We got the #3 pick. Discuss the possibilities. (1 Viewer)

[1 Eye Jack]

Dream scenario

Ayton for 3rd pick plus Nurk maybe a 1st rounder (or cheaper version Naz Reid and use the 3rd pick in Siakam deal)

Siakam for Simon (most likely they’d want Share) and 3 1st and a pick swap

Dame
Sharpe (or Simon
Grant
Siakam
Ayton or Naz Reid

that’s a contender and huge improvement on defense.

 

[1 Eye Jack]

was a real "2nd" option on that Raptors team? Weren't there a couple players averaging around 14-16 ppg for them?

he was 2nd best player on that team offensively and defensively.

 

[KingSpeed]

The players I put #3 in play for: (and keep in mind we would have to include Simons and/or Nurk to complete the trade).

- Brown - no brainer. All nba caliber wing and undervalued because of playoff flameout and contract situation
- Siakam - he's only 29 and made an all nba team last year
- Paul George
- Embiid
- Ingram? Would he be available??

Tier below:
- Bridges - we saw his contribution on a contender. He's a super duper role player that any team would love to have. But we need a definitive #2. I would consider it he comes with Claxton

- KAT - can we get McDaniels too?

Tier below:
- Ayton - bleh
- OG

What about KD? I know Denver is his first choice but you never know.

 

[illmatic99]

was a real "2nd" option on that Raptors team? Weren't there a couple players averaging around 14-16 ppg for them?

He was the 2nd option behind Kawhi.

 

[HansenYang]

Bridges does have a big hole in his game and that's rebounding. Dame had a higher rebounding rate this season and their career marks for rebounding rate are very similar. And, Bridges has a career assist rate 10.1%. It was a little higher this season, but it's still really low for a 2nd-3rd option

and so that dovetails into who would be best being paired with the weak-rebounding/poor-assisting Grant. That would be Siakam. He's the best rebounder of the group and at the same level as Ingram as a passer

I haven't thought about Ingram because I've read no rumors about the Pels tearing things down

Or we move on from Grant via a S&T....
I'd much rather have John Collins over Grant.

 

[HansenYang]

Dream scenario

Ayton for 3rd pick plus Nurk maybe a 1st rounder (or cheaper version Naz Reid and use the 3rd pick in Siakam deal)

Siakam for Simon (most likely they’d want Share) and 3 1st and a pick swap

Dame
Sharpe (or Simon
Grant
Siakam
Ayton or Naz Reid

that’s a contender and huge improvement on defense.

It's obvious that you haven't spent much time watching Ayton.
He's not worth the #3 pick... especially on his $30M contract.

 

[Natebishop3]

I'm listening to some Hornets podcasts and they all love Scoot.

I don't think LaMelo makes it obvious that they won't take Scoot. The fact that Ball is 6'7 gives them the ability to start a 6'2 guard with him.

If we take Miller, I'm wondering if we could still swing Simons/Nas/some picks for Siakam.

 

[wizenheimer]

Or we move on from Grant via a S&T....
I'd much rather have John Collins over Grant.

I would too except I'd really be concerned about the rumors of Collins facing chronic back issues

even with that I don't know why the Hawks would be interested in Grant (especially if Portland is over-paying him). Meaning at least a 3 team trade, and with a S&T that's a crazy needle to thread, made even crazier by requiring Grant to agree

 

[Strenuus]

Dream scenario

Ayton for 3rd pick plus Nurk maybe a 1st rounder (or cheaper version Naz Reid and use the 3rd pick in Siakam deal)

Siakam for Simon (most likely they’d want Share) and 3 1st and a pick swap

Dame
Sharpe (or Simon
Grant
Siakam
Ayton or Naz Reid

that’s a contender and huge improvement on defense.

All of that is awful lol.

 

[Freshtown]

Why would Boston want the #3 pick for Brown? Tatum is 25 and about to enter his prime. Are they really interested in taking a step back for 2-3 years while Scoot or Miller develop into positive contributors?

 

[illmatic99]

Why would Boston want the #3 pick for Brown? Tatum is 25 and about to enter his prime. Are they really interested in taking a step back for 2-3 years while Scoot or Miller develop into positive contributors?

Because they are at risk of losing Brown for nothing next summer for nothing while they have desperately been looking for a lead guard next to Tatum since Isaiah Thomas.

 

[Natebishop3]

Why would Boston want the #3 pick for Brown? Tatum is 25 and about to enter his prime. Are they really interested in taking a step back for 2-3 years while Scoot or Miller develop into positive contributors?

You just said it. He's 25 and he's just entering his prime. There's still a lot of tread on those tires. It would be now or never to try to put another young star around him. If we did in fact do #3 and Simons for Brown, that would give them a 20ppg scorer and potentially a superstar point guard.

 

[Predator]

Agreed. Siakim is like Jerami Grant to me. Puts up inflated #'s as the #1 option but isn't a real #1 option.

Is he a good 2nd? Maybe. but probably better suited as a 3rd. But a 2nd or 3rd isn't really someone you trade a young prospect (Simons)+ the 3rd pick in the draft for.

People are conveniently ignoring the fact Siakam has had multiple injuries since he won a championship and even Raptor fans will tell you the injuries have significantly hindered his explosion and athleticism.

 

[wizenheimer]

You just said it. He's 25 and he's just entering his prime. There's still a lot of tread on those tires. It would be now or never to try to put another young star around him. If we did in fact do #3 and Simons for Brown, that would give them a 20ppg scorer and potentially a superstar point guard.

I wonder if the Celtics would be interested in moving both Brown & Smart?

 

[SharpesTriumph]

Seems like Charlotte is thinking miller?

I think they just want to give a response that leaves open the possibility of drafting either player, then they could extract more from trades if another team only wanted Miller or Scoot. I don't think his comments have any indication of whom they will draft, they will do all that research thoroughly in confidence and finalize it the week prior to the draft. Right now is the most critical time for GM poker.

 

[1 Eye Jack]

It's obvious that you haven't spent much time watching Ayton.
He's not worth the #3 pick... especially on his $30M contract.

Hate when people say that, I’ve watched and coached basketball for over 30 years. he’s a top 4 center in league with still plenty of room for growth. He’s also a guarantee unlike the draft pick. You hope Miller ends up as good as him so why take risk if you have the known talent and he’s young.

 

[Predator]

The players I put #3 in play for: (and keep in mind we would have to include Simons and/or Nurk to complete the trade).

- Brown - no brainer. All nba caliber wing and undervalued because of playoff flameout and contract situation
- Siakam - he's only 29 and made an all nba team last year
- Paul George
- Embiid
- Ingram? Would he be available??

Tier below:
- Bridges - we saw his contribution on a contender. He's a super duper role player that any team would love to have. But we need a definitive #2. I would consider it he comes with Claxton

- KAT - can we get McDaniels too?

Tier below:
- Ayton - bleh
- OG

Yes
No
Not a fucking chance (hasnt been health in god knows how long, just what we need)
Yes
Maybe
Yes with Claxton
No
No
No

 

[1 Eye Jack]

All of that is awful lol.

Awful be the best squad we’ve had since Sheed days. Now if you’re saying I’m idiot because those trades wouldn’t/couldn’t happen I wouldn’t disagree with that lol

 

[PCmor7]

I think they just want to give a response that leaves open the possibility of drafting either player, then they could extract more from trades if another team only wanted Miller or Scoot. I don't think his comments have any indication of whom they will draft, they will do all that research thoroughly in confidence and finalize it the week prior to the draft. Right now is the most critical time for GM poker.

Teams do that?

Sorry, I just watch the Blazers and I got the impression every team must completely telegraph their every move so as to undermine their leverage.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

If (when) Grant comes back, do we really need a wing? Grant IS NOT a 4. He is a very poor rebounder and this team got killed on the boards last year. I think we really need to be looking for for a 4. Either that or if Grant can’t guard 3s then move the fuck on

Grant can't guard 3s. He does have defensive value, but similar to Roco its more as a help defender, not one on one against wings. Grant doesn't rebound like a 4, he rebounds like a short PG. He is efficient offensively.

He definitely has value in a rotation, but he's sort of a quirky player that has odd strengths and many weaknesses to his game. For a reasonable salary he is great, but with rumors of him making $30million+ per season? Might end up being a player worth less than his contract like Nurk.

If Blazers want to contend they need a defending SF like Bridges or Brown. Siakam while good defensively is an awkward fit next to Grant.

 

[illmatic99]

Here's one.

To POR:
- Bridges
- Anunoby
- Carter Jr.

To BK:
- #6 pick
- # 11 pick
- Nas
- Koloko

To TOR:
- Simons
- #23
- 3 future seconds

To ORL:
- #3
- Nurkic
- Keon

We end up with:
Dame/Bridges/OG/Grant/Carter

Sharpe off the bench.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I wonder if the Celtics would be interested in moving both Brown & Smart?

Boston Fans I have spoken to are ready to move on from Smart. Granted he is good defensively, but I get the feeling he rubs people the wrong way and thinks he is better offensively than he actually is. He is a bit frustrating.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

Toronto doesn't have many players who can create or run an offense. They are mostly all wings.

You can't win like that.

But they still should have won more if they had a decent coach.

He was coach of the year, won an NBA finals, and is the leading candidate for a number of coaching vacancies.

Maybe he isn't the best coach in the entire NBA, but he certainly is at the least a "decent" coach.

 

[Natebishop3]

Here's one.

To POR:
- Bridges
- Anunoby
- Carter Jr.

To BK:
- #6 pick
- # 11 pick
- Nas
- Koloko

To TOR:
- Simons
- #23
- 3 future seconds

To ORL:
- #3
- Nurkic
- Keon

We end up with:
Dame/Bridges/OG/Grant/Carter

Sharpe off the bench.

No way to get Siakam instead of OG?

 

[SharpesTriumph]

The players I put #3 in play for: (and keep in mind we would have to include Simons and/or Nurk to complete the trade).

- Brown - no brainer. All nba caliber wing and undervalued because of playoff flameout and contract situation
- Siakam - he's only 29 and made an all nba team last year
- Paul George
- Embiid
- Ingram? Would he be available??

Tier below:
- Bridges - we saw his contribution on a contender. He's a super duper role player that any team would love to have. But we need a definitive #2. I would consider it he comes with Claxton

- KAT - can we get McDaniels too?

Tier below:
- Ayton - bleh
- OG

Paul George needs to be moved way down on this list - 33 years old and been injured more often than not. On a massive contract. Yes I'd love to acquire him but no way I give up #3 for him.

Personally I move Bridges up to the top tier ( younger, iron man, strong flashes with more opportunities, cheap contract)
I move Siakam down (injuries, less mobile on defense, huge contract extension coming)

 

[SharpesTriumph]

I think MM said it, but we really need a power forward. Our rebounding was HORRIBLE last year. Grant doesn't play like a power forward.

I wish Siakam wasn't making so much damn money.

How much cap space do we have? I'm wondering if we can absorb some salary in a lopsided trade.

$0; Even letting Grant walk the Blazers won't have cap space.

The Blazers haven't had cap space since 2016, surprised you even thought to ask this.

 

[illmatic99]

No way to get Siakam instead of OG?

Not if we want Bridges and Carter also. We dont have any other tradeable contracts. Maybe possible if we s&t grant.

Also, the luxury tax for with Siakam instead of OG would be ridiculously high. Like a 20 mil per yr difference between Pascal and OG.

 

[BigGameDamian]

I'm listening to some Hornets podcasts and they all love Scoot.

I don't think LaMelo makes it obvious that they won't take Scoot. The fact that Ball is 6'7 gives them the ability to start a 6'2 guard with him.

If we take Miller, I'm wondering if we could still swing Simons/Nas/some picks for Siakam.

Is we can get Siakam without giving up #3 then Joe should be the early front runner for GM of the year!

 

[SharpesTriumph]

Bridges does have a big hole in his game and that's rebounding. Dame had a higher rebounding rate this season and their career marks for rebounding rate are very similar. And, Bridges has a career assist rate 10.1%. It was a little higher this season, but it's still really low for a 2nd-3rd option

and so that dovetails into who would be best being paired with the weak-rebounding/poor-assisting Grant. That would be Siakam. He's the best rebounder of the group and at the same level as Ingram as a passer

I haven't thought about Ingram because I've read no rumors about the Pels tearing things down

I highly doubt Ingram is available. Pelicans already have a lot of picks too; they'd likely prefer vets in a trade, not picks/youth/rebuild.

Siakam makes sense if you just look at boxscore statistics. Yes hes the best rebounder. But the Blazers #1 problem was defense - A Siakam-Grant duo wouldn't be good defensively; especially containing mobile wing and guards which is their biggest shortcoming. Siakam is more similar to Roco with his help defense, as opposed to Jaylen Brown/Bridges locking someone up.

30 year old 200 million Siakam just sounds like a very Neil Olshey plan of mediocrity that has a low ceiling such as winning a playoff series.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

But we saw Bridges in Phoenix for years. He does a lot of intangibles and makes winning plays with low usage, but that only really matters when you have other definitive key cogs in the offense. We need a guy who can draw attention away from Dame and run offense through in the playoffs.

Not sure Bridges has that. He's the final piece to a championship puzzle. We need a guy who will first help us get to the playoffs and win a few rounds.

For that reason, I put Jaylen and Siakam ahead of him.

Disagree; with Dame, Grant, and Sharpe we don't need another CJ carrying a huge offensive load alongside Dame. We need balanced scoring with the starters and we need elite defense. Bridges provides both of those. It's a positive that he can both carry an offensive burden or fill a more efficient lower volume role when needed.

If Blazers are going to contend they need defense while having shooting. Bridges is great at both of those. Plus he is younger and cheaper than the others so he has more upside.