Who's your candidate for the "missing piece"?

[Rastapopoulos]

I admit I'm really excited by the Larry Nance acquisition. His strengths are all where our weaknesses were, so that he's the kind of addition that really helps a team click. But we're obviously not making the leap to true contender status with just him. So nominate one more player (ideally a role player on another team, because we KNOW Kawhi or LeBron or Durant would help) who you think would also shore up weaknesses and bring out strengths in the players we already have.

My nomination is Kyle Slo-Mo Anderson.

Why? Well, he's a surprisingly great defender despite appearing to be playing underwater, he's got size, he's versatile, and he's got point guard skills. He's a backup PG and a guy who can cover the 4 in a pinch in one. And his BBIQ is off the charts. Put him in the bench unit with Simons and Simons doesn't have to pretend to be a point, he can just play to his scoring strengths. A bench unit of Simons, Slo-Mo, Nance, Zeller and pick-your-wing would be better than most other benches, something that hasn't been true of Blazer benches in a LONG time. But without him, our bench has a glaring lack of somebody with the skills to run an offense.

Plus, while Memphis values him, they also have way more guaranteed contracts than they can keep right now.

(Sadly, of course, having just moved our one tradeable contract, we have no way of acquiring him.)

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I admit I'm really excited by the Larry Nance acquisition. His strengths are all where our weaknesses were, so that he's the kind of addition that really helps a team click. But we're obviously not making the leap to true contender status with just him. So nominate one more player (ideally a role player on another team, because we KNOW Kawhi or LeBron or Durant would help) who you think would also shore up weaknesses and bring out strengths in the players we already have.

My nomination is Kyle Slo-Mo Anderson.

Why? Well, he's a surprisingly great defender despite appearing to be playing underwater, he's got size, he's versatile, and he's got point guard skills. He's a backup PG and a guy who can cover the 4 in a pinch in one. And his BBIQ is off the charts. Put him in the bench unit with Simons and Simons doesn't have to pretend to be a point, he can just play to his scoring strengths. A bench unit of Simons, Slo-Mo, Nance, Zeller and pick-your-wing would be better than most other benches, something that hasn't been true of Blazer benches in a LONG time. But without him, our bench has a glaring lack of somebody with the skills to run an offense.

Plus, while Memphis values him, they also have way more guaranteed contracts than they can keep right now.

(Sadly, of course, having just moved our one tradeable contract, we have no way of acquiring him.)

A CJ for Brooks/Anderson deal has been proposed by more than one entity. I think it would make a lot of sense.

 

[tykendo]

I admit I'm really excited by the Larry Nance acquisition. His strengths are all where our weaknesses were, so that he's the kind of addition that really helps a team click. But we're obviously not making the leap to true contender status with just him. So nominate one more player (ideally a role player on another team, because we KNOW Kawhi or LeBron or Durant would help) who you think would also shore up weaknesses and bring out strengths in the players we already have.

My nomination is Kyle Slo-Mo Anderson.

Why? Well, he's a surprisingly great defender despite appearing to be playing underwater, he's got size, he's versatile, and he's got point guard skills. He's a backup PG and a guy who can cover the 4 in a pinch in one. And his BBIQ is off the charts. Put him in the bench unit with Simons and Simons doesn't have to pretend to be a point, he can just play to his scoring strengths. A bench unit of Simons, Slo-Mo, Nance, Zeller and pick-your-wing would be better than most other benches, something that hasn't been true of Blazer benches in a LONG time. But without him, our bench has a glaring lack of somebody with the skills to run an offense.

Plus, while Memphis values him, they also have way more guaranteed contracts than they can keep right now.

(Sadly, of course, having just moved our one tradeable contract, we have no way of acquiring him.)

Not bad, but i think adding Kevin Love, after eventual buyout, to fill that Melo role is the move. Don't have to touch key assets by signing Love. Then if Ant & Nassir step their games up, Bingo! Sure everyone is googoo on the Lakers, but where is the team chemistry? And as much as we worry about our team health, the Lakers are in a precarious situation with theirs. LeBron is staring Father Time in the face, and Mr. Glass (AD) is well......

 

[Rastapopoulos]

A CJ for Brooks/Anderson deal has been proposed by more than one entity. I think it would make a lot of sense.

I dunno: I've thought about trading CJ to Memphis (they have a ton of players I like) but can you really see them going with a Ja/CJ backcourt? Plus CJ is a bit old for their core.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Not bad, but i think adding Kevin Love, after eventual buyout, to fill that Melo role is the move.

The Melo role is "old guy who sucks at D and drives us all nuts." I'm happy having that role left empty, thanks.

 

[Natebishop3]

If the goal is to elevate us to a contender, we need another all star caliber player. Whether that’s Simmons or Siakam or another player of that caliber.

 

[illmatic99]

Missing piece for what? I don't think there's any singular ancillary (non superstar) piece that qualifies as a "missing piece" to elevate us to title contention.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I admit I'm really excited by the Larry Nance acquisition. His strengths are all where our weaknesses were, so that he's the kind of addition that really helps a team click. But we're obviously not making the leap to true contender status with just him. So nominate one more player (ideally a role player on another team, because we KNOW Kawhi or LeBron or Durant would help) who you think would also shore up weaknesses and bring out strengths in the players we already have.

My nomination is Kyle Slo-Mo Anderson.

Why? Well, he's a surprisingly great defender despite appearing to be playing underwater, he's got size, he's versatile, and he's got point guard skills. He's a backup PG and a guy who can cover the 4 in a pinch in one. And his BBIQ is off the charts. Put him in the bench unit with Simons and Simons doesn't have to pretend to be a point, he can just play to his scoring strengths. A bench unit of Simons, Slo-Mo, Nance, Zeller and pick-your-wing would be better than most other benches, something that hasn't been true of Blazer benches in a LONG time. But without him, our bench has a glaring lack of somebody with the skills to run an offense.

Plus, while Memphis values him, they also have way more guaranteed contracts than they can keep right now.

(Sadly, of course, having just moved our one tradeable contract, we have no way of acquiring him.)

Both Kyle and Larry were at the top of my list. Kyle for the reasons you listed. It will be interesting to see if he gets moved. I think Memphis would be foolish to do so, especially to someone they could face in the playoffs. If their goal is to dump a contract then I am guessing they don't really want players in return.

 

[tykendo]

The Melo role is "old guy who sucks at D and drives us all nuts." I'm happy having that role left empty, thanks.

Love can play defense in key situations. He did vs. the Warriors when they won the title. But he still can shoot, and that would be nice in that improved second unit. Zeller,Nance, Ant, Nassir, & Love is pretty spiffy.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

 

[Natebishop3]

Love can play defense in key situations. He did vs. the Warriors when they won the title. But he still can shoot, and that would be nice in that improved second unit. Zeller,Nance, Ant, Nassir, & Love is pretty spiffy.

He’s not the same player. That was years ago before he was injured over and over. Did you watch him on the Olympic team?

 

[tykendo]

I still think CJ in the "John Havlicek" role makes the most sense. CJ would be amazing in that role.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I dunno: I've thought about trading CJ to Memphis (they have a ton of players I like) but can you really see them going with a Ja/CJ backcourt? Plus CJ is a bit old for their core.

Dunno--but if they were interested in him, CJ for Brooks/Slo-Mo/Juancho (after 10/16) works perfectly for us.

 

[illmatic99]

Love can play defense in key situations. He did vs. the Warriors when they won the title. But he still can shoot, and that would be nice in that improved second unit. Zeller,Nance, Ant, Nassir, & Love is pretty spiffy.

Love is cooked. I don't want to waste minutes on him.

 

[tykendo]

View attachment 40448

Now this is pretty spiffy too.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Both Kyle and Larry were at the top of my list. Kyle for the reasons you listed. It will be interesting to see if he gets moved. I think Memphis would be foolish to do so, especially to someone they could face in the playoffs. If their goal is to dump a contract then I am guessing they don't really want players in return.

Yeah. Maybe could dump players on someone like OKC in a three team trade, but they would demand YET MORE first round picks, and I would like a draft pick SOME time in the next ten years.
Maybe they like Little enough to go for this?


But then we'd have to give at least one pick to the Grizz...

 

[blazerkor]

View attachment 40448

So, fanspo isn't really caring about matching salaries. We're over the cap and that brings back over 400% of Nas' salary so it won't work.

 

[tykendo]

Love is cooked. I don't want to waste minutes on him.

And so is half the Lakers roster, but nobody seems to notice that.

 

[tykendo]

Yeah. Maybe could dump players on someone like OKC in a three team trade, but they would demand YET MORE first round picks, and I would like a draft pick SOME time in the next ten years.
Maybe they like Little enough to go for this?
View attachment 40449

But then we'd have to give at least one pick to the Grizz...

You can't trade the new guys till Dec.

 

[riverman]

we have two end of the bench roster spots and very little money...I don't think anyone we sign at this point is a "missing piece" but I'd sign Ed Davis and feel better about foul trouble or injury in our frontcourt...leave one spot open for the mid season trade deadline

 

[illmatic99]

And so is half the Lakers roster, but nobody seems to notice that.

Apples to oranges. Every single on of their old dudes still played last year. Love didn't...cuz he can't.

What does it tell you that he got kicked off Team USA for being out of shape, or that CLE brought in his replacement for a large $ amount and is contemplating buying him out (as in give him ~60 mil to go home)?

You don't even need to read the tea leaves on this one. It's cut and dry. Unless he comes here for a purely mentorship role (which I question given his history of being a prima donna), I want nothing to do with him. Maybe 3 yrs ago, but certainly not now.

 

[tykendo]

Apples to oranges. Every single on of their old dudes still played last year. Love didn't...cuz he can't.

What does it tell you that he got kicked off Team USA for being out of shape, or that CLE brought in his replacement for a large $ amount and is contemplating buying him out (as in give him ~60 mil to go home)?

You don't even need to read the tea leaves on this one. It's cut and dry. Unless he comes here for a purely mentorship role (which I question given his history of being a prima donna), I want nothing to do with him. Maybe 3 yrs ago, but certainly not now.

Maybe he's looking for redemption too. Melo was thought to be toast, got in the best shape of his life, and was a pleasant surprise. You can't teach clutch shooting.

 

[Pinwheel1]

View attachment 40448

No, No, and fucking NO! I like Anderson, but Little has way too much potential. I want to see another year of him first. I admit he could still be a bust, but I love his size and athletic ability as a SF. He showed enough glimpses on offense that I would be very wary of giving him away. Hops with a 7'2" wing to go along with a strong build (at still only 21) is a good base to start with.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

I would also accept D'Anthony Melton, and I suspect the Grizz would give him up for a second rounder, because they may have to waive him otherwise (in which case we'd never get him - he'd go to Brooklyn or something), especially with Desmond Bane looking so awesome.

Downside: he's only 6'2", but he's Norm-esque in that he plays bigger. He's also not a true PG, so Slo-Mo would certainly be preferable. But he actually has better on-court/off-court numbers.

 

[blazerkor]

If there is a way to turn CJ and Nurk into Ben Simmons then that would be our missing piece. A starting lineup of Dame, Norm, RoCo, Nance and Simmons would crush other teams. A rotation of Dame, Norm, RoCo, Nance, Simmons, Ant, Nas, Zeller and Snell would not be bad at all. We might be the best defense in the league. We might also still have one of the best offenses in the league.

Obviously Nurk would have to go to a third team bringing back an additional piece or pieces that make the deal work for Morey but I think that could happen. The other way is to trade CJ and RoCo for Simmons, which would hurt our shooting but we'd be even better on D and have a pretty powerful offense.

Simmons is the missing piece.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

No, No, and fucking NO! I like Anderson, but Little has way too much potential. I want to see another year of him first. I admit he could still be a bust, but I love his size and athletic ability as a SF. He showed enough glimpses on offense that I would be very wary of giving him away. Hops with a 7'2" wing to go along with a strong build (at still only 21) is a good base to start with.

Ah, the old Thomas Robinson Syndrome.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Ah, the old Thomas Robinson Syndrome.

or the Jermaine O'Neal syndrome

 

[illmatic99]

Maybe he's looking for redemption too. Melo was thought to be toast, got in the best shape of his life, and was a pleasant surprise. You can't teach clutch shooting.

And Melo was nothing more than a warm body who didn't contribute one bit in the playoffs. And we then deviated from our crucial development minutes for Nas to play his broke ass so he could climb up the scoring list. "Guardians of his legacy..." What nonsense-- since when did we become the franchise for reclamation projects? Let some other team deal with Love.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Maybe he's looking for redemption too. Melo was thought to be toast, got in the best shape of his life, and was a pleasant surprise. You can't teach clutch shooting.

I didn't find this very pleasant:

 

[tykendo]

No, No, and fucking NO! I like Anderson, but Little has way too much potential. I want to see another year of him first. I admit he could still be a bust, but I love his size and athletic ability as a SF. He showed enough glimpses on offense that I would be very wary of giving him away. Hops with a 7'2" wing to go along with a strong build (at still only 21) is a good base to start with.

If there is a way to turn CJ and Nurk into Ben Simmons then that would be our missing piece. A starting lineup of Dame, Norm, RoCo, Nance and Simmons would crush other teams. A rotation of Dame, Norm, RoCo, Nance, Simmons, Ant, Nas, Zeller and Snell would not be bad at all. We might be the best defense in the league. We might also still have one of the best offenses in the league.

Obviously Nurk would have to go to a third team with an additional piece or pieces that make the deal work for Morey but I think that could happen. The other way is to trade CJ and RoCo for Simmons, which would hurt our shooting but we'd be even better on D and have a pretty powerful offense.

Simmons is the missing piece.

Fuck That! Nurk is vital to this team achieving the goal. I'm not trading Nurk & CJ for a malcontent.