LIVE - Board Competition - Blazers Off-Season Plan

[zzaj]

As we have seen with the Pistons, who have drafted fifth several times in a row, tearing the team
down to its roots isn't going to work unless one can see a franchise player on the horizon.

I do think the thing to do to have a plan to how the team wishes to play. If the team builds around
Scoot/SS, what does the team need to add in order to win with these players?

Opinions will vary on this...but mine is that the league is going deeper and deeper into "positionless" basketball, and will only continue to do so. So the more the Blazers prioritize size, shooting, defense, and ability to playmake with the ball the better they will be. You only have to look at what the Celtics have put together to see that "positionless" is the future. And if you don't believe that, then look at the next face of the franchise playing for San Antonio.

In particular, the Blazers missed playmaking last year once Sharpe, Simons and Brogdon went down for stretches. Outside of those 3 (and a couple of them aren't very good at it) that left only Banton and Grant as players who ostensibly have the ability to put the ball on the ground and create. Luckily, there are a few players in range of the Blazer picks that can address playmaking. Same with shooting.

Defense is a bigger issue. IMHO, much of that comes down to coaching emphasis...and I don't mean the lipservice variety of "we have to play tougher defense" coming from coaches, but literal, on-court actionable emphasis.

[Norm2953]

There is a reason why Sarr is such demand this season for teams want that big who can play
away from the basket which suggests a big like Kelel Ware is going to go higher than he should
for athletically, he test out the equal of Sarr

[BlazersBroncos]

Another one -

TRADE 1

PDX TRADES - Simons, RWIII, #14
PDX RECEIVES - #5, 2030 GSW FRP (Top-20 protected - if within Top-20 then 2030 GSW SRP)

DET TRADES - Ivey, #5
DET RECEIVES - Simons, RWIII, #14

WAS TRADES - 2030 GSW FRP (Top-20 protected - if within Top-20 then 2030 GSW SRP)
WAS RECEIVES - Ivey

TRADE 2

PDX TRADES - Grant, Murray, Reath, #40
PDX RECEIVES - Barnes, Mitchell, #13

SAC TRADES - Barnes, Mitchell, #13
SAC RECEIVES - Grant, Murray, Reath, #40

#5 - Matas Buzelis F
#7 - Dalton Knetch GF
#13 - Zach Edey C
#34 - KJ Simpson G

G - Scoot Henderson / Malcolm Brogdan / KJ Simpson
G - Shadeon Sharpe / Dalano Banton / Dalton Knetch
F - Matisse Thybulle / Toumari Camara / Dalton Knetch
F - Harrison Barnes / Matas Buzelis / Rayan Rupert
C - DeAndre Anyton / Zach Edey / Jabari Walker JR

[zzaj]

Another one -

TRADE 1

PDX TRADES - Simons, RWIII, #14
PDX RECEIVES - #5, 2030 GSW FRP (Top-20 protected - if within Top-20 then 2030 GSW SRP)

DET TRADES - Ivey, #5
DET RECEIVES - Simons, RWIII, #14

WAS TRADES - 2030 GSW FRP (Top-20 protected - if within Top-20 then 2030 GSW SRP)
WAS RECEIVES - Ivey

TRADE 2

PDX TRADES - Grant, Murray, Reath, #40
PDX RECEIVES - Barnes, Mitchell, #13

SAC TRADES - Barnes, Mitchell, #13
SAC RECEIVES - Grant, Murray, Reath, #40

#5 - Matas Buzelis F
#7 - Dalton Knetch GF
#13 - Zach Edey C
#34 - KJ Simpson G

G - Scoot Henderson / Malcolm Brogdan / KJ Simpson
G - Shadeon Sharpe / Dalano Banton / Dalton Knetch
F - Matisse Thybulle / Toumari Camara / Dalton Knetch
F - Harrison Barnes / Matas Buzelis / Rayan Rupert
C - DeAndre Anyton / Zach Edey / Jabari Walker JR

1st trade isn't one I'd do--I think TL is actually going to end up being fairly valuable still, and I think Simons could be worth more than a pick in the 20s/second rounder and a chance to move up in this draft. Also, I don't really see giving up value to move up in this draft.

2nd trade I'd have to think about. I think Grant also actually could potentially hold a lot of value to a contending team.

My uses of those picks would be pretty different.

[Norm2953]

It’ll be interesting to see Portland’s draft board after yesterday’s big workout in
Portland.

There will be a lot of movement and a lot of uncertainty for ESPN has Portland taking
Dillingham due to his perceived star power but who has not been cleared to workout
due to injury.

[JasonStern]

The point is not that Simons is some kind of bad basketball player.

The point is you can relatively easily get 80% (or more) of what Simons brings to an NBA team for 1/4 of the pricetag—and THAT is
better for a rebuilding team.

Name a young 18ppg player making $5M that is realistically attainable. Facts killed that argument pretty quick.

[zzaj]

The point is not that Simons is some kind of bad basketball player.

The point is you can relatively easily get 80% (or more) of what Simons brings to an NBA team for 1/4 of the pricetag—and THAT is
better for a rebuilding team.

Name a young 18ppg player making $5M that is realistically attainable. Facts killed that argument pretty quick.

Take a look at any number of players that could potentially do that in the upcoming draft. In fact you might find some that actually play defense too.

[zzaj]

It’ll be interesting to see Portland’s draft board after yesterday’s big workout in
Portland.

There will be a lot of movement and a lot of uncertainty for ESPN has Portland taking
Dillingham due to his perceived star power but who has not been cleared to workout
due to injury.

ESPN's mock for the Blazers has been correct the past two years, at least within 2 weeks of the draft. Probably the Givony-Schmitz connection.

[Norm2953]

It’ll be interesting to see Portland’s draft board after yesterday’s big workout in
Portland.

There will be a lot of movement and a lot of uncertainty for ESPN has Portland taking
Dillingham due to his perceived star power but who has not been cleared to workout
due to injury.

ESPN's mock for the Blazers has been correct the past two years, at least within 2 weeks of the draft. Probably the Givony-Schmitz connection.

Read on Twitter

Seems clear Portland is trying to trade up in the draft

[JasonStern]

The point is not that Simons is some kind of bad basketball player.

The point is you can relatively easily get 80% (or more) of what Simons brings to an NBA team for 1/4 of the pricetag—and THAT is
better for a rebuilding team.

Name a young 18ppg player making $5M that is realistically attainable. Facts killed that argument pretty quick.

Take a look at any number of players that could potentially do that in the upcoming draft. In fact you might find some that actually play defense too.

Such as...?

Wizenheimer and I both theoretically have the potential to be the GOAT. It doesn't mean I'd throw away a 22ppg undersized shooting guard on a reasonable contract based on unfounded hope.

[Walton1one]

It would be funny if ATL traded down with SA for #4 & #8 with the intent of taking Clingan @ #4 and then POR traded up with HOU to get #3 and take Clingan right before them.

[JasonStern]

It’ll be interesting to see Portland’s draft board after yesterday’s big workout in
Portland.

There will be a lot of movement and a lot of uncertainty for ESPN has Portland taking
Dillingham due to his perceived star power but who has not been cleared to workout
due to injury.

ESPN's mock for the Blazers has been correct the past two years, at least within 2 weeks of the draft. Probably the Givony-Schmitz connection.

Read on Twitter

Seems clear Portland is trying to trade up in the draft

Dumb. If the Spurs are trading with Atlanta, they are better off trading their 1sts for Trae. Not saying that there aren't better player(s) than Trae in the draft. But I will say that is the safe move that would make the Wembanyama Spurs immediate playoff contenders. People forget that Trae is only 25.

[Norm2953]

I think ultimately Atlanta just takes Sarr at 1. They want Clingan but unless they pick him
first, they won't get him for there is a real chance Clingan goes third to whoever is picking
third.

Wizards would love to trade down with the Spurs

[Walton1one]

Also, I could see POR trying to trade up with MEM @ #9 to then pick between whomever of Knecht\Salaun\Buzelis\Williams\Holland was available.

SA #1 Risacher
WAS #2 Sarr
POR #3 Clingan
ATL #4 ???? - Knecht\Salaun\Buzelis\Williams\Holland
DET #5 ???? - Knecht\Salaun\Buzelis\Williams\Holland
CHA #6 Castle?
HOU #7 Sheppard\Dillingham?
ATL #8 ???? - Knecht\Salaun\Buzelis\Williams\Holland
POR #9 - Even if ATL (twice) and DET go with a wing with every pick (unlikely), that leaves 2 of those 5 still available

[zzaj]

Name a young 18ppg player making $5M that is realistically attainable. Facts killed that argument pretty quick.

Take a look at any number of players that could potentially do that in the upcoming draft. In fact you might find some that actually play defense too.

Such as...?

Wizenheimer and I both theoretically have the potential to be the GOAT. It doesn't mean I'd throw away a 22ppg undersized shooting guard on a reasonable contract based on unfounded hope.

I think you and Wiz' GOAT potential days are behind you...

My point is, undersized SGs that need the ball in their hands, don't play defense and can put up points on bad teams are commoner than water at the NBA level. You don't have to pay 25M a season for that. Simons hasn't ever shown he can do anything else in 5 years, so to that end he hasn't proven that he can be an important part of a good team any more than any rookie in this class.

You want to build around Simons/Sharpe/Grant/Ayton? Be my guest...but spending 100M on those 4 to be a bottom 3 team in the juggernaut West moving forward doesn't seem like "it". Once Sharpe gets his second contract and the Blazers overpay to keep Ayton in that same year, it'll likely be in the 130M range.

[JasonStern]

Take a look at any number of players that could potentially do that in the upcoming draft. In fact you might find some that actually play defense too.

Such as...?

Wizenheimer and I both theoretically have the potential to be the GOAT. It doesn't mean I'd throw away a 22ppg undersized shooting guard on a reasonable contract based on unfounded hope.

I think you and Wiz' GOAT potential days are behind you...

My point is, undersized SGs that need the ball in their hands, don't play defense and can put up points on bad teams are commoner than water at the NBA level. You don't have to pay 25M a season for that. Simons hasn't ever shown he can do anything else in 5 years, so to that end he hasn't proven that he can be an important part of a good team any more than any rookie in this class.

You want to build around Simons/Sharpe/Grant/Ayton? Be my guest...but spending 100M on those 4 to be a bottom 3 team in the juggernaut West moving forward doesn't seem like "it". Once Sharpe gets his second contract and the Blazers overpay to keep Ayton in that same year, it'll likely be in the 130M range.

Probably past our prime. But Wizenheimer was a three year letterman. I once scored four touchdowns in a single game.

Nobody is saying build around Brogdon/Simons/Grant/Ayton. This is a bad team. Playing a still developing Scoot/Sharpe 48 minutes a night is just going to make the Wizenheimer/Stern back court look that much better. They will have their time. Or some rookies or prospects will. But paying Brogdon/Simons/Grant/Ayton bank just to bench them for players who aren't ready to start is a waste of talent. And the Blazers ethos is to turn a profit without paying luxury tax. Starting 5 rookies isn't going to do that, no matter how high everyone is on Edey.

[zzaj]

Such as...?

Wizenheimer and I both theoretically have the potential to be the GOAT. It doesn't mean I'd throw away a 22ppg undersized shooting guard on a reasonable contract based on unfounded hope.

I think you and Wiz' GOAT potential days are behind you...

My point is, undersized SGs that need the ball in their hands, don't play defense and can put up points on bad teams are commoner than water at the NBA level. You don't have to pay 25M a season for that. Simons hasn't ever shown he can do anything else in 5 years, so to that end he hasn't proven that he can be an important part of a good team any more than any rookie in this class.

You want to build around Simons/Sharpe/Grant/Ayton? Be my guest...but spending 100M on those 4 to be a bottom 3 team in the juggernaut West moving forward doesn't seem like "it". Once Sharpe gets his second contract and the Blazers overpay to keep Ayton in that same year, it'll likely be in the 130M range.

Probably past our prime. But Wizenheimer was a three year letterman. I once scored four touchdowns in a single game.

Nobody is saying build around Brogdon/Simons/Grant/Ayton. This is a bad team. Playing a still developing Scoot/Sharpe 48 minutes a night is just going to make the Wizenheimer/Stern back court look that much better. They will have their time. Or some rookies or prospects will. But paying Brogdon/Simons/Grant/Ayton bank just to bench them for players who aren't ready to start is a waste of talent. And the Blazers ethos is to turn a profit without paying luxury tax. Starting 5 rookies isn't going to do that, no matter how high everyone is on Edey.

Hey now...don't strawman me into liking Edey and hell, I'd pay current Blazer ticket prices to see you and Wiz against Scoot and Sharpe in basically any sport.

There's a lot to unpack in your post, so I'll leave my genuine disgust of Olshey out of it...but I will point out that there is most likely a tipping point where a boring, bad team of veterans will put less butts in seats than an exciting, bad team of rookies with potential.

[JasonStern]

Hey now...don't strawman me into liking Edey and hell, I'd pay current Blazer ticket prices to see you and Wiz against Scoot and Sharpe in basically any sport.

There's a lot to unpack in your post, so I'll leave my genuine disgust of Olshey out of it...but I will point out that there is most likely a tipping point where a boring, bad team of veterans will put less butts in seats than an exciting, bad team of rookies with potential.

Wizenheimer/Stern vs. Scoot/Sharpe would literally be us fouling out in under 5 minutes.

If the Blazers consolidated 34 and 40 into Edey, I'm perfectly fine with that gamble. If they use 14 or, please don't, 7, I'm a bit worried.

The not paying tax for a non-contender rule has been in place even under Paul Allen due to the collapse of the JailBlazers. Jody really doesn't seem to care. I get it. When she was born, I seriously doubt she was praying that one day she would own an NBA team. But not taking ownership seriously or selling when you're contractually obligated to eventually do so while collecting paychecks isn't exactly motivational as a Blazers fan.

Brogdon/Simons/Grant/???/Ayton wins us ~30 games. Which ensures we're profitable. And if you're a for profit business, isn't that the goal? Trading every player on the roster for picks or cap space and playing a g-leauge team isn't sustainable.

[Village Idiot]

Trade 1: LA Lakers - Portland

Portland trades:

Robert Williams
34
40

LA Lakers trade

17
Gabe Vincent

The Lakers get a much needed center and a couple of cost controlled picks in a draft where they should be able to get contributors in the second round.

Trade 2: Brooklyn - Portland

Brooklyn trades:

Ben Simmons
2025 Phoenix 1st unprotected
2029 Dallas 1st unprotected

Portland trades:

Anfernee Simons
Matisse Thybulle
Kris Murray

Brooklyn has no incentive to be bad with Houston having control over their picks. In this deal they get one of Mikal Bridges best buddies who also happens to be a much needed go-to scorer. Thybulle and Murray can both play key roles on this team. The picks they give up are those which are least likely to have value. Portland takes the chance that any of Simmons, the Phoenix pick or the Dallas pick have high upside. They also free up a couple of roster spots and playing time for this years picks.

Trade 3: Chicago - Portland

Portland trades:

Jerami Grant
14

Chicago trades:

Lonzo Ball
11
2025 Portland first returned

Lonzo Ball will probably never play again and the 2025 Portland pick will probably never convey as a first so the Bulls are basically trading the 11 for the 14 and Grant. Portland moves up and off-loads another quality veteran in order to assure a high pick in the upcoming draft and free-up playing time for the rookies and second year players.

Draft:

#7 - Matas Buzelis - I feel Buzelis is the third best prospect in this draft behind Sarr and Castle. Depending on which mock you look at he should be available at 7.
#11 - Tidjane Salaun - Salaun is a high upside pick. Great physical attributes and athleicism and decent skill-set. Really strong motor.
#17 - Yves Missi - I am really high on Missi. Great screener, rebounder, shot-blocker, roll-man and has solid handle. If his shot and BBIQ develop he could be one of the best bigs in the NBA.

Roster:

PG: Scoot, Brogdon, Vincent -(Ball)
SG: Sharpe, Banton, Rupert
SF: Camara, Buzelis
PF: Walker, Salaun- (Simmons)
C: Ayton, Missi, Reath

Future picks (new in bold):

2025 - Phoenix unprotected, own pick returned
2026 - own
2027 - own
2028 - own with swap option with Milwaukee
2029 - own, Dallas unprotected Boston unprotected, Milwaukee unprotected
2030 - own with swap option with Milwaukee

Financial Situation

1 Ben Simmons $40,300,000
2 DeAndre Ayton $34,005,126
3 Malcolm Brogdon $22,500,000
4 Lonzo Ball $21,300,000
5 Gabe Vincent $11,000,000
6 Scoot Henderson $10,259,160
7 Shaedon Sharpe $6,614,160
8 Matas Buzelis $5,713,000
9 Ron Holland $4,342,000
10 Yves Missi $3,191,000
11 Delano Banton $2,100,000
12 Jabari Walker $2,019,699
13 Duop Reath $2,000,000
14 Toumani Camara $1,891,857
15 Rayan Rupert $1,891,857
$169,127,859

Dead-cap
Eric Bledsoe $1,300,000
Didi Loudzada $268,032

Total salary $170,695,891

Luxury tax threshold $171,315,000

Under tax ($619,109)

Note that Simmons, Ball and Brogdon are all expiring contracts giving Portland a lot of options to take on longer contract for more picks or have a massive amount of cap-space during the 2025-26 salary year.

[Wizenheimer]

Wizenheimer/Stern vs. Scoot/Sharpe would literally be us passing out in under 5 minutes.

ftfy