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BLAZERS
In:MPJ/Nnaji/Saric
Out:R.Williams/J.Grant/Banton

Clingan/Ayton
Avdija/KMurray
MPJ/Cámara
Sharpe/Rupert
Scott/A.Simons

why do they do it?
Porter is 4 years younger than J.Grant, so he is more suitable for a young team, he also has one year less on his contract
on the court it should fit perfectly

DENVER
In:R.Williams/J.Grant/Banton
Out:MPJ/Nnaji/Saric

Depth is the only thing that keeps Denver away from the top contenders, this change is basically a 3 x 1. I understand that the 3 players they receive would seem important in the Playoff rotation (especially Williams and Grant obviously)



And... CLIPPERS..?

CLIPPERS
In: Thybulle/Nnaji/Reath/ SRP(Blazers)
Out: Tucker/Hyland/K.Brown

They improve on the court and receive a small asset

BLAZERS
In:Tucker/Hyland/Brown
Out:Nnaji/Reath/Thybulle/SRP

they erase some future money

Hard pass for POR.

Grant is a bad contract but MPJ is a bad contract himself with chronic health issues. Better to look for another deal.

JRoy wrote:Hard pass for POR.

Grant is a bad contract but MPJ is a bad contract himself with chronic health issues. Better to look for another deal.

MPJ played 81 games last year and has played 41 this year with an average of more than 30 minutes (in terms of availability), his contract is one year shorter, he will be 28 when it expires...J Grant is 30 now and will have 33 when it expires..

Astaluego wrote:

JRoy wrote:Hard pass for POR.

Grant is a bad contract but MPJ is a bad contract himself with chronic health issues. Better to look for another deal.

MPJ played 81 games last year and has played 41 this year with an average of more than 30 minutes (in terms of availability), his contract is one year shorter, he will be 28 when it expires...J Grant is 30 now and will have 33 when it expires..

I understand the idea, I just don’t agree with it. Especially with the Nnaji added.

Find a 3rd team. PDX should be clearing forward minutes for Deni and Camara + the chances BPA in the draft is a F (Which make it even more urgent to dump Grant).

Astaluego wrote:

JRoy wrote:Hard pass for POR.

Grant is a bad contract but MPJ is a bad contract himself with chronic health issues. Better to look for another deal.

MPJ played 81 games last year and has played 41 this year with an average of more than 30 minutes (in terms of availability), his contract is one year shorter, he will be 28 when it expires...J Grant is 30 now and will have 33 when it expires..

Jimmy Grant is going to have 33 of what? Are you trying to say he's going to be 33 years old? I don't care... he also doesn't have chronic back issues bone to bone lower lumbar vertebrae

Nnaji sucks pay to dump him on someone yourself

Nothing coming from the Clippers is appealing yet we are sending a second round pick there... and I can't even imagine them wanting to trade their scrubs for nnaji's bad contract

I wanted to look at the salaries closer and was too busy earlier. So summarized for Portland, this is:

MPJ (35.6, 38.8, 40.8)
Tucker (11.5)
Hyland (4.2)
Brown (2.5 + teams options)
Saric (5.2 + player option for 5.4)
Total=59M, 44.2M, 40.8M

for

Grant (29.8, 32, 34.2, player option for 36.4)
RW (12.4, 13.3)
Banton (2.2)
Thybulle (11, player option for 11.6)
Reath (2, partial guarantee 2.2)
2nd rounder
Total=57.4M, 56.9, 34.2, 36.4

These numbers are based on if Grant, Thybulle, and Saric pick up their player options, and none of the team options or partial guarantees are picked up. If there is no opportunity to clear off more salary or acquire assets, I am on board with this. Saving over 12M next season gives us more flexibility. The year after we actually have a little less flexibility, but then not potentially eating the last 36.4M of Grant's contract helps. Two full seasons MPJ is at least no longer a super long contract. I'd obviously much rather move him than keep him, and the real question is whether his contract is easier or harder to move than Grant's. I view none of these guys as long-term pieces (Though RWIII is my favorite piece here), so I'm generally fine with getting less money. So the question is, if this is the best Portland can do.

Edit: Oops, I accidentally edited over my initial response instead of adding this as a separate response. Oh well.

Grant has a terrible contract and has missed 20-30 games every season since he got his payday. He also made it clear he'd rather play on a bad team and score more points than be a role player on a championship team. One of the last guys I'd want anywhere near my team, unless I'm trying to tank.

Manimal wrote:Grant has a terrible contract and has missed 20-30 games every season since he got his payday. He also made it clear he'd rather play on a bad team and score more points than be a role player on a championship team. One of the last guys I'd want anywhere near my team, unless I'm trying to tank.

But he loves fashion!

JRoy wrote:Hard pass for POR.

Grant is a bad contract but MPJ is a bad contract himself with chronic health issues. Better to look for another deal.

It’s not the worst deal for JG. Probably the best I’ve actually seen. If it happened I think it would make some sense.

Clippers aren't taking on Nnaji, while giving up Kobe without worhty incentive. Thybulle isn't playing, Reath gets spot time. A second from Portland is solid, but not nearly enough.

BLAZERS
In:MPJ/Nnaji/Saric
Out:R.Williams/J.Grant/Banton

DENVER
In:R.Williams/J.Grant/Banton
Out:MPJ/Nnaji/Saric

Sticking with the original 2-team concept. I am ok with taking MPJ back in a deal for Grant, but adding RW3 and taking back Nnaji (specifically), whose contract is for 3 more years (3rd year PO) is not a positive, nor do I think MPJ for Grant & RW3 is fair compensation. Nnaji's contract isn't horrible ($8.1\$7.5\$7.5(PO) but the years and his performance are not great.

This deal as constructed also pushes POR into the luxury tax, which as stated already is a no go.

I think in general, Grant\RW3 + min contract for MPJ + matching salary + additional assets could work. DEN only has a 31' 1st, but does have two intriguing young players in Strawther\Watson, subbing Saric for one of them would be more palatable IMO. Of course, I like Strawther & Watson (I'd prefer Strawther), but other POR fans don't and who knows what POR organization thinks.

MPJ\Nnaji\Strawther for Grant\RW3\Banton (or Reath or Walker). I would be ok with that, and I would not expect MPJ to be long on POR roster, as they could spin him off for additional assets.

Walton1one wrote:would not expect MPJ to be long on POR roster, as they could spin him off for additional assets.

I think it would be very likely he plays out that contract in Portland. Only way we get assets is taking on a worse big contract. Luckily, his contract may end earlier than Grant’s which is the only reason at all I entertain the idea.

Portland/Denver have done a lot of trades together in the past and if constructed around
Grant/MPJ with Portland adding depth pieces, could work for both sides

I haven't run the numbers (and won't, because lazy), but if this (1) keeps the Blazers below the luxury tax this season and (2) reduces payroll in 2026-2027, I do it. Although like some other Blazers fans here, I would prefer if MPJ goes elsewhere -- nothing against him, he's just not a fit.

BUT... the big problem for me is I hate this for Denver. Grant's best days are behind him, Williams is unreliable, and Banton is JAG. Porter's contract has been maligned and his health doubted, and not without reason, but frankly he just delivers more than the Portland package.