Hornets/Blazers Ayton

[Astaluego]

HORNETS
In:Ayton/Reath/J.Walker
Out:G.Williams/Martín/Micic/SRP 25(#34 at the moment)

Ayton needs an elite playmaker and to be motivated (on a competing team) to shine...in those circumstances he is an all-star close center (in my opinion).. The Hornets have the ideal PG to complete Ayton and on paper they should be competitive next year... Besides, it fills a huge hole, and they are leaving Williams' last year.

BLAZERS
In:Martín/Micic/G Williams/#34
Out:Ayton/Walker/Reath

Essentially, you save money this year and a ton next year. You clear the way for your high lottery pick (Clingan) and you get a very good SRP. Martin + the new financial flexibility could give them some value back + before the end of the deadline... thought ?

[Tim Lehrbach]

Sure. And the Blazers would net even more money when they inevitably sell the pick!

[Fitz303]

I don't see the incentive for Portland here. Ayton has been playing well. His numbers arent eye popping, but hes been a big part of Portland's turnaround, and there's no need to get off his contract this season.

If Portland is going to operate as a cap space team, it'll be next offseason (when Aytons contract is off the books anyway). If there's 1 player that would make sense to move and get off the long term money for, it's Grant. If Portland can swap his money for a contract(s) ending after next season, Portland could have 60+ Million in cap space next summer. No need to move Ayton for no real assets.

Though people here who don't watch them may not believe it, he's been good for Portland, and his teammates seem to like/respect him. Clingan is intriguing, but does not need to start right now. I'd rather keep him and let his contract come off the books next summer

[Blazinaway]

It seems Blazers want to win and not tank or fully develop young guys. If that is in fact the case then they may do nothing or very little. Ayton seems reenergized (for now anyway) with development of guys like Scoot and having Deni, he's getting some nice passes from them, if mgmt wants to win he will likely stay and frankly there does not seem much interest in him and his big contract this year at least.

[Myth]

It seems Blazers want to win and not tank or fully develop young guys. If that is in fact the case then they may do nothing or very little. Ayton seems reenergized (for now anyway) with development of guys like Scoot and having Deni, he's getting some nice passes from them, if mgmt wants to win he will likely stay and frankly there does not seem much interest in him and his big contract this year at least.

It frustrates me so much that all year (and earlier) we hear about the players not being tradable and wanting to see if we can increase their value for a trade, then we do at the perfect time (the trade deadline) and suddenly it’s “let’s see how this team plays out as is.” It’s apparently not the Portland way to sell high. This is a general frustration though, not a response to the actual proposed trade.

[GoBobs]

Hornets will likely wait until the summer to trade any picks for roster upgrades. All our trades the past few years have been roster downgrades to get picks following the OKC model.

[HornetJail]

The goal appears to be not winning a single game the rest of the season, which contrary to popular opinion on here, Ayton would hurt that cause while eating into our offseason money.

Also downgrading from "the idea of DeAndre Ayton" to "the reality of DeAndre Ayton" would hurt me so much

[Tim Lehrbach]

Also downgrading from "the idea of DeAndre Ayton" to "the reality of DeAndre Ayton" would hurt me so much

I wouldn't wish this experience on any fan. OK, maybe Lakers fans.