Ayton, Grant, and Simons for anything?

[Braggins]

Id like to see Ayton and Simons go first. Obviously if someone offered something valuable for Grant they should take it, but hes not a bad player to just have on your team and he won't really get in the way of anyones development.

I think Clingan, Time Lord, and Reath, is fine for a center rotation this season. Williams has a good chance of missing a bunch of games, but Reath is serviceable enough on offense to keep things functional.

starters: Scoot ~ Sharpe ~ Avdija ~ Grant ~ Williams
bench 5: Banton ~ Thybulle ~ Camara ~ Murray ~ Clingan
depth: Rubert ~ Walker ~ Reath

[Butter]

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

Really? To put that in context, Isn't that about the value the Blazers paid for Larry Nance Jr?

Acknowledge teams look at Grants contract as negative value, but Grant is worth much more than Larry Nance.

Out of these three players, I'd rank the priority to trade them as:

1a) Simons
1b) Ayton
2) Grant
3) Tybulle

[dckingsfan]

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

Really? To put that in context, Isn't that about the value the Blazers paid for Larry Nance Jr?

Acknowledge teams look at Grants contract as negative value, but Grant is worth much more than Larry Nance.

Out of these three players, I'd rank the priority to trade them as:

1a) Simons
1b) Ayton
2) Grant
3) Tybulle

Yep, context is important. Another contextual note is that the teams that are most in need (and desperate) don't have trade assets that would favor moving a 1st round pick for Grant (for example). Lakers, Bucks and Nuggets could all use some players but have already moved many of their draft assets. Although Grant fits perfectly for the Bucks (very few trades actually work) and Milwaukee is quite desperate.

What does that mean? Right now, Grant might not fetch a 1st round pick. But maybe he will at the trade deadline (or in an upcoming trade deadline). Possibly the same with Simons & Grant.

And I would be skeptical that Thybulle will fetch much more than a second (if that).

All-in-all, I could see a dearth of trades in the near future in the NBA.

[Walton1one]

Well the issue with Grant vs Middleton is one is actually playing right now and the other has an unknown timeline to return

Also Middleton’s play has dropped off the last few years (and injuries increased) while Grant has proved steady

I don’t think MIL has much of a choice, they need someone now and the other players they have to trade, either no one wants (Beauchamp) or won’t return anything as significant as Grant (Lopez, Portis, the rest)

I think it isn’t MIL who would not do this deal but Cronin who values Grant HIGHER than a 31 1st + 2nd + young player. At least that is where my pessimistic view is at right now, Cronin holding out for more at the deadline ( if he even trades Grant)

I don’t buy stock in the pervading view that none of Grant\Ant\TL can net a 1st back (or a young player worth that value). I think we are all too close to their flaws being POR fans (and most wanting them gone), but ultimately if/when they are dealt we will know for sure, hopefully that is sooner rather than later

I’d take a Grant for Middleton + 31 1st & 2nd now, no reason to wait for deadline. Let Middleton take his sweet time rehabbing, more time for young guys anyway, and then deal him at deadline (or next offseason) for something of value

Keep accumulating assets

Also I would hope that Cronin could see the strategic value in owning MIL 29/31 picks & 28/30 swaps

[dckingsfan]

Well the issue with Grant vs Middleton is one is actually playing right now and the other has an unknown timeline to return

Also Middleton’s play has dropped off the last few years (and injuries increased) while Grant has proved steady

I don’t think MIL has much of a choice, they need someone now and the other players they have to trade, either no one wants (Beauchamp) or won’t return anything as significant as Grant (Lopez, Portis, the rest)

I think it isn’t MIL who would not do this deal but Cronin who values Grant HIGHER than a 31 1st + 2nd + young player. At least that is where my pessimistic view is at right now, Cronin holding out for more at the deadline ( if he even trades Grant)

I don’t buy stock in the pervading view that none of Grant\Ant\TL can net a 1st back (or a young player worth that value). I think we are all too close to their flaws being POR fans (and most wanting them gone), but ultimately if/when they are dealt we will know for sure, hopefully that is sooner rather than later

I’d take a Grant for Middleton + 31 1st & 2nd now, no reason to wait for deadline. Let Middleton take his sweet time rehabbing, more time for young guys anyway, and then deal him at deadline (or next offseason) for something of value

Keep accumulating assets

Also I would hope that Cronin could see the strategic value in owning MIL 29/31 picks & 28/30 swaps

I think you are spot on across the board on this one. It is probably Cronin who would hold up the trade, Middleton expires after next season (terrific), it is a trade that allows you to play your youngsters and sink further in the standings (terrific) and lastly it is another draft asset.

[Goldbum]

Sorry I haven’t posted in awhile but I haven’t had anything I would consider sourced that very interesting.

I will pose this question to you all though since a front office executive asked me… If you have Shaedon/Deni/Cooper/Clingan on the floor is that enough playmaking to play Rupert at backup PG?
I paraphrased that, but the impression I got from other parts of our conversation was that Portland sees Rayan as a long erm backup for Scoot. This was implied so maybe I’m making something out of nothing, but I’ve been lurking and haven’t posted in a hot minute so I thought I’d join a conversation.

[Wizenheimer]

Well the issue with Grant vs Middleton is one is actually playing right now and the other has an unknown timeline to return

Also Middleton’s play has dropped off the last few years (and injuries increased) while Grant has proved steady

I don’t think MIL has much of a choice, they need someone now and the other players they have to trade, either no one wants (Beauchamp) or won’t return anything as significant as Grant (Lopez, Portis, the rest)

I think it isn’t MIL who would not do this deal but Cronin who values Grant HIGHER than a 31 1st + 2nd + young player. At least that is where my pessimistic view is at right now, Cronin holding out for more at the deadline ( if he even trades Grant)

I don’t buy stock in the pervading view that none of Grant\Ant\TL can net a 1st back (or a young player worth that value). I think we are all too close to their flaws being POR fans (and most wanting them gone), but ultimately if/when they are dealt we will know for sure, hopefully that is sooner rather than later

I’d take a Grant for Middleton + 31 1st & 2nd now, no reason to wait for deadline. Let Middleton take his sweet time rehabbing, more time for young guys anyway, and then deal him at deadline (or next offseason) for something of value

Keep accumulating assets

Also I would hope that Cronin could see the strategic value in owning MIL 29/31 picks & 28/30 swaps

to start with, I'd agree that Grant has the highest and broadest trade value of any of the Blazer vets. I just don't believe it's that high because I'm skeptical any playoff team (which would be about the only teams that might want Grant) would view Grant's talent as the key to moving from a playoff team to contender, or from contender to a championship. He'd be viewed as a 4th option and depth piece, IMO

as for the often suggested Grant for Middleton trade with the Bucks' 2031 as the prize: Milwaukee is very unlikely to give up an unprotected 2031 first for Grant; seems like a pipe-dream. I did say in an earlier post that Grant might get traded for a heavily protected 1st. If it was the Bucks 2031 first I'd look for lottery protection; at most, maybe top-10 protection. But since that's 7 drafts from now, if it fell into the protected range it would have to be converted to a 2nd round pick. Couldn't roll the obligation past 2031

and to be realistic; I'm extremely skeptical the Bucks front office would reason: "sure, we're 2-7 now and have looked like crap so far with a slow, aging, untalented roster outside of Giannis and Dame. But adding Jerami Grant will make us a contender again!"

that just seems unrealistic to me. I'd think, at this point, the Bucks F.O. might be considering that their window has closed tight, and what kind of haul they could get for Giannis and Dame that might generate a rebuild

[Wizenheimer]

Sorry I haven’t posted in awhile but I haven’t had anything I would consider sourced that very interesting.

I will pose this question to you all though since a front office executive asked me… If you have Shaedon/Deni/Cooper/Clingan on the floor is that enough playmaking to play Rupert at backup PG?
I paraphrased that, but the impression I got from other parts of our conversation was that Portland sees Rayan as a long erm backup for Scoot. This was implied so maybe I’m making something out of nothing, but I’ve been lurking and haven’t posted in a hot minute so I thought I’d join a conversation.

"Cooper"....?

never mind....I forgot about the Blazers winning the lottery...

[Butter]

Sorry I haven’t posted in awhile but I haven’t had anything I would consider sourced that very interesting.

I will pose this question to you all though since a front office executive asked me… If you have Shaedon/Deni/Cooper/Clingan on the floor is that enough playmaking to play Rupert at backup PG?
I paraphrased that, but the impression I got from other parts of our conversation was that Portland sees Rayan as a long erm backup for Scoot. This was implied so maybe I’m making something out of nothing, but I’ve been lurking and haven’t posted in a hot minute so I thought I’d join a conversation.

This is why I was bummed when the Blazers traded Tyler Kolek on draft night.

[Village Idiot]

Sorry I haven’t posted in awhile but I haven’t had anything I would consider sourced that very interesting.

I will pose this question to you all though since a front office executive asked me… If you have Shaedon/Deni/Cooper/Clingan on the floor is that enough playmaking to play Rupert at backup PG?
I paraphrased that, but the impression I got from other parts of our conversation was that Portland sees Rayan as a long erm backup for Scoot. This was implied so maybe I’m making something out of nothing, but I’ve been lurking and haven’t posted in a hot minute so I thought I’d join a conversation.

"Cooper"....?

I don't see flag having that much playmaking ability. Great all-around player though.

TBH I don't see Rupert having the court vision or handle to be a PG. Maybe he can develop into a Deni type of secondary ball-handler, connective guy though. He can defend the one though.

The guy who really intrigues me as a big point guard is Egor Demin. He can really see the floor and see the play developing. Solid shooter and adecuate defender if you can put him on a SF. Reminds me a lot of a fellow Real Madrid guy. I have him in tier 1 together with Flagg and Bailey.

We really need another 1st in this draft... Hoping we can get either LA's first from Atlanta or the New Orleans first for Ayton.

[Wizenheimer]

We really need another 1st in this draft... Hoping we can get either LA's first from Atlanta or the New Orleans first for Ayton.

pretty sure it won't be the Pels pick. They have been slammed by injuries with Zion and his hamstring being announced today. They may be lottery bound if they can't get healthy. And unless they are trading CJ (Blazers wouldn't take him back) or Ingram (signalling a partial rebuild), they don't have the salary to match Ayton

[DaVoiceMaster]

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

He makes shooting more difficult. Most of the time, he turns away from the basket down low and takes a much more difficult shot than turning towards the basket.

[Butter]

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

He makes shooting more difficult. Most of the time, he turns away from the basket down low and takes a much more difficult shot than turning towards the basket.

So crazy why that big ol dude won't just drop step dunk as his go to

[m0ng0]

Ayton reminds me of Lamarcus, he just plays a finesse game, he does not want to get his hands dirty

[tester551]

Sorry I haven’t posted in awhile but I haven’t had anything I would consider sourced that very interesting.

I will pose this question to you all though since a front office executive asked me… If you have Shaedon/Deni/Cooper/Clingan on the floor is that enough playmaking to play Rupert at backup PG?
I paraphrased that, but the impression I got from other parts of our conversation was that Portland sees Rayan as a long erm backup for Scoot. This was implied so maybe I’m making something out of nothing, but I’ve been lurking and haven’t posted in a hot minute so I thought I’d join a conversation.

No... I don't think so.
Love Rupert's development, but he doesn't have the handle/feel to be backup PG

[Norm2953]

Sorry I haven’t posted in awhile but I haven’t had anything I would consider sourced that very interesting.

I will pose this question to you all though since a front office executive asked me… If you have Shaedon/Deni/Cooper/Clingan on the floor is that enough playmaking to play Rupert at backup PG?
I paraphrased that, but the impression I got from other parts of our conversation was that Portland sees Rayan as a long erm backup for Scoot. This was implied so maybe I’m making something out of nothing, but I’ve been lurking and haven’t posted in a hot minute so I thought I’d join a conversation.

This is why I was bummed when the Blazers traded Tyler Kolek on draft night.

Portland was never going to draft an alternative to Scoot in the 2024 draft. 2025 might be a different story
if Scoot more or less has the same season he had last season.

[Butter]

Sorry I haven’t posted in awhile but I haven’t had anything I would consider sourced that very interesting.

I will pose this question to you all though since a front office executive asked me… If you have Shaedon/Deni/Cooper/Clingan on the floor is that enough playmaking to play Rupert at backup PG?
I paraphrased that, but the impression I got from other parts of our conversation was that Portland sees Rayan as a long erm backup for Scoot. This was implied so maybe I’m making something out of nothing, but I’ve been lurking and haven’t posted in a hot minute so I thought I’d join a conversation.

This is why I was bummed when the Blazers traded Tyler Kolek on draft night.

Portland was never going to draft an alternative to Scoot in the 2024 draft. 2025 might be a different story
if Scoot more or less has the same season he had last season.

I meant as a backup behind Scoot

[Norm2953]

This is why I was bummed when the Blazers traded Tyler Kolek on draft night.

Portland was never going to draft an alternative to Scoot in the 2024 draft. 2025 might be a different story
if Scoot more or less has the same season he had last season.

I meant as a backup behind Scoot

As I said, the 2024 second round draft was about showing faith in Scoot by not drafting anyone who
might take away minutes from him.

[PDXKnight]

It's agitating we are wasting valuable time with these "vets" especially in regards to ant. We desperately need to see if scoot has it or not. He doesn't fit with ant but has more upside and a full season of starter minutes would give us at least a clue if he can be our long term solution

[Walton1one]

and to be realistic; I'm extremely skeptical the Bucks front office would reason: "sure, we're 2-7 now and have looked like crap so far with a slow, aging, untalented roster outside of Giannis and Dame. But adding Jerami Grant will make us a contender again!"

that just seems unrealistic to me. I'd think, at this point, the Bucks F.O. might be considering that their window has closed tight, and what kind of haul they could get for Giannis and Dame that might generate a rebuild

yeah, but they are not doing that, in fact, the exact opposite. Giannis is NOT available in trade and Middleton is MIA (perpetually injured again), so his worth to MIL is at its ebb. Grant IS the better player if you look over the last (2) years as Middleton has struggled to remain healthy and his performance is spiraling.

33 games played in 22/23, career low in FG% (43.6%) and in 3pt% (if you don't count his rookie year in DET, but even then it is a couple of % points)

55 games in 23/24, better shooting numbers, however, another year injured and now this offseason, double? ankle surgery and 33 years old, he ain't gonna get better, and you can bet he will opt into his 25/26 contract @ $34mil

I know you (and many others) are skeptical on Grant\Ant\Williams worth, and you could be right. I don't subscribe to that view, I think each are worth some type of a 1st (or young player comparable), hopefully, we will find out one way or another before\at the trade deadline.

Lastly, I would add, not all 1st round picks are comparable. Kris Murray (#23 pick)is likely considered a "good\ok" outcome for a mid\late 1st, as in he may at least be a serviceable bench player, much more likely than not that is NOT the case. The majority of picks in the 20's (even 15-20) do not end up that impactful.

Marjon Beauchamp, for example, who MIL is looking for anyone to take, was the 24th pick in the 2022 draft. I bet if POR asked for Beauchamp, in addition to Middleton they would gleefully take it.