We got the #3 pick. Discuss the possibilities. (2 Viewers)

[Natebishop3]

I wouldn't say it was nothing. We gave him the full MLE and handcuffed our books last yr preventing us from going after anyone else of significance because we were hard capped. That opportunity cost was real.

Just because we got out of a mistake shouldn't excuse the fact that it was made in the first place.

Even more alarming about what you say is that our FO not only didn't do its due diligence on the injury front, but also in his character/committment to the team.

This doesn't really inspire confidence in the team's ability to make smart moves this summer.

I miss the old days when PA would sit down to dinner with potential free agents. I remember reading that they were extremely impressed with Andre Miller. I don't think GP2weeks would have made it past PA.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I think a Trae Young for Brown deal makes sense for both teams. And Brown is from the ATL area.

It does make some sense, but I am not a huge Trae fan. I would rather have #3, Simons's 24 million, and Little's 6 million than Trae and his 40 million next year.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Doomed by terrible defense, the owners looks to OLD solutions to their problems. Recognizing that the JailBlazers were much more successful, they complete the following team makeover:

Blazers trade Damian Lillard for Ja Morant.
They also obtain Miles Bridges, and draft Brandon Miller.
Of course, the extend Chauncey Billups, and re-sign Meyers Leonard.

Presto, talent galore!!!

 

[Ed O]

I wouldn't say it was nothing. We gave him the full MLE and handcuffed our books last yr preventing us from going after anyone else of significance because we were hard capped. That opportunity cost was real.

Just because we got out of a mistake shouldn't excuse the fact that it was made in the first place.

Even more alarming about what you say is that our FO not only didn't do its due diligence on the injury front, but also in his character/committment to the team.

This doesn't really inspire confidence in the team's ability to make smart moves this summer.

I still don't understand the logic for signing him in the first place, or at least I don't agree with it (and, as some may recall, I HATED the signing at the time).

The team ignored our lack of size, ignored Payton's career as a whole (rather than a good couple of dozen games he had at age 30 or so), and overestimated how close the team was to being good.

I worry that much of the same logic will come into play this summer. The reality is that we're a small, aging team that needs to have everything go right to challenge for HCA. If the team gives up assets to get a guy or two using thinking as flawed as they used with Payton, it's going to hurt this franchise so much in the intermediate-to-long run...

 

[HansenYang]

I miss the old days when PA would sit down to dinner with potential free agents. I remember reading that they were extremely impressed with Andre Miller. I don't think GP2weeks would have made it past PA.

There isn't time anymore.

90% of the deals are done before NBA teams are 'officially' able to talk to FAs

 

[blazerkor]

I still don't understand the logic for signing him in the first place, or at least I don't agree with it (and, as some may recall, I HATED the signing at the time).

The team ignored our lack of size, ignored Payton's career as a whole (rather than a good couple of dozen games he had at age 30 or so), and overestimated how close the team was to being good.

I worry that much of the same logic will come into play this summer. The reality is that we're a small, aging team that needs to have everything go right to challenge for HCA. If the team gives up assets to get a guy or two using thinking as flawed as they used with Payton, it's going to hurt this franchise so much in the intermediate-to-long run...

Yeah, it is worrisome that we went Full MLE for a small guy when we were stacked on the perimeter and had absolutely no depth in the post. I do hope roster construction and putting pieces together who make sense addressing all of the needs of an NBA roster is what we see this off season.

 

[Ed O]

Yeah, it is worrisome that we went Full MLE for a small guy when we were stacked on the perimeter and had absolutely no depth in the post. I do hope roster construction and putting pieces together who make sense addressing all of the needs of an NBA roster is what we see this off season.

I hope we get the best players, personally, but size and position is definitely a part of it. Payton wasn't/isn't a very good player, he was older, and he didn't fit a hole in our roster. It was like three strikes. Or four, given his injuries. Or five, with his contract hard capping us. Or six, if he didn't want to be in Portland.

Of those strikes, getting the best player is most important to me. Age (younger) is second-most.

I know my opinions and priorities don't align with Portland's stated goals, though, so it's probably going to be a summer of frustration (and perhaps a decade+ of it, watching Scoot play elsewhere).

 

[illmatic99]

It does make some sense, but I am not a huge Trae fan. I would rather have #3, Simons's 24 million, and Little's 6 million than Trae and his 40 million next year.

As would I. Wonder what Boston thinks.

 

[HoopsFanAZ]

With Hart, the Blazers had a SG/SF who played hard, rebounded and returned the #23.
With GP2, or the idea of GP2, they had a position-less defender who would hit corner 3’s and back-cut when ignored. They bought a full MLE sized contract for the price of being hard-capped. They obviously didn’t get other targets, but they turned nothing into multiple 2nd rounders and a TPE of $8 + million AND they picked up Matisse through playing small ball trades.

In other words, for a player who totally didn’t work out and is now persona non grata in the Moda, the Blazers turned a significant profit. Getting Grant for so little was about paying on the back end for a real forward.

With the recent moves, consistent and transparent statements, and a bit of lottery luck, the chances of building a competitive team with Dame is looking a lot better since Cronin took over.

 

[Phatguysrule]

Your original post said there are players taken after 10 every year that contribute right away. I responded to that, he then brought up only lottery picks, which had nothing to do with your or mine original post. I was saying with those later picks the blazers go for players who have a higher ceiling but are not ready to contribute right away. The original posts had nothing to do with lottery picks, but now that is all people want to talk about, instead of going back and reading your post I responded to.

Yes, that has been the case with Olshey and Paul Allen. Paul Allen LOVED to take young guys with tons of potential. That part of the draft was what he lived for.

I think our current staff has been re-tooled to maximize the chances of getting impact players in the draft.

 

[STOMP]

The perfect, never injured, young, All-NBA player will not be available for #3 and Ant. There is going to be some sacrifice and risk involved if a move is made. Unless we want to kick the can down other five years and continue to draft/develop internally and sign role players.

No one is seeking perfection in a trade, but I definitely don't want to sell the farm and mortgage the future for someone with a known chronic health issue especially knees, feet and back injuries. Is that really an unreasonable ask?

I do think if the staff were to nail a 2nd lotto pick that the future would be pretty darned exciting... maybe even moreso then a game of kick the can. I actually enjoy watching talented young guys develop, hell Shaedon last year was a complete thrill even if they didn't win. Do you think the Bulls fans were bored out of their minds watching MJ's first 6 seasons as they matured and put things together?

STOMP

 

[Driew]

Not sure if this has been posted but this scenario would be pretty interesting.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles...k-draft-3-trade-ideas-to-shake-up-the-lottery

1. 
   Orlando Magic receive: Anfernee Simons and No. 3 pick
   
   Portland Trail Blazers receive: Wendell Carter Jr., Gary Harris, No. 6 pick and No. 11 pick

1. 
   San Antonio Spurs receive: Jusuf Nurkić, Keon Johnson and No. 6 pick
   
   Portland Trail Blazers receive: Keldon Johnson
   
   Then at pick 11 Portland Trail Blazers (via Magic): Jordan Hawkins, SG, UConn

 

[JDC]

Not sure if this has been posted but this scenario would be pretty interesting.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles...k-draft-3-trade-ideas-to-shake-up-the-lottery

1. 
   Orlando Magic receive: Anfernee Simons and No. 3 pick
   
   Portland Trail Blazers receive: Wendell Carter Jr., Gary Harris, No. 6 pick and No. 11 pick

1. 
   San Antonio Spurs receive: Jusuf Nurkić, Keon Johnson and No. 6 pick
   
   Portland Trail Blazers receive: Keldon Johnson
   
   Then at pick 11 Portland Trail Blazers (via Magic): Jordan Hawkins, SG, UConn

Yuck

 

[Tince]

No one is seeking perfection in a trade, but I definitely don't want to sell the farm and mortgage the future for someone with a known chronic health issue especially knees, feet and back injuries. Is that really an unreasonable ask?

I do think if the staff were to nail a 2nd lotto pick that the future would be pretty darned exciting... maybe even moreso then a game of kick the can. I actually enjoy watching talented young guys develop, hell Shaedon last year was a complete thrill even if they didn't win. Do you think the Bulls fans were bored out of their minds watching MJ's first 6 seasons as they matured and put things together?

STOMP

Does Brown have known chronic health issues? I know he's been injured, but I didn't know he was like Zion.

For every MJ example (which was 40 years ago), there are plenty other examples of watching young teams never develop and sucking forever. If you think Sharpe is going to go down as a top 3 player of all-time like MJ, then the path should be to build around him. Also should be noted that Jordan was rookie of the year, over Hakeem his rookie season. Sharpe did not make the all rookie 2nd team behind the likes of Tari Eason. So I'm not sure comparing the two makes a lot of sense.

 

[HansenYang]

Not sure if this has been posted but this scenario would be pretty interesting.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles...k-draft-3-trade-ideas-to-shake-up-the-lottery

1. 
   Orlando Magic receive: Anfernee Simons and No. 3 pick
   
   Portland Trail Blazers receive: Wendell Carter Jr., Gary Harris, No. 6 pick and No. 11 pick

1. 
   San Antonio Spurs receive: Jusuf Nurkić, Keon Johnson and No. 6 pick
   
   Portland Trail Blazers receive: Keldon Johnson
   
   Then at pick 11 Portland Trail Blazers (via Magic): Jordan Hawkins, SG, UConn

I don't like any aspect of this.

There has been a lot of fan discussion of Simons <=> #11 + Harris (as salary filler)
That means we are valuing #3 <=> #6 + WCJ.
Carter is a nice player, but not worth the jump from 6 to 3 IMO.

Carter is about equal to Nurk as far as an impact player. Carter is a better shooter, but Nurk is bigger and a better 'banger'. I don't mind swapping the two players, but WCJ is not an upgrade.

I also don't see much in Keldon Johnson. He looks to have potential, but he's kind of loosing that ability to hope for the break out season. There is no way that I would include the #6 in a trade for Johnson.

Lastly - I REALLY wanted to like Hawkins as a draft pick. I was hoping he'd be a Reggie Miller type. The more I looked into him as a prospect, the less I thought his game will translate to the NBA.

 

[STOMP]

Does Brown have known chronic health issues? I know he's been injured, but I didn't know he was like Zion.

thats why I asked the question about his knees in the first post you responded to. I know he has said that it's been cleared up and he did play 67 games this year if my memory serves, but I never fully buy what any athlete says about their health. I know he has missed a ton of games due to knee issues over the years. If Portland were to commit much of their future to anyone, I'd expect they'd be pretty darned sure about their health.

For every MJ example (which was 40 years ago), there are plenty other examples of watching young teams never develop and sucking forever. If you think Sharpe is going to go down as a top 3 player of all-time like MJ, then the path should be to build around him. Also should be noted that Jordan was rookie of the year, over Hakeem his rookie season. Sharpe did not make the all rookie 2nd team behind the likes of Tari Eason. So I'm not sure comparing the two makes a lot of sense.

No Sharpe and MJ's career arcs are not mirror images of course. Hell for one SS entered the league 2 years younger then MJ. If you go back and reread my post, I didn't compare them. I took issue with your kick the can characterization of what it would be like watching a team of top young talent develop. I think it would be awesome and hope someday the Blazers don't try for the quick fix... which you might have noticed has never worked for them

STOMP

 

[blazerfan11]

Does Brown have known chronic health issues? I know he's been injured, but I didn't know he was like Zion.

For every MJ example (which was 40 years ago), there are plenty other examples of watching young teams never develop and sucking forever. If you think Sharpe is going to go down as a top 3 player of all-time like MJ, then the path should be to build around him. Also should be noted that Jordan was rookie of the year, over Hakeem his rookie season. Sharpe did not make the all rookie 2nd team behind the likes of Tari Eason. So I'm not sure comparing the two makes a lot of sense.

Jordan averaged 38 minutes per game his rookie season.
If Sharpe had started every game, averaged 38 minutes per game and taken 20 shots per game, he would have won rookie of the year.
The bad comparison is Jordan's situation as a rookie and Sharpe's.

 

[blazerfan11]

thats why I asked the question about his knees in the first post you responded to. I know he has said that it's been cleared up and he did play 67 games this year if my memory serves, but I never fully buy what any athlete says about their health. I know he has missed a ton of games due to knee issues over the years. If Portland were to commit much of their future to anyone, I'd expect they'd be pretty darned sure about their health.


No Sharpe and MJ's career arcs are not mirror images of course. Hell for one SS entered the league 2 years younger then MJ. If you go back and reread my post, I didn't compare them. I took issue with your kick the can characterization of what it would be like watching a team of top young talent develop. I think it would be awesome and hope someday the Blazers don't try for the quick fix... which you might have noticed has never worked for them

STOMP

The last great Blazer team was Drexler, Porter, Kersey, Duckworth and Buck. And Uncle Cliffy.
Duckworth played 51 games out of 65 games as a rookie for Portland, so I'll count him as a Blazer rookie.
Only Buck didn't start his career in Portland.
The Blazers got Buck Williams by trading Blazer draftee Sam Bowie and the #12 pick in the 1989 draft.
If the Blazers had had a crystal ball before that trade, they could have kept Bowie and drafted Shawn Kemp at #12, who was taken with the 17th pick. New Jersey chose Mookie Blaylock.
Tim Hardaway was also taken after the 12th pick , at 14.

 

[Driew]

I don't like any aspect of this.

There has been a lot of fan discussion of Simons <=> #11 + Harris (as salary filler)
That means we are valuing #3 <=> #6 + WCJ.
Carter is a nice player, but not worth the jump from 6 to 3 IMO.

Carter is about equal to Nurk as far as an impact player. Carter is a better shooter, but Nurk is bigger and a better 'banger'. I don't mind swapping the two players, but WCJ is not an upgrade.

I also don't see much in Keldon Johnson. He looks to have potential, but he's kind of loosing that ability to hope for the break out season. There is no way that I would include the #6 in a trade for Johnson.

Lastly - I REALLY wanted to like Hawkins as a draft pick. I was hoping he'd be a Reggie Miller type. The more I looked into him as a prospect, the less I thought his game will translate to the NBA.

Yeah those are good points. Wasn't really up to date on Hawkins. He'll probably be the Johnny Davis of the draft.

 

[KingSpeed]

So, you think we should trade Dame for Ja

I think he’s thinking Ant for Evan Mobley?

 

[KingSpeed]

Ha, no I was thinking more of Ant (and #3) for a 22-year-old long forward who can score and play D.

Who?

 

[KingSpeed]

Such a weird tweet. Who the fuck has ever worried about stopping PatBev from doing anything but getting away with constantly fouling without getting called for it? The dude is a journeyman who belongs on the bench of a team that doesn't mind his obnoxious behavior. As for the beard... he's a very talented dude but like Russ, I think his huge stats rarely equal big wins. Harden has had way better rosters than the one he (and I guess that scrub PatBev) would have in Houston and he didn't win a lot with those rosters.

He got the Rockets to 65-17, the best record since I don’t know when. His huge stats absolutely lead to wins. The problem is under pressure when he doesn’t put up the big stats and they lose.

 

[blazerfan11]

He got the Rockets to 65-17, the best record since I don’t know when. His huge stats absolutely lead to wins. The problem is under pressure when he doesn’t put up the big stats and they lose.

65 wins is the franchise record.
Next most is 58 wins in 93-94.

 

[1 Eye Jack]

I’ve flip flopped so many times on wanting to trade to wanting to keep the pick. So rare you get a chance to pick in top 3 with a very deep draft I’m leaning towards keeping the pick. If we are trading the pick it’s got to be for all star

 

[blazerfan11]

I wonder if Houston would trade the 4th pick for Simons. Or any of the teams in the top 10.
The Wizards, for example, with the 8th pick. The Blazers could get Taylor Hendricks.
The Blazers need to upgrade the PF position.
I guess that would make Dame mad though.

 

[PCmor7]

Not sure if this has been posted but this scenario would be pretty interesting.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles...k-draft-3-trade-ideas-to-shake-up-the-lottery

1. 
   Orlando Magic receive: Anfernee Simons and No. 3 pick
   
   Portland Trail Blazers receive: Wendell Carter Jr., Gary Harris, No. 6 pick and No. 11 pick

1. 
   San Antonio Spurs receive: Jusuf Nurkić, Keon Johnson and No. 6 pick
   
   Portland Trail Blazers receive: Keldon Johnson
   
   Then at pick 11 Portland Trail Blazers (via Magic): Jordan Hawkins, SG, UConn

Yeesh. No, thanks.

I don't know what that even does for the Blazers.

It seems like a directionless move, IMO.

 

[Natebishop3]

I wonder if Houston would trade the 4th pick for Simons. Or any of the teams in the top 10.
The Wizards, for example, with the 8th pick. The Blazers could get Taylor Hendricks.
The Blazers need to upgrade the PF position.
I guess that would make Dame mad though.

Houston doesn't need guards really. Especially if they're getting Harden.

 

[PCmor7]

I’ve flip flopped so many times on wanting to trade to wanting to keep the pick. So rare you get a chance to pick in top 3 with a very deep draft I’m leaning towards keeping the pick. If we are trading the pick it’s got to be for all star

You get it.

When you boil it down, that's really the only sane decision one can come to. This stuff Dame's said is static. White noise. You have to filter it out.

The ONLY way you trade this asset is if a deal is offered that blows the Blazers away. It won't be any kind of a trade down because there are three players in what I think is a very good draft that are far and away better than any others. It would have to be a trade that involves an all-star either beginning or in the heart of his prime coming to Portland and the only way the Blazers are giving away "sweeteners" to get that player is if it's an absolute elite-level talent.

If that offer doesn't come down the pipe, the Blazers pick whoever is left of Scoot and Miller and are happy and go to war with that player, who should be a contributor as a rookie. They aren't Nas. They aren't Shaedon. who sat out a year and still was a rotation player and by the end of the year was playing like one of the best rookies in the league. Whoever the Blazers pick is going to come in and play a lot and we should expect them to be on the first all-rookie team.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Who?

There were a few different posts that reminded me how beneficial it was when we got Rasheed. I was using it as an example of what to do.

 

[Tince]

thats why I asked the question about his knees in the first post you responded to. I know he has said that it's been cleared up and he did play 67 games this year if my memory serves, but I never fully buy what any athlete says about their health. I know he has missed a ton of games due to knee issues over the years. If Portland were to commit much of their future to anyone, I'd expect they'd be pretty darned sure about their health.


No Sharpe and MJ's career arcs are not mirror images of course. Hell for one SS entered the league 2 years younger then MJ. If you go back and reread my post, I didn't compare them. I took issue with your kick the can characterization of what it would be like watching a team of top young talent develop. I think it would be awesome and hope someday the Blazers don't try for the quick fix... which you might have noticed has never worked for them

STOMP

The complaint around here since 2015 is that the Blazers haven't mad any big moves. If the Blazers have been trying to do the "quick fix" for the last decade, they've done it in a super stealthy way that looked very much like kicking the can IMO.

If you, or anyone wants a full rebuild, that's fine. I'm not as interested.