The NBENFANT Thread (NBA): 2023-2024 Edition!

[Norm2953]

We handed Boston such a gift with that Holiday trade.

Portland did get an unprotected pick from Boston in 2029 and perhaps got a tip from Boston in
Banton along with Brogdon and TL

I will eagerly await the 26th pick of the 2029 draft

That's a long ways away and after Boston has to pay Tatum his $315 extension, that's a team that in the long
run is unaffordable for they will be over $200 million in payroll prior to Tatum's new extension with just six
players signed.

They did trade for a player (Jrue) to match up with Dame in Milwaukee. Nice trade for both teams for
Portland got out of paying for Dame's contract and got two players whom they hoped would lead to
a team that would be competitive in 2024 if Scoot and Sharpe produced.

[JasonStern]

Portland did get an unprotected pick from Boston in 2029 and perhaps got a tip from Boston in
Banton along with Brogdon and TL

I will eagerly await the 26th pick of the 2029 draft

That's a long ways away and after Boston has to pay Tatum his $315 extension, that's a team that in the long
run is unaffordable for they will be over $200 million in payroll prior to Tatum's new extension with just six
players signed.

They did trade for a player (Jrue) to match up with Dame in Milwaukee. Nice trade for both teams for
Portland got out of paying for Dame's contract and got two players whom they hoped would lead to
a team that would be competitive in 2024 if Scoot and Sharpe produced.

Horford is an antique. And Jrue is getting up there. But hopefully Celtics ownership pays up to keep that core together. Tatum/Brown/Porziņģis are all under 30. Great situation to be in.

[DaVoiceMaster]

I think Boston should give the Blazers a championship ring!

[DeBlazerRiddem]

Nash, Kidd, Billups and now Redick, I'm sure other as well, but the NBA sure does love hiring recently retired players with little to no coaching experience as head coaches. I guess it could be reasonable that a good player could be a good coach but it seems a little blind faith hoping to uncover some exceptional talent by giving them a job they have mostly observed from the other side.

[DusterBuster]

Curious what's going to happen with Philly at this point. Knicks, Pacers and Celtics are all pretty much clearly better than them currently. George doesn't seem interested in going there. OG just locked back up in NY.

All that cap looking pretty unimpressive atm.

[Effigy]

Well we just traded the 14th pick so I can stop watching the draft after 7

[cdubbz]

Read on Twitter

[zzaj]

Read on Twitter

I would be completely shocked if it's not Simons...

[Wizenheimer]

Read on Twitter

lol...that's from Aaron Fentress....no credibility

[Walton1one]

He may\not have credibility, but I think the writing has been on the wall since the end of last season. At minimum, one of the two should be dealt. They have 5 guys for 4 starting spots: Ant, Grant, Avdija, Scoot & Sharpe. Trading one of Ant\Grant away negates that issue (and forces Billups hand, not to be overlooked).

Trading Grant SEEMS to have more traction, however the timeline to deal Simons and get good\decent? value is about to cross the Rubicon.

[BlazersBroncos]

I dont see how the Holiday trade was bad.

As a rebuilding team I would trade Holiday straight up for Deni - and that is basically what we did.

[Tim Lehrbach]

Trading Grant SEEMS to have more traction, however the timeline to deal Simons and get good\decent? value is about to cross the Rubicon.

Yeah, the time to move Simons is now. My worries about our young backcourt remain, but if Scoot and Sharpe suck, Simons isn't saving the Blazers anyway. A team trading for Simons right now can figure him into their plans for the upcoming and following seasons, but as time ticks away on that contract, his value is going to dip further.

[Tim Lehrbach]

I dont see how the Holiday trade was bad.

As a rebuilding team I would trade Holiday straight up for Deni - and that is basically what we did.

The Deni trade was a very good one. I think the idea on Holiday being undervalued is that he represented a massive upgrade for Boston, who ideally would have been squeezed for more.

[Walton1one]

I am not sold on Scoot or Sharpe either, but with the 25' draft upcoming and POR likely to have a top pick, now is the time to evaluate both, so in case POR does NOT win the Flagg lottery, they can look towards some talented guards like Edgecome, Traore & Harper.

[Tim Lehrbach]

I am not sold on Scoot or Sharpe either, but with the 25' draft upcoming and POR likely to have a top pick, now is the time to evaluate both, so in case POR does NOT win the Flagg lottery, they can look towards some talented guards like Edgecome, Traore & Harper.

I suppose you're right. There is some urgency to this stage of the rebuild. I believe in working youngsters in as they grow into roles, only handing over the keys to those who are obviously ready, but that ship has sailed. Portland is in a deep rebuild and needs to understand how to allocate its most important resources. That said, I would be shocked if either Scoot or Sharpe shows out so much as to move the team off a BPA perspective on next year's draft. Good seasons for both could yet be followed by drafting a must-have guard. Of course, to your point, if that happens we'll at least know better whether to trade one or try to make all three work together.

[Walton1one]

I still think it is BPA, however if POR had let's say Ace Bailey & Nolan Traore equally rated, but they have Scoot who was showing some nice signs of improvement this year, chances are they go with Ace, all things being equal. If Scoot is still struggling, then maybe they don't feel the pull not to take Traore just b\c of fit.

[cdubbz]

I’m still shocked the Blazers didn’t go full tank mode this season, but when I look at it the current roster construction it’s a toss up between Blazers and Jazz.

Blazers need to look at OKC and take note on how to build a war chest of draft picks.

[Tim Lehrbach]

I’m still shocked the Blazers didn’t go full tank mode this season, but when I look at it the current roster construction it’s a toss up between Blazers and Jazz.

Blazers need to look at OKC and take note on how to build a war chest of draft picks.

I genuinely think they are trying. I don't think there is a hot market for anybody the Blazers have to offer. I also don't think this team is at risk of winning too many games. But we've been over this, and I know I am in the minority as far as the importance of shedding the veterans goes. I would really like to see Simons shipped, however.

[zzaj]

Summer run baskeball is worth absolutely nothing...but kinda cool to see a bunch of Blazer players mixing it up...

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

[JasonStern]

I will be honest - haven't watched a full game this season. Just highlights.
Wizenheimer: You mean lowlights.
Not sure what everyone was expecting. Seems like they are playing to their level of talent.
Wizenheimer: You mean lack of talent.
Whatever. Ducks are ranked #1 in the country in football. The basketball team is somehow so bad it's good. Give me a few months before the Blazers hurt me again.