Chicago & Portland & Utah

[ReggiesKnicks]

Chicago Out: #45, 2026 POR 1st
Chicago In: #21

Portland Out: #10, 2026 POR 1st (Unprotected), 2029 1st (Most Valuable of POR/BOS/MIL), Jerami Grant, Matisse Thybulle
Portland In: Lauri Markkanen, #45

Utah Out: #21, Lauri Markkanen
Utah In: #10, 2026 POR 1st, 2029 1st (Most Valuable of POR/BOS/MIL), Jerami Grant, Matisse Thybulle

Chicago cashes in on Portland's 1st by moving up into the mid-late 1st, giving Chicago two picks in the 1st round.

Portland lands Lauri Markkanen without giving up their core (Scoot/Clingan/Sharpe) and without stripping their future picks/flexibility. Portland takes on 40 million extra over the life of Grant's contract (Around 13 million per season) and then ~53 million in 2028-2029. Lauri/Deni make for an affordable wing-tandem at ~60 Million per year for the two of them, while both are sub-allstar level Wings and complement each other nicely.

Utah picks up #10 in this draft (By moving up 11 spots from #21) and two high-variance 1sts in 2026 POR 1st (Portland can still miss the post-season with Lauri) and the 2029 1st.

[Godaddycurse]

Lauri is best suited as a 2nd/3rd option.. who is Portland's 1st option? Why are they spending so much to get a robin before they even have their batman?

[SkyHook]

I can't see Utah giving up Lauri and taking on one of the worst contracts in the league for the next three years for this return.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2445352

[Myth]

Easy no from Portland. Not only do I think that is an overpay for Lauri (especially the best of 2029 pick being there), I think he is a bad fit when our 2 best players are already forwards. Portland needs to use those assets to upgrade other positions.

[JRoy]

Easy no from Portland. Not only do I think that is an overpay for Lauri (especially the best of 2029 pick being there), I think he is a bad fit when our 2 best players are already forwards. Portland needs to use those assets to upgrade other positions.

Well said.

I took twice as many words to say the same thing half as well.

[pipfan]

Too much for Lauri, even with taking on Grant

[tester551]

Chicago Out: #45, 2026 POR 1st
Chicago In: #21

Portland Out: #10, 2026 POR 1st (Unprotected), 2029 1st (Most Valuable of POR/BOS/MIL), Jerami Grant, Matisse Thybulle
Portland In: Lauri Markkanen, #45

Utah Out: #21, Lauri Markkanen
Utah In: #10, 2026 POR 1st, 2029 1st (Most Valuable of POR/BOS/MIL), Jerami Grant, Matisse Thybulle

Chicago cashes in on Portland's 1st by moving up into the mid-late 1st, giving Chicago two picks in the 1st round.

Portland lands Lauri Markkanen without giving up their core (Scoot/Clingan/Sharpe) and without stripping their future picks/flexibility. Portland takes on 40 million extra over the life of Grant's contract (Around 13 million per season) and then ~53 million in 2028-2029. Lauri/Deni make for an affordable wing-tandem at ~60 Million per year for the two of them, while both are sub-allstar level Wings and complement each other nicely.

Utah picks up #10 in this draft (By moving up 11 spots from #21) and two high-variance 1sts in 2026 POR 1st (Portland can still miss the post-season with Lauri) and the 2029 1st.

Utah fans love Lauri... so let them keep him.

I personally would trade Grant + Thybulle for Lauri without including any of the picks

[ReggiesKnicks]

Chicago Out: #45, 2026 POR 1st
Chicago In: #21

Portland Out: #10, 2026 POR 1st (Unprotected), 2029 1st (Most Valuable of POR/BOS/MIL), Jerami Grant, Matisse Thybulle
Portland In: Lauri Markkanen, #45

Utah Out: #21, Lauri Markkanen
Utah In: #10, 2026 POR 1st, 2029 1st (Most Valuable of POR/BOS/MIL), Jerami Grant, Matisse Thybulle

Chicago cashes in on Portland's 1st by moving up into the mid-late 1st, giving Chicago two picks in the 1st round.

Portland lands Lauri Markkanen without giving up their core (Scoot/Clingan/Sharpe) and without stripping their future picks/flexibility. Portland takes on 40 million extra over the life of Grant's contract (Around 13 million per season) and then ~53 million in 2028-2029. Lauri/Deni make for an affordable wing-tandem at ~60 Million per year for the two of them, while both are sub-allstar level Wings and complement each other nicely.

Utah picks up #10 in this draft (By moving up 11 spots from #21) and two high-variance 1sts in 2026 POR 1st (Portland can still miss the post-season with Lauri) and the 2029 1st.

Utah fans love Lauri... so let them keep him.

I personally would trade Grant + Thybulle for Lauri without including any of the picks

You would trade one of the worst contracts in the NBA, in Jerami Grant, for Lauri Markkanen?

[ReggiesKnicks]

Easy no from Portland. Not only do I think that is an overpay for Lauri (especially the best of 2029 pick being there), I think he is a bad fit when our 2 best players are already forwards. Portland needs to use those assets to upgrade other positions.

Well said.

I took twice as many words to say the same thing half as well.

What are moves or players you want the Portland Trailblazers to do this off-season?

[SkyHook]

Utah fans love Lauri... so let them keep him.

We're on the same page.

[ChettheJet]

I guess you'd say the value is good for CHI and getting a real pick instead of one that hasn't come close to paying off. Now why the Bulls get included in this for this gift I don't understand

Here's the issue. The Bulls have 14 players under contract right now, the 2 picks means they need to reduce at least one guy. At the same time they're looking to trade Vucevic and unless they find the perfect 1 for 1 deal they're likely to get two $10M guys back. They have 6 players who become expiring contracts at the end of the upcoming season. Sure they could trade some but not without getting players back. I'm of the opinion they liked UFA Tre Jones enough to want him back.

So what it comes down to is this summer they just don't have 2 roster spots for kids who aren't going to be in the rotation.And it doesn't make much sense to ship out guys they could be playing to make room for rookies who won't help them win. Next summer they will have plenty of spaces for draft picks even extra picks. That's when they have more options.

Now tell me that there are phone calls ongoing so some team without a 2025 FRP has their eye on a guy at #21 they're willing to swap their 2026 pick for #21 and maybe both teams add players to the deal. Then this looks good

[Myth]

Easy no from Portland. Not only do I think that is an overpay for Lauri (especially the best of 2029 pick being there), I think he is a bad fit when our 2 best players are already forwards. Portland needs to use those assets to upgrade other positions.

Well said.

I took twice as many words to say the same thing half as well.

What are moves or players you want the Portland Trailblazers to do this off-season?

Not sure all of who is available, but I think PG, SG, and C all have much more room for improvement. If none are readily available, many of those picks have plenty of time to Be traded if somebody does become available, and I think it would need to be an opportunistic move.

[JRoy]

Easy no from Portland. Not only do I think that is an overpay for Lauri (especially the best of 2029 pick being there), I think he is a bad fit when our 2 best players are already forwards. Portland needs to use those assets to upgrade other positions.

Well said.

I took twice as many words to say the same thing half as well.

What are moves or players you want the Portland Trailblazers to do this off-season?

Get the 1st or 2nd pick.

Season to taste.

[SkyHook]

Well said.

I took twice as many words to say the same thing half as well.

What are moves or players you want the Portland Trailblazers to do this off-season?

Get the 1st or 2nd pick.

Season to taste.

One hell of a recipe!

[JRoy]

What are moves or players you want the Portland Trailblazers to do this off-season?

Get the 1st or 2nd pick.

Season to taste.

One hell of a recipe!

Probably not going to happen but lotto day is coming up fast.

[ReggiesKnicks]

Well said.

I took twice as many words to say the same thing half as well.

What are moves or players you want the Portland Trailblazers to do this off-season?

Get the 1st or 2nd pick.

Season to taste.

What is a realistic off-season for Portland where they stay picking at #9?

[ReggiesKnicks]

Well said.

I took twice as many words to say the same thing half as well.

What are moves or players you want the Portland Trailblazers to do this off-season?

Not sure all of who is available, but I think PG, SG, and C all have much more room for improvement. If none are readily available, many of those picks have plenty of time to Be traded if somebody does become available, and I think it would need to be an opportunistic move.

Which players would you target at those 3 positions?

[Myth]

What are moves or players you want the Portland Trailblazers to do this off-season?

Not sure all of who is available, but I think PG, SG, and C all have much more room for improvement. If none are readily available, many of those picks have plenty of time to Be traded if somebody does become available, and I think it would need to be an opportunistic move.

Which players would you target at those 3 positions?

I think any all-star caliber player that is a clear upgrade at one of those positions should be considered. I’m not saying these players are available or even specific targets, but I think of Trae Young being an underrated floor general at point, or a massive defensive upgrade that is competent at offense in Derrick White if Celtics wanted some picks while avoiding luxury tax (we’d have to overpay to convince them obviously). At SG I think of Devin Booker as an all-star level player that could become available, or again if Celtics are desperate for savings as some have speculated, Jaylen Brown. Sabonis has been speculated to be available at C after the Kings moved Fox. Again, it all depends on who becomes available, when, and what package is wanted for them. Forward could be upgraded if something crazy somehow became available, but I’m not convinced moving Camara to the bench in favor of Lauri and giving up assets that are means of upgrading other positions is a good move for the franchise.

[ReggiesKnicks]

Not sure all of who is available, but I think PG, SG, and C all have much more room for improvement. If none are readily available, many of those picks have plenty of time to Be traded if somebody does become available, and I think it would need to be an opportunistic move.

Which players would you target at those 3 positions?

I think any all-star caliber player that is a clear upgrade at one of those positions should be considered. I’m not saying these players are available or even specific targets, but I think of Trae Young being an underrated floor general at point, or a massive defensive upgrade that is competent at offense in Derrick White if Celtics wanted some picks while avoiding luxury tax (we’d have to overpay to convince them obviously). At SG I think of Devin Booker as an all-star level player that could become available, or again if Celtics are desperate for savings as some have speculated, Jaylen Brown. Sabonis has been speculated to be available at C after the Kings moved Fox. Again, it all depends on who becomes available, when, and what package is wanted for them. Forward could be upgraded if something crazy somehow became available, but I’m not convinced moving Camara to the bench in favor of Lauri and giving up assets that are means of upgrading other positions is a good move for the franchise.

Good to know about players you think the Blazers would covet, I will likely pursue that avenue in the future.

Regarding moving Camara to the bench, Camara started next to Grant, why can't Camara start with Lauri in place? Who are your expected starters this year?

[JRoy]

What are moves or players you want the Portland Trailblazers to do this off-season?

Get the 1st or 2nd pick.

Season to taste.

What is a realistic off-season for Portland where they stay picking at #9?

Draft BPA at 9.

Cut a deal to return PORs pick from CHI, possibly including a DA-Vooch swap. Vooch would probably be solid as the eventual backup to Clingan in a way that a delusional DA never will.

Secure the services of a solid backup vet pg. McConnell, Jones, maybe someone on that level.