Ayton, Grant, and Simons for anything?

[Walton1one]

Another idea (involving Simons)

Simons\Avdija\Reath\Walker
for Dlo\Rui\Christie\Knecht & (2) 1st's 29'/31' (both Top 3 protection) + 30' swap

still, re-route Dlo or cut him

I would consider that, and I like Deni (don't want to trade him)...

[JRoy]

Another idea (involving Simons)

Simons\Avdija\Reath\Walker
for Dlo\Rui\Christie\Knecht & (2) 1st's 29'/31' (both Top 3 protection) + 30' swap

still, re-route Dlo or cut him

I would consider that, and I like Deni (don't want to trade him)...

We paid a high price for Avdija. I dont think this is the right direction.

[Walton1one]

I don't either, I'd rather keep him, but theorizing what WOULD POR trade him for, is interesting

Knecht
Rui
(2) lightly protected 1st's + swap from LAL

I think that offsets\icreases from what they got for him for, but adding in Simons eval to it? Maybe not

[JRoy]

That looks like breaking even at best to me.

[BlazersBroncos]

This FO aint moving Deni anytime within the next 2 years after the price they paid.

We need to move off Grant ASAP. Camara and Rayan are showing they deserve consistent rotation minutes. Even Kris has flashed at times. The bulk of the F minutes should go to Camara and Deni w/ Rayan and Kris getting the leftovers.

Walker can go - again love the kid as a person and he hustles, but he is a decade or more late to the game. His PF/C tweener archetype is just too antiquated.

Hair pulling stat the day -

Grant 16.6 shots per game

Deni (9.1) + Camara (7.9) + Rayan (4.0) + Kris (3.9) = 24.9

Grant alone is at 66% of the combined shot total of all 4 of the young forwards.

[Sinobas]

I think it's only a matter of time before Simons and Grant are dealt. The Blazers are going to hand the reigns to Sharpe and Scoot.

Ayton. A middle of the pack starting center making the max. I'm sure the Blazers could find a trade partner, but it would probably only net expirings/mediocre talent. They might just let his contract run out. I wouldn't mind keeping him on a more reasonable contract to split time with Clingan.

[Village Idiot]

The Lakers definitely seem like a good destination for Simons what with DLo and Reevevs both looking like crap and Gabe Vincent giving them absolutely nothing off the bench.

Simons, Timelord, Murray and Reath for DLo, Vincent, Vanderbilt, Hood-Schifino and their first available 1st.

I am in no rush the trade Grant. I actually think he fits in nicely on this team.

[Butter]

What is the fan consensus on Ayton's play this year? Do we feel like he's improved over last year?

[BlazersBroncos]

The Lakers definitely seem like a good destination for Simons what with DLo and Reevevs both looking like crap and Gabe Vincent giving them absolutely nothing off the bench.

Simons, Timelord, Murray and Reath for DLo, Vincent, Vanderbilt, Hood-Schifino and their first available 1st.

I am in no rush the trade Grant. I actually think he fits in nicely on this team.

I like this but it seems a bit large for reality.

Simons + RWIII for DLO + Vandy + lotto protected future FRP works. I think getting a FRP for Simons is unrealistic, but here taking on Vandy might push the needle into future protected pick territory.

Moving off Vandy and getting 2 guys that expire in 2026 helps LAL with a cap space plan that summer.

Realistically, I think Simons for DLO + LA or LAC 2025 SRP (Higher) + 2027 SRP + 2030 SRP is much closer in value. We dump a year of Simons and get some SRP.

[Walton1one]

What is the fan consensus on Ayton's play this year? Do we feel like he's improved over last year?

I think he is what he is, prefers to play in the middle of the key (jumpers) vs down in the post where he would have a distinct advantage most nights. Still horrible at setting screens, it almost seems like he sets them poorly b\c he is rushing to get himself in position to get the ball back.

One surprising development this year? His 3pt shooting. 45.5% from 3pt on 1.2 att\g which is 3x the # of attempts per game (.4) than he has taken in any other season.

Ayton has taken 11 3's so far this year which is already half as many attempts as the most he has taken in any ENTIRE year (24). Curious to see how these attempts\3pt average plays out over the year, but so far, encouraging.

So neutral mainly, but with a little growth

[Walton1one]

and here we go....

The Milwaukee Bucks are eyeing a trade, per
@WindhorstESPN

“The speculation is true. The Bucks are indeed starting to canvas the league for a trade, league executives told ESPN. But no, not that trade. The concept of two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmporeaching the trade market is ripe for rumors and trade machine computations, but it's not a reality as of now for Antetokounmpo or the Bucks, sources said. Teams have let the Bucks know in recent months they would make an offer for the Greek Freak if that day ever comes. But those are incoming calls, not outgoing and it's likely to remain that way.”

As expected, they are too far down the road to just punt on GA right now, so looks like they will try and double down, which is really the only move they have IMO. Selling off GA and other older vets (if they can) is not going to allow them to reset effectively (unless they can engage NO) and they are still a playoff-caliber team.

The issue with MIL is their roster\cap situation is VERY problematic

Over the 2nd apron by $6.5mil
Can only do 1v1 trades, UNTIL they get under the 2nd apron
Any deal they make, they have to take less money back
No draft picks to trade until 2031 (1st/2nd)
NO\BRK own their 25' rights
NO owns the next 2 years after (26 swap/27 outright)
and POR own the rest after that (28/30 swap, 29 outright).

The guy seemingly most likely to deal would be Middleton, maybe they can get something for Lopez or Portis? Can't imagine either would net them anything significant in return.

Grant for Middleton, 31' 1st/31' 2nd
AJ Johnson for Reath

I think a 31 1st & 2nd is a little light for Grant, so a second trade for one of their younger players could make some sense

Would be interested in Andre Jackson Jr or Tyler Smith foremost, but both make so little that it is almost impossible to match (though I suspect it could be done via a 3rd team)

Beauchamp could work (and he is available) though I have little\no interest in him (neither does MIL apparently and they NEED him more than POR does).

AJ Johnson then (23rd pick this year), seems most likely to me. VERY young (19), raw, but could be worth a flyer.

[BlazersBroncos]

Getting a guy that is 2 years shorter in contract length, a FRP and a SRP even that far out would be a huge return for Grant IMO.

I cant see MIL burning their last tradable FRP for Grant - as much as I wish they would.

If I was MIL and Mids was anywhere close to being healthy I would try to move Lopez + Pat for Grant (Albeit they would have to get under the 2nd apron first) - then make Giannis play C and run w/ Dame / 3D / Middleton / Grant / Giannis.

[Pattycakes]

Deni despite the horrendous offensive shooting start has been well worth the contract, no reason to even entertain that for a couple years.

Ant and Grant will perfectly fetch the return needed anyway.

We should be able to load the chest more for the future. Excited about the position we’re in. Contenders will need to bite at some point, many of them are far below Boston and OKC at this point and need to act.

MIL, LAL, Denver, Philly, the list goes on, they won’t let their future HOF rot. Even New York looks pretty flawed considering their baby “super team”

[Village Idiot]

What is the fan consensus on Ayton's play this year? Do we feel like he's improved over last year?

I'd say he is slightly better offensively in that he makes slightly better contact on his screens and is willing to out to the corner, drawing the opposing center away from the rim, and his shot looks decent. His defense is still pretty uninspiring.

I can see Atlanta and New Orleans being tempted to offer value for him.

[Village Idiot]

regarding the Bucks; I imagine they might be tempted to do Middleton for Grant, Portis for Thybulle, Green for Reath and them adding their 31 1st to one of the three deals. The Middleton for Grant portion has been analyzed. The Bucks really need a point of attack defender like Thybulle and Reath gives them a better back-up to Lopez than Portis has been.

[BlazersBroncos]

regarding the Bucks; I imagine they might be tempted to do Middleton for Grant, Portis for Thybulle, Green for Reath and them adding their 31 1st to one of the three deals. The Middleton for Grant portion has been analyzed. The Bucks really need a point of attack defender like Thybulle and Reath gives them a better back-up to Lopez than Portis has been.

I like this idea quite a bit - but would want to be 100% sure Portis is routed to team X. Even if we get nothing in return. Dont want that doofus near our young squad.

[Walton1one]

regarding the Bucks; I imagine they might be tempted to do Middleton for Grant, Portis for Thybulle, Green for Reath and them adding their 31 1st to one of the three deals. The Middleton for Grant portion has been analyzed. The Bucks really need a point of attack defender like Thybulle and Reath gives them a better back-up to Lopez than Portis has been.

That would work as well and might make more sense

Middleton for Grant and 31' 1st
Thybulle for Portis and 31' 2nd

That could work. POR is $3.7mil under the luxury tax
Swapping Middleton\Grant & Thybulle\Portis adds $3.4mil.
That leaves POR $302k under the luxury tax

If POR wanted a young player back, such as AJ Johnson, Tyler Smith or Andre Jackson Jr, acquiring any of them (Johnson for Reath swap) or Smith\Jackson into the TPE that POR has (I forgot that could be an option). ANY of those moves would take POR over the luxury tax.

Johnson for Reath = + $746.5k salary
Smith into TPE = $1.157mil
Jackson Jr into TPE = $1.891mil

That could be ok as a temporary state, b\c I think it only matters at the end of the season and POR could get under via another trade at the deadline (and there should be other trades coming) OR if they re-routed Portis and\or Middleton somewhere else either as a part of that deal or in a separate deal

I don't think (1) 31' 1st & (1) 31' 2nd is enough for Grant and Thybulle.

Another option is MIL sends Beauchamp or one of those young players or another vet (Wright\Prince\Trent Jr) to a 3rd team for something of value that then gets re-routed to POR.

I think they would want to hold onto some of those bench vets though and instead trade one of their younger players, all of whom are several years away and not a help to MIL now, which is what they need to keep GA satisfied.

[dckingsfan]

I would leave it as Middleton for Grant and 31' 1st. It does two things, reduces Portland's long-term payroll, probably makes Milwaukee worse in '29.

[BlazersBroncos]

I would leave it as Middleton for Grant and 31' 1st. It does two things, reduces Portland's long-term payroll, probably makes Milwaukee worse in '29.

I really don’t think MIL would burn that last FRP to go from Mids to Grant.

[Wizenheimer]

I would leave it as Middleton for Grant and 31' 1st. It does two things, reduces Portland's long-term payroll, probably makes Milwaukee worse in '29.

I really don’t think MIL would burn that last FRP to go from Mids to Grant.

yeah, I agree

I'm becoming pretty skeptical any of the Blazer vets will yield a 1st round pick unless it is heavily protected. Expiring contracts and 2nd round picks might be the best Portland can hope for