2019 Offseason, June 30th 3PM PT.

[Fitz303]

Would you guys trade anfernee Simon's to the wolves for the no. 10 pick? You guys draft Jaxson Hayes or maybe take a gamble on Bol Bol

I would not. Simons has looked silky smooth when he's hit the floor this year. He has a world of potential right now, and I'd rather roll with that moving forward. Bol Bol is intriguing but another injured big man in Portland? I'm not sure my heart could take that... Portland is going to likely lose some back court depth this summer, so they're going to need Simons to step up next year.

[DusterBuster]

Would you guys trade anfernee Simon's to the wolves for the no. 10 pick? You guys draft Jaxson Hayes or maybe take a gamble on Bol Bol

I would not. Simons has looked silky smooth when he's hit the floor this year. He has a world of potential right now, and I'd rather roll with that moving forward. Bol Bol is intriguing but another injured big man in Portland? I'm not sure my heart could take that... Portland is going to likely lose some back court depth this summer, so they're going to need Simons to step up next year.

I understand being high on Simons, he does look good. But I think getting a Top 10 pick could be a useful asset. Like I mentioned, I would be more interested in a deal if you can flip that pick to a 3rd team for a high-end player like Kevin Love.

[wesleyt95]

Would you guys trade anfernee Simon's to the wolves for the no. 10 pick? You guys draft Jaxson Hayes or maybe take a gamble on Bol Bol

In a heartbeat. Simons has potential, but if you can flip a mid-20's FRP into a Top 10 FRP in a year, I think you do that.

I'd actually prefer it be part of a 3 team deal though with the #10 pick getting flipped to another team for a vet player.

Maybe something with Cleveland and Love coming back to Portland.

Turner, Okogie (or whatever filler player from MIN) and #10 to Cleveland
Love to Portland
Simons to Minnesota

Works under the checker and if the Wolves are really interested in Simons for #10, than I think that works for each team involved.

I wouldn't deal Okogie but I'd throw in Saric if we get back Clevelands 26th pick and I think it's a win for all of us

[DusterBuster]

Would you guys trade anfernee Simon's to the wolves for the no. 10 pick? You guys draft Jaxson Hayes or maybe take a gamble on Bol Bol

In a heartbeat. Simons has potential, but if you can flip a mid-20's FRP into a Top 10 FRP in a year, I think you do that.

I'd actually prefer it be part of a 3 team deal though with the #10 pick getting flipped to another team for a vet player.

Maybe something with Cleveland and Love coming back to Portland.

Turner, Okogie (or whatever filler player from MIN) and #10 to Cleveland
Love to Portland
Simons to Minnesota

Works under the checker and if the Wolves are really interested in Simons for #10, than I think that works for each team involved.

I wouldn't deal Okogie but I'd throw in Saric if we get back Clevelands 26th pick and I think it's a win for all of us

Yeah, I don't know enough of the Wolves roster to know who they consider throw-in. They just need to have some salary in there to cover Simons' contract. Don't really think it would matter who it is. In fact, if it's Saric, I think that probably interests Cleveland even more. Getting Saric, a big expiring contract and the #10 pick for Love is honestly pretty solid return for him at this point of his career.

[Fitz303]

Would you guys trade anfernee Simon's to the wolves for the no. 10 pick? You guys draft Jaxson Hayes or maybe take a gamble on Bol Bol

I would not. Simons has looked silky smooth when he's hit the floor this year. He has a world of potential right now, and I'd rather roll with that moving forward. Bol Bol is intriguing but another injured big man in Portland? I'm not sure my heart could take that... Portland is going to likely lose some back court depth this summer, so they're going to need Simons to step up next year.

I understand being high on Simons, he does look good. But I think getting a Top 10 pick could be a useful asset. Like I mentioned, I would be more interested in a deal if you can flip that pick to a 3rd team for a high-end player like Kevin Love.

And I get that win now stand point as well. I am really torn on that, because I'm extremely high on Simons, but I also get that we're in Dame's prime window right now. I would agree with you in that if a deal like this were made, it would be with the idea of flipping that asset for a proven player. I would just hate to see Simons blow up in Minny, just to have someone like Kevin Love help get us to the WCF for another year or 2.

I'd gladly move him in a deal to get someone like Anthony Davis, if New Orleans saw enough of what I see in him (and other major pieces involved in a trade like that). I just don't want to use him in a marginal upgrade. I'd rather him step into Curry/Turner's role next year, and see what he can do.

[DusterBuster]

I would not. Simons has looked silky smooth when he's hit the floor this year. He has a world of potential right now, and I'd rather roll with that moving forward. Bol Bol is intriguing but another injured big man in Portland? I'm not sure my heart could take that... Portland is going to likely lose some back court depth this summer, so they're going to need Simons to step up next year.

I understand being high on Simons, he does look good. But I think getting a Top 10 pick could be a useful asset. Like I mentioned, I would be more interested in a deal if you can flip that pick to a 3rd team for a high-end player like Kevin Love.

And I get that win now stand point as well. I am really torn on that, because I'm extremely high on Simons, but I also get that we're in Dame's prime window right now. I would agree with you in that if a deal like this were made, it would be with the idea of flipping that asset for a proven player. I would just hate to see Simons blow up in Minny, just to have someone like Kevin Love help get us to the WCF for another year or 2.

I'd gladly move him in a deal to get someone like Anthony Davis, if New Orleans saw enough of what I see in him (and other major pieces involved in a trade like that). I just don't want to use him in a marginal upgrade. I'd rather him step into Curry/Turner's role next year, and see what he can do.

I guess I just don't value Simons potential as high. I think he's got a chance to be good, but I don't have him pegged as All Star level good. I think even getting to 20ppg scorer may be a reach in Portland.

[Fitz303]

I understand being high on Simons, he does look good. But I think getting a Top 10 pick could be a useful asset. Like I mentioned, I would be more interested in a deal if you can flip that pick to a 3rd team for a high-end player like Kevin Love.

And I get that win now stand point as well. I am really torn on that, because I'm extremely high on Simons, but I also get that we're in Dame's prime window right now. I would agree with you in that if a deal like this were made, it would be with the idea of flipping that asset for a proven player. I would just hate to see Simons blow up in Minny, just to have someone like Kevin Love help get us to the WCF for another year or 2.

I'd gladly move him in a deal to get someone like Anthony Davis, if New Orleans saw enough of what I see in him (and other major pieces involved in a trade like that). I just don't want to use him in a marginal upgrade. I'd rather him step into Curry/Turner's role next year, and see what he can do.

I guess I just don't value Simons potential as high. I think he's got a chance to be good, but I don't have him pegged as All Star level good. I think even getting to 20ppg scorer may be a reach in Portland.

Yeah we just have different caps on what we think Simons can be. What the plans are for Aminu is another big question mark in all of this as well. What's the PF position plan moving forward? This will be an intriguing offseason for sure.

[wesleyt95]

I would not. Simons has looked silky smooth when he's hit the floor this year. He has a world of potential right now, and I'd rather roll with that moving forward. Bol Bol is intriguing but another injured big man in Portland? I'm not sure my heart could take that... Portland is going to likely lose some back court depth this summer, so they're going to need Simons to step up next year.

I understand being high on Simons, he does look good. But I think getting a Top 10 pick could be a useful asset. Like I mentioned, I would be more interested in a deal if you can flip that pick to a 3rd team for a high-end player like Kevin Love.

And I get that win now stand point as well. I am really torn on that, because I'm extremely high on Simons, but I also get that we're in Dame's prime window right now. I would agree with you in that if a deal like this were made, it would be with the idea of flipping that asset for a proven player. I would just hate to see Simons blow up in Minny, just to have someone like Kevin Love help get us to the WCF for another year or 2.

I'd gladly move him in a deal to get someone like Anthony Davis, if New Orleans saw enough of what I see in him (and other major pieces involved in a trade like that). I just don't want to use him in a marginal upgrade. I'd rather him step into Curry/Turner's role next year, and see what he can do.

Look at how well guys like Dirk Marc and Pau Gasol have aged, his game relies on skill not athleticism, he probably has just as many years left as Dame playing at a high level. Kevin's a local product he may have another decade in him.

[wesleyt95]

I understand being high on Simons, he does look good. But I think getting a Top 10 pick could be a useful asset. Like I mentioned, I would be more interested in a deal if you can flip that pick to a 3rd team for a high-end player like Kevin Love.

And I get that win now stand point as well. I am really torn on that, because I'm extremely high on Simons, but I also get that we're in Dame's prime window right now. I would agree with you in that if a deal like this were made, it would be with the idea of flipping that asset for a proven player. I would just hate to see Simons blow up in Minny, just to have someone like Kevin Love help get us to the WCF for another year or 2.

I'd gladly move him in a deal to get someone like Anthony Davis, if New Orleans saw enough of what I see in him (and other major pieces involved in a trade like that). I just don't want to use him in a marginal upgrade. I'd rather him step into Curry/Turner's role next year, and see what he can do.

Look at how well guys like Dirk Marc and Pau Gasol have aged, his game relies on skill not athleticism, he probably has just as many years left as Dame playing at a high level (Love is 2 years older). Kevin's a local product he may have another decade in him.

[DusterBuster]

I understand being high on Simons, he does look good. But I think getting a Top 10 pick could be a useful asset. Like I mentioned, I would be more interested in a deal if you can flip that pick to a 3rd team for a high-end player like Kevin Love.

And I get that win now stand point as well. I am really torn on that, because I'm extremely high on Simons, but I also get that we're in Dame's prime window right now. I would agree with you in that if a deal like this were made, it would be with the idea of flipping that asset for a proven player. I would just hate to see Simons blow up in Minny, just to have someone like Kevin Love help get us to the WCF for another year or 2.

I'd gladly move him in a deal to get someone like Anthony Davis, if New Orleans saw enough of what I see in him (and other major pieces involved in a trade like that). I just don't want to use him in a marginal upgrade. I'd rather him step into Curry/Turner's role next year, and see what he can do.

Look at how well guys like Dirk Marc and Pau Gasol have aged, his game relies on skill not athleticism, he probably has just as many years left as Dame playing at a high level. Kevin's a local product he may have another decade in him.

Another decade seems a bit much. I don't think Kevin - with his injury history - is playing until his 40's. That said, I think he's probably still got 4-5 years of pretty high level play left in him and he'd be a great fit with this current Blazers team.

[Norm2953]

I've been wondering if Portland makes a long playoff run, if the move should be CJ for his stock will never
be higher than it is now.

[DusterBuster]

I've been wondering if Portland makes a long playoff run, if the move should be CJ for his stock will never
be higher than it is now.

I think Blazer fans need to get over the idea of trading CJ. Olshey isn't doing it and unless they're getting back someone like Anthony Davis, I don't see any way Dame signs off on a CJ deal considering how close they are. Complaining about CJ's deficiencies or opining for potential CJ trades feels like a waste of time at this point. The team and Dame are committed to this duo.

[Wizenheimer]

I've been wondering if Portland makes a long playoff run, if the move should be CJ for his stock will never
be higher than it is now.

I think Blazer fans need to get over the idea of trading CJ. Olshey isn't doing it and unless they're getting back someone like Anthony Davis, I don't see any way Dame signs off on a CJ deal considering how close they are. Complaining about CJ's deficiencies or opining for potential CJ trades feels like a waste of time at this point. The team and Dame are committed to this duo.

I've always been fine with the idea of trading CJ. That is until I see a lot of the trade ideas...then, the reluctance rises

but yeah, as long as Olshey is GM CJ isn't going anywhere no matter how much sense it would make. From all the 'reporting' CJ was off the table when even when Paul George and Kawhi were on the table. Doubtful that is going to change any time soon

******************************************************************

the 10th pick for Simons? yeah, I'd do that. I mean, this ties into the CJ stuff. If CJ and Dame are going to be around long term, how much real value will Simons have for Portland as a another 6'3 backup SG?

but with the 10th and 25th picks, some interesting options could open. Portland could combine the picks to move up in the draft, maybe to 8 or 7, and there are some interesting players projected to be in that range. Or the Blazers can use those picks as leverage in a trade to bring in a good player; maybe use Evan Turner (or Meyers) and his expiring to bring in a player with a longer contract. I just think the 10th + 25th adds more flexibility and options than Simons + 25th

********************************************************************

what will Jody Allen do?

I remember 3 weeks or so after PA died there was a link to a Seattle article that had sources that said She wanted to keep the Seahawks but had no interest in being the long term owner of an NBA team. How accurate that was I don't know. I think she only attended a couple of regular season games but she was there for both of the playoff games. Whether she has 'changed her mind' or just wanted to experience some playoff games before she sold the team...again, I don't know

I would imagine the list of people willing to pony up 1-2 billion for an NBA team is pretty short, and especially for a small market team, so even if the team is for sale, secretly, it might take a year or three. In fact, what with all the laws on taxes and estates and inheritances, JA might not even have clear title yet

[JasonStern]

Not totally Blazer related, but can be applied to Portland's situation with roster building. This is from David Griffin's introductory presser in New Orleans....

David Griffin: "In team-building, everybody has gotten really lazy in this area. (The flawed mindset is) binary: You have to be either terrible and tank, or you have to win this championship. The reality is that’s not how this works. We have to make small wins every day."

That's something I've been preaching ad nauseam on RealGM.

tanking is a perfectly valid strategy. you just run a ton of risks:

* injuries (see the Blazers with Roy/Oden)
* not being able to keep the core together after rookie contracts expire (see the Sonics/Thunder with Durant/Harden/Westbrook/Ibaka)
* missing repeatedly in the draft (see the Kings/T-Wolves)
* management getting impatient/not willing to incur financial losses for several years on the chance the rebuild pays off (see the 76ers)

with Portland tax situation, the Blazers may be in dire need of one or two minimum salary players

here's a list of guys who played for a minimum this year and will be UFA this summer:

Jeff Green
Amir Johnson
Raymond Felton

I see a bunch of players on that list that could be helpful at the lower end of the rotation

go home, Wiz. you're drunk.

I think the best case scenario is attaching our draft pick to ET and clearing enough space to sign two of Hood / Curry / Layman / Kanter.

I'd be surprised if the 25th pick in this draft could unload $18 million in dead weight (ET). best hope is probably to either trade ET for a similar dead weight player on a smaller but longer contract, or package the pick with ET for depth providing cheaper player(s).

I believe it was on Bill Simmons Podcast where he said something to the effect of "its one of the worst kept secrets in the league that the team [the Blazers] is for sale".

and if anyone has insight on the inner workings of Vulcan, it's Bill Simmons.

I'm extremely high on Simons, but I'd gladly move him in a deal to get someone like Anthony Davis

did you mean Ed Davis? because other teams would EASILY trump a "Simons for Anthony Davis" trade.

[Fitz303]

Spoiler:

Not totally Blazer related, but can be applied to Portland's situation with roster building. This is from David Griffin's introductory presser in New Orleans....

David Griffin: "In team-building, everybody has gotten really lazy in this area. (The flawed mindset is) binary: You have to be either terrible and tank, or you have to win this championship. The reality is that’s not how this works. We have to make small wins every day."

That's something I've been preaching ad nauseam on RealGM.

tanking is a perfectly valid strategy. you just run a ton of risks:

* injuries (see the Blazers with Roy/Oden)
* not being able to keep the core together after rookie contracts expire (see the Sonics/Thunder with Durant/Harden/Westbrook/Ibaka)
* missing repeatedly in the draft (see the Kings/T-Wolves)
* management getting impatient/not willing to incur financial losses for several years on the chance the rebuild pays off (see the 76ers)

with Portland tax situation, the Blazers may be in dire need of one or two minimum salary players

here's a list of guys who played for a minimum this year and will be UFA this summer:

Jeff Green
Amir Johnson
Raymond Felton

I see a bunch of players on that list that could be helpful at the lower end of the rotation

go home, Wiz. you're drunk.

I think the best case scenario is attaching our draft pick to ET and clearing enough space to sign two of Hood / Curry / Layman / Kanter.

I'd be surprised if the 25th pick in this draft could unload $18 million in dead weight (ET). best hope is probably to either trade ET for a similar dead weight player on a smaller but longer contract, or package the pick with ET for depth providing cheaper player(s).

I believe it was on Bill Simmons Podcast where he said something to the effect of "its one of the worst kept secrets in the league that the team [the Blazers] is for sale".

and if anyone has insight on the inner workings of Vulcan, it's Bill Simmons.

I'm extremely high on Simons, but I'd gladly move him in a deal to get someone like Anthony Davis

did you mean Ed Davis? because other teams would EASILY trump a "Simons for Anthony Davis" trade.

You conveniently left out the part right after that quote where I said "and other major pieces involved in a trade like that". I was saying to have him as an asset in a trade for Davis. Not THE player traded for Davis.

[DusterBuster]

Not totally Blazer related, but can be applied to Portland's situation with roster building. This is from David Griffin's introductory presser in New Orleans....

David Griffin: "In team-building, everybody has gotten really lazy in this area. (The flawed mindset is) binary: You have to be either terrible and tank, or you have to win this championship. The reality is that’s not how this works. We have to make small wins every day."

That's something I've been preaching ad nauseam on RealGM.

tanking is a perfectly valid strategy. you just run a ton of risks:

* injuries (see the Blazers with Roy/Oden)
* not being able to keep the core together after rookie contracts expire (see the Sonics/Thunder with Durant/Harden/Westbrook/Ibaka)
* missing repeatedly in the draft (see the Kings/T-Wolves)
* management getting impatient/not willing to incur financial losses for several years on the chance the rebuild pays off (see the 76ers)

It's a valid strategy, but it's not the only strategy. Too many times, I feel like that's the go-to default answer for anyone when it comes to rebuilding a roster when in reality, that "Process" type of rebuild strategy is really only for certain situations.

[JasonStern]

tanking is a perfectly valid strategy. you just run a ton of risks:

* injuries (see the Blazers with Roy/Oden)
* not being able to keep the core together after rookie contracts expire (see the Sonics/Thunder with Durant/Harden/Westbrook/Ibaka)
* missing repeatedly in the draft (see the Kings/T-Wolves)
* management getting impatient/not willing to incur financial losses for several years on the chance the rebuild pays off (see the 76ers)

It's a valid strategy, but it's not the only strategy. Too many times, I feel like that's the go-to default answer for anyone when it comes to rebuilding a roster when in reality, that "Process" type of rebuild strategy is really only for certain situations.

off the top of my head, Cleveland is the only team that won a championship through tanking, and they had the insane luck of getting multiple #1 picks *AND* having a LeBron James tier player sign with them in free agency. if Portland can replicate that, then yeah, I support tanking.

[DusterBuster]

tanking is a perfectly valid strategy. you just run a ton of risks:

* injuries (see the Blazers with Roy/Oden)
* not being able to keep the core together after rookie contracts expire (see the Sonics/Thunder with Durant/Harden/Westbrook/Ibaka)
* missing repeatedly in the draft (see the Kings/T-Wolves)
* management getting impatient/not willing to incur financial losses for several years on the chance the rebuild pays off (see the 76ers)

It's a valid strategy, but it's not the only strategy. Too many times, I feel like that's the go-to default answer for anyone when it comes to rebuilding a roster when in reality, that "Process" type of rebuild strategy is really only for certain situations.

off the top of my head, Cleveland is the only team that won a championship through tanking, and they had the insane luck of getting multiple #1 picks *AND* having a LeBron James tier player sign with them in free agency. if Portland can replicate that, then yeah, I support tanking.

Haha, yeah. My main point is just that rebuilding a roster is a lot more than just purposely losing games. Looking at Philly, they really only did that and they've basically created a team that's honestly not a ton better than the Blazers right now.

I think the only time you should consider going "The Process" is when you're a team like the Pistons. That teams got no where to go, they have no cap space to improve the supporting cast, the players they can trade aren't wildly valuable and they've not proven to be adept drafting decent players, then on top of all that they've only got maybe 2 years of prime Griffin left.

[BlazersBroncos]

I like the idea of targeting someone who has a longer deal than ET, but can replace Hood as our swing man and allow us to concentrate on resigning Curry and Kanter.

The name that keeps coming up to me is Batum, who would fit well as a ballhandler, defender and shooter but might not be aggressive enough to replace Hood. Still, if we could save CHA 25M+ by trading ET and Myers for Batum, could we extract even more value from them? A pick swap (12 for 25)? #36 and Willy to replace Myers for a year?

We would be stuck with the taxpayer MLE and Bi-Annual to resign Curry and Kanter, but I hold out that Kanter could take the Bi-Annual at 3.5M for a season. Guaranteed starter for a year, loves the culture, already been paid, then in 2020 we throw a high tier backup deal his way (Similar to Myers).

Offer Curry all the taxpayer MLE of around 5.5M and however many years he wants (His skillset will age well). Hope Batum can replace both ET and Hood in the rotation and we are in pretty decent shape. Especially if Simons can give us a competent backup PG, even if only for a few minutes per game.

Even on the low end of additional compensation (36 + Willy), the below team is about as good as we are now IMO and that's better than we could reasonably hope for considering our offseason circumstances:

PG - Damian Lillard / Anferne Simons / Seth Curry
SG - CJ McCollum / Seth Curry / Nicolas Batum / Gary Trent Jr
SF - Mo Harkless / Nicolas Batum / Gary Trent Jr
PF - Al-Fariq Aminu / Zach Collins / Skal Labissiere
C - Enes Kanter / Zach Collins / Willy Hernangomez

With picks 25 + 36 to play with an Nurkic on the way back in 10+ months.

[Norm2953]

Batum has two years left on his deal with a $27 Million player option for a third season. I'd pass on
Batum and opt to attach 25 to Meyers to get some room to maneuver. Likely we'll see another
off season like last summer with NO shopping for more low cost guys who compliment Dame/CJ.