2025 Off-Season Strategy - What will Cronin do?

[Walton1one]

For those thinking the Blazers should swing big and go after a Zion Williamson or LaMelo Ball, both of whom could be available (for the right...high...price), I thought this was interesting, and not in a good way. I hope Cronin steers clear of both of these guys (and Ja Morant)

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[Walton1one]

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Interesting article about teams stuck in the middle\tanking. The one thing these 3 teams share in common? An All Star caliber player, something which POR is still searching for...

Of all the major team sports, the NBA is most susceptible to the whims and lure of a superstar. One player has more impact on winning in this league than in every other sport. A great pitcher usually only throws every four days. A great quarterback still needs an offensive line to give him time to throw. A great goal scorer in hockey or soccer can be stymied by defenses designed to stop them. The NBA superstar, being one of just five players from his team on the court at any given time, can tilt the floor.

So, for teams like Utah and Washington, which currently don’t have anyone like that on their rosters, multiple-season tanking is a no-brainer.

For those in the muddled middle, the path forward is not as clear.

For example, under former general manager Travis Schlenk, Atlanta built a young and exciting group around Trae Young, reaching the Eastern Conference finals in 2021. But ownership’s patience wavered after the Hawks stumbled the next couple of seasons, culminating in the firing of coach Nate McMillan in February 2023, and a front office housecleaning. Yet, Atlanta didn’t take it back down to the studs, even as rumors abounded last year that the Hawks would be willing to move Young.

Instead, Atlanta held onto Young and traded his backcourt mate, Dejounte Murray, instead. The Hawks have surrounded Young with a new group of role players: Dyson Daniels, Jalen Johnson and rookie Zaccharie Risacher, the first pick in last year’s draft.

Before Johnson went down with a season-ending torn labrum in late January, the Hawks were messing around with a top-four spot in the East. They’ll have to likely settle for a Play-In berth this season, but their future is again bright.

Similarly, Toronto has already hit on Scottie Barnes, taken fourth in the 2021 draft, and paid him accordingly. Yet, the Raptors haven’t made the playoffs in the desultory East since 2022, when Philadelphia dispatched them in the first round. Since winning the 2019 NBA title, they’ve won one playoff series. They’ve hit a wall. But they’re doubling down on their existing core.

They traded for forward Brandon Ingram from New Orleans at this year’s trade deadline, and immediately inked him to a three-year, $120 million extension, continuing a recent trend by acquiring players facing rising free agency and extending them before they hit it.

Despite finishing well out of the running this season, Toronto will run it back for 2025-26 with Ingram, Barnes, R.J. Barrett, guard Immanuel Quickley and center Jakob Poeltl. The Raptors will chalk this season up to growing pains with encouraging signs, like forward Ochai Agbaji’s development in the second half of the season and Toronto’s year-long improvement defensively, rising from 26th in defensive rating last season to 16th this season.

Indiana, as a franchise, has never gone all-in on a years-long rebuild/tank strategy. The Pacers have only won fewer than 30 games in a season three times in the last 40 years. The third time came in 2021-22, the first year of Rick Carlisle’s second stint as head coach of the franchise. Indiana had made the playoffs five straight seasons and lost in the first round five consecutive times. The Pacers cratered in the first COVID-19 season of 2020-21 under coach Nate Bjorkgren, going 34-38 and getting pummeled by Washington in the Play-In round.

(Re-)enter Carlisle.

“This was a full rebuild, really,” Carlisle said.

The rebuild accelerated after Indiana traded then-two-time All-Star Domantas Sabonis, along with Justin Holiday and Jeremy Lamb to Sacramento for Haliburton, Buddy Hield and Tristan Thompson at the 2022 trade deadline. The Pacers finished that season 25-57, but they believed they had their foundational piece in Haliburton. They were right.

“The trade of Sabonis for Haliburton, that triggered major changes,” Carlisle said. “Not long after, Malcolm Brogdon was traded. He was a centerpiece. And we went with a lot of younger guys. But a rebuild can be accelerated a lot with a special player like Haliburton.

“Haliburton was a guy who helped Buddy Hield have a couple of special years with us. And Haliburton is the reason that Pascal Siakam wanted to come to the Pacers and re-sign with us. You’re talking about a real face of the franchise.”

Haliburton figured the 65-year-old Carlisle wasn’t interested in a long-term teardown. Neither was he. So when Siakam became available last season, Haliburton left a dinner in Atlanta to pitch him on what the Pacers were building.

“We talked on the phone for like 45 minutes,” Haliburton said. “I just wanted to establish with him that this is what we’ve built here, and this is what I’m about, and if you’re about the right things, you can fit into that, and can take us to another level, then I’m all for it. But if we’re not on the same page, this isn’t the team for you. We had a great conversation, and, s—, we traded for him a week later.”

The run to the conference finals followed. The Pacers stumbled out of the gate this season, but they’re 33-13 since New Year’s Day. If anyone can credibly challenge Boston or Cleveland in the East playoffs, it’s Indiana. But the clock looms. Center Myles Turner, who is shooting a career-best 40 percent on 3s this season, hits unrestricted free agency this summer. He’ll have options. Good ones. Indiana wants to re-sign him, but it also wanted to make Paul George a Pacers player for life.

Things happen. Plans get scuttled. It’s the way of things for most NBA teams. Cherish the moments while you can

[zzaj]

Spoiler:

What about this one -

PDX OUT - Jerami Grant + Anfernee Simons + PDX FRP (9)
PDX IN - Lauri Markkanen + Jordan Clarkson + DEN FRP (22)

UTA OUT - Lauri Markkanen + Jordan Clarkson + DAL SRP (44)
UTA IN - Jerami Grant + Kentavious Caldwell-Pope + Anthony Black + PDX FRP (9)

ORL OUT - Kentavious Caldwell-Pope + Anthony Black + DEN FRP (22)
ORL IN - Anfernee Simons + DAL SRP (44)

PDX makes a win-now move w/ Lauri, moves Simons but retains a vet bench gunner in Clarkson and remains in the draft w/ the DEN FRP
UTA cashes in on Lauri - Grant has a bad deal but its a year shorter than Lauri - they get a Top-10 pick and a nice prospect in Black.
ORL moves off KCP and gets the guard scorer/shooter they need.

G - Scoot Henderson / Jordan Clarkson / Walter Clayton JR (22)
G - Shadeon Sharpe / Matisse Thybulle / Walter Clayton JR (22)
F - Deni Avdija / Toumani Camara / Rayan Rupert
F - Lauri Markkanen / Toumani Camara / Kris Murray
C - DeAndre Ayton / Donovan Clingan / Robert Williams III / Duop Reath

Looking at it from Utah's side, I'm not sure they do this...maaaaaaybe if they end up falling back to 6th, but probably not even then--especially with Ainge at their helm.

Mike Richmond has a good podcast up right now comparing the Blazer and Utah "rebuilds". In it he talks about the similarities of where the two teams are at and how Utah jumped the gun on getting good, missing out on Wemby, Thompson twins, even Scoot over George...and now they had to tank back another season in order to try and find a franchise player. Are the Blazers going to be in the same place in a couple of years?

I'm personally not a Lauri believer--he misses at least a quarter of a season every year and as a 27 year old he's trending in the wrong direction statistically.

last first: Markkanen is a good player but he is a major injury risk (hard to tell how serious injuries are in tank seasons). But he's not good enough to warrant 49M/year for the next 4 seasons. That could turn into an albatross contract

the future of Utah vs the future of Portland? Jazz are guaranteed at least a top-5 pick in the next draft; likely a top-4 pick and could be #1. They also have the current 19th pick that could be 14th if Minny gets upset in the play-in. That points out that over the next 7 seasons, Utah has 11 first round picks vs Portland with 8; and a passel of 2nd round picks more than Portland. That's an edge for rebuilding teams, although it sure doesn't look like Cronin is invested in a rebuild

Utah does have an all-star in Markkanen. That could be a step up the ladder the Blazers haven't taken. Utah has Markkanen; Blazers have Avdija. Utah has Keyonte George; Blazers have Scoot. Utah has Kessler; Blazers have Clingan. Utah has Sexton; Blazers have Simons. Utah has Collins; Blazers have Grant. What Utah doesn't have are Sharpe and Camara equivalents. What Portland doesn't have are Flipowski and Sensabaugh equivalents.

I'd say the two teams, in terms of rebuilds are in similar boats rowing in similar waters. The 2025 draft could change that significantly. But I'd have a lot more confidence in Ainge as a captain than in Cronin as a captain (with Kolde peering over his shoulder)

Yeah, all good stuff that Richmond brought up in his pod...the future draft picks is certainly a big difference.

FWIW, I thought the bit about the Blazers possibly making the same mistake Utah did in getting good too early in the rebuild was the most interesting...if Deni sours in Portland and decides to leave, and Scoot, Sharpe, Camara all stay pretty close to where they are now in terms of development (which isn't a stretch), and Clingan makes only incremental improvements, the Blazers could easily go from fighting for a play-in spot to worse than this year.

Basically, what many of us have all been saying. The "good young core" is mostly fools gold without an Allstar level player. Deni could potentially be that player, but there are some pretty serious financial implications involved with keeping him around...especially if Cronin decides to overpay players and continue on the track of 'Wins-or-bust'...

[tester551]

I'm not a big fan of Markkanen. He's had a couple good seasons and I like his style of play, I just don't believe what we've seen is something that's sustainable or longterm. I think his Utah play was more flash-in-the-pan and a stint of circumstance vs actually talent.

Agreed
Markkanen is basically a more expensive Grant.

They can put up good numbers, with little impact

[Walton1one]

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Dumb decision, if true, he is still fairly young though

Wonder if this means Braun could be available though?

[BlazersBroncos]

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Dumb decision, if true, he is still fairly young though

Wonder if this means Braun could be available though?

I doubt it. He is one of their only cheap rotation worthy guys. They need his hustle too. I would also be wary of the 'Jokic' effect re Braun. We have seen KCP and Brown plummet in efficiency when they left Denver. Braun has great hustle and plays smart - but he is for sure being elevated by Joker.

Not moving off MPJ is nuts. He and Murray should be moved and they should start from scratch re the team around Jokic IMO.

I can see a Murray + Nnaji for Dame move - shake it up for both teams. Even then I think they should move MPJ in a seperate deal to get a few rotation worthy pieces. (IND has alot of smaller pieces and could use a 3rd option in MPJ - something like Nesmith, Toppin, McConnell). I like the look of this for DEN -

G - Damian Lillard / TJ McConnell
G - Christian Braun / Julian Strawther
F - Aaron Nesmith / Payton Watson
F - Aaron Gordon / Obi Toppin
C - Nikola Jokic / DaRon Holmes

[Norm2953]

Identify the player that best fits the young core and go get that player.

That young core is going to need a scorer for with DC, Scoot and Camara, they are limited offensively,'
especially if Simons, Ayton and Grant are not part of the team, long term.

[Walton1one]

Braun is due for a contract after next season I think, they have cheaper guys waiting in the wings in Strawther\Watson and they would have the #9 pick this year from POR

If they don’t want to part with MPJ, that leaves Murray whose on a huge contract extension or Gordon that they would have to deal to pay Braun

It is not out of the realm of possibility and he would fit the Deni model, a younger, up & coming player who could fit with the current core

[Walton1one]

I did a deep dive on players that could be in the mold of Deni, it is a shorter list than I thought, not sure there is anybody there that really stands out either, I’ll post it when I get a chance

Younger players, age range 22-27

Have shown some upside

Could fit positionally with the current core players

More than likely would be a wing, a 2-3-4 position player

[Butter]

Identify the player that best fits the young core and go get that player.

That young core is going to need a scorer for with DC, Scoot and Camara, they are limited offensively,'
especially if Simons, Ayton and Grant are not part of the team, long term.

The Blazers are pretty set with the core of Deni, Camara. What they are missing is a pure shooter to help with spacing.

I think they either get a shooting PG or upgrade the SG spot.

[Sinobas]

Can some fan out there explain Jabari Walker to me?

He got a reduced role this year, and the Blazers play Kris Murray ahead of him. Jabari is a much better shooter and rebounder.

Jabari is shooting 58/39 and has an insanely high DRB%. But the Blazers are probably going to keep Murray and let Walker Walk. Because it's the Blazer thing to do.

[dckingsfan]

Can some fan out there explain Jabari Walker to me?

He got a reduced role this year, and the Blazers play Kris Murray ahead of him. Jabari is a much better shooter and rebounder.

Jabari is shooting 58/39 and has an insanely high DRB%. But the Blazers are probably going to keep Murray and let Walker Walk. Because it's the Blazer thing to do.

Yeah, pretty fascinating no?

I guess, they essentially play different positions. Walker is a PF and Murray is a SF. That is the ONLY explanation? Well, he did have the concussion too.

Walker is 22 and Murray is 24. Walker rebounds like a PF, Murray like a guard. Walkers T% is .605 and Murray's is .481. Walker is a much better floor spacer and 3-point shooter. Walker turns the ball over less.

Did I say that Walker is 22 and Murray is 24? Murray played 1010 minutes and Walker played 726.

Fascinating!

I can only hope that next year isn't a repeat. Avdija, Grant, Camara should be starting with Thybulle and Walker coming off the bench behind them. That 3 forward rotation was really good. Sadly, we will still have Simons/Scoot as the PG rotation. We will have Ayton/Clingan at the C rotation.

That would be a decent team, IMO. Play-in probably. Mix in the FRP... Pretty much tells you who we need to resign and who we should let walk.

[Pattycakes]

For those thinking the Blazers should swing big and go after a Zion Williamson or LaMelo Ball, both of whom could be available (for the right...high...price), I thought this was interesting, and not in a good way. I hope Cronin steers clear of both of these guys (and Ja Morant)

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Those are guys you take on if the deal is right. There’s zero sense for just about anyone to seriously consider multiple picks/etc. I don’t see Lamelo or Zion as amounting to more than chronically injured “busts” when their careers are said and done. Neither are really even likable personality-wise

[Walton1one]

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Another situation to monitor, right now there are a few big names to watch for:

Kevin Durant
Zion Williamson
LaMelo Ball
RJ Barrett
Ja Morant (maybe)

Can't say I find any of those names overly appealing, given the cost it would take to acquire them

[PDXKnight]

Ant 4 years 140 mil with a player option for year 4 calling it now

[Walton1one]

Here is the first 1/3 of a deeper dive into what younger players POR could be interested in, should they choose to trade this years' pick (9/10) + more (if needed)

I'd preface this by saying:

1) I am not sure Joe is capable of making a big move. I think the "dynamic" involved makes it more likely they will ultimately keep the pick and draft a player more rotation ready & fits the need\team mentality.

2) If any vet is dealt, it sure looks like it will be Grant, so if they did trade their pick, my thought is it would be more towards a 3rd forward type to fit w\ Deni & Toumani

Anyway, here are the first 10 teams:

Went team by team & created a list of players, based on the criteria below, who might be able to be acquired for POR 25' pick (maybe additional assets if needed).

Here is the criteria that I based this list on:

1) Would fit in age wise with the current core players. So, age 23-27 range, the age listed is their age this year.

2) Have shown some growth (some slighter than others), kind of like Deni did and are young enough to possibly improve even further.

3) Could conceivably fit, position wise with this current team. This is the trickiest to gauge, as the unknown factor here is whether or not Kolde...er...Cronin decides to bring Simons and\or Grant back. These two players more than the others (Ayton, Williams, Thybulle) IMO would dictate the position\type of player that POR might look to acquire.

Based on exit interviews at the end of the year, it would sure appear that Grant would be the guy they would want to move, whether they can move him is another story. I doubt that Cronin will use assets to offload him, he has been pretty consistent with overinflating POR players' value, no matter what some people think, the evidence is pretty clear. He IS capable of offloading Grant for minimal\negative value, but unless he gets that direction from up on high (Kolde), I doubt he would. Taking another bad contract back that has a year less and maybe throwing some 2nd's or a young player like Murray\Rupert or any of the other bench guys that another team could like, maybe that could happen?

So my assumption here is that Simons is unfortunately staying, and they somehow rid themselves of Grant for neutral\marginal value back in return

If they cannot move Grant, there is a real dilemma, because there are just not enough minutes to go around for Deni, Toumani, Grant, Simons, Sharpe, Scoot & Thybulle. You are sitting 3 of those guys; Thybulle is clearly one, but that leaves either sitting one or both of Sharpe in Y4 & Scoot in Y3 or one\both of highly compensated vets Simons and\or Grant, which I suspect will not be received well. If I had to guess, it would be Grant & Scoot, and then instead of dealing the pick they keep it and bring in a young player to ride the bench for at least this year

Given those parameters, position wise, I think they would look for a lengthy forward, preferably who could shoot and play or swing b\t PF\SF, or a swing G\F, and maybe a true PG, who would be ok as a backup, although with Scoot & Simons I find that to be a stretch

We can assume defense would be a priority as well, given how much they drone on about their team's identity. They appear to need shooting, yet that certainly does not appear to be a focus for them, even though it is clearly the biggest red flag right now, go read the B-Edge article if you want to get an idea of how bad POR offense really is.

NONE - UNLIKELY - MAYBE - POSSIBLE - PROBABLE

ATLANTA HAWKS: Several young players in Daniels (22), Okongwu (24), Risacher (20), Johnson (23) + Young (26). but none are listed here, I don't see ATL interested in POR draft picks, as they have (2) already and with Johnson injury, my guess is they take those picks and run it back and see what they have with a full\young roster - NONE

BOSTON CELTICS: Nothing here either, Pritchard will be 28, but he s on a very good contract and trading him for the #9 would not really save BOS that much, nor replace Pritchard's impact right away - NONE

CHARLOTTE HORNETS: LaMelo (23), Bridges (27), Green (24), Miller (22), Salaun (19), Mann (23), Smith Jr (21), Diabate (23) LaMelo could be on the move, would cost a lot more than #9. Doubt they trade away Miller or Saluan. Diabate was on a 2-way and got a 3yr deal, hasn't shown enough though, Green has not shown much in 5 years.

Bridges could maybe be a guy, but has some bad personal history (suspended for domestic violence), not sure POR would want a player with that history, this isn't Trader Bob, also he has 2yrs left @ 25/22 mil. That leaves Tre Mann, he is a RFA, does POR need another b\u shooting PG? I would say no, nor is he worth the #9 pick IMO. Shot 40% from 3pt (4.6att), not a great defender, high usage - UNLIKELY

CHICAGO BULLS: Williams (23), White (25), Giddey (22), Dosunmu (25) Buzelis (20), Phillips (21), Terry (23) - Phillips\Terry are not worth the #9 pick, nor have they shown much. I am doubtful they would trade Buzelis, or Giddey. White was mentioned as possibly being available, he is an UFA after next year, Williams is owed $18mil for each of the next 4 years, but he has regressed

PATRICK WILLIAMS (23) - PF - UFA 29/30: Does POR look to kill 2 birds with one stone here? Fulfill their obligation to CHI by trading them #9 and then net back a young player on a good salary back in return as well? Williams is a career 39% 3pt shooter thru 5 seasons (3.1att), but has stagnated\regressed in CHI since signing his new deal, does POR think a change of scenery would benefit him? - POSSIBLE

COBY WHITE (25) - SG - UFA 26/27: Going to cost more than #9 pick, seems a part of CHI future, however is UFA after next year, do they want to pay him & Giddey big money? Also if POR is keeping Simons, where is the fit here? Seems too similar to what POR already has. Definitely a player who has progressed a fair amount - UNLIKELY

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS: Mobley (23), Allen (26), Garland (25), Okoro (24) - Tough time seeing CLE trade any of Mobley\Allen\Garland. Okoro is UFA in 27/28, has 2 years left @ $11/11.8. I don't see the fit here, nor has he displayed much in his 5 years, but analytics seem to like him. His usage is low and has seen a reduction in minutes, could he be a sleeper? Not sure he is worth #9 though - NONE

DALLAS MAVERICKS: Christie (22), Gafford (26), Hardy (22), Lively (21), Washington (26), Prosper (22) - Hardy\Prosper are not worth #9, Christie likely not either, also not really a fit? I don't see DAL trading Gafford\Washington or Lively. This is a team going all in, not trading away for another 1st round pick - NONE

DENVER NUGGETS: MPJ (26), Braun (23), Nnaji (24), Strawther (22), Watson (22), Holmes (22) DEN has been pretty adamant that MPJ is staying, meaning if they make a trade the likely guy to go ends up being Aaron Gordon, given that Murray has 4yrs left on a huge deal ($46\50\54\57). Holmes hasn't even played yet (injury), Nnaji has 3 more years @ $7.5mil, barely plays & has been unimpressive.

Both Strawther\Watson are interesting, just starting to get some decent minutes (both over 20min/g). Not sure either has shown enough to warrant trading #9 for, that leaves:

CHRISTIAN BRAUN (23) - SG\SF - RFA 26/27: Huge growth this year, 34min/g career highs in FG/3pt FG%, great advanced metrics (defense\connectivity\eFG\TS%). He will be a FA after next year. Does DEN want to trade him? No, but they might have to, and they have done so before (Brown, KCP). They will have $150mil tied up in 3 players come 26/27 & that is not including Gordon (another $32mil). Tax\1\2 apron is $206\215\228. How are they going to give Braun a large deal and fill out their team? They have Strawther\Watson to potentially fill the gap (as they have done before) + #9 could bring in another good\young\cheap player (they do not have a 1st), could also offload Nnaji to POR and take back a useful vet like Williams\Thybulle - MAYBE

DETROIT PISTONS: Cunningham (23), Duren (21), Holland (19), Ivey (24), Reed (25), Sasser (24), Stewart (23), Thompson (22) - This is a team looking for more vet, not necessarily another young player and they are coming off a very good year, they do not have a 1st round pick. I really don't see a match here?

JADEN IVEY (23) - SG - RFA 26/27: He is a RFA after next season, they played well w\o him, he was having a good year before injury, High usage guy, undersized, how does this fit with Simons? Gotta think DET would want to see there team with Ivey before trading him. Advanced metrics are good, just not a fit with an already loaded backcourt. DET seems more likey to look for vets than another rookie draft pick. - UNLIKELY

GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS: Kuminga (23), Podziemski (22), Moody (22), Jackson-Davis (25): I don't see the fit with Podziemski, Jackson-Davis has not showed a ton and has been out of the rotation for most of the year, his advanced metrics are not bad though, good rebounder, defender, eFG\TS%, RFA in 27/28, not a shooter, paint player, so fit not so sure about, can't see #9 for him. That leaves Moody, nice steady increases, shooting career high from 3pt (37% - 4.6att), metrics like him, again fit is weird with POR backcourt already loaded & trading #9 for him seems rich, that leaves:

JONATHAN KUMINGA (22) - SF - RFA: Issue #1 he is a RFA, that makes draft day trade for #9 very unlikely. Issue #2, GS has repeatedly, until recently, expressed desire to keep him, however he has fallen out of the rotation this last month (JAN mpg 31, since then around 20min). My hunch is he resigns - Fit wise, it could work in rotation with Avdija\Camara, my guess is he would expect a bigger role than that though - UNLIKELY

HOUSTON ROCKETS: Eason (23), Green (23), Sengun (22), Sheppard (20), Smith Jr (21), Thompson (22), Whitmore (20) - They have PHX pick which will either be before\after POR if it does not become a Top 4 pick. My hunch is they would rather consolidate for a vet (Booker, maybe Durant, though early indications say they are not interested). I see no reason they would need\want POR #9 pick. They also have a lot of draft capital. There are certainly players here that could be of interest to POR, Eason\Smith Jr, maybe Whitmore. Not sure HOU is interested in any of POR vets or needs more draft picks. Eason\Smith are RFA a year from now (26/27), Thompson\Whitmore a year (27/28) later. I think depending on what happens in the playoffs, they are primed for a consolidating move, not trading for POR 1st (or anything substantial for POR vets) - NONE

[DusterBuster]

For those thinking the Blazers should swing big and go after a Zion Williamson or LaMelo Ball, both of whom could be available (for the right...high...price), I thought this was interesting, and not in a good way. I hope Cronin steers clear of both of these guys (and Ja Morant)

Read on Twitter

I don't want anyone from the Ball family on the Blazers.

I'll still take a swing for the right price on Zion, but Ball and Ja are fine never becoming Blazers.

[DusterBuster]

The Kings seem poised for a huge blowup of their roster this summer. Reportedly both Sabas and DeRozen's agents are poised to demand their clients be moved elsewhere out of Sacramento this summer. Others could follow suit, but according to Sam Amick who covers them the closest, those two are locked in.

I would love to have a Sabonis back in Portland, but not sure that really makes mores the Blazers significantly better. Sabas reminds me more of a guy you get when you have one or two core guys already in place, not when you just have a really good collection of guys. Feels like getting Sabas now would just be the same as when the Kings got him.

That said, if the price is low enough on Sabas... if the Blazers could get him for Grant, RW3 and maybe this years FRP and the Celtics 2029... I could be talked into it....

Simons/Scoot
Camara/Sharpe
Deni/Sharpe
Sabas/Thybulle
Ayton/Clingan

Is this something/anything?

[dckingsfan]

Blazers fan here. What would the Wizards want for Smart?

My guess is that the ask would be something like 2 SRP's and an expiring contract(s). Something like Smart for Williams and two SRP's might be the basis of a trade.

I think Portland could do a couple of 2nds. Looking closer, I do think salary matching may be harder than I initially thought, so the trade may need expanded. I just like the idea of a defensive vet mentor mentoring Scoot.

Just curious to others' take on this. Would you give up SRPs for an expiring especially when you have Thybulle?

[Norm2953]

The Kings seem poised for a huge blowup of their roster this summer. Reportedly both Sabas and DeRozen's agents are poised to demand their clients be moved elsewhere out of Sacramento this summer. Others could follow suit, but according to Sam Amick who covers them the closest, those two are locked in.

I would love to have a Sabonis back in Portland, but not sure that really makes mores the Blazers significantly better. Sabas reminds me more of a guy you get when you have one or two core guys already in place, not when you just have a really good collection of guys. Feels like getting Sabas now would just be the same as when the Kings got him.

That said, if the price is low enough on Sabas... if the Blazers could get him for Grant, RW3 and maybe this years FRP and the Celtics 2029... I could be talked into it....

Simons/Scoot
Camara/Sharpe
Deni/Sharpe
Sabas/Thybulle
Ayton/Clingan

Is this something/anything?

I think the Kings would prefer Ayton to Grant since he plays a position of need if they trade Sabonis. I like BB's idea
of Ayton, Murray, 10 for Sabonis. If the Boston pick in 2029 was needed in the deal, that would be fine.

Interesting situation if both Grant and Sabonis are in Portland for both were born in Portland.