We got the #3 pick. Discuss the possibilities.

[Hoopguru]

That’s from what your source is telling you?

His opinion, as he thinks they will be good with either but PDX would want Miller. No legit source just his speculation.

 

[BigGameDamian]

I'm terrified, literally TERRIFIED by the idea that we could trade Scoot/Miller for Anunoby/Siakam

What terrifies me is that 2/3 years from now Anunoby/Siakam could end up being like rich man Covington/Powell and so nothing that gets you close to a championship and meanwhile Scoot/Miller could end up being All Stars on the rise

We MUST take a decision NOW, rebuilding or go all in, STOP keeping the foot in two shoes

Sharpe, Scoot/Miller + the return from a Dame trade would be amazing to start a new chapter

but imagine if we trade Scoot/Miller and Siakam only gives you the boost to qualify to a conference semifinal, two/three years from now Lillard would be on the verge of retiring, Siakam would be nothing to be thrilled about and another franchise would be happy to see Scoot/Miller on the rise to stardome like CP3/DERON years ago

 

[SharpesTriumph]

Scoot can potentially turn us into a contender in three or four years, when coupled with a more mature Sharpe and other good young players. He's the best point guard prospect in a while... since Kyrie Irving, probably (maybe Simmons if you considered him a PG coming out of college).

Dame and Siakam and Grant... that's not even close to contender status. Sharpe isn't even a plus-starter level player yet, and his career arc doesn't match up well with that core, who are 32, 29. and 29 years old. They are also due about $110m (assuming Grant gets $26m) in the upcoming year, with the salary cap being around $134m, and the tax level being around $162m. Presumably we'd look to extend Siakam, too, to ensure he doesn't walk. In 2026-27, those three guys might be making $133m combined ($58m for Dame, $45m for Siakam, $35m for Grant) at ages 35, 32, and 32.

That is painting ourselves into a corner, salary-wise, with guys that have no upside... and depending on what it takes to get Pascal, we are in some combination of a bad salary cap situation (due to having Nurk and/or Simons), a lack of size, a lack of depth, and/or a lack of quality young guys (where Sharpe is a decade younger than the core, and we don't have any other prospect of consequence).

I can't believe that anyone thinks this is a good way to build a winning basketball team in the NBA, but I couldn't believe that anyone thought our team would be any good the last couple of years, either, so I guess I just don't understand the power of stubborn optimism.

I've came to the conclusion a significant portion of Blazers fans will follow whatever direction the Blazers take with excitement and admiration. Thankfully we have a large section of rational posters here at this time. But the irrationally positive ones will always be perplexing.

 

[SIeepwalker]

If Brandon Miller is taken #2, how do you guys feel about trading down to #4 to draft a forward and get some Houston assets

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

If Brandon Miller is taken #2, how do you guys feel about trading down to #4 to draft a forward and get some Houston assets

The only trade down move I like is #5 with Duren for #3/+

ONLY if Scoot is taken at 2

 

[SIeepwalker]

The only trade down move I like is #5 with Duren for #3/+

ONLY if Scoot is taken at 2

What are we doing with Scoot if we have Dame/Ant/Shae on the team ?

 

[e_blazer]

Scoot can potentially turn us into a contender in three or four years, when coupled with a more mature Sharpe and other good young players. He's the best point guard prospect in a while... since Kyrie Irving, probably (maybe Simmons if you considered him a PG coming out of college).

Dame and Siakam and Grant... that's not even close to contender status. Sharpe isn't even a plus-starter level player yet, and his career arc doesn't match up well with that core, who are 32, 29. and 29 years old. They are also due about $110m (assuming Grant gets $26m) in the upcoming year, with the salary cap being around $134m, and the tax level being around $162m. Presumably we'd look to extend Siakam, too, to ensure he doesn't walk. In 2026-27, those three guys might be making $133m combined ($58m for Dame, $45m for Siakam, $35m for Grant) at ages 35, 32, and 32.

That is painting ourselves into a corner, salary-wise, with guys that have no upside... and depending on what it takes to get Pascal, we are in some combination of a bad salary cap situation (due to having Nurk and/or Simons), a lack of size, a lack of depth, and/or a lack of quality young guys (where Sharpe is a decade younger than the core, and we don't have any other prospect of consequence).

I can't believe that anyone thinks this is a good way to build a winning basketball team in the NBA, but I couldn't believe that anyone thought our team would be any good the last couple of years, either, so I guess I just don't understand the power of stubborn optimism.

And how is it not stubborn optimism to assume that a totally unproven rookie PG could “potentially” lead the Blazers to contention when so many great PGs before him couldn’t? (Stockton, CP3, Nash, Iverson)

The fact is that neither sticking with a rebuild around Dame nor a full-on rebuild without him is probable to result in a title. Titles by small market teams are rare in the NBA. If you look back at my posts over this season I’ve been consistently saying that Cronin needs to pick a lane and stay in it. The last thing I want is another half-assed season straddling the fence between a rebuild and a reload. My preference is to have him give a real shot at a rebuild around Dame simply because Dame has been so loyal to this market, he wants to win here, and it would be the sports story of the century in this remote NBA outpost. All of that said, if Cronin can’t find the deals needed to make a realistic shit at a run, he should pull the plug, trade Dame to a decent team and get as much capital for the rebuild as possible. What I don’t understand is why so many of you, based only on a fan’s notion of what Cronin can get this summer, are so quick to demand even taking a look.

 

[Voodoo]

I think the Blazers had the 3rd in 2005 where they traded away from CP3 for Martell

Literally one of the worst trades in team history, ugh.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Scoot can potentially turn us into a contender in three or four years, when coupled with a more mature Sharpe and other good young players. He's the best point guard prospect in a while... since Kyrie Irving, probably (maybe Simmons if you considered him a PG coming out of college).

Dame and Siakam and Grant... that's not even close to contender status. Sharpe isn't even a plus-starter level player yet, and his career arc doesn't match up well with that core, who are 32, 29. and 29 years old. They are also due about $110m (assuming Grant gets $26m) in the upcoming year, with the salary cap being around $134m, and the tax level being around $162m. Presumably we'd look to extend Siakam, too, to ensure he doesn't walk. In 2026-27, those three guys might be making $133m combined ($58m for Dame, $45m for Siakam, $35m for Grant) at ages 35, 32, and 32.

That is painting ourselves into a corner, salary-wise, with guys that have no upside... and depending on what it takes to get Pascal, we are in some combination of a bad salary cap situation (due to having Nurk and/or Simons), a lack of size, a lack of depth, and/or a lack of quality young guys (where Sharpe is a decade younger than the core, and we don't have any other prospect of consequence).

I can't believe that anyone thinks this is a good way to build a winning basketball team in the NBA, but I couldn't believe that anyone thought our team would be any good the last couple of years, either, so I guess I just don't understand the power of stubborn optimism.

So the idea of pairing two All-NBA players on our team is stubborn optimism but relying on future draft picks to turn us into contenders in just 3-4 years, is not?

 

[tykendo]

I'm terrified, literally TERRIFIED by the idea that we could trade Scoot/Miller for Anunoby/Siakam

What terrifies me is that 2/3 years from now Anunoby/Siakam could end up being like rich man Covington/Powell and so nothing that gets you close to a championship and meanwhile Scoot/Miller could end up being All Stars on the rise

We MUST take a decision NOW, rebuilding or go all in, STOP keeping the foot in two shoes

Sharpe, Scoot/Miller + the return from a Dame trade would be amazing to start a new chapter

but imagine if we trade Scoot/Miller and Siakam only gives you the boost to qualify to a conference semifinal, two/three years from now Lillard would be on the verge of retiring, Siakam would be nothing to be thrilled about and another franchise would be happy to see Scoot/Miller on the rise to stardome like CP3/DERON years ago

I'm terrified by the lack of Affordable housing , and struggling to make ends meet.

 

[Pinwheel1]

What are we doing with Scoot if we have Dame/Ant/Shae on the team ?

If they intend on keeping Scoot, then I would imagine they will trade Ant.

 

[wizenheimer]

Scoot can potentially turn us into a contender in three or four years, when coupled with a more mature Sharpe and other good young players. .

c'mon man

Lebron didn't win a title till his 9th season; Giannis his 8th season. Jokic is in his 8th season and hasn't won yet; Embiid is in his 8th season and hasn't even played in a conference finals game. And those two guys have won the last 3 MVP's. It took Curry 6 seasons and the construction of an incredible roster. Kawhi was in his 8th season when he won in Toronto. Durant was in his 10th season when he won in Golden State

and they all had all-star teammates; often more than one.

Ja Morant finished his 4th season and Memphis was a 1st round exit miles away from contention, and he's playing with a DPOY in JJJ and a future all-star in Bane. SGA finished his 5th season on a young talented team, much like you describe, and they had a losing record and were in the lottery again

but Scoot is going to do it in 3 seasons? lol

 

[Ed O]

c'mon man

Lebron didn't win a title till his 9th season; Giannis his 8th season. Jokic is in his 8th season and hasn't won yet; Embiid is in his 8th season and hasn't even played in a conference finals game. And those two guys have won the last 3 MVP's. It took Curry 6 seasons and the construction of an incredible roster. Kawhi was in his 8th season when he won in Toronto. Durant was in his 10th season when he won in Golden State

and they all had all-star teammates; often more than one.

Ja Morant finished his 4th season and Memphis was a 1st round exit miles away from contention, and he's playing with a DPOY in JJJ and a future all-star in Bane. SGA finished his 5th season on a young talented team, much like you describe, and they had a losing record and were in the lottery again

but Scoot is going to do it in 3 seasons? lol

"Potentially in three or four seasons"... what I posted.

"Is going to do it in three seasons" is what you claimed I posted.

Did you misrepresent my point on purpose?

 

[wizenheimer]

"Potentially in three or four seasons"... what I posted.

"Is going to do it in three seasons" is what you claimed I posted.

Did you misrepresent my point on purpose?

do you think it makes a difference whether it's 3 or 4 years?..You said 3. I didn't pull that number out of my colon

 

[SharpeScooterShooter]

"Potentially in three or four seasons"... what I posted.

"Is going to do it in three seasons" is what you claimed I posted.

Did you misrepresent my point on purpose?

of all the valid points in his posts you chose this as a point of contention?

 

[SharpeScooterShooter]

do you think it makes a difference whether it's 3 or 4 years?..You said 3. I didn't pull that number out of my colon

no but ignoring all of your valid points makes a difference.

 

[Ed O]

So the idea of pairing two All-NBA players on our team is stubborn optimism but relying on future draft picks to turn us into contenders in just 3-4 years, is not?

Not all "all-NBA players" are the same. Dame made third team at age 32. Siakam made third team last year.

This is not Nokic and Doncic we're talking about, which are examples of younger guys that have been more than borderline all-NBA players recently.

Dame, Siakam, and Grant is a dead end. An expensive sacrificial last gasp effort to make the best Blazer ever happy.

Scoot, Sharpe, and other quality young players is definitely no guaranteed success, either. Their team might never make it out of the playoffs. But there's a potential future that doesn't involve almost guaranteed injuries, lack of depth, and mediocrity with three aging guys and few reinforcements (due to lack of young guys other than Sharpe and a team hamstrung financially) on the way.

 

[BBert]

If all else fails, you tell Dame to suck it up and draft BPA.

I can't believe Dame would want them to make a bad trade that hurts the team just to bring in a vet. He wants the team to get better over the remainder of his career, not worse.

 

[Ed O]

do you think it makes a difference whether it's 3 or 4 years?..You said 3. I didn't pull that number out of my colon

I said "potentially".

You said "is going to".

Those are not the same things, dude. You know this and are either being disingenuous or lazy and not reading what I'm actually posting.

 

[BBert]

Got a text from a friend in Charlotte, he thinks Portland could trade up to #2 for the guy they want?

Or trade down to #4 plus another pick.

 

[BIG Q]

I'm thinking Cronin is getting his marching orders from the Vulcans and will be on the phones. If the Blazers are for sale, what is worth more to a new prospective owner;

1. A roster with aging vets and a bloated salary cap with no cap space or first round draft picks?

Or

2. A roster with some great youth and salary cap flexibility and all of your first round picks and possible picks from trading Dame and/or Simons?

I like option two.

 

[Ed O]

of all the valid points in his posts you chose this as a point of contention?

Are you asking me that? Or him?

I posted several points about the future with trading Scoot for Siakam, saying it was a dead end. I also said that with Scoot we can potentially be a contender in 3 or 4 years.

Then he asked me if Scoot "is going to" make us a contender in three years.

He didn't make any points otherwise in his post that are at all relevant, given we don't know what will happen in three or four years.

 

[Ed O]

I can't believe Dame would want them to make a bad trade that hurts the team just to bring in a vet. He wants the team to get better over the remainder of his career, not worse.

Let's say players have one absolute unit of value. It doesn't exist, of course, but let's say it does.

Let's say we can choose between two players, and over the next 8 years they have the following value scores:

Player A:
5
5
5
4
4
3
3
2

Player B:
1
1
6
6
7
7
7
7

Assuming (again, it's a thought experiment) that those are true values to the team, most teams and fans would prefer to have Player B... he's basically worthless the next two years, and then is better than Player A at any point for six more years.

But Dame would probably prefer Player A, wouldn't he? He's not going to be playing until he's 40, presumably, and he wants to win now. I don't blame him for any of that, but he's not the GM and he shouldn't be the GM because he has his own interests (with a shorter runway) rather than those of the franchise (or the GM) in mind.

 

[BBert]

If Brandon Miller is taken #2, how do you guys feel about trading down to #4 to draft a forward and get some Houston assets

Thumbs up.

 

[HailBlazers]

I don't know how Hornets pass BPA in Scoot just because of Ball (not a Superstar IMO).

 

[tykendo]

Yep... we had Sebastian Telfair and traded away from Chris Paul (who was, to me and many at the time, an amazing PG prospect) and Deron Williams (who actually went a pick ahead of Paul, and obviously had a nice career).

It was a ridiculous trade at the time and trading away from Scoot now would be perhaps even more stupid (depending on what we got for trading the pick).

I potentially will win the Lotto. Potential is, until it isn't. If the Blazers are able to add a talent like Siakam, or Bridges to pair up with Dame, along with the other moves Cronin and his Staff will make, the future becomes much brighter. And a potential contender. I think banking on players that have proved they can, is better than doing the same on unproven youngsters . Youngsters, if they become stars, might be more apt to move on to brighter lights sooner, than later.

 

[Mediocre Man]

This seems pretty simple

A. The Blazers WILL trade the pick
B. What teams are in reset mode? What teams have 27-30 year old wings or PFs that are either disgruntled or the team is smarter than us and realizes they should capitalize on their player that doesn’t fit their new timeline

Legit looking for guidance because that would be the type of player we will be targeting

 

[tykendo]

I don't know how Hornets pass BPA in Scoot just because of Ball (not a Superstar IMO).

That would mean they've given up on Ball being able to stay healthy. Ball was really coming into his own, before this run of bad luck. I think the Hornets stick beside LaMelo , and get a potential bigtime PF.

 

[CJ_is_Gone]

I don't know how Hornets pass BPA in Scoot just because of Ball (not a Superstar IMO).

I have to wonder how many people who think Scoot is a can't miss prospect have actually watched a full-game of his...
Not just the highlight dunks, but a full game.

For Charlotte, I personally think that Ball will top out as a better player than what Scoot will become.

 

[tykendo]

This seems pretty simple

A. The Blazers WILL trade the pick
B. What teams are in reset mode? What teams have 27-30 year old wings or PFs that are either disgruntled or the team is smarter than us and realizes they should capitalize on their player that doesn’t fit their new timeline

Legit looking for guidance because that would be the type of player we will be targeting

Toronto & Brooklyn are in transition. Nobody is taking on Simmons ridiculous money with his set of problems . It's the bed they've made. Bridges' play exceled after the trade. That being said, a splashy draft pick like Scoot might be enticing enough to want. Toronto is Wing City. They can afford to move Siakam if they want a younger , potential star, to team with Barnes. OG isn't worth the # 3. He's good, but inconsistent. Ant and the Knicks pick, and maybe a second would be more appropriate. OG does have a tendency to pout. Plus Toronto has to decide if they're going to give max money to Van Vleet.