Which draft/trade outcomes are acceptable?

[PtldPlatypus]

Throughout the various draft/trade threads, there are several proposals/possibilities being bandied about. So which of these various possibilities are acceptable to you (not just considering draft night, but also possible deals that could occur after 7/1)?

• Draft a player at 7
• Trade 7 for two lower picks (9/30, 13/15)
• Trade 7 for a forward (Collins, OG)
• Trade 7 for a forward and a lower pick (Randle/11, Collins/16, Wood/17)
• Trade 7 and other picks for two forwards
• Trade 7 and other asset to trade up into top 5

If there's another potentially controversial/divisive permutation in here that deserves mention, let me know and I'll add it to the poll.

 

[Natebishop3]

Conveniently left Grant off the list eh?

 

[Natebishop3]

I wouldn't be opposed to moving up, depending on the cost.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

Draft at 7 or trade up are the only two good choices.

All other options will decrease the chance of getting a star in Portland, even if it would lead to more immediate wins next season.

Adding a star is the only way to possibly contend one day. None of those trades for veterans will push the Blazers towards contention.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Conveniently left Grant off the list eh?

Not conveniently--intentionally. We've already had a basically unanimous poll about that option.

 

[Idog1976]

Draft at 7 or trade up are the only two good choices.

All other options will decrease the chance of getting a star in Portland, even if it would lead to more immediate wins next season.

Adding a star is the only way to possibly contend one day. None of those trades for veterans will push the Blazers towards contention.

I think an argument can be made that in this specific draft which is top-heavy with a large drop-off and then deep and broad, having picks 13 and 15 and using both gives us a better shot at getting an all-star than just drafting at 7. If we can get a shot at Jabari Smither or Banchero somehow then yes I agree that would be better. I really don't see a lot of sure things below Banchero/Smith, shot's at an all-star will exist at 7 and even much lower. Since we failed to get a shot at the top two big dogs, I think trading down is probably the smartest move and then using one of those picks to get Grant and praying we can get a steal like Duren at 13.

 

[Idog1976]

Not conveniently--intentionally. We've already had a basically unanimous poll about that option.

Yet Mediocore and other's with insider access seem to think Portland is going to do exactly that. I think that the average person on a sports forum would royally screw up GMing decisions. I also think that the "wisdom of the crowd" has far, FAR more often been right than Olshey for example.

 

[Hoopguru]

Trade 7 for OG or Collins.

 

[BIG Q]

I went with draft someone at 7. I think that there will still be a very good player at 7, as well as 8, 9, and 10. No, there is not a Lebron, DWade, Carmello or Bosh in this draft, but there are some very intriguing players. Yes, we need a 4, but we can upgrade at the 3 and the 5 easily in this draft. I think Duren will be great in a couple years. I'm not high on Sochan as I feel offense will always be a problem for him. Nobody knows anything about Sharpe except true insiders. If he's all that he will be gone before 7 so nothing missed. But now that Daniels measurements are out and he can swing between the 2/3 and possibly grow into a stretch 4, probably my favorite. Throw in the great workout he reportedly had one can hope he is still at 7. If he's not, maybe Murray gets to 7. Problem solved at the 4. But in no world do I trade 7 to Detroit to get Grant, especially if he is a free agent next season. Just sign him then if he and Dame are buds. Don't give up a prime asset just to appease Dame when your best shot at getting an all star is via the draft. Portland is not contending in the next two seasons unless a couple GM's go crazy and make ridiculous trades in our favor, which is not happening. Just do your damn job and find the player like you did with Dame!

My 2 pennies.

 

[Mediocre Man]

I voted all, but hate myself that I did

 

[illmatic99]

None of these options are truly unacceptable

 

[HoopsFanAZ]

Trading up would be a fun time during the draft. I doubt that includes the top 2 ... projected by "lots of people" as Smith and Holmgren. Is Banchero worth it? Good player who checks plenty of boxes. Is Sharpe worth it? Maybe.
At this moment for me, Murray is a hope he falls to 7. A modest cost to move up to 5? ... okay.

As to getting two < 30 year old veteran forwards -- It's not just filling chairs with bodies this time around. It's about a unique set of circumstances with OG and Grant (maybe Collins instead of Grant). I hope Cronin is good, opportunistic, and willing to risk.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

I think an argument can be made that in this specific draft which is top-heavy with a large drop-off and then deep and broad, having picks 13 and 15 and using both gives us a better shot at getting an all-star than just drafting at 7. If we can get a shot at Jabari Smither or Banchero somehow then yes I agree that would be better. I really don't see a lot of sure things below Banchero/Smith, shot's at an all-star will exist at 7 and even much lower. Since we failed to get a shot at the top two big dogs, I think trading down is probably the smartest move and then using one of those picks to get Grant and praying we can get a steal like Duren at 13.

Good point. If trading 7 for two lower picks gave the Blazers two better assets yes that could make sense.

Problem I have is little faith in Cronin to both get equal pick value in a trade, and I have no reason to believe he is good at drafting. Normally a higher pick is much better.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

One other option that could make sense is trading the #7 for future picks.

Supposedly the Blazers want to make moves to contend now. There are only so many veterans available in trade at the draft in the weeks ahead. The needed trade may not be available. But if the Blazers make a pick at #7 it will then have less value in a future trade. Normally teams want to control the pick of their own selection at the draft, not a player another team wanted.

Also the Blazers don't know if they are resigning Simons, resigning Nurk, using the TPE, signing a free agent with the MLE. Or if all else fails even exploring Dame trades.

So having future picks instead of #7 let's the Blazers keep open the door of trading those picks for a win now veteran to contend with Dame if that ultimately looks like a plausible scenario in the months ahead.

But it also allows the team to leave the option of trading Dame available this year, and still pivot to keep those picks long term and rebuild.

The main problem I see again, is can Cronin get equal value back in a trade of the #7 pick for future picks?

 

[blazerkor]

One other option that could make sense is trading the #7 for future picks.

Supposedly the Blazers want to make moves to contend now. There are only so many veterans available in trade at the draft in the weeks ahead. The needed trade may not be available. But if the Blazers make a pick at #7 it will then have less value in a future trade. Normally teams want to control the pick of their own selection at the draft, not a player another team wanted.

Also the Blazers don't know if they are resigning Simons, resigning Nurk, using the TPE, signing a free agent with the MLE. Or if all else fails even exploring Dame trades.

So having future picks let's the Blazers keep open the door of trading those picks for a win now veteran to contend with Dame if that ultimately looks like a plausible scenario in the months ahead.

But it also allows the team to leave the option of trading Dame available this year, and still pivot to keep those picks long term and rebuild.

The main problem I see again, is can Cronin get equal value back in a trade of the #7 pick for future picks?

It's posts like these that make me want a down vote option

 

[Predator]

One other option that could make sense is trading the #7 for future picks.

Supposedly the Blazers want to make moves to contend now. There are only so many veterans available in trade at the draft in the weeks ahead. The needed trade may not be available. But if the Blazers make a pick at #7 it will then have less value in a future trade. Normally teams want to control the pick of their own selection at the draft, not a player another team wanted.

Also the Blazers don't know if they are resigning Simons, resigning Nurk, using the TPE, signing a free agent with the MLE. Or if all else fails even exploring Dame trades.

So having future picks instead of #7 let's the Blazers keep open the door of trading those picks for a win now veteran to contend with Dame if that ultimately looks like a plausible scenario in the months ahead.

But it also allows the team to leave the option of trading Dame available this year, and still pivot to keep those picks long term and rebuild.

The main problem I see again, is can Cronin get equal value back in a trade of the #7 pick for future picks?

What the French toast
This would be the DUMBEST idea possible
And that includes trading for Jerami Grant!

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

Trade 7 for OG or Collins.

I picked that also as my preferred option, but since it might not be possible, I picked a few others also. We should have a really fancy poll, where we can rank our choices!

 

[SharpesTriumph]

It's posts like these that make me want a down vote option

What the French toast
This would be the DUMBEST idea possible
And that includes trading for Jerami Grant!

Why would trading the #7 for future picks of EQUAL VALUE be bad?

Those picks could be flipped for a player to win now if the team makes the other necessary moves; or kept if the team rebuilds.

Seems to me to be a much better option than trading the picks for a veteran now and hoping the team makes the other necessary moves to contend.

 

[Phatguysrule]

One other option that could make sense is trading the #7 for future picks.

Supposedly the Blazers want to make moves to contend now. There are only so many veterans available in trade at the draft in the weeks ahead. The needed trade may not be available. But if the Blazers make a pick at #7 it will then have less value in a future trade. Normally teams want to control the pick of their own selection at the draft, not a player another team wanted.

Also the Blazers don't know if they are resigning Simons, resigning Nurk, using the TPE, signing a free agent with the MLE. Or if all else fails even exploring Dame trades.

So having future picks instead of #7 let's the Blazers keep open the door of trading those picks for a win now veteran to contend with Dame if that ultimately looks like a plausible scenario in the months ahead.

But it also allows the team to leave the option of trading Dame available this year, and still pivot to keep those picks long term and rebuild.

The main problem I see again, is can Cronin get equal value back in a trade of the #7 pick for future picks?

Not a fan. At all.

 

[Phatguysrule]

Why would trading the #7 for future picks of EQUAL VALUE be bad?

Those picks could be flipped for a player to win now if the team makes the other necessary moves; or kept if the team rebuilds.

Seems to me to be a much better option than trading the picks for a veteran now and hoping the team makes the other necessary moves to contend.

We don't have other assets to make the other necessary moves. We need more talent. The pick is the best way to add talent, either by drafting a player or trading it for players/picks.

 

[Predator]

Why would trading the #7 for future picks of EQUAL VALUE be bad?

Those picks could be flipped for a player to win now if the team makes the other necessary moves; or kept if the team rebuilds.

Seems to me to be a much better option than trading the picks for a veteran now and hoping the team makes the other necessary moves to contend.

How are you going to make sure they’re of “equal” value?

“Hey we just traded the 7th pick for the Spurs 2023 and 2025 pick, we have no clue where they’ll land in the lottery or if they’ll be good, but woohoo!”

Which means both those picks have less value than the current #7 pick … that’s why we would be able to get 2 picks for it.

And if you’re rebuilding you need talent now, not 2-3 years from now.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

We don't have other assets to make the other necessary moves. We need more talent. The pick is the best way to add talent, either by drafting a player or trading it for players/picks.

Your first sentence is the reason I don't want to trade the pick for a veteran. The Blazers still wont be a contender. That would be an even worse version of the Roco/Nance trades.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

How are you going to make sure they’re of “equal” value?

“Hey we just traded the 7th pick for the Spurs 2023 and 2025 pick, we have no clue where they’ll land in the lottery or if they’ll be good, but woohoo!”

Which means both those picks have less value than the current #7 pick … that’s why we would be able to get 2 picks for it.

And if you’re rebuilding you need talent now, not 2-3 years from now.

Yes a Spurs pick in a few years could be worth less than the #7 now, but it could also be worth much more, possibly even the #1 pick if there were no protections.

To get equal value for the #7 you'd need a skilled GM both in evaluating the value of future picks and negotiating a trade.

I have concerns if Cronin could do either of those well. But in theory if he could, trading for future picks could be a strategy that allows the Blazers to resolve the other questions of their future direction first. Are the Blazers rebuilding or winning now around Dame? That has not been clearly answered.

Delaying the picks could first allow the Blazers to try and build a winner now that is a question mark for many if it can be done, resolve the question if eventually the team will trade Dame and rebuild..... but do all of that without sacrificing draft equity of the #7 pick for win now veterans that become another mismanaged sunk cost in a few months if the team fails to win.

 

[e_blazer]

This is an interesting exercise I guess, but it’s not the way I would approach this off-season. To me, the essential thing that needs to happen in order to contend in Dame’s window is finding the right Robin to his Batman. Do whatever is necessary to make that move using whatever assets the Blazers have available to them and then fill in with other pieces. I don’t see anyone available in the draft who is going to be good enough quick enough, so trading the pick if needed to acquire that second banana is fine. Using the pick to acquire a third banana would be dumb. Using it to acquire a future stud is okay only if there are other means to get a Robin.

 

[BIG Q]

This is an interesting exercise I guess, but it’s not the way I would approach this off-season. To me, the essential thing that needs to happen in order to contend in Dame’s window is finding the right Robin to his Batman. Do whatever is necessary to make that move using whatever assets the Blazers have available to them and then fill in with other pieces. I don’t see anyone available in the draft who is going to be good enough quick enough, so trading the pick if needed to acquire that second banana is fine. Using the pick to acquire a third banana would be dumb. Using it to acquire a future stud is okay only if there are other means to get a Robin.

But if the Robin can't be acquired via trade this season, but a possible Robin is in the draft needing a couple of seasons to put it together, do you do that? Portland is not contending next season in my opinion. Draft Robin.

 

[e_blazer]

But if the Robin can't be acquired via trade this season, but a possible Robin is in the draft needing a couple of seasons to put it together, do you do that? Portland is not contending next season in my opinion. Draft Robin.

And trade Dame.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

This is an interesting exercise I guess, but it’s not the way I would approach this off-season. To me, the essential thing that needs to happen in order to contend in Dame’s window is finding the right Robin to his Batman. Do whatever is necessary to make that move using whatever assets the Blazers have available to them and then fill in with other pieces. I don’t see anyone available in the draft who is going to be good enough quick enough, so trading the pick if needed to acquire that second banana is fine. Using the pick to acquire a third banana would be dumb. Using it to acquire a future stud is okay only if there are other means to get a Robin.

Yeah I agree with this. Some years there might be a Jimmy Butler, or Kawhi, or heck even Ben Simmons available via the trade market for a #7 and other assets. It doesn't look like any of those star level players are available this time.

So what do the Blazers do?

Just drafting the BPA at #7 and hoping for the rare chance they are a Robin would be better. But Dame and Cronin rhetoric unfortunately lead me to suspect they will reach for the best player they can get in trade; and try to cram that third/fourth banana into the Robin role.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

This is an interesting exercise I guess, but it’s not the way I would approach this off-season. To me, the essential thing that needs to happen in order to contend in Dame’s window is finding the right Robin to his Batman. Do whatever is necessary to make that move using whatever assets the Blazers have available to them and then fill in with other pieces. I don’t see anyone available in the draft who is going to be good enough quick enough, so trading the pick if needed to acquire that second banana is fine. Using the pick to acquire a third banana would be dumb. Using it to acquire a future stud is okay only if there are other means to get a Robin.

So we're operating under the assumption that Simons is not that Robin?

 

[SharpeScooterShooter]

So we're operating under the assumption that Simons is not that Robin?

I would venture to say no. Both Dame and Ant are duplications when on the court together. If you mean a one two punch from starting and the bench, sure, but I picture Robin being a starter in another position. Dame and PG or Dame and AD type of batman and robin.

I see Simons as another CJ, if put in the starting lineup with Dame.

 

[HoopsFanAZ]

Simons may be a Robin, but his D will have to improve AND the forward spots have to be fixed with Nurkic as a #3.
Dame, Simons, OG, Grant, Nurkic with Hart, Ingles, Winslow, Watford + … I’m happy, but using the 7 could get a star. It is possible. On one end of the court, Sochan may be that guy. Our Draymond. Sharpe. Mathurin.

I’m actually hopeful.