Game 50: Portland vs Phoenix 7:00pm Chargetv and KUNP

[DusterBuster]

I want a shot at the big fish in this draft but if Scoot is playing this well and we are getting 20 from Toumari and Deni its hard to hate the W.

I still want to cash out Simons, Grant and Ayton but this type of run helps that goal, not hurts.

Scoot has to be handed the keys sooner than later.

For JAN + FEB he is at like 60% TS with a respectable 114 DRTg.

Something needs to be figured out with Scoot. Most nights, he’s been better than Simons through this stretch and there have been plenty of nights where Simons was objectively straight up bad like last night.

I understand giving vets the benefit of the doubt for a starting role, but eventually production matters more. Simons has not been producing well and Scoot has. He deserves to lose his starting spot to Scoot just on merit right now and if the Blazers just aren’t going to move Simons.

[BlazersBroncos]

I want a shot at the big fish in this draft but if Scoot is playing this well and we are getting 20 from Toumari and Deni its hard to hate the W.

I still want to cash out Simons, Grant and Ayton but this type of run helps that goal, not hurts.

Scoot has to be handed the keys sooner than later.

For JAN + FEB he is at like 60% TS with a respectable 114 DRTg.

Something needs to be figured out with Scoot. Most nights, he’s been better than Simons through this stretch and there have been plenty of nights where Simons was objectively straight up bad like last night.

I understand giving vets the benefit of the doubt for a starting role, but eventually production matters more. Simons has not been producing well and Scoot has. He deserves to lose his starting spot to Scoot just on merit right now and if the Blazers just aren’t going to move Simons.

Also its just delaying the inevitable. If Scoot continues to play at this level, and we dont trade Simons now OR in the summer are we really insane enough to go into 25/26 with Scoot coming off the bench for his 3rd year? Like, there isnt a chance in hell that can happen. There is no reasonable path forward that doesnt end up w/ Scoot starting (Again, assuming he continues to play at this level).

[zzaj]

I think people are getting a little bit ahead of their skis on this winning. The reality is they have been very fortunate to play some teams that are currently in disarray. Now, that's not NOTHING...but to treat these wins as some sort of "proof of concept" is incredibly foolish.

I still maintain that Cronin waited too long to move off of his veteran players. This should be a year where the Blazers are leaning into Scoot/Sharpe/Deni for big minutes, gametime reps, important endgame moments, and snagging a top 3-4 pick. Instead, Cronin waited and is now sitting on a likely albatross contract in Grant, and two players that are mostly hurting what value they had in Simons and Ayton. On top of that, they STILL don't really know what they have in Sharpe...unless they see him as a 6th man for the rest of his career. In which case, he probably needs to be traded while he still has upside value and before he asks to be paid like a starter.

[dckingsfan]

I think people are getting a little bit ahead of their skis on this winning. The reality is they have been very fortunate to play some teams that are currently in disarray. Now, that's not NOTHING...but to treat these wins as some sort of "proof of concept" is incredibly foolish.

I still maintain that Cronin waited too long to move off of his veteran players. This should be a year where the Blazers are leaning into Scoot/Sharpe/Deni for big minutes, gametime reps, important endgame moments, and snagging a top 3-4 pick. Instead, Cronin waited and is now sitting on a likely albatross contract in Grant, and two players that are mostly hurting what value they had in Simons and Ayton. On top of that, they STILL don't really know what they have in Sharpe...unless they see him as a 6th man for the rest of his career. In which case, he probably needs to be traded while he still has upside value and before he asks to be paid like a starter.

I dunno - this isn't a small sample size now (last 10 games), does it mean they are a top team - meh, no. They are just playing hard, solid D and moving the ball. The shot distribution was really solid. Even Ayton's 22 shots were reasonable as he had 9 offensive rebounds.

I agree with the rest of your post, BTW. I just think the coach and team are showing heart while the FO is flashing its incompetence ---- again.

[DusterBuster]

Read on Twitter

Interesting quote by Booker... Makes you wonder if he were to ever become available for some reason if the Blazers wouldn't be on some sort of list of teams he would be open to going to for this gesture.

[DusterBuster]

I think people are getting a little bit ahead of their skis on this winning. The reality is they have been very fortunate to play some teams that are currently in disarray. Now, that's not NOTHING...but to treat these wins as some sort of "proof of concept" is incredibly foolish.

I still maintain that Cronin waited too long to move off of his veteran players. This should be a year where the Blazers are leaning into Scoot/Sharpe/Deni for big minutes, gametime reps, important endgame moments, and snagging a top 3-4 pick. Instead, Cronin waited and is now sitting on a likely albatross contract in Grant, and two players that are mostly hurting what value they had in Simons and Ayton. On top of that, they STILL don't really know what they have in Sharpe...unless they see him as a 6th man for the rest of his career. In which case, he probably needs to be traded while he still has upside value and before he asks to be paid like a starter.

I dunno - this isn't a small sample size now (last 10 games), does it mean they are a top team - meh, no. They are just playing hard, solid D and moving the ball. The shot distribution was really solid. Even Ayton's 22 shots were reasonable as he had 9 offensive rebounds.

I agree with the rest of your post, BTW. I just think the coach and team are showing heart while the FO is flashing its incompetence ---- again.

NBA seasons go through waves. This part of the season is always a bit of a down part for most teams. Players are tired from the grind of the season only being half-way over and some are distracted by the deadline, so for a team that isn't top-tier talented but at least plays hard night in and night out, this is typically the time they can catch a little run as the Blazers are now.

This team is kind of what I've always said they are, which is a collection of really high-level role players. That alone is enough to get you 30ish wins if they're all playing hard and together. To be that 10-20 win range, you need a roster that only has like 2-3 high level role players and then guys who are lucky to be playing in the NBA for a cup of coffee like the Jazz and Wizards currently are.

Totally agree that Cronin waited too long at this point to move the vets. Simons, Grant and Billups all should have been moved (or let go in the case of Billups) this summer.

At this rate, the only change I see being made at the deadline is mayyyybe Rob Williams, even that might be a 50/50 shot of happening.

I think the FO seems pretty content just to push the autopilot button for the rest of the season and see what happens. I don't think they plan on making any decisions of what to do next until after the ping-pong balls have dropped. If the Pelicans get Flagg, there could be a very real chance they finally end the Zion experiment, at which point, maybe Cronin starts serious looking at a trade bring in their star play to anchor the team around and abandon the lottery/draft path?

[dckingsfan]

I think people are getting a little bit ahead of their skis on this winning. The reality is they have been very fortunate to play some teams that are currently in disarray. Now, that's not NOTHING...but to treat these wins as some sort of "proof of concept" is incredibly foolish.

I still maintain that Cronin waited too long to move off of his veteran players. This should be a year where the Blazers are leaning into Scoot/Sharpe/Deni for big minutes, gametime reps, important endgame moments, and snagging a top 3-4 pick. Instead, Cronin waited and is now sitting on a likely albatross contract in Grant, and two players that are mostly hurting what value they had in Simons and Ayton. On top of that, they STILL don't really know what they have in Sharpe...unless they see him as a 6th man for the rest of his career. In which case, he probably needs to be traded while he still has upside value and before he asks to be paid like a starter.

I dunno - this isn't a small sample size now (last 10 games), does it mean they are a top team - meh, no. They are just playing hard, solid D and moving the ball. The shot distribution was really solid. Even Ayton's 22 shots were reasonable as he had 9 offensive rebounds.

I agree with the rest of your post, BTW. I just think the coach and team are showing heart while the FO is flashing its incompetence ---- again.

NBA seasons go through waves. This part of the season is always a bit of a down part for most teams. Players are tired from the grind of the season only being half-way over and some are distracted by the deadline, so for a team that isn't top-tier talented but at least plays hard night in and night out, this is typically the time they can catch a little run as the Blazers are now.

This team is kind of what I've always said they are, which is a collection of really high-level role players. That alone is enough to get you 30ish wins if they're all playing hard and together. To be that 10-20 win range, you need a roster that only has like 2-3 high level role players and then guys who are lucky to be playing in the NBA for a cup of coffee like the Jazz and Wizards currently are.

Totally agree that Cronin waited too long at this point to move the vets. Simons, Grant and Billups all should have been moved (or let go in the case of Billups) this summer.

At this rate, the only change I see being made at the deadline is mayyyybe Rob Williams, even that might be a 50/50 shot of happening.

I think the FO seems pretty content just to push the autopilot button for the rest of the season and see what happens. I don't think they plan on making any decisions of what to do next until after the ping-pong balls have dropped. If the Pelicans get Flagg, there could be a very real chance they finally end the Zion experiment, at which point, maybe Cronin starts serious looking at a trade bring in their star play to anchor the team around and abandon the lottery/draft path?

Meh. I think this could be a 30-40 win team vs. a 20-30 win team (if the season was restarting now) with how the players are playing. Let's see how the rest of the season plays out.

And yes, with regards your comments on the FO. But, hell no on Zion unless we are viewing him as an expiring contract. Fat, lazy, oft-injured - no thanks. Then again - it would be the surest way to get Cronin fired

[zzaj]

I think people are getting a little bit ahead of their skis on this winning. The reality is they have been very fortunate to play some teams that are currently in disarray. Now, that's not NOTHING...but to treat these wins as some sort of "proof of concept" is incredibly foolish.

I still maintain that Cronin waited too long to move off of his veteran players. This should be a year where the Blazers are leaning into Scoot/Sharpe/Deni for big minutes, gametime reps, important endgame moments, and snagging a top 3-4 pick. Instead, Cronin waited and is now sitting on a likely albatross contract in Grant, and two players that are mostly hurting what value they had in Simons and Ayton. On top of that, they STILL don't really know what they have in Sharpe...unless they see him as a 6th man for the rest of his career. In which case, he probably needs to be traded while he still has upside value and before he asks to be paid like a starter.

I dunno - this isn't a small sample size now (last 10 games), does it mean they are a top team - meh, no. They are just playing hard, solid D and moving the ball. The shot distribution was really solid. Even Ayton's 22 shots were reasonable as he had 9 offensive rebounds.

I agree with the rest of your post, BTW. I just think the coach and team are showing heart while the FO is flashing its incompetence ---- again.

Beating any team convincingly is not nothing, and this has probably been the best 10 game stretch that a Blazer team has played under Billups, but it's no "proof" of concept, IMO. I will say that I very much doubted that the Blazers would win that second PHX game...that showed some cajones.

Chicago - Lost 5 of 6 going into the game, and a team with direction questions. Similar to the Blazers.
Miami - Things are weird with Butler wanting out, had lost 3 of 4 going into the game.
Orlando 2x - Playing their worst basketball of the season have only had 1 win in the past 10 games.
Charlotte - eeked out a win vs. the hobbled Hornets.
OKC - lost to the one good team in this stretch.
MIL - Playing bad baskeball and showing age. Have only won 1 of their last 6 games.
PHX 2x- A vastly underachieving .500 team that isn't playing particularly well, ATM.

There are what, a little over 30 games left in the season? It will take some big wins over teams with winning records, or teams that are making PO pushes in order for me to truly believe this isn't a bit of an outlier area in a mostly botched season.

That said--I love seeing Scoot develop, Deni making strides into the player we all wanted him to be, Camara emerge as a player that keeps looking better and better, seeing Sharpe look effortless when it looks like he's engaged in a role, and my favorite minutes are watching when Clingan is on the court.

Ayton, Simons, Grant...I simply have no passion for.

[Walton1one]

zzaj, you can't be posting logical reasons for the team's latest run....

[BlazersBroncos]

Sharpe...unless they see him as a 6th man for the rest of his career. In which case, he probably needs to be traded while he still has upside value and before he asks to be paid like a starter.

This. At this point moving Sharpe at the DL isnt nearly as insane as I first thought. At this point despite his wild natural talents I am pretty sure the kid doesnt have the drive to come close to maxing out his potential.

Deni and Camara are showing the ability to guard the 2 - that adds alot of options for this team in terms of roster building. The jumbo lineup has been one of the most refreshing things to come out of this franchise since the rebuild started.

[Pattycakes]

Not everyone wants to tank! Imagine that

[JRoy]

Sharpe...unless they see him as a 6th man for the rest of his career. In which case, he probably needs to be traded while he still has upside value and before he asks to be paid like a starter.

This. At this point moving Sharpe at the DL isnt nearly as insane as I first thought. At this point despite his wild natural talents I am pretty sure the kid doesnt have the drive to come close to maxing out his potential.

Deni and Camara are showing the ability to guard the 2 - that adds alot of options for this team in terms of roster building. The jumbo lineup has been one of the most refreshing things to come out of this franchise since the rebuild started.

I am a Sharpe fan but you might be right. Can’t resign him hoping he figures it out, he needs to show more consistency.

[DusterBuster]

Meh. I think this could be a 30-40 win team vs. a 20-30 win team (if the season was restarting now) with how the players are playing. Let's see how the rest of the season plays out.

And yes, with regards your comments on the FO. But, hell no on Zion unless we are viewing him as an expiring contract. Fat, lazy, oft-injured - no thanks. Then again - it would be the surest way to get Cronin fired

I get peoples knee jerk reaction to that idea, but I'm telling you to not dismiss that idea or the idea of the Blazers trading for a star of some sort. Especially if it's at a reasonable price because he's a depressed asset.

Look, no one is going to trade for Zion as an expiring contract. I don't care what the team is. The Pelicans are also not going to waive him. The idea of calling him an expiring contract is just nonsense in any way. Also, there's probably no move that gets Cronin fired, he seems to have pretty much carte blanche to do whatever the **** he wants since Jody and ownership seem pretty checked out.

The Pelicans seem like the next team up to hit a full blow-it-up rebuild button. Ingram looks like he's as good as done there, they have Trey Murphy blowing up and looking like a core future building block now, and with a Top 3 pick likely incoming with a draft that has multiple players at Zion's position, their time to move on from him is rapidly approaching. Cronin and the Pelicans also have reportedly talked about a Zion trade before the 2023 draft and I'm a big believer in how much proven good working relationships between two front offices are predictors of future moves. So between the CJ move in which all sides were very complementary of each other and previous talks around Zion to Portland having taken place, it's not hard to envision this being talks that are restarted in some way.

But regardless of Zion himself, I'm starting to believe the Blazers need to pivot away from the draft as their vehicle for a star and get that player via a trade. As we discussed, the time to go-all in on the draft and youth for that was this past summer. Cronin punting on picking that path then has led us to where we are now, where a team has had enough time to gel and grow to become a passible NBA squad that's not a pushover game-in and game-out that many expected. So that means what do you do next? There's only 3 vehicles for getting a star player; Free Agency, Trades and Drafts. One of those 3 will never be an option (Free Agency) and you've largely taken yourself out of contention now for a second option of the Draft... So Trade it is... I bring up Zion for the reasons stated in the previous paragraph, but maybe there's something out there that's not as obvious to connect the dots with?

[dckingsfan]

Meh. I think this could be a 30-40 win team vs. a 20-30 win team (if the season was restarting now) with how the players are playing. Let's see how the rest of the season plays out.

And yes, with regards your comments on the FO. But, hell no on Zion unless we are viewing him as an expiring contract. Fat, lazy, oft-injured - no thanks. Then again - it would be the surest way to get Cronin fired

I get peoples knee jerk reaction to that idea, but I'm telling you to not dismiss that idea or the idea of the Blazers trading for a star of some sort. Especially if it's at a reasonable price because he's a depressed asset.

Look, no one is going to trade for Zion as an expiring contract. I don't care what the team is. The Pelicans are also not going to waive him. The idea of calling him an expiring contract is just nonsense in any way. Also, there's probably no move that gets Cronin fired, he seems to have pretty much carte blanche to do whatever the **** he wants since Jody and ownership seem pretty checked out.

The Pelicans seem like the next team up to hit a full blow-it-up rebuild button. Ingram looks like he's as good as done there, they have Trey Murphy blowing up and looking like a core future building block now, and with a Top 3 pick likely incoming with a draft that has multiple players at Zion's position, their time to move on from him is rapidly approaching. Cronin and the Pelicans also have reportedly talked about a Zion trade before the 2023 draft and I'm a big believer in how much proven good working relationships between two front offices are predictors of future moves. So between the CJ move in which all sides were very complementary of each other and previous talks around Zion to Portland having taken place, it's not hard to envision this being talks that are restarted in some way.

But regardless of Zion himself, I'm starting to believe the Blazers need to pivot away from the draft as their vehicle for a star and get that player via a trade. As we discussed, the time to go-all in on the draft and youth for that was this past summer. Cronin punting on picking that path then has led us to where we are now, where a team has had enough time to gel and grow to become a passible NBA squad that's not a pushover game-in and game-out that many expected. So that means what do you do next? There's only 3 vehicles for getting a star player; Free Agency, Trades and Drafts. One of those 3 will never be an option (Free Agency) and you've largely taken yourself out of contention now for a second option of the Draft... So Trade it is... I bring up Zion for the reasons stated in the previous paragraph, but maybe there's something out there that's not as obvious to connect the dots with?

Thanks for the considered response. We are going to need to agree to disagree on a couple of points.

1) Zion isn't a star. If you can't stay on the court, you aren't a star (this is an opinion). I don't see a pathway for him staying on the court (this is also an opinion). I think that any trade for Zion where you keep him is a mistake - especially if you are giving up any draft assets.

2) I could see a team that wants to clean up its payroll trading for Zion (if the price is right) and waiving him (an opinion).

3) I don't think it should be either/or on trading/draft. It should be both. There is no reason not to try to make a trade and picking the BPA in the draft. Cronin hasn't had the best track record thus far but even a squirrel...

I also fixed my sarcasm comment - now in green with respect to Cronin getting fired

[BlazersBroncos]

I suppose I could get behind a Zion move but what is the cost?

Sharpe, Ayton and a future pick - I think I would take that gamble.

Sharpe to me is a gamble to pay so we go from a Sharpe gamble to a Zion gamble. I would prefer to include Simons for CJ as well to get more vets around Zion (And b/c I think CJ is more likely to take a bench role than Ant).

But for NO to make this deal they would have to love Sharpe IMO.

I think Scoot and Zion could be a pretty deadly PNR. If Deni, Scoot and Camara are all hitting 35%+ from 3 there is a chance the spacing doesnt tank the plan (Spacing w/ adding Zion is the 2nd biggest issue to me regarding making a move for him - a big second to the main issue of him potentially just not really enjoying the sport of basketball).

The fit of Zion and Clingan / RWIII is pretty poor. You sort of need a 3PT shooting big man next to him IMO. But you cant have everything right off the bat.

[dckingsfan]

I think people are getting a little bit ahead of their skis on this winning. The reality is they have been very fortunate to play some teams that are currently in disarray. Now, that's not NOTHING...but to treat these wins as some sort of "proof of concept" is incredibly foolish.

I still maintain that Cronin waited too long to move off of his veteran players. This should be a year where the Blazers are leaning into Scoot/Sharpe/Deni for big minutes, gametime reps, important endgame moments, and snagging a top 3-4 pick. Instead, Cronin waited and is now sitting on a likely albatross contract in Grant, and two players that are mostly hurting what value they had in Simons and Ayton. On top of that, they STILL don't really know what they have in Sharpe...unless they see him as a 6th man for the rest of his career. In which case, he probably needs to be traded while he still has upside value and before he asks to be paid like a starter.

I dunno - this isn't a small sample size now (last 10 games), does it mean they are a top team - meh, no. They are just playing hard, solid D and moving the ball. The shot distribution was really solid. Even Ayton's 22 shots were reasonable as he had 9 offensive rebounds.

I agree with the rest of your post, BTW. I just think the coach and team are showing heart while the FO is flashing its incompetence ---- again.

Beating any team convincingly is not nothing, and this has probably been the best 10 game stretch that a Blazer team has played under Billups, but it's no "proof" of concept, IMO. I will say that I very much doubted that the Blazers would win that second PHX game...that showed some cajones.

Chicago - Lost 5 of 6 going into the game, and a team with direction questions. Similar to the Blazers.
Miami - Things are weird with Butler wanting out, had lost 3 of 4 going into the game.
Orlando 2x - Playing their worst basketball of the season have only had 1 win in the past 10 games.
Charlotte - eeked out a win vs. the hobbled Hornets.
OKC - lost to the one good team in this stretch.
MIL - Playing bad baskeball and showing age. Have only won 1 of their last 6 games.
PHX 2x- A vastly underachieving .500 team that isn't playing particularly well, ATM.

There are what, a little over 30 games left in the season? It will take some big wins over teams with winning records, or teams that are making PO pushes in order for me to truly believe this isn't a bit of an outlier area in a mostly botched season.

That said--I love seeing Scoot develop, Deni making strides into the player we all wanted him to be, Camara emerge as a player that keeps looking better and better, seeing Sharpe look effortless when it looks like he's engaged in a role, and my favorite minutes are watching when Clingan is on the court.

Ayton, Simons, Grant...I simply have no passion for.

Can't disagree with anything you are saying. And reminder - I am not saying they are a "great" team. I am saying they are playing like a "good" team. I wouldn't expect them to roll over OKC, Cleveland, Boston, Memphis, NY or Houston. Not sure that they would be competitive there.

But I think they can play with the rest of the league as currently constructed and with how the players are playing together. The "proof" to me is that they are winning games against the rest of the league - which they have been doing. Let's see how the last ~ 30 games go.

[DusterBuster]

1) Zion isn't a star. If you can't stay on the court, you aren't a star (this is an opinion). I don't see a pathway for him staying on the court (this is also an opinion). I think that any trade for Zion where you keep him is a mistake - especially if you are giving up any draft assets.

We will again have to agree to disagree on that definition of a "star". Zion puts up star quality stats, I also don't believe the pathway opinion as that's essentially trying to predict the future. Players have had rough years early in their careers staying healthy and then are able to correct it. The player who preceded Zion in New Orleans is a good example, AD. He was considered injury plagued his whole career but has largely be pretty dependable in his Laker years. One has to wonder if there's not some questionable medical + training staff in New Orleans...

2) I could see a team that wants to clean up its payroll trading for Zion (if the price is right) and waiving him (an opinion).

I can't imagine any way in which that would be realistic scenario for anyone. This feels like your personal opinion of Zion is getting in the way of reality when trying to look at the situation objectively and through other peoples eyes.

3) I don't think it should be either/or on trading/draft. It should be both. There is no reason not to try to make a trade and picking the BPA in the draft. Cronin hasn't had the best track record thus far but even a squirrel...

When you've essentially taken yourself out of contention for a top 6 pick as the Blazers have (lottery luck not withstanding), you essentially do only have the Trade option to get a star player. Of course you can draft and trade, that's not my point I'm making. But picking as low as the Blazers are projecting to do, the chance of getting a star is pretty diminished (not impossible, but significantly harder).

Portland is quickly getting themselves into treadmill territory with a team that won't ever be good enough to compete at a high level but never bad enough to get a blue-chip prospect in the draft. At that point, then yes, a Trade is the only way to get that star building block.

[DusterBuster]

I suppose I could get behind a Zion move but what is the cost?

Sharpe, Ayton and a future pick - I think I would take that gamble.

Sharpe to me is a gamble to pay so we go from a Sharpe gamble to a Zion gamble. I would prefer to include Simons for CJ as well to get more vets around Zion (And b/c I think CJ is more likely to take a bench role than Ant).

But for NO to make this deal they would have to love Sharpe IMO.

I think Scoot and Zion could be a pretty deadly PNR. If Deni, Scoot and Camara are all hitting 35%+ from 3 there is a chance the spacing doesnt tank the plan (Spacing w/ adding Zion is the 2nd biggest issue to me regarding making a move for him - a big second to the main issue of him potentially just not really enjoying the sport of basketball).

The fit of Zion and Clingan / RWIII is pretty poor. You sort of need a 3PT shooting big man next to him IMO. But you cant have everything right off the bat.

I'm also getting pretty concerned about the upcoming payday for Sharpe tbh...

[BlazersBroncos]

I suppose I could get behind a Zion move but what is the cost?

Sharpe, Ayton and a future pick - I think I would take that gamble.

Sharpe to me is a gamble to pay so we go from a Sharpe gamble to a Zion gamble. I would prefer to include Simons for CJ as well to get more vets around Zion (And b/c I think CJ is more likely to take a bench role than Ant).

But for NO to make this deal they would have to love Sharpe IMO.

I think Scoot and Zion could be a pretty deadly PNR. If Deni, Scoot and Camara are all hitting 35%+ from 3 there is a chance the spacing doesnt tank the plan (Spacing w/ adding Zion is the 2nd biggest issue to me regarding making a move for him - a big second to the main issue of him potentially just not really enjoying the sport of basketball).

The fit of Zion and Clingan / RWIII is pretty poor. You sort of need a 3PT shooting big man next to him IMO. But you cant have everything right off the bat.

I'm also getting pretty concerned about the upcoming payday for Sharpe tbh...

There is little reason to NOT be concerned. A elite talent with a hot/cold motor who dissapears for huge stretches but is still a tantalizing prospect is the exact type of guy that gets 25M+ AV and just straight up burns a team.

Pat Williams is similar, but even less inspiring, and he just got a 20M AV extension. Sharpe is going to be looking at 25-30M AV and that will be on a contract longer, and less extinguishable, than Zion.

So really if the meat of the deal from PDX is build around Sharpe in a Zion trade, I think your mitigating alot of the risk factors. Not negating the risk, but trading one risk for another risk. And that I can live with - especially as we see Camara and Deni able to handle the SG spot with very good results as of late.

[Blazinaway]

I suppose I could get behind a Zion move but what is the cost?

Sharpe, Ayton and a future pick - I think I would take that gamble.

Sharpe to me is a gamble to pay so we go from a Sharpe gamble to a Zion gamble. I would prefer to include Simons for CJ as well to get more vets around Zion (And b/c I think CJ is more likely to take a bench role than Ant).

But for NO to make this deal they would have to love Sharpe IMO.

I think Scoot and Zion could be a pretty deadly PNR. If Deni, Scoot and Camara are all hitting 35%+ from 3 there is a chance the spacing doesnt tank the plan (Spacing w/ adding Zion is the 2nd biggest issue to me regarding making a move for him - a big second to the main issue of him potentially just not really enjoying the sport of basketball).

The fit of Zion and Clingan / RWIII is pretty poor. You sort of need a 3PT shooting big man next to him IMO. But you cant have everything right off the bat.

I'm also getting pretty concerned about the upcoming payday for Sharpe tbh...

Been on that boat for a while now, from what I see not a guy to overpay given what he has shown so far, Cronin scares me in that dept