Your 2019-20 Blazers

[tlongII]

Draymond and GS might disagree with you. I have to admit that having a forward who could push the ball, pass and play defense sounds very appealing after the last series. You have to look at similar players like Shawn Livingston, who had similar skills, but never really developed the long ball to see that Simmons might not develop a good shot. Even so, running Simmons as a Draymond-type aggressive point forward surrounded by shooters and Dame (Dame, Simons, Simmons, Collins, Nurk/Leonard/Skal) could make a very effective offense.

Yes, but you see Draymond can actually shoot a little bit. He's over 30% on threes for his career. Simmons has never made a 3-pointer in the NBA!

 

[Reep]

Yes, but you see Draymond can actually shoot a little bit. He's over 30% on threes for his career. Simmons has never made a 3-pointer in the NBA!

I think that is something you would have to be willing to live with. If there was a forward with close to his skill set (aggressive playmaker) who had an outside shot that would be great, but I don't know of any that would be realistic targets.

Things will be different when we have our passing/defending center back for sure, but the one thing the Blazers completely lack, is an aggressive playmaker who can push the ball up the court. Dame just doesn't do it very often. If we had one, then I think it would let Dame and CJ/Simons focus more on shooting. Just watching the W's play this series made me envious of an aggressive playmaker. I assume that is what ET was supposed to be, but just didn't work that way.

 

[blue9]

Yes, but you see Draymond can actually shoot a little bit. He's over 30% on threes for his career. Simmons has never made a 3-pointer in the NBA!

Okay, but he'd be taking Harkless' spot, so it's not like we'd be losing out on shooting from the SF position. We'd certainly have to make up for CJ's shooting (if he's traded), and that's easier said than done. But it sounds like Ant can really shoot, so that drop-off is potentially negligible.

 

[blue9]

Just watching the W's play this series made me envious of an aggressive playmaker. I assume that is what ET was supposed to be, but just didn't work that way.

Yeah, ET is definitely a problem no matter how you slice it. But the problem goes well beyond him - we simply do not have an aggressive offense. Nearly all of our passing occurs between players outside the 3-point arc. Can Terry figure out a way to use Simmons' as an attacking ball-handler? I have serious doubts.

 

[mook]

I heard the Bill Simmons podcast and I couldn't believe they were saying CJ was too valuable. That's insane. I think it's an absolute no-brainer to trade Simmons for CJ if we get the chance. Just imagine how many open looks that offense would create. Get a guy like Rodney Hood for SG and you've got a really good defensive team. Hopefully Zach Collins continues to develop his three point shot.

But suppose you don't get brilliant 3 and D guys to surround Nurk/Simmons/Zach/Dame. Settle for three point shooters with mediocre defense. The paint will be completely shut down anyway.

If Nurk never comes back and Zach never evolves, you are still trading a 27 year old star for a 22 year old star. You've got forever to figure out how to make it work.

 

[Reep]

Yeah, ET is definitely a problem no matter how you slice it. But the problem goes well beyond him - we simply do not have an aggressive offense. Nearly all of our passing occurs between players outside the 3-point arc. Can Terry figure out a way to use Simmons' as an attacking ball-handler? I have serious doubts.

Didn't you watch the last series? We passed it in the paint and into the paint to the Warriors very consistently.

I'm really hoping a lineup change next year (insert Collins), will cause them to get back to moving the ball through the post or high post more. Both Collins and Biebs are decent passers, while not as good as Nurk, but they could run the offense that way and then be set when Nurk returns.

 

[blue9]

Didn't you watch the last series? We passed it in the paint and into the paint to the Warriors very consistently.

I'm really hoping a lineup change next year (insert Collins), will cause them to get back to moving the ball through the post or high post more. Both Collins and Biebs are decent passers, while not as good as Nurk, but they could run the offense that way and then be set when Nurk returns.

If by "passed it in the paint" you meant "passed it to the Warriors in the paint", then yeah - we did a great job doing that!

 

[illmatic99]

Simmons a better player than Giannis??? I want some of what you're smoking!

eek. meant to say playmaker but had to run to a meeting.

 

[stampedehero]

TOOO SOOOON.....

C'MON SCALMA....

He probably started this to alleviate the pain of the GS series.

 

[illmatic99]

I heard the Bill Simmons podcast and I couldn't believe they were saying CJ was too valuable. That's insane. I think it's an absolute no-brainer to trade Simmons for CJ if we get the chance. Just imagine how many open looks that offense would create. Get a guy like Rodney Hood for SG and you've got a really good defensive team. Hopefully Zach Collins continues to develop his three point shot.

But suppose you don't get brilliant 3 and D guys to surround Nurk/Simmons/Zach/Dame. Settle for three point shooters with mediocre defense. The paint will be completely shut down anyway.

If Nurk never comes back and Zach never evolves, you are still trading a 27 year old star for a 22 year old star. You've got forever to figure out how to make it work.

Glad I'm not the only one who thinks this. Simmons is 22. People are saying his value is down, but he still put up a 20 PER and 17-9-8 without any semblance of a jumpshot

 

[Cugel]

aint no way Simmons is going anywhere. He's probably more valuable to the Sixers than can't-play-all-the-games-cuz-I'm-soft Embiid. Joel is a trainwreck IMHO. He is so close to a career ending injury in the off-season while on vacation it's not even funny, just because he's stupid when it comes to health. The guy will practice in Ugg slippers for fux sake.

 

[GDiama]

For that to happen you need some sign and trades from the Sixers and either Tobias or Jimmy to leave. And if one of them leaves i cannot see how it's likely they trade their other star for CJ. It's a no-brainer yes for us and a no-brainer no for them.

 

[illmatic99]

aint no way Simmons is going anywhere. He's probably more valuable to the Sixers than can't-play-all-the-games-cuz-I'm-soft Embiid. Joel is a trainwreck IMHO. He is so close to a career ending injury in the off-season while on vacation it's not even funny, just because he's stupid when it comes to health. The guy will practice in Ugg slippers for fux sake.

And yet look at what Brand has done since taking over. He is clearly building around Embiid and going for it because he sees their championship window as NOW. Embiid might be sidelined and out of the league in three years. Simmons isn't there yet, which is why a CJ for Simmons idea is even remotely feasible.

 

[Reep]

If by "passed it in the paint" you meant "passed it to the Warriors in the paint", then yeah - we did a great job doing that!

Exactly.

 

[Reep]

I want Simmons and Boban. After seeing John Wick 3, definitely wouldn't take on Simmons with Boban being included. ;-)

In reality, Simmons would probably be more obtainable if Sixers had a contract they wanted to dump. I don't see that they do, so it is possible, but highly unlikely unless they really wanted one of our rooks or some future picks.

 

[Scalma]

He probably started this to alleviate the pain of the GS series.

Pain? Lol, speaking for myself here, but anything after the OKC series was icing. As the Denver series went on I got more annoyed, but that was mainly because of their fanbase. Didn’t care too much about the Warriors series. I’m ok with losing to a superior team, especially when Portland’s X factor against them is injured.

 

[Scalma]

More I think about it the more I think Hood, Kanter, and Curry will all walk. I think Hood and Kanter priced themselves out of our budget. As for Curry, I don’t think we’re going to be desperate enough to bring him back. I also don’t believe he enjoyed his role enough to stay either.

The AD idea is interesting. With the Pelicans rebuilding, their owners reported disdain with the Lakers, and Olsheys relationship with Griffin, I can see a match between the two teams. Simons and Collins is a nice starting point. As mentioned before, Collins is a nice fit next to Zion, and Simons gives them a long term PG. Matching salaries with expirings should appeal to them as well. Throw in a first or two and I could see it happening. We’d of course be banking on AD staying, but the culture is there for a reason. Trust it.

 

[illmatic99]

The AD idea is interesting. With the Pelicans rebuilding, their owners reported disdain with the Lakers, and Olsheys relationship with Griffin, I can see a match between the two teams. Simons and Collins is a nice starting point. As mentioned before, Collins is a nice fit next to Zion, and Simons gives them a long term PG. Matching salaries with expirings should appeal to them as well. Throw in a first or two and I could see it happening. We’d of course be banking on AD staying, but the culture is there for a reason. Trust it.

Nice to think about, but Collins didn't improve his stock that much. Simons and Collins isn't going to beat Boston's offer.

CJ + Simons + Collins + picks and taking on extra salary might keep them on the phone. But they have no use for CJ so they'd have to find a third team.

 

[Scalma]

Nice to think about, but Collins didn't improve his stock that much. Simons and Collins isn't going to beat Boston's offer.

CJ + Simons + Collins + picks and taking on extra salary might keep them on the phone. But they have no use for CJ so they'd have to find a third team.

AD isn’t going to Boston if Kyrie bounces.

And Collins didn’t improve his stock? Wrong.

 

[illmatic99]

AD isn’t going to Boston if Kyrie bounces.

And Collins didn’t improve his stock? Wrong.

he absolutely did, but not to the level you're projecting. He isn't landing you AD as the major piece, come on man.

The Kyrie point is interesting. But what if Boston can land Conley?

 

[Scalma]

he absolutely did, but not to the level you're projecting. He isn't landing you AD as the major piece, come on man.

The Kyrie point is interesting. But what if Boston can land Conley?

32 year old FA to be Mike Conley? So they’re going to trade Tatum and whatever for AD, and their remaining assets for Conley? What would they be left with? I can’t see that. Don’t think it’s even financially possible. Boston doesn’t have big enough contracts.

 

[Scalma]

Im watching the full press conference from yesterday for the first time here on lunch, and Olshey talks about continuity playing a factor in other smaller market teams model for sustained success. San Antonio was one specific example. He also mentioned that when you have limited tools (aka cap space) you take a longer view (meaning you don’t set your roster on July 1, you play the buyout markets later etc)

That suggests to me that they’re not going to be making any big changes this summer and will stay the course. The majority of their work will involve Hood, Curry, Kanter, and Aminu; whether it’s bringing them back or replacing them if they end up walking. Could also mean they hold onto their expirings and see where they’re at when the trade deadline rolls around. Or they use them to replace any of the above mentioned players.

Either way, I expect a more active summer than last year, just because of the number of unrestricted players they’ll have to deal with. Won’t expect any blockbusters though, my bad.

 

[tlongII]

It will be interesting to see what the market is for Kanter, Hood, and Curry. As has been said previously, there are a lot of free agents available this summer. That should drive the price down for big men especially. I would be very surprised if we can't afford Kanter at least.

 

[illmatic99]

32 year old FA to be Mike Conley? So they’re going to trade Tatum and whatever for AD, and their remaining assets for Conley? What would they be left with? I can’t see that. Don’t think it’s even financially possible. Boston doesn’t have big enough contracts.

Simmons brought it up a few weeks back. Suggest Hayward and picks for Conley after dealing Tatum/Brown/Smart/etc for AD. Essentially forming a core of Conley-AD-Horford. Not sure that core is really better than what AD has in New Orleans now.

 

[GDiama]

Simmons brought it up a few weeks back. Suggest Hayward and picks for Conley after dealing Tatum/Brown/Smart/etc for AD. Essentially forming a core of Conley-AD-Horford. Not sure that core is really better than what AD has in New Orleans now.

God that's terrible for the Celtics. A team with 2 soon to be 32-33 year olds and a guy that will be a FA next summer. No way man.

 

[Scalma]

Simmons brought it up a few weeks back. Suggest Hayward and picks for Conley after dealing Tatum/Brown/Smart/etc for AD. Essentially forming a core of Conley-AD-Horford. Not sure that core is really better than what AD has in New Orleans now.

Lol Simmons.

 

[Reep]

God that's terrible for the Celtics. A team with 2 soon to be 32-33 year olds and a guy that will be a FA next summer. No way man.

Isn't that how they won their last title?

 

[GDiama]

Isn't that how they won their last title?

I cannot compare KG, Pierce, Allen with Conley, Horford, AD and they happened to be the first "superteam" as well. Now many have followed and having 3 stars (2 of them are not even All Stars now) doesn't mean much.

 

[MARIS61]

Here's my keepers for next year. I'd trade/let walk the rest of our roster, maybe keep Aminu/Harkless for backups(s).

C: Jusuf Nurkic, Enes Kanter
PF: Meyers Leonard, Zach Collins
SF: NEED A STARTER HERE
SG: CJ McCollum, Rodney Hood
PG: Damian Lillard*, Seth Curry

 

[Orion Bailey]

Break it up. The Warriors have Broken this team. Only guys you dont trade probably Dame and Nurkic. Everyone else should be available, and its probably time for a new coach too, because I think its obvious that Stotts is part of the group broken by GS...

In the heat of the moment, or still feel this way?