Blazers/Spurs

[louc1970]

They can. They shouldn't, though, because they only have one 2026 first and shouldn't have any interest in encumbering it.

I deeply appreciate this thread not assuming the Spurs should use Johnson as trade ballast. However, Simons doesn't make sense for a Spurs team that is already pretty good in terms of their guard rotation. Maybe the Spurs decide to go with a smaller lineup and go Simons, Vassell, Castle, Sochan, Wemby. IF Sochan and Castle can shoot well enough to space the floor, it's an interesting unit on both sides. However, the Spurs seem extremely keen on not having a smaller guard in their rotation anymore (else they could have kept Dillingham), and you could argue Simons and Vassell are somewhat redundant.

There could also be a scenario where they trade Vassell for something and need a guard to start next to Castle in a year or two. That's such a different Spurs situation, though, that it's not really applicable here.

I like Castle but see him as a couple of years away from starting. With Simons, Castle is the 3rd PG. Paul leaves at the end of the year, Simons starts with Castle behind him. If Castle looks ready to take over, Simons gets moved in the final year at $27.6m.

[wemby]

They can. They shouldn't, though, because they only have one 2026 first and shouldn't have any interest in encumbering it.

I deeply appreciate this thread not assuming the Spurs should use Johnson as trade ballast. However, Simons doesn't make sense for a Spurs team that is already pretty good in terms of their guard rotation. Maybe the Spurs decide to go with a smaller lineup and go Simons, Vassell, Castle, Sochan, Wemby. IF Sochan and Castle can shoot well enough to space the floor, it's an interesting unit on both sides. However, the Spurs seem extremely keen on not having a smaller guard in their rotation anymore (else they could have kept Dillingham), and you could argue Simons and Vassell are somewhat redundant.

There could also be a scenario where they trade Vassell for something and need a guard to start next to Castle in a year or two. That's such a different Spurs situation, though, that it's not really applicable here.

I like Castle but see him as a couple of years away from starting. With Simons, Castle is the 3rd PG. Paul leaves at the end of the year, Simons starts with Castle behind him. If Castle looks ready to take over, Simons gets moved in the final year at $27.6m.

Wouldn't it make more sense to wait and see what Castle and Paul can do before making a more, rather than preemptively making a move just in case you need it and undoing it if you end up not needing it?

[Chinook]

They can. They shouldn't, though, because they only have one 2026 first and shouldn't have any interest in encumbering it.

I deeply appreciate this thread not assuming the Spurs should use Johnson as trade ballast. However, Simons doesn't make sense for a Spurs team that is already pretty good in terms of their guard rotation. Maybe the Spurs decide to go with a smaller lineup and go Simons, Vassell, Castle, Sochan, Wemby. IF Sochan and Castle can shoot well enough to space the floor, it's an interesting unit on both sides. However, the Spurs seem extremely keen on not having a smaller guard in their rotation anymore (else they could have kept Dillingham), and you could argue Simons and Vassell are somewhat redundant.

There could also be a scenario where they trade Vassell for something and need a guard to start next to Castle in a year or two. That's such a different Spurs situation, though, that it's not really applicable here.

I like Castle but see him as a couple of years away from starting. With Simons, Castle is the 3rd PG. Paul leaves at the end of the year, Simons starts with Castle behind him. If Castle looks ready to take over, Simons gets moved in the final year at $27.6m.

There's a good chance he starts this year. Regardless, the Spurs wouldn't get another PG to play over him. The Spurs seem to fundamentally not want a small guard on their team anymore. They have been trending toward 6-4 and taller players for years. Jones shows they aren't completely against it. But Pop starting Sochan, Branham and even Osman there last year before going to the obvious Jones should demonstrate how keen they are to have size at the position.