinion

That's one way to think. The other is that I've analyzed this situation from every angle and I've determined that Jody should sell the team and Cronin should've never been hired.
You can feel free to disagree if you want and continue to support the MF who lied to us all Dame included.

And yes, as much disdain for him as I have as a person, Phil Knight would be an excellent owner.

 

[Phatguysrule]

That's one way to think. The other is that I've analyzed this situation from every angle and I've determined that Jody should sell the team and Cronin should've never been hired.
You can feel free to disagree if you want and continue to support the MF who lied to us all Dame included.

And yes, as much disdain for him as I have as a person, Phil Knight would be an excellent owner.

Yes I definitely think Jody should sell. I'm not sure I blame Cronin too much... I just haven't seen enough evidence to place any blame there.

Phil Knight is going to have to up his offer by about 2.5X if he wants to get Jody's attention...

 

[wizenheimer]

Yes I definitely think Jody should sell. I'm not sure I blame Cronin too much... I just haven't seen enough evidence to place any blame there.

Phil Knight is going to have to up his offer by about 2.5X if he wants to get Jody's attention...

Forbes pegged the valuation of the Boston Celtics at 6B...and they sold for 6.1B

Forbes values the Blazers at 3.5B right now. But in October of 2022, Forbes valued the Blazers at 2.1B. Phil Knight made his initial offer of "over 2B in June of 2022. I saw a rumor the offer was for 2.3B. And reportedly, he has made additional offers that I'd imagine would match the escalation of franchise value.

if his initial offer was 2.3B, then to match current value his offer would have to be 1.5X his first offer. Of course, it appears he stopped making offers in 2023 so maybe he's done trying

 

[Phatguysrule]

Forbes pegged the valuation of the Boston Celtics at 6B...and they sold for 6.1B

Forbes values the Blazers at 3.5B right now. But in October of 2022, Forbes valued the Blazers at 2.1B. Phil Knight made his initial offer of "over 2B in June of 2022. I saw a rumor the offer was for 2.3B. And reportedly, he has made additional offers that I'd imagine would match the escalation of franchise value.

if his initial offer was 2.3B, then to match current value his offer would have to be 1.5X his first offer. Of course, it appears he stopped making offers in 2023 so maybe he's done trying

Honestly, $3.5B wouldn't have been too far out of line on his original offer. I thought 2.3 was kind of a low ball offer...

 

[wizenheimer]

Honestly, $3.5B wouldn't have been too far out of line on his original offer. I thought 2.3 was kind of a low ball offer...

based upon what?

I sure can't examine the Blazer ledgers, and I wouldn't know what i was seeing if I could. The only 'real' gauge I've seen is the Forbes valuations

Boston was valued at 6B and sold for 6.1B
Chicago was valued at 4.6B in 2023 and sold for 4.6B
Dallas was valued at 4.5B in 2023 and sold for 3.5B although I believe that was a partial sale of around 70-75%
Charlotte was valued at 3B in 2023 and sold for 3B
Houston was valued at 2.3B in 2019 and sold for 2.2B

now there may be some 'after-the-fact' adjustment to those numbers but generally, the Forbes value pretty closely match the sale prices. If Phil Knight was offering 200M OVER the value of the Blazers pegged by Forbes, I can't see that as a low-ball offer.

 

[Phatguysrule]

based upon what?

I sure can't examine the Blazer ledgers, and I wouldn't know what i was seeing if I could. The only 'real' gauge I've seen is the Forbes valuations

Boston was valued at 6B and sold for 6.1B
Chicago was valued at 4.6B in 2023 and sold for 4.6B
Dallas was valued at 4.5B in 2023 and sold for 3.5B although I believe that was a partial sale of around 70-75%
Charlotte was valued at 3B in 2023 and sold for 3B
Houston was valued at 2.3B in 2019 and sold for 2.2B

now there may be some 'after-the-fact' adjustment to those numbers but generally, the Forbes value pretty closely match the sale prices. If Phil Knight was offering 200M OVER the value of the Blazers pegged by Forbes, I can't see that as a low-ball offer.

Not based off any deep analysis. Just a feeling. Clippers sold for $2b in 2014. Seemed like getting an NBA team for basically the same price 6-7 years later was a low ball offer...

 

[handiman]

Not based off any deep analysis. Just a feeling. Clippers sold for $2b in 2014. Seemed like getting an NBA team for basically the same price 6-7 years later was a low ball offer...

That was a shocking price at the time, and not really indicative of anything other than Ballmer willing to pay whatever it took to get into the LA market. It took some time for other franchise values to catch up to that.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

I wouldn't trade for Lauri.... his contract makes him not a great value. If we had cap space with no other use of the space then sure I'd be ok giving him that deal. However parting with our lottery pick and likely more draft picks that Ainge would demand makes that instead a clear no.

Durant will be a big name this summer but 0 chance he is interested in Portland. If we had Dame maybe hed listen, hes not going to want to join with our youth.

Just can't think of vets that make sense to trade for this summer. I think we first need our youth to take a bigger step forward and maybe have a good draft pick, then we can look at acquiring a vet next summer in 2026.

If we have MLE room this July try to get a Wes Matthews/Aminu/Ed Davis type of vet that's undervalued.

Summer 2026 we should have better cap flexibility too - assuming we don't give Ant or Ayton big extensions.

Depending on how 2026 goes I wouldn't be surprised to hear about Dame AND Giannis being on the market. Holding onto our picks and especially the 3 years of Bucks picks should be something the Blazers do.... just in case.

 

[Cugel]

A super star will not want to be dealt to POR. Best case is someone with question marks like Zion etc

 

[Pinwheel1]

Just can't think of vets that make sense to trade for this summer. I think we first need our youth to take a bigger step forward and maybe have a good draft pick, then we can look at acquiring a vet next summer in 2026.

If we have MLE room this July try to get a Wes Matthews/Aminu/Ed Davis type of vet that's undervalued.

Summer 2026 we should have better cap flexibility too - assuming we don't give Ant or Ayton big extensions.

I agree with what you are saying here, except for maybe the part about adding an MLE this summer. If we find the right player, then sure, but looking at our depth chart right now, we have plenty of those types of players. It is the star player we lack. I guess it depends on who we trade and who comes back in that trade. But any MLE worth anything will want the full amount and want it for multiple years. I don't think we want the extra salary unless they are a difference maker.

If we can dump Grant's contract, then yes, we could use a 3rd forward. (besides Deni and Camara)
If we dump Ayton, then yes, we could use another center. (But with an ending contract, I would not dump him this summer.)

Simons is the wild card IMO. It is certainly debatable, but in my mind, he is the best outside shooter...no no matter what any analytics might suggest. A skill that even with him, we
need more of. So maybe that is where we would use the full MLE if we were to trade him.

 

[dviss1]

Yes I definitely think Jody should sell. I'm not sure I blame Cronin too much... I just haven't seen enough evidence to place any blame there.

Phil Knight is going to have to up his offer by about 2.5X if he wants to get Jody's attention...

I could go into each move, and he's mad a couple of good ones, but just overall he's been abysmal. The CJ trade was probably one of the worst executed trades but the fact that he lied to us all is enough for me. We could go into the overpay of Grant, the acquisition of the QUITTER albatross contract of Deandre Ayton (No one was clamoring for his services and contract).

I don't fw liars and he's a huge one.

 

[sheed30]

I read some report last week I think that either Sabonis or Sabonis’s agent was going to ask the Kings in the off-season what direction they plan to move in.

Let’s say Sabonis wants out, would you want him in Portland and would he be good enough to be our star player is the question..

 

[Pinwheel1]

I read some report last week I think that either Sabonis or Sabonis’s agent was going to ask the Kings in the off-season what direction they plan to move in.

Let’s say Sabonis wants out, would you want him in Portland and would he be good enough to be our star player is the question..

I think a Sabonis, Deni, and Camara front line would be pretty fun to watch. He probably is not the star that would get us over the hump but I would still do it.
But is Ayton's ending contract and this year's 1st enough? Maybe if we can get to the 8th.

 

[wizenheimer]

I agree with what you are saying here, except for maybe the part about adding an MLE this summer. If we find the right player, then sure, but looking at our depth chart right now, we have plenty of those types of players. It is the star player we lack. I guess it depends on who we trade and who comes back in that trade. But any MLE worth anything will want the full amount and want it for multiple years. I don't think we want the extra salary unless they are a difference maker.

If we can dump Grant's contract, then yes, we could use a 3rd forward. (besides Deni and Camara)
If we dump Ayton, then yes, we could use another center. (But with an ending contract, I would not dump him this summer.)

Simons is the wild card IMO. It is certainly debatable, but in my mind, he is the best outside shooter...no no matter what any analytics might suggest. A skill that even with him, we
need more of. So maybe that is where we would use the full MLE if we were to trade him.

I agree that a player available for the MLE won't alter Portland's fortunes any. Another role player won't help

remember, the MLE can be used as a TPE/Cap-space in trades now. So perhaps the best use of Portland's MLE would be taking on salary from a team needing tax/apron relief and willing to send a draft pick for that relief. But before the Blazers can use that option they'd have to dump some salary. They are scheduled for 171M in guarantees and dead salary, and that's before accounting for their 1st (10th pick would be a little over 6M). The tax line will likely be around 187M

life would have been much easier fro Cronin if he hadn't foolishly matched the Thybulle contract

 

[SharpesTriumph]

I agree with what you are saying here, except for maybe the part about adding an MLE this summer. If we find the right player, then sure, but looking at our depth chart right now, we have plenty of those types of players. It is the star player we lack. I guess it depends on who we trade and who comes back in that trade. But any MLE worth anything will want the full amount and want it for multiple years. I don't think we want the extra salary unless they are a difference maker.

If we can dump Grant's contract, then yes, we could use a 3rd forward. (besides Deni and Camara)
If we dump Ayton, then yes, we could use another center. (But with an ending contract, I would not dump him this summer.)

Simons is the wild card IMO. It is certainly debatable, but in my mind, he is the best outside shooter...no no matter what any analytics might suggest. A skill that even with him, we
need more of. So maybe that is where we would use the full MLE if we were to trade him.

If we can find a player with upside like the 3 guys I mentioned (Wes/Aminu/Ed) we should do it and figure out the minutes or subsequent moves later. An MLE player won't be guaranteed a starting spot same as those guys weren't. Now I agree with a lot of your comments in that we need to sort out who stays. I just look at that as a separate issue from using the MLE. If we can sign someone with the MLE we should do it. Maybe we immediately have a log jam in the rotation with way to many forward. Then maybe we send 3 out in a trade months later and are short on forward options - who knows. Short term roster rotations should not be a large factor to a long term roster acquisition.

Ayton and Simons are on expiring deals so I wouldn't worry about them long term if we are trying to add another player for the next 3-4 years. Grant we might just be stuck with for all 5 years of his contracts even if he becomes as 12th man - I'm getting close to just looking at him as a sunk cost and not relevant to rotations in the years ahead.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

I read some report last week I think that either Sabonis or Sabonis’s agent was going to ask the Kings in the off-season what direction they plan to move in.

Let’s say Sabonis wants out, would you want him in Portland and would he be good enough to be our star player is the question..

Interesting idea - I'd like to add Sabonis. His contract is fine. His defense kind of sucks but we are actually at a point where we might be able to cover that especially if Simons were dealt. If we can only give up a FRP and Simons I'd do it for sure.

If its multiple FRP then thats where it gets tricky as we'd probably need to know the Blazers are either stepping to eventually contending, or Sabonis will be productive and happy here long term.

That Sabonis trade might be the type of move to do if we are also bringing in another vet as well. This young core with Sabonis and a high level two way starter would be more interesting than any Blazers team since over a decade ago when LaMarcus was here.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

I agree that a player available for the MLE won't alter Portland's fortunes any. Another role player won't help

remember, the MLE can be used as a TPE/Cap-space in trades now. So perhaps the best use of Portland's MLE would be taking on salary from a team needing tax/apron relief and willing to send a draft pick for that relief. But before the Blazers can use that option they'd have to dump some salary. They are scheduled for 171M in guarantees and dead salary, and that's before accounting for their 1st (10th pick would be a little over 6M). The tax line will likely be around 187M

life would have been much easier fro Cronin if he hadn't foolishly matched the Thybulle contract

If it was a Wes Matthews player that would be a huge addition. He was basically the value of Deni, a good starter, on an even cheaper contract, and he didn't cost us a single draft pick.

Now all the garbage additions the Blazers have had with the MLE the last decade Cronin has been here? Yeah those wouldn't help at all. DJJ/Kurt Thomas/GPII/etc...

Very well might be the case the best path is to hold the MLE for trade possibilities. My MLE comment was in regards to the OP question of summer trade targets. I don't think that is very likely a vet trade target this summer is a good option. Would love to be wrong though.

 

[handiman]

I think a Sabonis, Deni, and Camara front line would be pretty fun to watch. He probably is not the star that would get us over the hump but I would still do it.
But is Ayton's ending contract and this year's 1st enough? Maybe if we can get to the 8th.

I think Sabonis' game has evolved enough to where he could play PF, and not be a liability on the perimeter. Go ultra big with him and Clingan up front, plus huge wings in Deni and Camara, and dare teams to try and out-maneuver them.

I'm not sure who would start between Scoot and Shaedon in that scenario, but it probably doesn't much matter since Deni and Sabonis can both be the primary ball handler.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

I think a Sabonis, Deni, and Camara front line would be pretty fun to watch. He probably is not the star that would get us over the hump but I would still do it.
But is Ayton's ending contract and this year's 1st enough? Maybe if we can get to the 8th.

No - Ayton is garbage in value. Simons contract would be much more attractive to SAC. They always want the more flashy player, plus he is paid far less. If we still need salary we can throw in one of Thybulle/Timelord. The trick is I think Sac would want more than our FRP. Then it starts to be questionable from the Blazer end unless Sabonis is truly that final piece to contend.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

I think Sabonis' game has evolved enough to where he could play PF, and not be a liability on the perimeter. Go ultra big with him and Clingan up front, plus huge wings in Deni and Camara, and dare teams to try and out-maneuver them.

I'm not sure who would start between Scoot and Shaedon in that scenario, but it probably doesn't much matter since Deni and Sabonis can both be the primary ball handler.

Sabonis/Clingan would be a difficult duo to play together a lot. If the other team has a traditional lumbering center then maybe some of those minutes.

I don't think Clingan will ever be a high MPG player - so he'd probably pair well with Sabonis. They could take stagger minutes and some teams maybe play together for ~10mpg or such. Clingan would be fine as a backup and first big off the bench. Really I see that being more of his role long term on a winning team - I'm not sure you can be a contending team with him as an 70-80 game starting center.

 

[HansenYang]

I wouldn't trade for Lauri.... his contract makes him not a great value.

100% agree here.

 

[RR7]

I dont see any real chance of sabonis playing PF except in small spot minutes against specific opponents.
And asking "if all it takes is simons and a 1st"?
That's the sort of thinking that gets people disappointed when we don't get deals done. Saw kings fans elsewhere say clingan and 2 1sts, or clingan and Sharpe.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

I dont see any real chance of sabonis playing PF except in small spot minutes against specific opponents.
And asking "if all it takes is simons and a 1st"?
That's the sort of thinking that gets people disappointed when we don't get deals done. Saw kings fans elsewhere say clingan and 2 1sts, or clingan and Sharpe.

Clingan and Sharpe is interesting. I'm probably not doing it, but if we had another trade lined up that brought in an equally as good starting vet that we send out picks for it gets interesting.

 

[Pinwheel1]

No - Ayton is garbage in value. Simons contract would be much more attractive to SAC. They always want the more flashy player, plus he is paid far less. If we still need salary we can throw in one of Thybulle/Timelord. The trick is I think Sac would want more than our FRP. Then it starts to be questionable from the Blazer end unless Sabonis is truly that final piece to contend.

Both Simons and Ayton have ending contracts. So I guess it comes down to their long-term goals. But since they have Monk, Lavine, and DeRosan, I really doubt they would take Simons.

 

[handiman]

Sabonis/Clingan would be a difficult duo to play together a lot. If the other team has a traditional lumbering center then maybe some of those minutes.

I don't think Clingan will ever be a high MPG player - so he'd probably pair well with Sabonis. They could take stagger minutes and some teams maybe play together for ~10mpg or such. Clingan would be fine as a backup and first big off the bench. Really I see that being more of his role long term on a winning team - I'm not sure you can be a contending team with him as an 70-80 game starting center.

That's my thinking, as well. Clobber interior defenses for a few minutes here and there, and rotate them as needed. Clingan and Sabonis both spend a lot of time on the perimeter, so they can make space for each other inside. The biggest issue is how much does Sabonis want to chase opposing 4's?

Sabonis has played most of his career with no-D scorers. Put Camara and Clingan next to him, and I bet Golden State struggles to expose him like they did in the playoffs.

 

[Foxx]

That's one way to think. The other is that I've analyzed this situation from every angle and I've determined that Jody should sell the team and Cronin should've never been hired.
You can feel free to disagree if you want and continue to support the MF who lied to us all Dame included.

And yes, as much disdain for him as I have as a person, Phil Knight would be an excellent owner.

Thank Christ you aren’t in charge of anything meaningful in this city. You clearly operate from pessimism and fear, and that’s an L in analytics

 

[Hoopguru]

Simons for Josh Green straight across works. A good point of attack defender and decent shooter. Strong and heart!