Ayton, Grant, and Simons for anything?

[DusterBuster]

I wonder if the Rockets would want Ayton? Adams is not looking healthy at all this year for them, so they could really use a big.

Adams, Smith Jr, Green for Ayton and Walker works. They get an upgrade at C, blazers clear cash and kick tires on Jabari Smith Jr.

Houston has Sengun at C, so Ayton would be a severely overpriced bench player there. And I doubt they give up on Smith Jr. so quickly just because of a weak start to this season.

Oh duh... that's on me, I completely forgot about Sengun. Like I mentioned elsewhere, I'm pretty out of the loop on some of the mid-level teams rosters...

[DusterBuster]

Clingan is the best big man prospect we have had since lamarcus Aldridge and I don't think it's close. You bring ayton off the bench if you keep him imo. Not sure if that's what we will do but I do feel with his defensive presence and lead by example personality he needs to be the guy starting and likely he will be one of the foremost emotional leaders moving forward.

I lean towards needing at minimum a lotto protected first for TimeLord. If we get that offer it's hard for me to turn down, if we get a couple seconds I'm happy keeping him.

I'm half tempted to lay down some cash on Clingan for ROY. He's got some great value at around +2500 to +3000. A ten dollar bet could net you 250-300 bucks at the end of the season.

[cucad8]

I am wondering about LAL in a Ayton trade to NO.

I am of the belief that they are not targeting long term contracts as they are aiming to be a big FA player summer 2026. (This is a reason I believe Grant didnt happen - albeit Cronin asking price could be the reason too).

Assuming the above, and taking a look at the poor play of DLo and Gabe - I wonder if they would see CJ as an idea fit. Improves them now as a better shooter and overall player than DLo and they could dump Gabe's dead weight. He expires summer 2026 keeping that (likely) cap plan intact as well.

PDX OUT - Ayton, Walker (Or anyone cheap - we just cant make the trade w/o sending 2 guys)
PDX IN - DLo, Vincent, Higher of LAC/LAL 2025 SRP

NO OUT - CJ
NO IN - Ayton

LAL OUT - DLo, Vincent, Higher of LAC/LAL 2025 SRP
LAL IN - CJ, Walker

PDX - we kill the C logjam and cut 2025/26 salary from ~34M (Ayton) to ~ 11M (Gabe). Also get a swing on a SRP in a likely deep draft. In this scenario we buy out DLo.
NO - They need a big and get a big. Same contract amt basically and same years. A shakeup for a team that is struggling.
LAL - They add a on court and locker room upgrade at G in CJ who also expires in 2026 allowing them to continue w/ a cap space plan.

Its not pretty, but I sure think it works.

That would unfortunately put LAL above the 2nd apron, and thus not doable.

[BlazersBroncos]

Clingan is the best big man prospect we have had since lamarcus Aldridge and I don't think it's close. You bring ayton off the bench if you keep him imo. Not sure if that's what we will do but I do feel with his defensive presence and lead by example personality he needs to be the guy starting and likely he will be one of the foremost emotional leaders moving forward.

I lean towards needing at minimum a lotto protected first for TimeLord. If we get that offer it's hard for me to turn down, if we get a couple seconds I'm happy keeping him.

I'm half tempted to lay down some cash on Clingan for ROY. He's got some great value at around +2500 to +3000. A ten dollar bet could net you 250-300 bucks at the end of the season.

Those odds are incredible - just not sure the FO has the balls to bench Ayton and throw Clingan into the fire.

Could see him being a 15/12/2.5-3 guy this year if he got the PT. He is really, really good.

[PDXKnight]

Clingan is the best big man prospect we have had since lamarcus Aldridge and I don't think it's close. You bring ayton off the bench if you keep him imo. Not sure if that's what we will do but I do feel with his defensive presence and lead by example personality he needs to be the guy starting and likely he will be one of the foremost emotional leaders moving forward.

I lean towards needing at minimum a lotto protected first for TimeLord. If we get that offer it's hard for me to turn down, if we get a couple seconds I'm happy keeping him.

I'm half tempted to lay down some cash on Clingan for ROY. He's got some great value at around +2500 to +3000. A ten dollar bet could net you 250-300 bucks at the end of the season.

That'd be a good 1000 dollar gamble.

[mighty_duck]

I'm half tempted to lay down some cash on Clingan for ROY. He's got some great value at around +2500 to +3000. A ten dollar bet could net you 250-300 bucks at the end of the season.

That'd be a good 1000 dollar gamble.

This year has a really weak rookie class, with the best 4 rookies averaging about 11 PPG. Even so, and with how great DC has played in limited minutes, he's a long shot.
I agree that management won't allow demoting DA to the bench. Even if he is traded or injured, Timelord will probably step in to the starting lineup before DC does.

[DusterBuster]

Clingan is the best big man prospect we have had since lamarcus Aldridge and I don't think it's close. You bring ayton off the bench if you keep him imo. Not sure if that's what we will do but I do feel with his defensive presence and lead by example personality he needs to be the guy starting and likely he will be one of the foremost emotional leaders moving forward.

I lean towards needing at minimum a lotto protected first for TimeLord. If we get that offer it's hard for me to turn down, if we get a couple seconds I'm happy keeping him.

I'm half tempted to lay down some cash on Clingan for ROY. He's got some great value at around +2500 to +3000. A ten dollar bet could net you 250-300 bucks at the end of the season.

Those odds are incredible - just not sure the FO has the balls to bench Ayton and throw Clingan into the fire.

Could see him being a 15/12/2.5-3 guy this year if he got the PT. He is really, really good.

My bet would be that Ayton misses more and more time with his silly injuries he gets almost every year, then sits after Feb if he’s still on the roster. If the Clinger stays healthy and gets those minutes, he could feast and will be in the running with a weak class overall. Imagine if he gets the start against Wemby and has another game like he did against Rudy. Those odds are gonna tighten if he gets more run, so get the value while it’s there early.

[DusterBuster]

I'm half tempted to lay down some cash on Clingan for ROY. He's got some great value at around +2500 to +3000. A ten dollar bet could net you 250-300 bucks at the end of the season.

That'd be a good 1000 dollar gamble.

This year has a really weak rookie class, with the best 4 rookies averaging about 11 PPG. Even so, and with how great DC has played in limited minutes, he's a long shot.
I agree that management won't allow demoting DA to the bench. Even if he is traded or injured, Timelord will probably step in to the starting lineup before DC does.

That’s why it’s called betting lol.

I’m betting against TimeLord’s health and/or staying on this team all season. Same with Ayton. If he’s still on the team, I think he sits the second half of the year after the deadline as the team is tanking for a high pick.

It’s not thatttt much of a long shot for that scenario to play out.

[tblazrdude]

I am wondering about LAL in a Ayton trade to NO.

I am of the belief that they are not targeting long term contracts as they are aiming to be a big FA player summer 2026. (This is a reason I believe Grant didnt happen - albeit Cronin asking price could be the reason too).

Assuming the above, and taking a look at the poor play of DLo and Gabe - I wonder if they would see CJ as an idea fit. Improves them now as a better shooter and overall player than DLo and they could dump Gabe's dead weight. He expires summer 2026 keeping that (likely) cap plan intact as well.

PDX OUT - Ayton, Walker (Or anyone cheap - we just cant make the trade w/o sending 2 guys)
PDX IN - DLo, Vincent, Higher of LAC/LAL 2025 SRP

NO OUT - CJ
NO IN - Ayton

LAL OUT - DLo, Vincent, Higher of LAC/LAL 2025 SRP
LAL IN - CJ, Walker

PDX - we kill the C logjam and cut 2025/26 salary from ~34M (Ayton) to ~ 11M (Gabe). Also get a swing on a SRP in a likely deep draft. In this scenario we buy out DLo.
NO - They need a big and get a big. Same contract amt basically and same years. A shakeup for a team that is struggling.
LAL - They add a on court and locker room upgrade at G in CJ who also expires in 2026 allowing them to continue w/ a cap space plan.

Its not pretty, but I sure think it works.

walker would have to go to a 4th team into an exception, and the lakers would need to send out JHS into someone else's exception. 5 teamers are tough.

[Sinobas]

Make use of Ben Simmons expiring contract. Ant/Thybulle to the Nets for Simmons and a pick.

[BlazersBroncos]

Make use of Ben Simmons expiring contract. Ant/Thybulle to the Nets for Simmons and a pick.

Why does BRK do that?

I have avoided Simmons in trade ideas b/c there really isnt a reason that a rebuilding team like BRK would take on the extra year of Simons. And adding a pick to boot makes even less sense.

Like - if this was reversed and we had a huge EC would you trade it and a FRP for Simons and MT? Hell no from me.

[tblazrdude]

Make use of Ben Simmons expiring contract. Ant/Thybulle to the Nets for Simmons and a pick.

Brooklyn is going to either let Simmons walk or collect draft capital from a team dumping salary at the deadline. It's the same playbook Cronin will probably use with Ayton.

[zzaj]

Make use of Ben Simmons expiring contract. Ant/Thybulle to the Nets for Simmons and a pick.

This miiiiiiiiight have had a snowball's chance in H E double hockeysticks of happening if the Nets were convinced Simons could be a PG piece long-term for them. After Simons' atrocious PG play to start the season, I'd say that snowball has melted.

I agree that unless it's for a no-brainer long-term pickup, the Nets will be satisfied to let Simmons expire. I don't believe draft capitol can be had for him...

[zzaj]

Just saw the "Nets Open To Trading Anyone" headline...

In today's edition of It Will Never Happen...how awesome would it be to trade Ayton/Simons for Bojan and Simmons?

[DusterBuster]

Just saw the "Nets Open To Trading Anyone" headline...

In today's edition of It Will Never Happen...how awesome would it be to trade Ayton/Simons for Bojan and Simmons?

Given that the Nets would clearly know the Blazers are the more motivated team for this deal, they would likely demand a FRP or two from the deal.

While I think the value of expiring contracts is a bit overrated these days, the Nets are in asset collection mode and full rebuild mode, so they would be trying to get blood from Portland knowing the Blazers wants some salary savings and to clear space for other players.

I still stand by the fact that anyone trading for Simons or Ayton will believe they can help them in the playoffs. For Simons, it'll be a team wanting bench depth and injury protection to a starter for the long-haul of a playoff run. For Ayton, it will be a team desperate for C help.

Big picture too, I just think it's stupid to talk about deals that only have 2 years left on them (this and next season) as "bad contracts". Even if a player isn't living up to the money on the deal 100%, they'll be trade filler or off the book after next season. Maybe that's just my old ass brain still remembering the days of 7yr contracts for guys like Wally Szczerbiak, but it just seems insane to think that a year and a half long deal is "toxic".

[Norm2953]

There is a big banner headline about teams in panic mode about not making the playoffs
which gives Blazer fans some hope some team will reach for Grant, Ayton and Simons.

[BlazersBroncos]

There is a big banner headline about teams in panic mode about not making the playoffs
which gives Blazer fans some hope some team will reach for Grant, Ayton and Simons.

There are some struggling teams w/ PO aspirations but IDK if Ayton or Simons fit -

PHI - They have 2 small scoring guards already (Maxey + McCain) and a max C.
MIL - Hard to find a deal here w/ their salary issues.
NO - If we can find a taker for Simons, I would be fine with a Ayton for CJ swap. Dont see much else here.
DAL - They dont have the ballast for Simons really and their C rotation isnt part of their issue.
MIN - Hard to make a deal work $$$ wise. Wont have interest in Ayton - Simons is not a great fit IMO and salary matching, again, is hard.

Just looking at Ayton and Simons b/c they are much more important to move than Grant.

[Walton1one]

Just saw the "Nets Open To Trading Anyone" headline...

In today's edition of It Will Never Happen...how awesome would it be to trade Ayton/Simons for Bojan and Simmons?

I doubt they have ANY desire to trade for either Ayton or Simons.

What is concerning about BRK is that they have made everyone available, even surprisingly Cam Thomas. Which likely LOWERS any value back for Simons.

If you were ORL who would you rather have Thomas or Simons?
If you were LA, who would you rather have Cam Johnson or Grant?
If you were NO who would you rather have Nic Claxton or DeAndre Ayton?

You see BRK is a team that understands the bigger picture and since their team has exceeded expectations, they are likely looking to offload players and reset their tank, but nope, not POR.

I swear Joe Cronin is an incompetent idiot.

[zzaj]

Just saw the "Nets Open To Trading Anyone" headline...

In today's edition of It Will Never Happen...how awesome would it be to trade Ayton/Simons for Bojan and Simmons?

Given that the Nets would clearly know the Blazers are the more motivated team for this deal, they would likely demand a FRP or two from the deal.

While I think the value of expiring contracts is a bit overrated these days, the Nets are in asset collection mode and full rebuild mode, so they would be trying to get blood from Portland knowing the Blazers wants some salary savings and to clear space for other players.

I still stand by the fact that anyone trading for Simons or Ayton will believe they can help them in the playoffs. For Simons, it'll be a team wanting bench depth and injury protection to a starter for the long-haul of a playoff run. For Ayton, it will be a team desperate for C help.

Big picture too, I just think it's stupid to talk about deals that only have 2 years left on them (this and next season) as "bad contracts". Even if a player isn't living up to the money on the deal 100%, they'll be trade filler or off the book after next season. Maybe that's just my old ass brain still remembering the days of 7yr contracts for guys like Wally Szczerbiak, but it just seems insane to think that a year and a half long deal is "toxic".

Yeah, mostly agree...thus the "It Will Never Happen"...

[tester551]

NO - If we can find a taker for Simons, I would be fine with a Ayton for CJ swap. Dont see much else here.

Are there any teams out there that would need/want CJ?

Just trying to see if a 3-way trade made more sense.