Kuzma and Connaughton for Grant + 2nds

[babyjax13]

MIL trades: Kyle Kuzma, Pat Connaughton
POR trades: Jerami Grant, 2026 MEM 2nd, 2027 MIN 2nd

Milwaukee flips Kuzma for someone who just had a putrid season, but prior to this year had averaged about 20/4/3 for four seasons in a row on *approximately* league average efficiency (a bit below in Detroit, a bit above in Portland). They obviously hope for a bounce-back year, but at minimum, that Grant is more useful than Kuzma.

Portland gets off of the last year of Grant's salary and cuts the second to last year by a little bit as Pat is expiring. This is purely financial considering that Kuzma sucks. Maybe he can have a bit of a bounce-back year, too, though, and they can flip him.

[BlazersBroncos]

Ya I would do this to shave that last year. I do worry that, based on some of his past comments, a Kyle Kuzma stuck in Portland, Oregon playing 20-24mpg would not be a happy camper.

[tmorgan]

This is two teams flinging poo at each other. Fun!

[tester551]

I guess this is okay.

I think I'd rather hang onto Grant than bring Kuzma into Portland. Neither one has value, but I can see a scenario (although unlikely) where Grant at least rebuilds his value to being neutral.

[Texas Chuck]

I guess this is okay.

I think I'd rather hang onto Grant than bring Kuzma into Portland. Neither one has value, but I can see a scenario (although unlikely) where Grant at least rebuilds his value to being neutral.

in theory Kuzma could too right? And it should be even easier since his deal has significantly less gtd money meaning the level needed to be reached is that much lower.

That said, I wouldn't want Kuzma around the team Portland is building so I would need to know I had an off-ramp for him even if its another unwanted player. Just Kuzma's open selfishness in Washington on top of the terrible play isn't something I'd want on a roster that despite its ill-fitting roster, played really hard for Billups last year. I'd want to keep those vibes while hoping some of the kids continue to improve this year while knowing a bunch of unwanted money comes off the books in a year leading to real opportunity if that development happens.

[MoneyTalks41890]

I guess this is okay.

I think I'd rather hang onto Grant than bring Kuzma into Portland. Neither one has value, but I can see a scenario (although unlikely) where Grant at least rebuilds his value to being neutral.

in theory Kuzma could too right? And it should be even easier since his deal has significantly less gtd money meaning the level needed to be reached is that much lower.

That said, I wouldn't want Kuzma around the team Portland is building so I would need to know I had an off-ramp for him even if its another unwanted player. Just Kuzma's open selfishness in Washington on top of the terrible play isn't something I'd want on a roster that despite its ill-fitting roster, played really hard for Billups last year. I'd want to keep those vibes while hoping some of the kids continue to improve this year while knowing a bunch of unwanted money comes off the books in a year leading to real opportunity if that development happens.

Feel like the clippers are always dealing for forwards, how far off is a swap of Kuzma for Bogdan woven in?

[tester551]

I guess this is okay.

I think I'd rather hang onto Grant than bring Kuzma into Portland. Neither one has value, but I can see a scenario (although unlikely) where Grant at least rebuilds his value to being neutral.

in theory Kuzma could too right? And it should be even easier since his deal has significantly less gtd money meaning the level needed to be reached is that much lower.

That said, I wouldn't want Kuzma around the team Portland is building so I would need to know I had an off-ramp for him even if its another unwanted player. Just Kuzma's open selfishness in Washington on top of the terrible play isn't something I'd want on a roster that despite its ill-fitting roster, played really hard for Billups last year. I'd want to keep those vibes while hoping some of the kids continue to improve this year while knowing a bunch of unwanted money comes off the books in a year leading to real opportunity if that development happens.

Yeah - Kuzma is one player that I don't hold in high regard for his professionalism.

If there was a subsequent move for Kuzma to go to another team - then I can see this move. Until then, I would just keep Grant

[JRoy]

I would have to say no for POR.

Grant is overpaid and played very poorly last year but don’t want Kuzma anywhere near my team and not adding picks to turn a giant turd into two smaller turds.

[DeBlazerRiddem]

I guess this is okay.

I think I'd rather hang onto Grant than bring Kuzma into Portland. Neither one has value, but I can see a scenario (although unlikely) where Grant at least rebuilds his value to being neutral.

It's really about where his head is at. I don't see any real reason for his decline, no injury and he has a game that should age fine. So I can only assume it likely comes down to him not caring to try very hard. Which is a problem, a fixable problem, but one you gotta understand the cause of. Did he just accept this year was pointless and let other younger players take a bigger role or is he upset at coaching/role/team dynamics? If it's something fixable then I wouldnt mind keeping him but if he is done giving his best effort here then we gotta move him.

[vxmike]

I guess it works for Milwaukee if they insist on not rebuilding. This kind of trade taking on longer salary is the only way they can add talent.

They have no guards though. Giannis, Portis and Grant would be their top 3 players.

[Astaluego]

Alternatively, if the Blazers don't want to do it... Kuzma to the Bulls for P. Williams and 2/3 SRP?

Then the Bucks send Lillard + 3 SRP (Bulls) + 2 SRP (Their own) to the Wizards for Smart/Poole.


Lillard WIZARDS
Lavine+Smart

[DrModesty]

Grant was extremely poor this past year, it just didn't get attention because Portland was a feel good story. I wouldn't want to take on that extra long term money without real incentive, even knowing that it is Kuzma I am getting off of.

[Myth]

Grant was extremely poor this past year, it just didn't get attention because Portland was a feel good story. I wouldn't want to take on that extra long term money without real incentive, even knowing that it is Kuzma I am getting off of.

Depends on what we mean by "extremely poor." Negative for his contract? Absolutely. But he was still an overall positive player, just not as positive as in the past. That said, I do this for Portland just based on the contracts.

[zzaj]

I wouldn't do this if I was Portland...

Yeah, Grant sucked at making any shots inside of the 3pt line last year, but he seemed to buy into the defensive mandate laid down by Chauncey after Jan. Despite the awkward fit behind Deni, Grant offers two things that Portland sorely lacks--3pt shooting and self-creation.

If this were the deal I'd rather hold on to him for another year and hope he can rebuild a little value. Despite what Cronin thinks, the Blazers aren't really in any kind of place to be giving away picks for non-upgrades.

[Myth]

Despite what Cronin thinks, the Blazers aren't really in any kind of place to be giving away picks for non-upgrades.

My thing is I don’t highly value 2nd rounders and cap space may be used to increase trade flexibility that may result in longer term upgrades.

[nate33]

Alternatively, if the Blazers don't want to do it... Kuzma to the Bulls for P. Williams and 2/3 SRP?

Then the Bucks send Lillard + 3 SRP (Bulls) + 2 SRP (Their own) to the Wizards for Smart/Poole.


Lillard WIZARDS
Lavine+Smart

lol

The Wizards are giving away Poole and Smart, and taking on an additional $25M in salary and aren't even getting a single FRP out of it? The Wizards don't exist to solve the problems of other franchises.

Heck, this isn't even a good trade if Lillard is healthy.

[zzaj]

Despite what Cronin thinks, the Blazers aren't really in any kind of place to be giving away picks for non-upgrades.

My thing is I don’t highly value 2nd rounders and cap space may be used to increase trade flexibility that may result in longer term upgrades.

Sure...I just don't think the flexibility gained in trading for one year less of a known player who is not a malcontent, and who actually compliments what the team is trying to do, despite the roster crunch, is worth two non-value players, one of which is a known malcontent and 2nd round pick assets.

Believe me. I want Grant gone as much as anybody...I just think there may be better options available than this. Especially if the Blazers end up keeping Grant for another year and he rehabs a bit of value and is on 1 less year of contract.

[redslastlaugh]

Everything you said is true, but I'm doing this if I'm Portland. The Grant contract is just that bad.

I would have to say no for POR.

Grant is overpaid and played very poorly last year but don’t want Kuzma anywhere near my team and not adding picks to turn a giant turd into two smaller turds.

[JRoy]

Everything you said is true, but I'm doing this if I'm Portland. The Grant contract is just that bad.

I would have to say no for POR.

Grant is overpaid and played very poorly last year but don’t want Kuzma anywhere near my team and not adding picks to turn a giant turd into two smaller turds.

Fair enough. There are several who agree.

POR has a number of contracts expiring next year so no rush to dump him at a loss.

[babyjax13]

Alternatively, if the Blazers don't want to do it... Kuzma to the Bulls for P. Williams and 2/3 SRP?

Then the Bucks send Lillard + 3 SRP (Bulls) + 2 SRP (Their own) to the Wizards for Smart/Poole.


Lillard WIZARDS
Lavine+Smart

I really like the idea of the Kuzma/Williams swap for Chicago to get out of some of the additional years and Portland to get a younger player who could possible use a change of scenery!