You're the GM. What potential, legit moves can the Blazers make

[Idog1976]

interesting videos:

Chauncey always looks so confident and sounds so knowledgeable. He's growing on me already. I actually was in love with the idea of Billups until this allegation crap was brought up. Then I was like...OMFG in this city? Oh no. So I wanted Jarron Collins, Becky Hammon, or MDA over Billups who I had as 4th. Now that I expect the worst of it is behind us (please god), I'm warming up to him pretty quickly.

 

[South East]

I think that Chauncey was talking about what he would do with what he has today. I don't think he'd turn down a better player and Simmons is better because he thinks Nurk or CJ are good and he can imagine using them better than they've been used.

I agree with everything you said but I don’t think Simmons and Nurk work on the floor. Spacing and shooting become necessities with Simmons when he’s in the half court. To take advantage of what Simmons brings the team would need to play more up tempo and I think these combined would mean trading Nurk. I don’t think trading Nurk and CJ this off-season as very probable.

I would see them trying to extract some extra value from a pressing Philly team in a Harris trade (Harris, 1st, and Curry for CJ and DJJ then flip Curry for something) before pulling off a trade for Simmons. (I would really like to see Simmons and Lillard, I just don’t see it happening).

 

[TBpup]

Nurk/RoCo/2 1st(future) for Pascal works financially.

CJ to Indy for Turner/LeVert also works.

Dame
Powell/Simons
LeVert/Nas
Siakam
Turner/Collins

Is that better than what we have?

Would LOVE LOVE LOVE that....but no way Indy does that. They really like LeVert. Maybe we could get Brogdan instead but LeVert and Turner....very doubtful. If Neil could pull that off, it would be his best move every.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Obviously this is lopsided in the Blazers favor. What picks/players would need to be added to it (or remove from it) to make it reasonable?

 

[TBpup]

Obviously this is lopsided in the Blazers favor. What picks/players would need to be added to it (or remove from it) to make it reasonable?

View attachment 39313

Memphis gives up Jackson and Clarke for Rodney Hood? Perhaps start there.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Memphis give up Jackson and Clarke for Rodney Hood? Perhaps start there.

How about take Hood here, give them DJJ and a first?

Or, how wound you alter it, still keying is basic frame work?

 

[B-Roy]

How about take Hood here, give them DJJ and a first?

DJJ and a first for JJJ and Brandon Clarke? You must be joking. That's like the equivalent of them offering Grayson Allen and Dillon Brooks for Dame.

Also Hood won't be traded. He has a team option for 10 million. What are the chances Toronto picks that up?

 

[BlayZa]

Id love to get B Clarke

 

[BonesJones]

Yeah that's how I interpreted that part of the press conference as well. Talk about under the microscope. Olshey's words are meaningless, but Billups are tactical as he can't be talking about theoretical trades especially when one of the likely to be traded guys is like RIGHT THERE.

I took nothing away from today's presser other than Blazers claim to have done due diligence as did Disney, ESPN, LA Clippers and whatever the other team was where he flamed out as an FO guy Indy?

Btw Kor, this Boucher guy is intriguing. I don't watch a ton of Eastern conference games as I don't watch a ton of non-Blazers games so some EC guys are off my radar as Boucher appears to be. I LOVE THIS as a follow up trade to Simmons for CJ. BTW, if that CJ for Simmons trade is there and Neil doesn't close it, I want his head on a pike over the Steel Bridge as a warning to the incoming GM to never ever, EVER blow a trade this fucking key and certainly don't miss TWICE on an elite two way wing (blah blah Simmons cant' shoot, yeah he can score though) due to not wanting to throw in our resident wine connoisseur and boundary-defying shooting guard. I will seriously lose my mind. NEIL CLOSE THE FUCKING DEAL!

A #2 that can't play without the ball in his hands and wilters in big moments. What could go wrong?

 

[Idog1976]

A #2 that can't play without the ball in his hands and wilters in big moments. What could go wrong?

The best perimeter defender on the planet next to Dame Lillard? Who also has other worldly court vision and just needs to be on a team surrounded by shooters which the Blazers have, what could go wrong for other teams? Quite a lot in a Dame and Simmons pick and roll with three shooters at the 3pt line.

Also, Simmons had one bad series along with many good series, CJ has had one GOOD series and quite a few terrible ones.

Billups himself had a broken jump shot and almost washed out of the league. He then became an NBA champion known for his defense and clutch shooting. That sounds like exactly the kind of guy to get through to Simmons. Not to mention he goes from loose cannon Embiid to cool as a cucumber Dame Lillard the best leader in the NBA. A change of scenery, coaching, and teammates is exactly what Simmons needs.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

DJJ and a first for JJJ and Brandon Clarke? You must be joking. That's like the equivalent of them offering Grayson Allen and Dillon Brooks for Dame.

Also Hood won't be traded. He has a team option for 10 million. What are the chances Toronto picks that up?

Ummm...I'm an idiot. For some reason, I thought that was Josh Jackson, not Jaren. I'll just go delete my account now...

 

[BonesJones]

The best perimeter defender on the planet next to Dame Lillard? Who also has other worldly court vision and just needs to be on a team surrounded by shooters which the Blazers have, what could go wrong for other teams? Quite a lot in a Dame and Simmons pick and roll with three shooters at the 3pt line.

Also, Simmons had one bad series along with many good series, CJ has had one GOOD series and quite a few terrible ones.

Billups himself had a broken jump shot and almost washed out of the league. He then became an NBA champion known for his defense and clutch shooting. That sounds like exactly the kind of guy to get through to Simmons. Not to mention he goes from loose cannon Embiid to cool as a cucumber Dame Lillard the best leader in the NBA. A change of scenery, coaching, and teammates is exactly what Simmons needs.

He's not the best perimeter defender on the planet. My goodness that guys defense has become overrated.

Other-wordly court vision? Huh? He averaged 7apg this year. I don't see how his court vision is "other worldly" when often times he has the pass out of necessity because he can't shoot. Dude should be averaging 12apg if his vision is other-worldly.

Chauncey had a bad year when he shot 17%, but he shot 36% percent the year before and was a good shooter for most his career. Equating his shot to Simmons' makes no sense to me. Simmons will never be a good shooter. Let's just hope he can make 50% of his free throws next time he's in the playoffs.

A bad series for CJ is when he misses shots. A bad series for Ben is because he can't and won't shoot. Big difference. It's also not just "one bad series".

Also, I'm heavily against having a player who you have to run pick n roll with in order to have him be effective off the ball. We saw too many pick n rolls last year.

Also, I want to bet on Nurkic next season. He'll be more valuable to us under Chauncey than he will be in a trade. You can't play Ben with Nurkic.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

DJJ and a first for JJJ and Brandon Clarke? You must be joking. That's like the equivalent of them offering Grayson Allen and Dillon Brooks for Dame.

Also Hood won't be traded. He has a team option for 10 million. What are the chances Toronto picks that up?

Stripping it back down to its basic parts, I'm shooting for:
--CJ for Ingram
--Nurk + ?? for Boucher and salary filler (Baynes?)
--DJJ/FRP for Clarke and salary filler (Tyus Jones?)

All are deals I've seen suggested in here. The questions are: are all reasonable from the other teams' side, or how would they need to be altered to make them so, and make them all possible in the same off-season?

I would be quite excited going into next season with a lineup of

Dame/ Jones
Powell/Ant
Ingram/Little
Roco/Clarke
Boucher/Baynes

 

[Wizard Mentor]

My main takeaway from the second video (I haven't finished it yet and I know this my biggest takeaway) is that Paul Pierce borders on full blown dementia despite being in his 40's. I mean wtf Jalen Rose brings up Rajon Rondo having a broken shot, but then becoming almost a volume 3pt shooters which Rajon Rondo chuckles about and addresses. Then Paul Pierce appears to drool on himself before commenting and then repeats what everyone says and even throws in "Like a Rajon Rondo". It's like, Paul he's literally sitting 6 inches to your left. You either have a CJ-like lack of peripheral vision or a 2 digit IQ.

just watch the last 60 sec of the 2nd video, that's when coach speaks.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

Here's my shot. If Boston is still open you send them a 1st round pick plus an opted in DJJ (for salary purposes, plus maybe Boston finds a use for him he is young), for Smart the 2022 1st round pick with Lottery protection. Then use Billups pull and LA's impending humiliating loss to the Suns, to get Montrezel Harrell to seek greener pastures in the NW. Don't extend QO to Zach and let him walk and pay Montrezel Zach's salary plus whatever more we can afford after re-signing powell. You also let Melo and Kanter walk. I'd resign Melo for a Vet min if he understands his role will be extremely limited.

Finally, the centerpiece (which you do first) a trade of CJ for Simmons that you can bid up to CJ + Little + 2024 Pick Top 8 protected. Heck, you can make it unprotected if need be, but I'd try to have my price at about what I show below.


PG: Lillard/Smart/Ant
SG: Powell/Ant/CJ2
SF: Simmons/RoCo/Powell
PF: RoCo/Harrell/Melo on vet min?
C: Nurk/Harrell/Giles

That team is switchable, long, feisty and able to defend and rebound. They also can definitely score with Dame, Nurk, Powell, Simmons, Ant, Smart (clutch buckets) and Harrell cleaning up around the rim.


Thoughts?

View attachment 39312

So we get Smart and Simmons for basically CJ and Little? And Philly gets both those. I probably would not do that deal with Philly. Boston would definitely not give Smart away for a late draft pick.

 

[Labinot41]

every player except for Dame should be on the table.

 

[Idog1976]

He's not the best perimeter defender on the planet. My goodness that guys defense has become overrated.

Other-wordly court vision? Huh? He averaged 7apg this year. I don't see how his court vision is "other worldly" when often times he has the pass out of necessity because he can't shoot. Dude should be averaging 12apg if his vision is other-worldly.

Chauncey had a bad year when he shot 17%, but he shot 36% percent the year before and was a good shooter for most his career. Equating his shot to Simmons' makes no sense to me. Simmons will never be a good shooter. Let's just hope he can make 50% of his free throws next time he's in the playoffs.

A bad series for CJ is when he misses shots. A bad series for Ben is because he can't and won't shoot. Big difference. It's also not just "one bad series".

Also, I'm heavily against having a player who you have to run pick n roll with in order to have him be effective off the ball. We saw too many pick n rolls last year.

Also, I want to bet on Nurkic next season. He'll be more valuable to us under Chauncey than he will be in a trade. You can't play Ben with Nurkic.

He finished 2nd place for DPOY this year. Nurkic is a footnote compared to Simmons monumental talent. I trade Nurk in a heartbeat if I have a flicker of concern about the fit next to Simmons and Dame. Simmons is THE BEST ON BALL DEFENDER/PERIMETER DEFENDER ON EARTH. This isn't really up for debate it's just a fact based on voting by NBA executives. Not sure how you don't know that.

If you hate Simmons you can harp on one thing, his poor shooting. Literally, all his mistakes stem from that and it is in fact the sole problem with his game. Defensively he's elite and the most switchable defender in the league, able to play 1-5 and dominate. You can harp on Simmons, but give credit where it's due and this guy is the best on-ball defender on the planet.

How many guys on our roster have a defensive highlight reel? Maybe Nurk who has trouble staying on the floor and Covington. Only one of them was on an all-NBA defensive team and it ain't Nurk. Simmons plus RoCo and Powell would be a revelation for this team.

Simmons is fantastic, as is. If Simmons develops a reliable jump shot he's instantly the best player on the team and on the shortlist for MVP. This guy is a jump shot away from being Scottie Pippen 2.0 with better length, speed, and agility.

Do you know who had a broken jump shot and almost washed out of the league after being a Lotto pick? One Chauncey Billups. This guy under Dame and Billups's leadership even if he never learns to shoot will be an absolute renaissance for this team and extends our window by 3-5 years. It's the definition of a no-brainer trade CJ + for Simmons.



and



and




If you don't know....well now you know, now you know!

 

[Idog1976]

So we get Smart and Simmons for basically CJ and Little? And Philly gets both those. I probably would not do that deal with Philly. Boston would definitely not give Smart away for a late draft pick.

Well, you're wrong Boston would.

https://heavy.com/sports/boston-celtics/marcus-smart-trade-rumors-value/

If the Sixers won't do the trade of CJ plus Little plus a pick for Simmons then see what their better offer is and beat it. Smart's an important bench piece, Simmons is the pillar of the franchise along with Dame.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

He finished 2nd place for DPOY this year. Nurkic is a footnote compared to Simmons monumental talent. I trade Nurk in a heartbeat if I have a flicker of concern about the fit next to Simmons and Dame. Simmons is THE BEST ON BALL DEFENDER/PERIMETER DEFENDER ON EARTH. This isn't really up for debate it's just a fact based on voting by NBA executives. Not sure how you don't know it. If you hate Simmons you can harp on one thing, his poor shooting. Literally, all his mistakes stem from that and it is in fact the sole problem with his game. Defensively he's elite and the most switchable defender in the league, able to play 1-5 and dominate. You can harp on Simmons, but give credit where it's due and this guy is the best on ball defender on the planet.

How many guys on our roster have a defensive highlight reel? Maybe Nurk who has trouble staying on the floor and Covington. Only one of them was on an all NBA defensive team and it ain't Nurk. Simmons plus RoCo and Powell would be a revelation for this team.

Simmons is fantastic, as is. If Simmons develops a reliable jumpshot he's instantly the best player on the team and on the short list for MVP. This guy is a jumpshot away from being Scottie Pippen 2.0. You know who had a broken jumpshot and almost washed out of the league after being a Lotto pick? One Chauncey Billups. This guy under Dame and Billups leadership even if he never learns to shoot will be an absolutely renaissance for this team and extends our window by 3-5 years. It's the definition of a no-brainer trade CJ + for Simmons.



and



and




If you don't know....well now you know, now you know!

 

[Wizard Mentor]

He finished 2nd place for DPOY this year. Nurkic is a footnote compared to Simmons monumental talent. I trade Nurk in a heartbeat if I have a flicker of concern about the fit next to Simmons and Dame. Simmons is THE BEST ON BALL DEFENDER/PERIMETER DEFENDER ON EARTH. This isn't really up for debate it's just a fact based on voting by NBA executives. Not sure how you don't know it. If you hate Simmons you can harp on one thing, his poor shooting. Literally, all his mistakes stem from that and it is in fact the sole problem with his game. Defensively he's elite and the most switchable defender in the league, able to play 1-5 and dominate. You can harp on Simmons, but give credit where it's due and this guy is the best on ball defender on the planet.

How many guys on our roster have a defensive highlight reel? Maybe Nurk who has trouble staying on the floor and Covington. Only one of them was on an all NBA defensive team and it ain't Nurk. Simmons plus RoCo and Powell would be a revelation for this team.

Simmons is fantastic, as is. If Simmons develops a reliable jumpshot he's instantly the best player on the team and on the short list for MVP. This guy is a jumpshot away from being Scottie Pippen 2.0. You know who had a broken jumpshot and almost washed out of the league after being a Lotto pick? One Chauncey Billups. This guy under Dame and Billups leadership even if he never learns to shoot will be an absolutely renaissance for this team and extends our window by 3-5 years. It's the definition of a no-brainer trade CJ + for Simmons.



and



and




If you don't know....well now you know, now you know!

THE BEST ON BALL DEFENDER/PERIMETER DEFENDER ON EARTH, Simmons plus RoCo and Powell would be a revelation for this team.

Great post, but I took some liberties in shortening this post for you.

 

[Idog1976]

THE BEST ON BALL DEFENDER/PERIMETER DEFENDER ON EARTH, Simmons plus RoCo and Powell would be a revelation for this team.

Great post, but I took some liberties in shortening this post for you.

That's the money shot for sure. That said the rest builds the case of how elite Simmons is as is.

It also shows how he'd be other-worldly if he fixed the easiest NBA skill to fix, his jump shot. I truly believe Simmons can and will fix his jump shot to at least decent during his career and I think this summer is a very likely time for it to happen given the media coverage and his series collapse vs. Hawks. This kid is a legit Superstar and his value is the lowest it's been for his peer group since he first picked up a basketball and his dad said "hey, why don't you try shooting left, you'd be harder to guard...".

 

[BonesJones]

He finished 2nd place for DPOY this year. Nurkic is a footnote compared to Simmons monumental talent. I trade Nurk in a heartbeat if I have a flicker of concern about the fit next to Simmons and Dame. Simmons is THE BEST ON BALL DEFENDER/PERIMETER DEFENDER ON EARTH. This isn't really up for debate it's just a fact based on voting by NBA executives. Not sure how you don't know that.

If you hate Simmons you can harp on one thing, his poor shooting. Literally, all his mistakes stem from that and it is in fact the sole problem with his game. Defensively he's elite and the most switchable defender in the league, able to play 1-5 and dominate. You can harp on Simmons, but give credit where it's due and this guy is the best on-ball defender on the planet.

How many guys on our roster have a defensive highlight reel? Maybe Nurk who has trouble staying on the floor and Covington. Only one of them was on an all-NBA defensive team and it ain't Nurk. Simmons plus RoCo and Powell would be a revelation for this team.

Simmons is fantastic, as is. If Simmons develops a reliable jump shot he's instantly the best player on the team and on the shortlist for MVP. This guy is a jump shot away from being Scottie Pippen 2.0 with better length, speed, and agility.

Do you know who had a broken jump shot and almost washed out of the league after being a Lotto pick? One Chauncey Billups. This guy under Dame and Billups's leadership even if he never learns to shoot will be an absolute renaissance for this team and extends our window by 3-5 years. It's the definition of a no-brainer trade CJ + for Simmons.



and



and




If you don't know....well now you know, now you know!

Simmons monumental talent?

You've dranken the kool-aid and are in love with the IDEA of Simmons, not what he actually is. If he was this great, amazing player like you let on, he and Embiid easily dispatch the Hawks... but they lost. They can't even make the Conference Finals in the East.

Simmons will NEVER develop a reliable jumper. His shot is beyond broke. Dude shot a below-average 3pt percentage from the free throw line in the playoffs

You just said the same thing about Chauncey that you said before. I already responded to how silly the comparison was. Are you having a conversation with yourself?

 

[Idog1976]

Simmons monumental talent?

You've dranken the kool-aid and are in love with the IDEA of Simmons, not what he actually is. If he was this great, amazing player like you let on, he and Embiid easily dispatch the Hawks... but they lost. They can't even make the Conference Finals in the East.

Simmons will NEVER develop a reliable jumper. His shot is beyond broke. Dude shot a below-average 3pt percentage from the free throw line in the playoffs

You just said the same thing about Chauncey that you said before. I already responded to how silly the comparison was. Are you having a conversation with yourself?

Ah ok, you are not willing to accept a consensus on Simmons's talent. That's fine, enjoy your version of subjective reality. Since I believe in Solipsism as a reasonable explanation for reality, I guess that would be a yes, you must be the part of my imagination that refuses to grapple with actual facts like Simmons being the best perimeter defender on Earth according to everyone...except you. As they say, the exception makes the rule. No different here.

If you think CJ for Simmons is a bad trade for the Blazers, well our view of reality is simply so vastly different as to be unable to reach any sort of compromise. I see your opinion, you're entitled to it, and you're entitled to be abjectly wrong about how amazing of a defensive and passing talent Simmons is. Also, your certainty about the future makes me wonder if you're a multi-millionaire since you know future outcomes with certainty, maybe apply that to the stock market instead of letting us know about Simmons's future jump shot woes? Seems a waste of your pre-cognitive abilities. Cheers and have a good one.

 

[BonesJones]

Ah ok, you are not willing to accept a consensus on Simmons's talent. That's fine, enjoy your version of subjective reality. Since I believe in Solipsism as a reasonable explanation for reality, I guess that would be a yes, you must be the part of my imagination that refuses to grapple with actual facts like Simmons being the best perimeter defender on Earth according to everyone...except you. As they say, the exception makes the rule. No different here.

If you think CJ for Simmons is a bad trade for the Blazers, well our view of reality is simply so vastly different as to be unable to reach any sort of compromise. I see your opinion, you're entitled to it, and you're entitled to be abjectly wrong about how amazing of a defensive and passing talent Simmons is. Also, your certainty about the future makes me wonder if you're a multi-millionaire since you know future outcomes with certainty, maybe apply that to the stock market instead of letting us know about Simmons's future jump shot woes? Seems a waste of your pre-cognitive abilities. Cheers and have a good one.

Except that's not the consensus. People are pretty divided on him. I know you just got out of the groupthink chamber that is BlazersEdge where they listen to Danny Meringue tell them who they should like so I'll give you a pass. Hopefully you'll learn how to have a conversation though instead of the stupid, snarky shit you're pulling.

 

[Idog1976]

Except that's not the consensus. People are pretty divided on him. I know you just got out of the groupthink chamber that is BlazersEdge where they listen to Danny Meringue tell them who they should like so I'll give you a pass. Hopefully you'll learn how to have a conversation though instead of the stupid, snarky shit you're pulling.

The consensus is Ben Simmons is an All-World defender, driver, transition player and passer. NOBODY debates that. Your position is the mirror image of me saying Simmons has a great shot. It's not based in reality AT ALL. Sorry, but Simmons is godly at all of those skills and he ALSO lacks the most important skill in the modern NBA, shooting.

This is just reality, not sure how you disagree on this rather straightforward and universally acknowledged (except by you) reality that Ben Simmons is an elite talent with a broken jump shot.

 

[JoshuaHall]

Except that's not the consensus. People are pretty divided on him. I know you just got out of the groupthink chamber that is BlazersEdge where they listen to Danny Meringue tell them who they should like so I'll give you a pass. Hopefully you'll learn how to have a conversation though instead of the stupid, snarky shit you're pulling.

Who is the best perimeter defender in the league if it’s not Simmons?

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Who is the best perimeter defender in the league if it’s not Simmons?

Heard someone on the radio last night claiming it was Jrue Holiday. I'm sure the day before someone was saying it was Patrick Beverly. Hell, Simmons might not even be the best perimeter defender on his own team, considering that Matisse Thybulle is already making all defensive teams as a second-year reserve.

But yeah, I'd vote for Simmons.

 

[Zach Collins Enthusiast]

Sign Otto Porter

 

[BonesJones]

The consensus is Ben Simmons is an All-World defender, driver, transition player and passer. NOBODY debates that. Your position is the mirror image of me saying Simmons has a great shot. It's not based in reality AT ALL. Sorry, but Simmons is godly at all of those skills and he ALSO lacks the most important skill in the modern NBA, shooting.

This is just reality, not sure how you disagree on this rather straightforward and universally acknowledged (except by you) reality that Ben Simmons is an elite talent with a broken jump shot.

You're putting a lot of words in my mouth. I don't think he's the best perimeter defender in the league, I think he's a bit overrated defending guards and has a lot of help on the defensive end with Embiid being an elite rim protector behind him when he gets blown by. He's a great defender, just not the the best perimeter defender in the league. That my opinion. Live with it.

The biggest part where you overrate him is with his court vision. It's not "other-wordly" or "all-world". What does that even mean? You seem to love hyperbole and maybe you just have a low bar for your catch phrases. For a PG, 6.9apg isn't anything special, especially when the PG isn't a scorer. Dame has better court vision than him.

His passing, slashing, and transition play is rendered useless when he doesn't even want to touch the ball because he's a wreck mentally. Did you even watch their playoffs this year? I want a guy I know I can count on in those moments, not a guy who's so weak mentally that he might be unplayable.

 

[BonesJones]

Heard someone on the radio last night claiming it was Jrue Holiday. I'm sure the day before someone was saying it was Patrick Beverly. Hell, Simmons might not even be the best perimeter defender on his own team, considering that Matisse Thybulle is already making all defensive teams as a second-year reserve.

But yeah, I'd vote for Simmons.

I'd take Jrue Holiday and Marcus Smart over him just off the top of my head.