[Shams] Portland extends Camara (4 years $82M) and Sharpe (4 years $90M)

[One_and_Done]

Superb deal.

[R-DAWG]

This just feels like a team not good enough to win a playoff series or bad enough to get a meaningful draft pick.

I agree for right now, but at some point you've got to start trying to build a winning team around your young talented core. That doesn't happen overnight, meaning that it's not unusual for a team to be just in the playoff mix but not good enough for a playoff run for a season or two.

Sharpe was the 7th pick, Henderson the 3rd and Clingan the 7th pick. Yang was drafted just outside the lottery, Camara a steal in the trade, and Avdija was the 9th pick with a decent trajectory who took the next step last year. All of them are in the 20-25 age range. So I personally am glad to see that they are now shifting towards competing rather than trying hard to improve their draft odds.

I agree with this. These teams are still businesses and while us real-gm fans might be ok with being in the lottery for a decade hoping to strike gold, the casual fan is not. Portland hasn't sniffed the playoffs in 4 years so nothing wrong with trying to make a quick run for the 8th seed, seeing if your talent elevates, and then re-setting in a few years.

[tcheco]

This just feels like a team not good enough to win a playoff series or bad enough to get a meaningful draft pick.

I agree for right now, but at some point you've got to start trying to build a winning team around your young talented core. That doesn't happen overnight, meaning that it's not unusual for a team to be just in the playoff mix but not good enough for a playoff run for a season or two.

Sharpe was the 7th pick, Henderson the 3rd and Clingan the 7th pick. Yang was drafted just outside the lottery, Camara a steal in the trade, and Avdija was the 9th pick with a decent trajectory who took the next step last year. All of them are in the 20-25 age range. So I personally am glad to see that they are now shifting towards competing rather than trying hard to improve their draft odds.

I agree with this. These teams are still businesses and while us real-gm fans might be ok with being in the lottery for a decade hoping to strike gold, the casual fan is not. Portland hasn't sniffed the playoffs in 4 years so nothing wrong with trying to make a quick run for the 8th seed, seeing if your talent elevates, and then re-setting in a few years.

Add to that to the fact that they finished the season strong, added Jrue, whom definitely elevates a team as old as he is today, fans should be happy to see the team get to the playoffs, even if it is to lose. Camara, Sharpe, Deni, Clingan, Scoot are all still improving, so theres lots of natural growth to happen. This is not the kings that have Keegan as the only player with upside still. If the fit is not there, these ok contracts can be moved with value still

[zzaj]

I agree for right now, but at some point you've got to start trying to build a winning team around your young talented core. That doesn't happen overnight, meaning that it's not unusual for a team to be just in the playoff mix but not good enough for a playoff run for a season or two.

Sharpe was the 7th pick, Henderson the 3rd and Clingan the 7th pick. Yang was drafted just outside the lottery, Camara a steal in the trade, and Avdija was the 9th pick with a decent trajectory who took the next step last year. All of them are in the 20-25 age range. So I personally am glad to see that they are now shifting towards competing rather than trying hard to improve their draft odds.

I agree with this. These teams are still businesses and while us real-gm fans might be ok with being in the lottery for a decade hoping to strike gold, the casual fan is not. Portland hasn't sniffed the playoffs in 4 years so nothing wrong with trying to make a quick run for the 8th seed, seeing if your talent elevates, and then re-setting in a few years.

Add to that to the fact that they finished the season strong, added Jrue, whom definitely elevates a team as old as he is today, fans should be happy to see the team get to the playoffs, even if it is to lose. Camara, Sharpe, Deni, Clingan, Scoot are all still improving, so theres lots of natural growth to happen. This is not the kings that have Keegan as the only player with upside still. If the fit is not there, these ok contracts can be moved with value still

I'll also point out that if the team ends up long-term with Scoot/Sharpe/Camara/Deni/Clingan as a starting five (with Jrue as a 6th man) then that's gotta be one of the cheapest starting 5s in the league.

[Devilanche]

I agree with this. These teams are still businesses and while us real-gm fans might be ok with being in the lottery for a decade hoping to strike gold, the casual fan is not. Portland hasn't sniffed the playoffs in 4 years so nothing wrong with trying to make a quick run for the 8th seed, seeing if your talent elevates, and then re-setting in a few years.

Add to that to the fact that they finished the season strong, added Jrue, whom definitely elevates a team as old as he is today, fans should be happy to see the team get to the playoffs, even if it is to lose. Camara, Sharpe, Deni, Clingan, Scoot are all still improving, so theres lots of natural growth to happen. This is not the kings that have Keegan as the only player with upside still. If the fit is not there, these ok contracts can be moved with value still

I'll also point out that if the team ends up long-term with Scoot/Sharpe/Camara/Deni/Clingan as a starting five (with Jrue as a 6th man) then that's gotta be one of the cheapest starting 5s in the league.

And also missing a clear cut first option ?

[ReggiesKnicks]

Add to that to the fact that they finished the season strong, added Jrue, whom definitely elevates a team as old as he is today, fans should be happy to see the team get to the playoffs, even if it is to lose. Camara, Sharpe, Deni, Clingan, Scoot are all still improving, so theres lots of natural growth to happen. This is not the kings that have Keegan as the only player with upside still. If the fit is not there, these ok contracts can be moved with value still

I'll also point out that if the team ends up long-term with Scoot/Sharpe/Camara/Deni/Clingan as a starting five (with Jrue as a 6th man) then that's gotta be one of the cheapest starting 5s in the league.

And also missing a clear cut first option ?

And the second option.

[jayjaysee]

wrong thread*..

[Devilanche]

I'll also point out that if the team ends up long-term with Scoot/Sharpe/Camara/Deni/Clingan as a starting five (with Jrue as a 6th man) then that's gotta be one of the cheapest starting 5s in the league.

And also missing a clear cut first option ?

And the second option.

I can envision one of Deni / Sharpe / Scoot fulfilling that. Or even 2 of the 3.

[zzaj]

And also missing a clear cut first option ?

And the second option.

I can envision one of Deni / Sharpe / Scoot fulfilling that. Or even 2 of the 3.

Yeah, there's a contingent of Blazer fans that believe Sharpe can grow into a number 1 option. I'm pretty skeptical of that possibility, given the amount of growth we've seen out of him and his penchant for disappearing and inconsistency. But who knows...he's only 22.

Scoot I'm way less confident in, but again who knows. Stranger things have happened, but he'd have to have a HUGE uptick in everything. He's 21...

We'll see if the Blazers can even keep Deni. That contract is so weird. I don't really see him ever turning into a number 1 option...he's too limited in his ability to score the ball.

Right now it's try and win by committee...and that's going to be tough. Should be a pretty good defensive team, however.

[tcheco]

And the second option.

I can envision one of Deni / Sharpe / Scoot fulfilling that. Or even 2 of the 3.

Yeah, there's a contingent of Blazer fans that believe Sharpe can grow into a number 1 option. I'm pretty skeptical of that possibility, given the amount of growth we've seen out of him and his penchant for disappearing and inconsistency. But who knows...he's only 22.

Scoot I'm way less confident in, but again who knows. Stranger things have happened, but he'd have to have a HUGE uptick in everything. He's 21...

We'll see if the Blazers can even keep Deni. That contract is so weird. I don't really see him ever turning into a number 1 option...he's too limited in his ability to score the ball.

Right now it's try and win by committee...and that's going to be tough. Should be a pretty good defensive team, however.

I think Sharpe can be a number 2, is he ever figure it out, hoping Jrue can be a leader like that.
But one thing is having no clear cut number 1 option and the team being locked in. Portland has many picks to trade and several players with easy to trade contracts and with upside. They have time and assets to roll this next season and see how the team develop without worrying about having every single piece in place to win now.

[R-DAWG]

I'll also point out that if the team ends up long-term with Scoot/Sharpe/Camara/Deni/Clingan as a starting five (with Jrue as a 6th man) then that's gotta be one of the cheapest starting 5s in the league.

And also missing a clear cut first option ?

And the second option.

And elite shooting/spacing (and yes I get that both Deni/Camara shoot a league average percentage or slightly above on 5 attempts per game).

[BlazersBroncos]

I think Sharpe is miles away from having the mentality to be a #1. That being said, at his salary even if he maxes as a #3 thats a good number.

I think there is a decent shot that Deni can be a #2, Sharpe a #3. Obviously that still leaves a #1 but only like 5-8 teams really even have that.

[ReggiesKnicks]

I think Sharpe is miles away from having the mentality to be a #1. That being said, at his salary even if he maxes as a #3 thats a good number.

I think there is a decent shot that Deni can be a #2, Sharpe a #3. Obviously that still leaves a #1 but only like 5-8 teams really even have that.

I could see Deni getting to Julius Randle levels as a high-end outcome while being realistically attainable.

I think Randle requires an incredibly talented #1 to win a title.

The thing to like about Portland is there have a lot of young talent and long-term starter quality players locked up on fair-market deals.

As an outsider without a team who is gunning for a championship this year, it would make me happy to see Portland try to acquire a high-upside player to add to their core.

[zzaj]

I think Sharpe is miles away from having the mentality to be a #1. That being said, at his salary even if he maxes as a #3 thats a good number.

I think there is a decent shot that Deni can be a #2, Sharpe a #3. Obviously that still leaves a #1 but only like 5-8 teams really even have that.

I could see Deni getting to Julius Randle levels as a high-end outcome while being realistically attainable.

I think Randle requires an incredibly talented #1 to win a title.

The thing to like about Portland is there have a lot of young talent and long-term starter quality players locked up on fair-market deals.

As an outsider without a team who is gunning for a championship this year, it would make me happy to see Portland try to acquire a high-upside player to add to their core.

I'll point out that if Lillard back even as a 15/3/4 guy, while shooting league average from 3...13.4M is a pretty good contract. If he's more than that? All the better...if he never plays another NBA game, or plays at a greatly diminished level? much the worse.