OKC | POR | CHI

[Tim Lehrbach]

Portland should really be trying to trade up, but the value is right imo.

I agree, and I think they will try.

My gut feeling, though, is that they are going to make a significant trade, but after being unsuccessful getting Harper or Edgecombe, so it'll be out of this draft for a future high upside pick or for a veteran player on the block. My gut also tells me it's going to be a deal that causes a lot of discomfort for Blazers fans: they may, as I said, forego picking in this draft altogether, they may move a major piece like Deni to vault up the board, or they may bring in a big name at a high price.

I don't often predict major transactions because boring is always the safer bet, but this moment has the feel of one in which the Blazers decide to push the chips in. I just think management is (unduly) excited and will want to make a big splash.

My (unreasonable) hope is that any big move is in the direction of landing a young cornerstone, but it's more likely going to be a piece to complement the so-called core already in place (but maybe at the cost of one of them).

Or maybe my gut is wrong and Cronin really does love his roster so much that he'll just add a questionable prospect at #11 and call it a night. That would be a better outcome than, say, selling the farm for Zion or Trae.

Anyway, just my Portland draft fanfic, carry on...

I think if Atlanta makes Trae available, that actually is an amazing fit and considering the talent Portland has / lack of interest in a full rebuild.. I think it’s one of the better semi realistic choices. Don’t want to speculate a trade package.

I don’t believe in Scoot, so if I wasn’t interested in rebuilding - I would be looking at all point guard upgrade options. I am not sure how Portland fans / front office feel on him though.

Pretty off topic, but only half way kidding.. I want to see Portland sit on their roster flexibility because I’ve always wanted to see a two year renegotiate and extend done and Deni is probably the most realistic candidate. Try to give him 20-25 mil extra in 26-27 and 27-28 and lower him 29-32 salaries by 15~ mil a year or so..

I am also very interested to see what Portland could/would do with Deni, Camara, and the cap space to renegotiate and extend both next summer!

I do not believe in Scoot. I thought he was a solid draft choice because the read was he had home run upside, and I actually like him quite a bit. But he and Simons and Sharpe can't all be good/promising and yet constitute one of the worst backcourts in the NBA. I'd clear them all out if I had my way.

Trae fits for exactly the reasons you cite. I just think the cost will be too great and the results disappointing.

The Blazers have no business exiting their rebuild, but they appear committed to doing so. This is why I think a major trade is on the horizon. I also think they will extend Simons this summer. But I'm reserving just a little bit of hope that the big moves are for talent acquisition and not merely doubling down on the pretense that this squad is ready to compete.

[bbms]

I think OKC pays that asking price for Deni alone. Ideal fit, dirt cheap for the first two years of the tax years. I haven’t played with OKC’s future situation at all, but I assume they will be trying to keep all the talent they can and duck the second apron as long as possible..

there are a few ways ways of ducking the second apron in 2026/27. the numbers will be influenced by ajay and jaylin's contract.

assuming they carry only 3 rookies from now to 2026/27, they'll probably be around 35 mm above 2nd apron threshold (+increment of jaylins and ajay contracts), so hartenstein + a trim on minor contracts such as kenrich, joe, wiggins... should do it. the other way is to cut dort/caruso + one or two of those 7.5-15mm contracts.

after it they likely pay cason.

we're talking about a potential 4-6 players roster crunch.

the best way of ducking the 2nd apron in 2027/28 and 2028/29 (where the league can opt out of CBA) is having as players performing on rookie deals as possible so i believe giving picks away is a terrible idea.

[BlazersBroncos]

I agree, and I think they will try.

My gut feeling, though, is that they are going to make a significant trade, but after being unsuccessful getting Harper or Edgecombe, so it'll be out of this draft for a future high upside pick or for a veteran player on the block. My gut also tells me it's going to be a deal that causes a lot of discomfort for Blazers fans: they may, as I said, forego picking in this draft altogether, they may move a major piece like Deni to vault up the board, or they may bring in a big name at a high price.

I don't often predict major transactions because boring is always the safer bet, but this moment has the feel of one in which the Blazers decide to push the chips in. I just think management is (unduly) excited and will want to make a big splash.

My (unreasonable) hope is that any big move is in the direction of landing a young cornerstone, but it's more likely going to be a piece to complement the so-called core already in place (but maybe at the cost of one of them).

Or maybe my gut is wrong and Cronin really does love his roster so much that he'll just add a questionable prospect at #11 and call it a night. That would be a better outcome than, say, selling the farm for Zion or Trae.

Anyway, just my Portland draft fanfic, carry on...

I think if Atlanta makes Trae available, that actually is an amazing fit and considering the talent Portland has / lack of interest in a full rebuild.. I think it’s one of the better semi realistic choices. Don’t want to speculate a trade package.

I don’t believe in Scoot, so if I wasn’t interested in rebuilding - I would be looking at all point guard upgrade options. I am not sure how Portland fans / front office feel on him though.

Pretty off topic, but only half way kidding.. I want to see Portland sit on their roster flexibility because I’ve always wanted to see a two year renegotiate and extend done and Deni is probably the most realistic candidate. Try to give him 20-25 mil extra in 26-27 and 27-28 and lower him 29-32 salaries by 15~ mil a year or so..

I am also very interested to see what Portland could/would do with Deni, Camara, and the cap space to renegotiate and extend both next summer!

I do not believe in Scoot. I thought he was a solid draft choice because the read was he had home run upside, and I actually like him quite a bit. But he and Simons and Sharpe can't all be good/promising and yet constitute one of the worst backcourts in the NBA. I'd clear them all out if I had my way.

Trae fits for exactly the reasons you cite. I just think the cost will be too great and the results disappointing.

The Blazers have no business exiting their rebuild, but they appear committed to doing so. This is why I think a major trade is on the horizon. I also think they will extend Simons this summer. But I'm reserving just a little bit of hope that the big moves are for talent acquisition and not merely doubling down on the pretense that this squad is ready to compete.

Its not popular but I would be interested in the cost for Lauri. He is a great fit on a team lacking shooters. Based on his contract and the amt of games he misses I wouldnt likely want to move more than Grant + 11.

[DaVoiceMaster]

Portland should really be trying to trade up, but the value is right imo.

I agree, and I think they will try.

My gut feeling, though, is that they are going to make a significant trade, but after being unsuccessful getting Harper or Edgecombe, so it'll be out of this draft for a future high upside pick or for a veteran player on the block. My gut also tells me it's going to be a deal that causes a lot of discomfort for Blazers fans: they may, as I said, forego picking in this draft altogether, they may move a major piece like Deni to vault up the board, or they may bring in a big name at a high price.

I don't often predict major transactions because boring is always the safer bet, but this moment has the feel of one in which the Blazers decide to push the chips in. I just think management is (unduly) excited and will want to make a big splash.

My (unreasonable) hope is that any big move is in the direction of landing a young cornerstone, but it's more likely going to be a piece to complement the so-called core already in place (but maybe at the cost of one of them).

Or maybe my gut is wrong and Cronin really does love his roster so much that he'll just add a questionable prospect at #11 and call it a night. That would be a better outcome than, say, selling the farm for Zion or Trae.

Anyway, just my Portland draft fanfic, carry on...

I think if Atlanta makes Trae available, that actually is an amazing fit and considering the talent Portland has / lack of interest in a full rebuild.. I think it’s one of the better semi realistic choices. Don’t want to speculate a trade package.

I don’t believe in Scoot, so if I wasn’t interested in rebuilding - I would be looking at all point guard upgrade options. I am not sure how Portland fans / front office feel on him though.

Pretty off topic, but only half way kidding.. I want to see Portland sit on their roster flexibility because I’ve always wanted to see a two year renegotiate and extend done and Deni is probably the most realistic candidate. Try to give him 20-25 mil extra in 26-27 and 27-28 and lower him 29-32 salaries by 15~ mil a year or so..

I will be so pissed off it they trade for Trae. I'm tired of undersized guards who don't play defense.

[JRoy]

I agree, and I think they will try.

My gut feeling, though, is that they are going to make a significant trade, but after being unsuccessful getting Harper or Edgecombe, so it'll be out of this draft for a future high upside pick or for a veteran player on the block. My gut also tells me it's going to be a deal that causes a lot of discomfort for Blazers fans: they may, as I said, forego picking in this draft altogether, they may move a major piece like Deni to vault up the board, or they may bring in a big name at a high price.

I don't often predict major transactions because boring is always the safer bet, but this moment has the feel of one in which the Blazers decide to push the chips in. I just think management is (unduly) excited and will want to make a big splash.

My (unreasonable) hope is that any big move is in the direction of landing a young cornerstone, but it's more likely going to be a piece to complement the so-called core already in place (but maybe at the cost of one of them).

Or maybe my gut is wrong and Cronin really does love his roster so much that he'll just add a questionable prospect at #11 and call it a night. That would be a better outcome than, say, selling the farm for Zion or Trae.

Anyway, just my Portland draft fanfic, carry on...

I think if Atlanta makes Trae available, that actually is an amazing fit and considering the talent Portland has / lack of interest in a full rebuild.. I think it’s one of the better semi realistic choices. Don’t want to speculate a trade package.

I don’t believe in Scoot, so if I wasn’t interested in rebuilding - I would be looking at all point guard upgrade options. I am not sure how Portland fans / front office feel on him though.

Pretty off topic, but only half way kidding.. I want to see Portland sit on their roster flexibility because I’ve always wanted to see a two year renegotiate and extend done and Deni is probably the most realistic candidate. Try to give him 20-25 mil extra in 26-27 and 27-28 and lower him 29-32 salaries by 15~ mil a year or so..

I will be so pissed off it they trade for Trae. I'm tired of undersized guards who don't play defense.

Yeah. Just had a decade of that.

Time for a new archetype to hate.

[Devilanche]

Don’t worry Presti will move up take some three year player at a mid major we weren’t talking about.

He could also be considering some overseas project that have all the right measurements and just need time .

Can Poku get drafted twice?

Is it Poku time ? Or still not yet .

[Myth]

I agree, and I think they will try.

My gut feeling, though, is that they are going to make a significant trade, but after being unsuccessful getting Harper or Edgecombe, so it'll be out of this draft for a future high upside pick or for a veteran player on the block. My gut also tells me it's going to be a deal that causes a lot of discomfort for Blazers fans: they may, as I said, forego picking in this draft altogether, they may move a major piece like Deni to vault up the board, or they may bring in a big name at a high price.

I don't often predict major transactions because boring is always the safer bet, but this moment has the feel of one in which the Blazers decide to push the chips in. I just think management is (unduly) excited and will want to make a big splash.

My (unreasonable) hope is that any big move is in the direction of landing a young cornerstone, but it's more likely going to be a piece to complement the so-called core already in place (but maybe at the cost of one of them).

Or maybe my gut is wrong and Cronin really does love his roster so much that he'll just add a questionable prospect at #11 and call it a night. That would be a better outcome than, say, selling the farm for Zion or Trae.

Anyway, just my Portland draft fanfic, carry on...

I think if Atlanta makes Trae available, that actually is an amazing fit and considering the talent Portland has / lack of interest in a full rebuild.. I think it’s one of the better semi realistic choices. Don’t want to speculate a trade package.

I don’t believe in Scoot, so if I wasn’t interested in rebuilding - I would be looking at all point guard upgrade options. I am not sure how Portland fans / front office feel on him though.

Pretty off topic, but only half way kidding.. I want to see Portland sit on their roster flexibility because I’ve always wanted to see a two year renegotiate and extend done and Deni is probably the most realistic candidate. Try to give him 20-25 mil extra in 26-27 and 27-28 and lower him 29-32 salaries by 15~ mil a year or so..

I will be so pissed off it they trade for Trae. I'm tired of undersized guards who don't play defense.

I’m fine with it as long as everybody surrounding him can make up on the defensive end. We could have built around Dame, but not with the likes of CJ, Simons, Carmelo, Kanter, and other SGs (Trent, Powell, etc) pretending to be SFs. If we have Trae with Camara, Deni, Clingan, and upgrade our SG to a decent defender, I’d be pretty happy.

[jayjaysee]

I will be so pissed off it they trade for Trae. I'm tired of undersized guards who don't play defense.

With the roster Portland now has, I think they are much better suited for that undersized guard.

But my main respond was... An upgrade to Scoot seems the easiest way to push the team the direction it seems they want to go. Whether that’s Trae or a different young-ish PG, up to you/them.

[cucad8]

With the roster Portland now has, I think they are much better suited for that undersized guard.

But my main respond was... An upgrade to Scoot seems the easiest way to push the team the direction it seems they want to go. Whether that’s Trae or a different young-ish PG, up to you/them.

I sometimes feel like I'm the last PDX fan who likes Scoot, but that being said, I'd be exploring upgrades for younger veterans this offseason, to see about making that next push, if it makes sense. Trae, Garland, etc. But seems very unlikely.

[Tim Lehrbach]

I will be so pissed off it they trade for Trae. I'm tired of undersized guards who don't play defense.

With the roster Portland now has, I think they are much better suited for that undersized guard.

But my main respond was... An upgrade to Scoot seems the easiest way to push the team the direction it seems they want to go. Whether that’s Trae or a different young-ish PG, up to you/them.

Yes, the Blazers' biggest need and the most impactful change they can make is to bring in a dynamic lead guard at either backcourt position. Instead of waiting for Scoot and Sharpe to maybe be decent enough someday, bring on their replacements.

[Myth]

With the roster Portland now has, I think they are much better suited for that undersized guard.

But my main respond was... An upgrade to Scoot seems the easiest way to push the team the direction it seems they want to go. Whether that’s Trae or a different young-ish PG, up to you/them.

I sometimes feel like I'm the last PDX fan who likes Scoot, but that being said, I'd be exploring upgrades for younger veterans this offseason, to see about making that next push, if it makes sense. Trae, Garland, etc. But seems very unlikely.

He’s ok, with decently high upside that he is not guaranteed to reach. If Blazers are ready to win, point guard is the clear weak position to upgrade. It will take patience if we want to see if he can become a star in any sense of that word, and it is very possible we wait for nothing but a flawed role player.

[DaVoiceMaster]

I will be so pissed off it they trade for Trae. I'm tired of undersized guards who don't play defense.

With the roster Portland now has, I think they are much better suited for that undersized guard.

But my main respond was... An upgrade to Scoot seems the easiest way to push the team the direction it seems they want to go. Whether that’s Trae or a different young-ish PG, up to you/them.

Yes, the Blazers' biggest need and the most impactful change they can make is to bring in a dynamic lead guard at either backcourt position. Instead of waiting for Scoot and Sharpe to maybe be decent enough someday, bring on their replacements.

I'm not opposed to moving both players. Sharpe will be a good offensive player, but is lazy on defense. Scoot has not lived up to the hype.

In the draft, I'm curious what #11 and Scoot could fetch. I'm also curious what #11 and Sharpe could fetch.

[Myth]

With the roster Portland now has, I think they are much better suited for that undersized guard.

But my main respond was... An upgrade to Scoot seems the easiest way to push the team the direction it seems they want to go. Whether that’s Trae or a different young-ish PG, up to you/them.

Yes, the Blazers' biggest need and the most impactful change they can make is to bring in a dynamic lead guard at either backcourt position. Instead of waiting for Scoot and Sharpe to maybe be decent enough someday, bring on their replacements.

I'm not opposed to moving both players. Sharpe will be a good offensive player, but is lazy on defense. Scoot has not lived up to the hype.

In the draft, I'm curious what #11 and Scoot could fetch. I'm also curious what #11 and Sharpe could fetch.

If simply looking to upgrade or upgrade potential at their respective positions, I’d trade Sharpe and 11 to move up for VJ. Scoot and 11 I think would need to go for a more established PG, because I don’t think any of the point guards in this draft are worth both Scoot and 11 except Harper, who is worth considerably more.

[Case2012]

You cant judge Scoot until Simons is gone. He's earned the starting role with his play last year and he should get at least 1 year running the team. I'm more interested in trading Shaedon who-while good- hasn't improved since his rookie year. Maybe he's not happy here, idk, but he lacks motor.

I'm good with the original deal.

I'm starting Deni next season and letting him play the whole year like he did after coming back from injury in january. He put up 20, 8 and 5 his last 34 games. A full season of him in the star role and i think that will turn into 22-25, 8-10 and 4-6 and he probably makes an all star team if we have a winning record.

[Devilanche]

He could also be considering some overseas project that have all the right measurements and just need time .

Can Poku get drafted twice?

Is it Poku time ? Or still not yet .

Self bump since nobody replied

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