FREE AGENCY 2024

[dckingsfan]

Yes, exactly, you want the players to try their best, but it is the job of the GM to think of the bigger picture and do what is necessary for the team in the long run.

As for other teams that should be vying for the lottery, certainly a few more, BRK & CHI come to mind.

Washington? Charlotte? Detroit? Brooklyn, Chicago - thanks for help on the list.

Thing is they are all in the east. It will be very difficult for all of them (or even 3 of them) to lose more games than Portland?

[Norm2953]

This will be an interesting transition season for so much of Portland's future/hopes rest of Sharpe
and Scoot taking the next step.

Next summer, Sharpe will be eligible for a a 5 year max extension worth $230 million.

He should be motivated to play really hard to earn that extension and It'll be interesting to see
what numbers he would have to put up to get that extension.

Portland with hopefully a 2025 top 5 pick unless they get the top pick (s) is looking at the 3 guards
(Edgecombe, Harper and Traore). What do they do if they are picking 3-5?

[tester551]

Everything is dead lately. Either this the team we are going in with or the silence means something might be going on behind the scenes imo

It's summer. It's always dead after summer league.

This is effectively the team. I could have told you that by July 4

[Village Idiot]

I can see Chuancey getting a chance to see what he can do with this squad. If everything goes as expected and we have .300 winning percentage in February that is the window to off-load Simons, Ayton, Timelord and Grant and pivot to playing the first and second year guys.

[dckingsfan]

This will be an interesting transition season for so much of Portland's future/hopes rest of Sharpe and Scoot taking the next step.

Next summer, Sharpe will be eligible for a a 5 year max extension worth $230 million.

He should be motivated to play really hard to earn that extension and It'll be interesting to see what numbers he would have to put up to get that extension.

Portland with hopefully a 2025 top 5 pick unless they get the top pick (s) is looking at the 3 guards (Edgecombe, Harper and Traore). What do they do if they are picking 3-5?

It always seems that there are some Cs and wings that move up in the conversation every year. Flagg and Bailey seem like they are a lock on #1 & #2.

This team isn't all that yet, so you just pick BPA and not worry about it? Then you do it again in '26? You don't care if you hit on an All-Star at any position right?

[dckingsfan]

I can see Chuancey getting a chance to see what he can do with this squad. If everything goes as expected and we have .300 winning percentage in February that is the window to off-load Simons, Ayton, Timelord and Grant and pivot to playing the first and second year guys.

Yep, and if it is the dreaded .250... maybe sooner?

[Village Idiot]

This will be an interesting transition season for so much of Portland's future/hopes rest of Sharpe and Scoot taking the next step.

Next summer, Sharpe will be eligible for a a 5 year max extension worth $230 million.

He should be motivated to play really hard to earn that extension and It'll be interesting to see what numbers he would have to put up to get that extension.

Portland with hopefully a 2025 top 5 pick unless they get the top pick (s) is looking at the 3 guards (Edgecombe, Harper and Traore). What do they do if they are picking 3-5?

It always seems that there are some Cs and wings that move up in the conversation every year. Flagg and Bailey seem like they are a lock on #1 & #2.

This team isn't all that yet, so you just pick BPA and not worry about it? Then you do it again in '26? You don't care if you hit on an All-Star at any position right?

I'm totally sold on Flagg but Bailey seems like a ball-hog. Gives me Melo vibes. Will put up good counting stats but I don't see him as a centerpiece on a championship calibur team. I have him in my second tier behind Flagg, Traore and Edgecombe.

[dckingsfan]

This will be an interesting transition season for so much of Portland's future/hopes rest of Sharpe and Scoot taking the next step.

Next summer, Sharpe will be eligible for a a 5 year max extension worth $230 million.

He should be motivated to play really hard to earn that extension and It'll be interesting to see what numbers he would have to put up to get that extension.

Portland with hopefully a 2025 top 5 pick unless they get the top pick (s) is looking at the 3 guards (Edgecombe, Harper and Traore). What do they do if they are picking 3-5?

It always seems that there are some Cs and wings that move up in the conversation every year. Flagg and Bailey seem like they are a lock on #1 & #2.

This team isn't all that yet, so you just pick BPA and not worry about it? Then you do it again in '26? You don't care if you hit on an All-Star at any position right?

I'm totally sold on Flagg but Bailey seems like a ball-hog. Gives me Melo vibes. Will put up good counting stats but I don't see him as a centerpiece on a championship calibur team. I have him in my second tier behind Flagg, Traore and Edgecombe.

Fair enough. I think that you may still see some wings or a C that jump up into the top 5. Say that a couple of players surprise and your list expands to Flagg, Traore and Edgecombe + 2 additional players.

If that happens, there could very well be a terrific player at #5. And I am sure you agree that you don't mind drafting a Dwyane Wade at #5 given the level of talent on this particular team.

[Walton1one]

The problem is that the bad EC teams are really bad and the good EC teams are much better, so I don't see those teams at the bottom of the standings securing very many wins against the playoff level teams.

The WC on the other hand has a lot more parity outside the top 3 or 4 teams, and a lot of older teams that could start slow and\or have injuries\rest players during the year where they could lose a game here and there that they shouldn't. So even if POR ends up the worst of the bunch, they could have 25+ wins and end up behind 4-5 EC teams.

UTA will tank eventually for sure as well, challenging POR for that worst record in WC, MEM should be a playoff team, but may start slow? HOU & SA should be improved but probably not playoff teams. Out of the older teams, I think LAC is most likely to miss the playoffs, they could pack it in early as well, although GS\LAL or PHX are also just a key injury away from that same fate.

[dckingsfan]

The problem is that the bad EC teams are really bad and the good EC teams are much better, so I don't see those teams at the bottom of the standings securing very many wins against the playoff level teams.

The WC on the other hand has a lot more parity outside the top 3 or 4 teams, and a lot of older teams that could start slow and\or have injuries\rest players during the year where they could lose a game here and there that they shouldn't. So even if POR ends up the worst of the bunch, they could have 25+ wins and end up behind 4-5 EC teams.

UTA will tank eventually for sure as well, challenging POR for that worst record in WC, MEM should be a playoff team, but may start slow? HOU & SA should be improved but probably not playoff teams. Out of the older teams, I think LAC is most likely to miss the playoffs, they could pack it in early as well, although GS\LAL or PHX are also just a key injury away from that same fate.

But the really bad EC teams have to play each other 4x. And the average EC teams aren't all that.

Whereas Portland is going to get to play a bunch of elite teams 4x.

So, I think there will be win inflation in the east (for the tanking teams) that will help mitigate what might have been runaway tanking (if you will).

[Pattycakes]

I can see Chuancey getting a chance to see what he can do with this squad. If everything goes as expected and we have .300 winning percentage in February that is the window to off-load Simons, Ayton, Timelord and Grant and pivot to playing the first and second year guys.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a fan base so torn on “this is our guy” vs “ship this guy for the first bag of fried potatoes on the horizon”.

Depending on what forum or comment section you go, it’s actually quite hilarious. Ant too for that matter.

Just observing. I lean on DA being an effective head of our team and the management acknowledging that to be the case per the second half of last year and offseason evidence.

[Walton1one]

POR signed Henri Drell (age 24) to an exhibit 10 contract, 6'9 SF played with CHI G-league team LY

Averaged 15.6ppg 43.7% 31.6% 3pt (5.6att) 74.6% FT 8.4reb 2.8ast

Averaged 7ppg for CHI in SL on 37.1%/26.7% shooting

Like the size, but the lack of shooting is not great. Boy do Cronin\Schmitz like those 6'8+ athletic non-shooter types....

Drell\Cui\McGowans\Minaya
Camara\Murray\Rupert\Banton

Not one of them can shoot from the outside...yikes.

[Wizenheimer]

POR signed Henri Drell (age 24) to an exhibit 10 contract, 6'9 SF played with CHI G-league team LY

Averaged 15.6ppg 43.7% 31.6% 3pt (5.6att) 74.6% FT 8.4reb 2.8ast

Averaged 7ppg for CHI in SL on 37.1%/26.7% shooting

Like the size, but the lack of shooting is not great. Boy do Cronin\Schmitz like those 6'8+ athletic non-shooter types....

Drell\Cui\McGowans\Minaya
Camara\Murray\Rupert\Banton

Not one of them can shoot from the outside...yikes.

probably just trying to find a diamond in the ruff for the 14th-15th roster spots

I'd agree that the Blazers need to look for two-way players instead of those that are non-factors on one end of the floor or the other. But, none of those guys, except for Camara represent any investment. Just rolls of the dice in the back room. Murray was a long shot at 23 though

[zzaj]

This will be an interesting transition season for so much of Portland's future/hopes rest of Sharpe and Scoot taking the next step.

Next summer, Sharpe will be eligible for a a 5 year max extension worth $230 million.

He should be motivated to play really hard to earn that extension and It'll be interesting to see what numbers he would have to put up to get that extension.

Portland with hopefully a 2025 top 5 pick unless they get the top pick (s) is looking at the 3 guards (Edgecombe, Harper and Traore). What do they do if they are picking 3-5?

It always seems that there are some Cs and wings that move up in the conversation every year. Flagg and Bailey seem like they are a lock on #1 & #2.

This team isn't all that yet, so you just pick BPA and not worry about it? Then you do it again in '26? You don't care if you hit on an All-Star at any position right?

I'm totally sold on Flagg but Bailey seems like a ball-hog. Gives me Melo vibes. Will put up good counting stats but I don't see him as a centerpiece on a championship calibur team. I have him in my second tier behind Flagg, Traore and Edgecombe.

C’mon V.I….

Kid is 18 years old and hasn’t played a minute of college basketball yet. How much have you actually “seen” to determine he’s anything, good or bad, let alone having takes about him being the best player on a championship team?

What he has shown is that he’s 6’8”-9” SG/SF with Top 10 athleticism if he were in the NBA tomorrow. He’s also shown bad shot-selection and an ability to hit difficult/huge shots. He could be Tatum or not, but it’s impossible to tell this early…

[zzaj]

POR signed Henri Drell (age 24) to an exhibit 10 contract, 6'9 SF played with CHI G-league team LY

Averaged 15.6ppg 43.7% 31.6% 3pt (5.6att) 74.6% FT 8.4reb 2.8ast

Averaged 7ppg for CHI in SL on 37.1%/26.7% shooting

Like the size, but the lack of shooting is not great. Boy do Cronin\Schmitz like those 6'8+ athletic non-shooter types....

Drell\Cui\McGowans\Minaya
Camara\Murray\Rupert\Banton

Not one of them can shoot from the outside...yikes.

The lack of emphasis on shooting by Blazer brass drives me nuts. It’s like they want Scoot to have nobody to pass to…

[Dame Lizard]

POR signed Henri Drell (age 24) to an exhibit 10 contract, 6'9 SF played with CHI G-league team LY

Averaged 15.6ppg 43.7% 31.6% 3pt (5.6att) 74.6% FT 8.4reb 2.8ast

Averaged 7ppg for CHI in SL on 37.1%/26.7% shooting

Like the size, but the lack of shooting is not great. Boy do Cronin\Schmitz like those 6'8+ athletic non-shooter types....

Drell\Cui\McGowans\Minaya
Camara\Murray\Rupert\Banton

Not one of them can shoot from the outside...yikes.

The lack of emphasis on shooting by Blazer brass drives me nuts. It’s like they want Scoot to have nobody to pass to…

Agreed.

[Wizenheimer]

The lack of emphasis on shooting by Blazer brass drives me nuts. It’s like they want Scoot to have nobody to pass to…

or...it's almost like Cronin wants to have justification for NOT trading Grant and Ant

[Pattycakes]

POR signed Henri Drell (age 24) to an exhibit 10 contract, 6'9 SF played with CHI G-league team LY

Averaged 15.6ppg 43.7% 31.6% 3pt (5.6att) 74.6% FT 8.4reb 2.8ast

Averaged 7ppg for CHI in SL on 37.1%/26.7% shooting

Like the size, but the lack of shooting is not great. Boy do Cronin\Schmitz like those 6'8+ athletic non-shooter types....

Drell\Cui\McGowans\Minaya
Camara\Murray\Rupert\Banton

Not one of them can shoot from the outside...yikes.

The lack of emphasis on shooting by Blazer brass drives me nuts. It’s like they want Scoot to have nobody to pass to…

Over/ under on this entire bunch playing more than 5 minutes next year?

Ant can shoot, DA can shoot, Deni can shoot, Jerami has good numbers, Jabari/Shaedon/Duop are all worth targeting.

Just bringing up since these are the guys Scoot will actually be passing to next year..

[Walton1one]

I was talking specifically about wing players, but for reference:

Ant is an undersized SG, shot 38.5% from 3pt (above league average), but only 43% FG (below league average)
Ayton is a center, shot 10% from 3pt
Duop is a backup center, shot 35.9% from 3pt
Grant shot 40.2% from 3pt (above average) & 45.1% FG (below average)

Ant\Grant both shoot well from 3pt, but both are well under league average FG%, and of course they are taking 38% of all the shots on the team.

Walker? He can't shoot. 29.5% from 3pt% not good for an undersized PF
Camara? Love the defense, best of the young bunch @ 33.9%, still under league 3pt% average (36.6% LY)
Sharpe, love the game, needs to prove he can put up good numbers, shot 33.3% from 3pt LY
Banton, not a fan of his game at all, chucker, shot 31.1% from 3pt LY

Not worth bringing up the rest (Murray\Rupert) as they are bad or worse.

The reason I mention Minaya\McGowans\Cui\Drell is they are all lengthy forward types who are as bad (or worse) shooting than similar type players POR already have on their roster. You would think that mgmt MIGHT want to look at\take some flyers on some players who excel in other areas, like shooting. Or heck, draft one in the 2nd round, oh right, we sold those picks for cash.

To make matters worse, EVERY player who played meaningful minutes, outside of Ayton (57%), shot under the league average for FG% (47.4%), THAT is how bad POR was at shooting LY

Ant 43%
Grant 45.1%
Sharpe 40.6%
Scoot 38.5%
Camara 45%
Thybulle 39.7% (yikes)
Walker 46%
Banton 40.8%
Murray 39.6% (26.8% from 3pt, awful)
Reath 46.1%

In the ENTIRE NBA LY, POR shot 43.9% 29th out of 30 - 3pt FG% 34.5% DEAD LAST.

Deni @ WAS - 50.6% FG, 37.4% 3pt - So, if there is room for hope, there it is.

[Pattycakes]

I was talking specifically about wing players, but for reference:

Ant is an undersized SG, shot 38.5% from 3pt (above league average), but only 43% FG (below league average)
Ayton is a center, shot 10% from 3pt
Duop is a backup center, shot 35.9% from 3pt
Grant shot 40.2% from 3pt (above average) & 45.1% FG (below average)

Ant\Grant both shoot well from 3pt, but both are well under league average FG%, and of course they are taking 38% of all the shots on the team.

Walker? He can't shoot. 29.5% from 3pt% not good for an undersized PF
Camara? Love the defense, best of the young bunch @ 33.9%, still under league 3pt% average (36.6% LY)
Sharpe, love the game, needs to prove he can put up good numbers, shot 33.3% from 3pt LY
Banton, not a fan of his game at all, chucker, shot 31.1% from 3pt LY

Not worth bringing up the rest (Murray\Rupert) as they are bad or worse.

The reason I mention Minaya\McGowans\Cui\Drell is they are all lengthy forward types who are as bad (or worse) shooting than similar type players POR already have on their roster. You would think that mgmt MIGHT want to look at\take some flyers on some players who excel in other areas, like shooting. Or heck, draft one in the 2nd round, oh right, we sold those picks for cash.

To make matters worse, EVERY player who played meaningful minutes, outside of Ayton (57%), shot under the league average for FG% (47.4%), THAT is how bad POR was at shooting LY

Ant 43%
Grant 45.1%
Sharpe 40.6%
Scoot 38.5%
Camara 45%
Thybulle 39.7% (yikes)
Walker 46%
Banton 40.8%
Murray 39.6% (26.8% from 3pt, awful)
Reath 46.1%

In the ENTIRE NBA LY, POR shot 43.9% 29th out of 30 - 3pt FG% 34.5% DEAD LAST.

Deni @ WAS - 50.6% FG, 37.4% 3pt - So, if there is room for hope, there it is.

We were also the 4th youngest team last year, so you can expect some significant improvement from most of those guys seeing as were developing the majority of them..