Top 10 roster players and best depth chart to start the season

[BlazersBroncos]

I think it will break down something like this:

G - Damian Lillard (32) / Anfernee Simons (14)
G - Anfernee Simons (18) / GP2 (20) / Josh Hart (10)
F - Nas Little (24) / Josh Hart (16) / GP2 (8)
F - Jerami Grant (30) / Justice Winslow (18)
C - Jusuf Nurkic (28) / Watford (10) / Eubanks (10)

I do not believe Sharpe will see any minutes this season except for blowouts. This also doesn't concern me, he was never a pick for "This Year".

Ya, thats the rotation IMO. Caveat that the Watford / Eubanks combo will see some games where one guy gets 20, others where its a split. Thats going to be a platoon rotation based on matchup IMO.

[HoopsFanAZ]

While some people want Simons as 6th man off the bench (unlikely), the basic questions are (1) how much does CB want Lillard and Simons together? and (2) who should run the team when Dame sits?

1. One of Dame (34 minutes) or Simons “always” on the court? Then they play together for 16-20 (Simons getting 30-34 minutes).

2. Maximize their time together and Hart plays 14 at PG and about that many at SF. If that is so, then Little needs to take a leap in play and consistent minutes. Fill the rest with Payton at SG (24-28). Sharpe as he earns it with some force feeding minutes, too.

[Soulyss]

While some people want Simons as 6th man off the bench (unlikely), the basic questions are (1) how much does CB want Lillard and Simons together? and (2) who should run the team when Dame sits?

1. One of Dame (34 minutes) or Simons “always” on the court? Then they play together for 16-20 (Simons getting 30-34 minutes).

2. Maximize their time together and Hart plays 14 at PG and about that many at SF. If that is so, then Little needs to take a leap in play and consistent minutes. Fill the rest with Payton at SG (24-28). Sharpe as he earns it with some force feeding minutes, too.

Hart is going to be the 6th man, I will be shocked if he starts. I suspect he's trade deadline bait for talent consolidation purposes. I doubt the Blazers resign him.

[BlazersBroncos]

While some people want Simons as 6th man off the bench (unlikely), the basic questions are (1) how much does CB want Lillard and Simons together? and (2) who should run the team when Dame sits?

1. One of Dame (34 minutes) or Simons “always” on the court? Then they play together for 16-20 (Simons getting 30-34 minutes).

2. Maximize their time together and Hart plays 14 at PG and about that many at SF. If that is so, then Little needs to take a leap in play and consistent minutes. Fill the rest with Payton at SG (24-28). Sharpe as he earns it with some force feeding minutes, too.

Hart is going to be the 6th man, I will be shocked if he starts. I suspect he's trade deadline bait for talent consolidation purposes. I doubt the Blazers resign him.

I really hope we keep Hart unless he is part of a substantial upgrade package (IE Hart, Winslow, Sharpe, 3/3 picks/swaps for Pascal or something). He is a hell of a role player. I dont think Grant is much if at all better personally. There is a decent argument that Hart is our 3rd best player, if you take Nurkic's injuries into account IMO.

[zzaj]

While some people want Simons as 6th man off the bench (unlikely), the basic questions are (1) how much does CB want Lillard and Simons together? and (2) who should run the team when Dame sits?

1. One of Dame (34 minutes) or Simons “always” on the court? Then they play together for 16-20 (Simons getting 30-34 minutes).

2. Maximize their time together and Hart plays 14 at PG and about that many at SF. If that is so, then Little needs to take a leap in play and consistent minutes. Fill the rest with Payton at SG (24-28). Sharpe as he earns it with some force feeding minutes, too.

Hart is going to be the 6th man, I will be shocked if he starts. I suspect he's trade deadline bait for talent consolidation purposes. I doubt the Blazers resign him.

I really hope we keep Hart unless he is part of a substantial upgrade package (IE Hart, Winslow, Sharpe, 3/3 picks/swaps for Pascal or something). He is a hell of a role player. I dont think Grant is much if at all better personally. There is a decent argument that Hart is our 3rd best player, if you take Nurkic's injuries into account IMO.

I'm higher than most on Hart...I think a pretty decent argument could be made that he's the second "best" player on the roster. And that's more about the lack of top-end talent on the current Blazers than anything else.

[Soulyss]

While some people want Simons as 6th man off the bench (unlikely), the basic questions are (1) how much does CB want Lillard and Simons together? and (2) who should run the team when Dame sits?

1. One of Dame (34 minutes) or Simons “always” on the court? Then they play together for 16-20 (Simons getting 30-34 minutes).

2. Maximize their time together and Hart plays 14 at PG and about that many at SF. If that is so, then Little needs to take a leap in play and consistent minutes. Fill the rest with Payton at SG (24-28). Sharpe as he earns it with some force feeding minutes, too.

Hart is going to be the 6th man, I will be shocked if he starts. I suspect he's trade deadline bait for talent consolidation purposes. I doubt the Blazers resign him.

I really hope we keep Hart unless he is part of a substantial upgrade package (IE Hart, Winslow, Sharpe, 3/3 picks/swaps for Pascal or something). He is a hell of a role player. I dont think Grant is much if at all better personally. There is a decent argument that Hart is our 3rd best player, if you take Nurkic's injuries into account IMO.

No Argument, I like Hart too, but I do think he's more super-sub 6th man (Jordan Clarkston type) than high-level starter. He's the type of player you want on a championship caliber team, but we're probably a trade deadline and an off-season from being in that category (if we can get there).

[Village Idiot]

Here's what I came up with.

By position:

PG: Lillard 32, Simons 16
SG: Hart 24, Payton 12, Simons 12
SF: Little 20, Payton 10, Sharpe 8, Walker 6, Hart 4
PF: Grant 28, Winslow 16, Watford 4
C: Nurkic 28, Eubanks 12, Watford 8

By player:

Lillard 32
Simons 28
Hart 28
Nurkic 28
Grant 28
Payton 22
Little 20
Winslow 16
Watford 12
Eubanks 12
Sharpe 8
Walker 6

I definitely think Simons should come off the bench and aim for both MIP and 6MOY

Reflections from pre-season

1. The team defense is atrocious. Playing guys out of position at SG (Ant should only defend the 1), SF (Hart is a guard too), and PF (Grant is better at SF than PF) is a recipe for disaster
2. The offense is stagnant. The plays are rudimentary and the timing is off
3. Simons next to Lillard isn't working well and should be minimized until one of them is traded. Simons is a lead-guard and proved capable of that last season.
4. Rebounding is going to be a major issue with this unit
5. Little has really bad awareness and positioning and relies too much on his athleticism
6. Nurk - this guy drives me crazy with his missing of lay-ups and body language.
7. Sharpe is not only already good offensively but is really active on D. He has a lot to learn but the effort is there. He has an incredible ability to cover ground, has strong instincts and a 2nd jump that is off the charts. Hopefully GP and Chauncey can get him up to a high level already this season.
8. Walker is already a decent role player but needs to stay focussed and ball-watch less defensively
9. Our depth at PF and C just sucks. Opponents are going to target Nurk early and often to get him into foul trouble

so if I were Chauncey I would roll with Payton at SG and Sharpe at SF to start. Give most of Little's minutes to Hart, Walker and Sharpe. We'll still suck at back-up PF/C and have to play a guard at SF but this roster is not constructed to contend.

[Goldbum]

If we are going to rebuild how about this combination of trades:
Trade 1 Dame for...assets hard to say what we will get but after he becomes the teams all time leading scores we move off him and start the full rebuild
Trade 2
Josh Hart and GP2
4
Johnathan Isaac
Trade 3
Nurk+Grant+ Winslow
4
Ben Simmons

Ant
Sharpe
Nas
Isaac
Simmons
Idk it's a nuclear bomb dropped on this roster but positions us for future success assuming we get a couple nice players and picks for Dame.

[BlazersBroncos]

If we are going to rebuild how about this combination of trades:
Trade 1 Dame for...assets hard to say what we will get but after he becomes the teams all time leading scores we move off him and start the full rebuild
Trade 2
Josh Hart and GP2
4
Johnathan Isaac
Trade 3
Nurk+Grant+ Winslow
4
Ben Simmons

Ant
Sharpe
Nas
Isaac
Simmons
Idk it's a nuclear bomb dropped on this roster but positions us for future success assuming we get a couple nice players and picks for Dame.

ORL has Suggs, Cole, Fultz, Ross and Gary Harris at guard. Why do they make a move like that?

Also, not sure that Nurk and Grant isnt an overpay for Ben. I think Simmons would pout a ton if played full time at C.

I like the Issac idea, but I think ORL would want draft capital. I dont think they would value Hart and GP2 based on both age and roster crunch.

I dont see many options for Dame based on his salary both now and long term. Maybe Chicago continues to go 'all in'

Dame for Ball, Caruso, Williams, PDX FRP Returned, 2024 Swap Option, 2025 FRP, 2026 Swap Option, 2027 FRP (Not 100% sure on the picks, could be more or less)

Then deal w/ the devil - Grant, Nurkic, Little for Westy + 25 and 27 FRP and Hart for Bertans + 25 FRP

G - Lonzo Ball / Keon Johnson
G - Anfernee Simons / Alex Caruso
F - Shadeon Sharpe / Jabari Walker JR
F - Pat Williams / Davis Bertans
C - Drew Eubanks / Trendon Watford

+ Returned PDX FRP
+ 2024 CHI Swap
+ 2025 CHI FRP
+ 2025 LAL FRP
+ 2025 DAL FRP
+ 2026 CHI Swap
+ 2027 LAL FRP
+ 2027 CHI FRP

[Goldbum]

I think I would still prefer Simmons at Center. It's a big ask but he would be a game changer and we would have the most athletic starting 5 in the NBA...agree that the Orlando deal would need to be a 3 way. Not sure if Ball would be on the table in a Dame trade...but it's all speculation so who know really...

[BlazersBroncos]

I think I would still prefer Simmons at Center. It's a big ask but he would be a game changer and we would have the most athletic starting 5 in the NBA...agree that the Orlando deal would need to be a 3 way. Not sure if Ball would be on the table in a Dame trade...but it's all speculation so who know really...

Ball has some serious injury issues and setbacks. CHI is pretty much 'all in' right now, I could see them being one of the few teams willing to take on Dame's large deal and give up legit assets.

LAL and DAL for sure would be interested, but the assets avaliable are near nil for both squads. MIN has already gone 'all in' and has no assets.

I dont think PHI would be anymore, Maxey has shown too much. Dont think NYK would pay the price w/ Brunson on board (And the pairing is really bad on paper). I think BOS would be foolish to move Brown for Dame, but who knows. DET has some attractive pieces and wants to win apparently but they just drafted Ivy.

I like alot of what ORL could offer if they go 'win now'. I dont think we could get Franz though, the point would be to pair Dame w/ Franz and Paolo - would be more like Suggs, Isaac and a bunch of FRP' (Which works in the trade checker w/ Terrance Ross)

[GEE]

Dame / GP2
Hart / Simons
Grant / Little / Sharpe
Winslow / Walker
Nurkic / Eubanks(or)Watford

Not sure we play less than 10 most of the year. Strength in Numbers, may be a good strategy for us. Big consolidation trade will definitely happen this year I think, just not sure when, or how big it will be.

Oh, and the above lineup starting Hart definitely won't be happening, at least not to begin with.

[BNM]

Well, crap! Time to adjust those depth charts...

https://www.nba.com/news/blazers-gary-payton-out-2-weeks

Portland Trail Blazers guard Gary Payton II will miss the start of the regular season as he continues to rehab from his core muscle injury.

Payton, who underwent a procedure to address the injury in July, will be reevaluated again in two weeks.

The undrafted veteran — son of former Seattle SuperSonics star Gary Payton — signed a three-year deal with Portland in the offseason. He emerged as a defensive stopper for the Golden State Warriors last season, contributing to the team’s 2022 NBA championship.

Payton averaged 7.1 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 71 games for the Warriors last season.

[Goldbum]

What player being released would be the guy you want for our 2nd 2 way?

[GEE]

This topic is hard to figure because I think we'll obviously start out with Dame and Simons, but many I believe don't think that it could be anything less than insanity by definition, and is doomed to fail.

I have a question for all... When and If we do change the initial lineup, Who would be better to have coming off the bench as 6th-MOTY for the next 5... ANT or DAME? (Give it some thought now). Just throwing out the unimaginable scenario that COULD lead to greater team success, while allowing Dame to thrive up until his retirement day.

Screw it... I've changed my mind. I WANT THIS:

Simons / GP2
Sharpe / Dame
Grant / Hart
Little / Walker
Nurkic / Winslow

[Goldbum]

I've been looking at the Knicks roster and wonder ... would Josh Hart and GB3 ne enough to acquire Reddish and Toppin? Would seem to balance both teams and Hart is a perfect Thibs guy... been reading that Reddish won't get an extension. I would do Watford instead of GB3 if that's the sticking point. That would clear up enough cap space to sign Favors without hitting the tax if my math is correct. Clears some room for Sharpe to play this year too

[GEE]

MINOR TWEAK:

ANT / GP2
Hart / Dame
Grant / Sharpe / Little
Winslow
Nurkic / Walker

First player out: Nurkic / Winslow to the 5 w/ Grant to the 4 & Hart to the 3 / Dame enters as 6th Man.
2nd move: ANT & ??? out w/ Sharpe & ??? in.
3rd: ???
Something like this IMHO would be best.