2025 Off-Season Strategy - What will Cronin do?

[DusterBuster]

I can't decide whether to roll my eyes, shake my head, or throw up in my mouth when reading the discussion here about Simons. Seems like people are trying to accept the inevitable Cronin move of re-signing one of the worst starting SG's in the NBA.

I usually do all 3 when thinking about every move by Cronin and the Blazers... I'm like a living embodiment of that Alonzo Mourning gif of him on the bench or confused Larry David.

At this point it's clear the team is just betting on internal development and that with time this roster will just naturally improve and get to where we want vs Cronin trying to go out and make it happen... I don't love that, but I can understand the thought process from afar.

[dckingsfan]

I can't decide whether to roll my eyes, shake my head, or throw up in my mouth when reading the discussion here about Simons. Seems like people are trying to accept the inevitable Cronin move of re-signing one of the worst starting SG's in the NBA. And yes, Simons is one. He's a net negative on the floor; always has been; always will be. His average offense can not offset his atrocious defense. He's the worst kind of tweener guard: too small to play wing; marginal PG skills; defensive sieve

I'll use BBREF and their criteria for gauging 'qualified' players. Here's how Simons ranked:

3ptFG% - 108th out of 174
eFG% - 88th out of 117
TS% - 140th out of 204
PER - 93rd out of 179 (NBA average is 15.0; Simons 14.9...and this stat favors offense)
Winshares/48 - 114th out of 179
BPM - 106th out of 179

he wasn't even in the top 50% of NBA players in any of those categories

so, how did Simons rank just on the Blazer team?

3ptFG% - 6th
2ptFG% - 13th
eFG% - 9th
TS% - 8th
Off.Rating - 9th
Def.Rating - dead last
PER - 7th
winshare/48 - 9th
DBPM - dead last
BPM - 4th

sure looks like somebody deserving 35M/year...right?....not. Marang can urinate up a rope. By the way, Jason Quick said sometime in 2018 that it was Cronin who convinced Olshey to look at Simons in the 2018 draft. So, those of you telling yourselves that Simons isn't a Cronin guy might be barking at the wrong tree

broken record time...2 year period of Blazer new contracts:

Simons 35M/year
Ayton 30M/year
Thybulle 10M/year
Sharpe 30M/year
Camara 25M/year
Scoot 25M/year
Avdija 45M/year
Clingan 25M/year

225M/year....8 players. And I'm probably low on most projections. Completely unsustainable situation. But given that the main M.O. Cronin has shown so far is that he really really likes to punt tough decisions down the road, the reality that Simons and Ayton are next up on the to-do list should worry everybody

It is really bad that resigning Simons is even contemplated. See above for the "why". Folks see some progress so...

[DaVoiceMaster]

Where is the re-signing Simon's chatter coming from?

[PDXKnight]

Where is the re-signing Simon's chatter coming from?

Just my opinion but any rumblings have seemed highly speculative thus far and nothing based on facts.

[DaVoiceMaster]

Where is the re-signing Simon's chatter coming from?

Just my opinion but any rumblings have seemed highly speculative thus far and nothing based on facts.

I hope so!!!

[BlazersBroncos]

Texas Chuck posted this on the T&T board and I thought it was a new, interesting spin on a Simons trade -

Nets trade: 19/26/36
Nets get: 11/Powell/Prosper/Hardy

Blazers trade: Simons
Blazers get: Thompson/19/36

Mavs trade: Thompson/Powell/Prosper/Hardy/11
Mavs get: Simons/26

We get a shooter and picks for Simons. I think Klay would fit like a glove here and help with a playoff push next season (Which I think the FO is dead-set on). He is old, and doesnt defend well, but considering the teams weakness is shooting getting a guy that made 3 3PT shots in just 27mpg last season would be a nice fit. Bonus in the trade is 1-for-1 so we dont have to deal w/ roster crunch. His deal does go for 2 seasons but your getting nice pick compensation for that extra year. A Camara / Klay rotation at SF is basically an ideal complimentary duo IMO.

I realistically could see the offseason simply being a Simons trade. No one takes Grant and we decide the returns for Ayton dont offset simply letting him expire. Make the above move and sign a vet backup PG. I would try to move 19 for our FRP back from CHI as well. Then draft Noa Essengue at 10 and a guard at 36 (Pettiford, Proctor, etc).

G - Scoot Henderson / Tre or Tyus Jones / Tyrese Proctor (36)
G - Shadeon Sharpe / Matisse Thybulle / Tyrese Proctor (36
F - Toumani Camara / Klay Thompson / Rayan Rupert
F - Deni Avdija / Jerami Grant / Noa Essengue (10)
C - DeAndre Ayton / Donovan Clingan / Duop Reath

IR RWIII

[DusterBuster]

Texas Chuck posted this on the T&T board and I thought it was a new, interesting spin on a Simons trade -

Nets trade: 19/26/36
Nets get: 11/Powell/Prosper/Hardy

Blazers trade: Simons
Blazers get: Thompson/19/36

Mavs trade: Thompson/Powell/Prosper/Hardy/11
Mavs get: Simons/26

We get a shooter and picks for Simons. I think Klay would fit like a glove here and help with a playoff push next season (Which I think the FO is dead-set on). He is old, and doesnt defend well, but considering the teams weakness is shooting getting a guy that made 3 3PT shots in just 27mpg last season would be a nice fit. Bonus in the trade is 1-for-1 so we dont have to deal w/ roster crunch. His deal does go for 2 seasons but your getting nice pick compensation for that extra year. A Camara / Klay rotation at SF is basically an ideal complimentary duo IMO.

I realistically could see the offseason simply being a Simons trade. No one takes Grant and we decide the returns for Ayton dont offset simply letting him expire. Make the above move and sign a vet backup PG. I would try to move 19 for our FRP back from CHI as well. Then draft Noa Essengue at 10 and a guard at 36 (Pettiford, Proctor, etc).

G - Scoot Henderson / Tre or Tyus Jones / Tyrese Proctor (36)
G - Shadeon Sharpe / Matisse Thybulle / Tyrese Proctor (36
F - Toumani Camara / Klay Thompson / Rayan Rupert
F - Deni Avdija / Jerami Grant / Noa Essengue (10)
C - DeAndre Ayton / Donovan Clingan / Duop Reath

IR RWIII

I dont think the Mavs would do this. I think they would want Simons to fill the gap of Kyrie’s injury, but not at this cost of 11 and Klay.

I can also guarantee that, at least at first, Chauncey would not be bringing Klay off the bench if a deal landed him in Portland.

[BlazersBroncos]

Texas Chuck posted this on the T&T board and I thought it was a new, interesting spin on a Simons trade -

Nets trade: 19/26/36
Nets get: 11/Powell/Prosper/Hardy

Blazers trade: Simons
Blazers get: Thompson/19/36

Mavs trade: Thompson/Powell/Prosper/Hardy/11
Mavs get: Simons/26

We get a shooter and picks for Simons. I think Klay would fit like a glove here and help with a playoff push next season (Which I think the FO is dead-set on). He is old, and doesnt defend well, but considering the teams weakness is shooting getting a guy that made 3 3PT shots in just 27mpg last season would be a nice fit. Bonus in the trade is 1-for-1 so we dont have to deal w/ roster crunch. His deal does go for 2 seasons but your getting nice pick compensation for that extra year. A Camara / Klay rotation at SF is basically an ideal complimentary duo IMO.

I realistically could see the offseason simply being a Simons trade. No one takes Grant and we decide the returns for Ayton dont offset simply letting him expire. Make the above move and sign a vet backup PG. I would try to move 19 for our FRP back from CHI as well. Then draft Noa Essengue at 10 and a guard at 36 (Pettiford, Proctor, etc).

G - Scoot Henderson / Tre or Tyus Jones / Tyrese Proctor (36)
G - Shadeon Sharpe / Matisse Thybulle / Tyrese Proctor (36
F - Toumani Camara / Klay Thompson / Rayan Rupert
F - Deni Avdija / Jerami Grant / Noa Essengue (10)
C - DeAndre Ayton / Donovan Clingan / Duop Reath

IR RWIII

I dont think the Mavs would do this. I think they would want Simons to fill the gap of Kyrie’s injury, but not at this cost of 11 and Klay.

I can also guarantee that, at least at first, Chauncey would not be bringing Klay off the bench if a deal landed him in Portland.

I think part of the appeal is getting off the money of Klay and Hardy. If they could dump Martin as well their cap sheet summer 2026 would be pretty clean and they could pay Irving and be a FA player.

[Norm2953]

Mavs would turn around and ask for 19 instead of 26.

It'd be interesting to see what Chicago would want for our pick back in the end but if the team really wants to
be a playoff team in 2025/6, I'm fine if it a mid teens pick in 2026 that goes to Chicago.

[Wizenheimer]

Texas Chuck posted this on the T&T board and I thought it was a new, interesting spin on a Simons trade -

Nets trade: 19/26/36
Nets get: 11/Powell/Prosper/Hardy

Blazers trade: Simons
Blazers get: Thompson/19/36

Mavs trade: Thompson/Powell/Prosper/Hardy/11
Mavs get: Simons/26

We get a shooter and picks for Simons. I think Klay would fit like a glove here and help with a playoff push next season (Which I think the FO is dead-set on). He is old, and doesnt defend well, but considering the teams weakness is shooting getting a guy that made 3 3PT shots in just 27mpg last season would be a nice fit. Bonus in the trade is 1-for-1 so we dont have to deal w/ roster crunch. His deal does go for 2 seasons but your getting nice pick compensation for that extra year. A Camara / Klay rotation at SF is basically an ideal complimentary duo IMO.

I realistically could see the offseason simply being a Simons trade. No one takes Grant and we decide the returns for Ayton dont offset simply letting him expire. Make the above move and sign a vet backup PG. I would try to move 19 for our FRP back from CHI as well. Then draft Noa Essengue at 10 and a guard at 36 (Pettiford, Proctor, etc).

G - Scoot Henderson / Tre or Tyus Jones / Tyrese Proctor (36)
G - Shadeon Sharpe / Matisse Thybulle / Tyrese Proctor (36
F - Toumani Camara / Klay Thompson / Rayan Rupert
F - Deni Avdija / Jerami Grant / Noa Essengue (10)
C - DeAndre Ayton / Donovan Clingan / Duop Reath

IR RWIII

Simons for Klay + 19 + 36...and that extra year of Klay at 17.4M? I'd do it but I have a very low opinion of Simons. I'd also do it to take away the temptation Cronin probably has to re-sign Simons to another albatross contract

I'd wonder how high up in the draft order Portland could move using 10 + 19 + 36 as leverage. Blazers don't need 3 rookies next year

[BlazersBroncos]

Texas Chuck posted this on the T&T board and I thought it was a new, interesting spin on a Simons trade -

Nets trade: 19/26/36
Nets get: 11/Powell/Prosper/Hardy

Blazers trade: Simons
Blazers get: Thompson/19/36

Mavs trade: Thompson/Powell/Prosper/Hardy/11
Mavs get: Simons/26

We get a shooter and picks for Simons. I think Klay would fit like a glove here and help with a playoff push next season (Which I think the FO is dead-set on). He is old, and doesnt defend well, but considering the teams weakness is shooting getting a guy that made 3 3PT shots in just 27mpg last season would be a nice fit. Bonus in the trade is 1-for-1 so we dont have to deal w/ roster crunch. His deal does go for 2 seasons but your getting nice pick compensation for that extra year. A Camara / Klay rotation at SF is basically an ideal complimentary duo IMO.

I realistically could see the offseason simply being a Simons trade. No one takes Grant and we decide the returns for Ayton dont offset simply letting him expire. Make the above move and sign a vet backup PG. I would try to move 19 for our FRP back from CHI as well. Then draft Noa Essengue at 10 and a guard at 36 (Pettiford, Proctor, etc).

G - Scoot Henderson / Tre or Tyus Jones / Tyrese Proctor (36)
G - Shadeon Sharpe / Matisse Thybulle / Tyrese Proctor (36
F - Toumani Camara / Klay Thompson / Rayan Rupert
F - Deni Avdija / Jerami Grant / Noa Essengue (10)
C - DeAndre Ayton / Donovan Clingan / Duop Reath

IR RWIII

Simons for Klay + 19 + 36...and that extra year of Klay at 17.4M? I'd do it but I have a very low opinion of Simons. I'd also do it to take away the temptation Cronin probably has to re-sign Simons to another albatross contract

I'd wonder how high up in the draft order Portland could move using 10 + 19 + 36 as leverage. Blazers don't need 3 rookies next year

I would hope CHI accepts 19 for our pick back.

Also for all the chatter on how bad Klay has become defensively with his age and injuries, he is still, by all advanced metrics, FAR better than Simons lol.

[Case2012]

What scares me about that deal is CB would probably have the starting line up looking like..

Scoot
Deni
Klay
Grant
Ayton



The complete opposite direction this team should be taking. I would have no problem with 3 rookies this year and a chance at Dybansta or Boozer next draft, but unlike Blazer HQ I think our best chance at landing a star and ever competing is through the draft. Come to think of it that line up might be our best chance at a top pick anyways...

[PDXKnight]

Texas Chuck posted this on the T&T board and I thought it was a new, interesting spin on a Simons trade -

Nets trade: 19/26/36
Nets get: 11/Powell/Prosper/Hardy

Blazers trade: Simons
Blazers get: Thompson/19/36

Mavs trade: Thompson/Powell/Prosper/Hardy/11
Mavs get: Simons/26

We get a shooter and picks for Simons. I think Klay would fit like a glove here and help with a playoff push next season (Which I think the FO is dead-set on). He is old, and doesnt defend well, but considering the teams weakness is shooting getting a guy that made 3 3PT shots in just 27mpg last season would be a nice fit. Bonus in the trade is 1-for-1 so we dont have to deal w/ roster crunch. His deal does go for 2 seasons but your getting nice pick compensation for that extra year. A Camara / Klay rotation at SF is basically an ideal complimentary duo IMO.

I realistically could see the offseason simply being a Simons trade. No one takes Grant and we decide the returns for Ayton dont offset simply letting him expire. Make the above move and sign a vet backup PG. I would try to move 19 for our FRP back from CHI as well. Then draft Noa Essengue at 10 and a guard at 36 (Pettiford, Proctor, etc).

G - Scoot Henderson / Tre or Tyus Jones / Tyrese Proctor (36)
G - Shadeon Sharpe / Matisse Thybulle / Tyrese Proctor (36
F - Toumani Camara / Klay Thompson / Rayan Rupert
F - Deni Avdija / Jerami Grant / Noa Essengue (10)
C - DeAndre Ayton / Donovan Clingan / Duop Reath

IR RWIII

Simons for Klay + 19 + 36...and that extra year of Klay at 17.4M? I'd do it but I have a very low opinion of Simons. I'd also do it to take away the temptation Cronin probably has to re-sign Simons to another albatross contract

I'd wonder how high up in the draft order Portland could move using 10 + 19 + 36 as leverage. Blazers don't need 3 rookies next year

I would hope CHI accepts 19 for our pick back.

Also for all the chatter on how bad Klay has become defensively with his age and injuries, he is still, by all advanced metrics, FAR better than Simons lol.

I have to think getting any first that's close to the lotto gets it done with Chicago. They already know they won't get a high lotto as it a top 14 protected and we arent desperate to get it back with those protections and the fact that we don't need it like we did when we were trying to get Dame another all star. Any first is better than a possibility of a first and a second if that plan backfires. They'd hold onto it with limited protections, 1-14 protected and no way they say no to 19 imo.

[Pattycakes]

I can't decide whether to roll my eyes, shake my head, or throw up in my mouth when reading the discussion here about Simons. Seems like people are trying to accept the inevitable Cronin move of re-signing one of the worst starting SG's in the NBA.

I usually do all 3 when thinking about every move by Cronin and the Blazers... I'm like a living embodiment of that Alonzo Mourning gif of him on the bench or confused Larry David.

At this point it's clear the team is just betting on internal development and that with time this roster will just naturally improve and get to where we want vs Cronin trying to go out and make it happen... I don't love that, but I can understand the thought process from afar.

You shook your head at acquiring Deni, Toumani (two of the top 15 young forwards on the market) and the most valuable future picks (MIL) current on the market?

Get that head checked hater

[Tim Lehrbach]

I could definitely see Klay as a target, but in a world where Cronin is willing to trade Simons, he may also be willing to let him walk. I'd prefer the latter to Klay and late picks because I want to see the Blazers use cap space to extend Camara and Deni next summer.

[oldfishermen]

I'm confused. I believe half the Klay/Simons trade story is missing.

Sure this trade adds $17,408,418 to the 26/27 cap space. BUT.

It also reduces the 25/26 salaries by $11,011,404. The result is...

The Blazers are buying 2 frps for only $6,408,414.

That is the bargain of the century. Plus, I,'m sick of Simons!

[dckingsfan]

What scares me about that deal is CB would probably have the starting line up looking like...

Scoot, FRP
Thybulle, Sharpe
Deni, Klay
Camara, Grant
Ayton, Clingan, FRP

The complete opposite direction this team should be taking. I would have no problem with 3 rookies this year and a chance at Dybansta or Boozer next draft, but unlike Blazer HQ I think our best chance at landing a star and ever competing is through the draft. Come to think of it that line up might be our best chance at a top pick anyways...

Just helping... that is a pretty deep team. I don't think the deal goes through but that would be a solid deal. But I see this as a flat draft - I could end up being really wrong. And Cronin would still need to make two good picks.

[dckingsfan]

I'm confused. I believe half the Klay/Simons trade story is missing.

Sure this trade adds $17,408,418 to the 26/27 cap space. BUT.

It also reduces the 25/26 salaries by $11,011,404. The result is...

The Blazers are buying 2 frps for only $6,408,414.

That is the bargain of the century. Plus, I,'m sick of Simons!

I think they are trading their pick for two picks?

[DusterBuster]

I can't decide whether to roll my eyes, shake my head, or throw up in my mouth when reading the discussion here about Simons. Seems like people are trying to accept the inevitable Cronin move of re-signing one of the worst starting SG's in the NBA.

I usually do all 3 when thinking about every move by Cronin and the Blazers... I'm like a living embodiment of that Alonzo Mourning gif of him on the bench or confused Larry David.

At this point it's clear the team is just betting on internal development and that with time this roster will just naturally improve and get to where we want vs Cronin trying to go out and make it happen... I don't love that, but I can understand the thought process from afar.

You shook your head at acquiring Deni, Toumani (two of the top 15 young forwards on the market) and the most valuable future picks (MIL) current on the market?

Get that head checked hater

You ok bro? Dog **** in your lawn or something.

I legit didn’t say **** about getting Toumani ever. I thought Deni was an overpay and was wrong. Cool.

[DusterBuster]

I could definitely see Klay as a target, but in a world where Cronin is willing to trade Simons, he may also be willing to let him walk. I'd prefer the latter to Klay and late picks because I want to see the Blazers use cap space to extend Camara and Deni next summer.

Agreed, that’s a much better long-term plan than paying an over the hill massively diminished 2-3rd wheel from a great team.

Klay is great, but he’s not Pippen, and the Blazers aren’t “one piece a way” like 1999.