Blazers/Washington Don't get too excited

Post #1 » by **Texas Chuck** » Thu Jun 12, 2025 10:19 pm

Middleton

for

Ayton

Washington gets a big body to put next to Sarr for a year, try him out, see if they want to bring him back at a much lower number.
Blazers turn center over to Clingan to see what they really have, Middleton if healthy can be a solid bench scorer, but also a great mentor for a young team.

Your favorite team is of course due some Hartford Whalers 2nds and absolutely gets them.

JRoy · Post #2 » by **JRoy** » Thu Jun 12, 2025 10:22 pm

Don’t hate it. Removes the temptation for Cronin to resign Ayton.

Myth · Post #3 » by **Myth** » Thu Jun 12, 2025 10:32 pm

I think the draft dictates if the Blazers make such a trade. If they want a lengthy wing, it doesn’t make sense to bring in Middleton. If they draft Queen, 100% they should make this trade. If they draft a guard, this is still a pretty good trade, because I’d rather see Middleton get minutes than Murray.

Clipsz 4 Life · Post #4 » by **Tim Lehrbach** » Thu Jun 12, 2025 10:39 pm

Everybody knows I don't think much of Ayton, so I can't really support Washington trading for him, but sure. Maybe the 2nds go in that direction.

TGW · Post #5 » by **TGW** » Thu Jun 12, 2025 11:38 pm

I think Washington would seriously consider this depending on the cost ramifications. However, the Wizards owe a top-8 protected pick to the Knicks so they may opt against any marginal improvements to the roster, even if it does make sense like this one.

Nice idea.

Clipsz 4 Life · Post #6 » by **Tim Lehrbach** » Thu Jun 12, 2025 11:42 pm

TGW wrote:I think Washington would seriously consider this depending on the cost ramifications. However, the Wizards owe a top-8 protected pick to the Knicks so they may opt against any marginal improvements to the roster, even if it does make sense like this one.

Nice idea.

Would increase payroll by like $1.5 million, I think.

ReggiesKnicks · Post #7 » by **ReggiesKnicks** » Fri Jun 13, 2025 12:23 am

I made a similar proposal in my Mock-Off-Season sessions (which I hope to continue and complete pre-draft).

DeAndre Ayton + Matisse Thybulle (Taken into MLE) for Khris Middleton

A few things...

1) Great Minds think alike
2) Simpler is better

mhd · Post #8 » by **mhd** » Fri Jun 13, 2025 12:28 am

As much as Ayton would be a help as a vet big, he’d also be a problem because he’s a vet big. With the Wizards needing to tank hard to ensure that their pick doesn’t convey to the Knicks (it is top 8 protected, otherwise it turns into a 2026 2nd and 2027 2nd), Ayton could hinder the tank potentially putting the pick in jeopardy.

ReggiesKnicks · Post #9 » by **ReggiesKnicks** » Fri Jun 13, 2025 12:30 am

mhd wrote:As much as Ayton would be a help as a vet big, he’d also be a problem because he’s a vet big. With the Wizards needing to tank hard to ensure that their pick doesn’t convey to the Knicks (it is top 8 protected, otherwise it turns into a 2026 2nd and 2027 2nd), Ayton could hinder the tank potentially putting the pick in jeopardy.

Let's not get ahead of ourselves guys. Ayton isn't going to be the reason you finish 9th.

Cam Johnson having a breakout year along with Dennis Schroeder playing his ass off might, though.

Myth · Post #10 » by **Myth** » Fri Jun 13, 2025 12:32 am

ReggiesKnicks wrote:
mhd wrote:As much as Ayton would be a help as a vet big, he’d also be a problem because he’s a vet big. With the Wizards needing to tank hard to ensure that their pick doesn’t convey to the Knicks (it is top 8 protected, otherwise it turns into a 2026 2nd and 2027 2nd), Ayton could hinder the tank potentially putting the pick in jeopardy.

Let's not get ahead of ourselves guys. Ayton isn't going to be the reason you finish 9th.

Cam Johnson having a breakout year along with Dennis Schroeder playing his ass off might, though.

It is a contract year. He may try.

ReggiesKnicks · Post #11 » by **ReggiesKnicks** » Fri Jun 13, 2025 12:41 am

Myth wrote:
ReggiesKnicks wrote:
mhd wrote:As much as Ayton would be a help as a vet big, he’d also be a problem because he’s a vet big. With the Wizards needing to tank hard to ensure that their pick doesn’t convey to the Knicks (it is top 8 protected, otherwise it turns into a 2026 2nd and 2027 2nd), Ayton could hinder the tank potentially putting the pick in jeopardy.

Let's not get ahead of ourselves guys. Ayton isn't going to be the reason you finish 9th.

Cam Johnson having a breakout year along with Dennis Schroeder playing his ass off might, though.

It is a contract year. He may try.

Then you trade him at the deadline for a Center-needy team.

Post #12 » by **Texas Chuck** » Fri Jun 13, 2025 1:25 am

Of all the reasons to not like this, I don't believe Ayton doing too much to help you win is a major worry lol. Either he continues to play as he has since he got paid and he's just some empty offensive calories in which case he's not hurting a tank at all. Or his agent convinces him if you want another non-min contract you've got to go back to playing defense and setting screens, in which case all your young players and Jordan Poole will ensure the tank, but maybe you've found another piece moving forward.

But I think there is very little chance Ayton swings you w/l record in a positive direction more than .5 wins or so and that's probably generous.

And yes I know this is a great sell to Wizards fans lol. But he's just not been an impact player for years.

Post #13 » by **penbeast0** » Fri Jun 13, 2025 5:54 am

Not unreasonable, not sure I'd do it in terms of the developing team culture with all those 19 and 20 year olds on the Wiz we are trying to teach to think in terms of team basketball but talent/age/fit are all in favor of Ayton.

Now if those Whalers 2nds can fight . . .