2025 Off-Season Strategy - What will Cronin do?

[Dame Lizard]

While my preference would obviously be getting a Top 3 pick in the 2025 draft (which is obviously not happening anymore), I actually hope we can give Chicago their owed pick this year.

Getting the 12th pick and still owing Chicago would be a poor outcome imo. Heck, I'd happily give them #12 and call it a day.

The Bucks could implode any year now. I do not want to give Chicago a Top 5 Milwaukee pick in 2028.

[dckingsfan]

While my preference would obviously be getting a Top 3 pick in the 2025 draft (which is obviously not happening anymore), I actually hope we can give Chicago their owed pick this year.

Getting the 12th pick and still owing Chicago would be a poor outcome imo. Heck, I'd happily give them #12 and call it a day.

The Bucks could implode any year now. I do not want to give Chicago a Top 5 Milwaukee pick in 2028.

This. Somehow make the play-in and then get into the playoffs and convey the pick. Although the odds aren't so good on this...

Then negotiate hardball style with Ayton, Simons, Williams and Sharpe to put them on "very" reasonable declining contracts and be prepared to walk. Ayton will walk as (I believe) he views himself as all that. So, I would negotiate with Ayton and Simons first and let them walk setting the table for Sharpe and Williams. You never know...

Now, what I "think" will happen is that we get the 12th or 13th pick and then cave with Ayton, Simons, Williams and Sharpe setting up a "horrible" future. We don't make the playoffs for several years moving forward but get to keep our pick - lucky us.

[tester551]

The Bucks could implode any year now. I do not want to give Chicago a Top 5 Milwaukee pick in 2028.

There is no way this can happen.

If Portland has not repaid their debt to Chicago by the 2028 draft, here is what happens.

* If Portland's pick is 2-14 -> Portland can swap picks with Milwaukee
* If Portland's pick is 15-30 -> It goes to Chicago & Milwaukee keeps their pick

I don't agree with your thought process at all... Say Portland gets #12 pick in the 2025 draft. Portland can negotiate with Chicago and another team (say Orlando, OKC, or Brooklyn) to trade down for multiple picks and give Chicago one of the picks to pay off the pick we owe them.

It would work out something like this:

Portland: #12 -> #25 + Future Pick Returned
Orlando: #16 + #25 -> #12
Chicago: Portland Future Pick -> #16

Now I still think #16 is still too high (too much value) to trade Chicago. It should be in the 19-21 range.... So maybe Portland could trade down again from #16 and pick up some additional assets. Maybe Minnesota for #20 + #32 + a future second?

[BlazersBroncos]

Ya I am pretty down on the middle of the 1st round in this draft. The top tier guys are much better than an average draft but after 8 or so it really levels out.

I think it would suck since it was such a trash deal in the first place but this wouldnt be the worst year to convey a 15 or 16 pick to CHI. Think the talent levels out a ton after the blue chips this year.

[Wizenheimer]

The Bucks could implode any year now. I do not want to give Chicago a Top 5 Milwaukee pick in 2028.

that can't happen. If the Blazers are in the lottery they keep their pick. If both Portland and Milwaukee are in the lottery, the Bulls get neither pick

if Portland makes the playoffs in 2028, Chicago gets the pick and there is no swap between Portland and Milwaukee, even if the Bucks pick #1

obviously, if Portland makes the playoffs prior to 2028, the obligation is satisfied, but I'm skeptical that will happen

that Olshey trade was one of the stupidest trades in franchise history. Remember now, he locked up 7 straight years of the Blazer 1st's for...Larry Nance

[Walton1one]

To be fair, Schmitz hardly ever talked negative about a player. In almost every evaluation, he talked about all the 'good stuff' about the player.
When he ran out of the positives, he'd give 1 or maybe 2 minor weaknesses & then stop talking.

I agree with this, that is why I tried to focus on excerpts where he seemed to go above & beyond just talking about a player's +\-

Haliburton, Barrett & Daniels in particular he had some effuse praise for. I would add all 3 of those players fit the player archetype they seem so fixated on as well. This whole positionless basketball, line ups of tall, athletic, switchable players (which makes having Simons on this team counterintuitive, but when has Cronin made any sense)

[Walton1one]

While my preference would obviously be getting a Top 3 pick in the 2025 draft (which is obviously not happening anymore), I actually hope we can give Chicago their owed pick this year.

Getting the 12th pick and still owing Chicago would be a poor outcome imo. Heck, I'd happily give them #12 and call it a day.

The Bucks could implode any year now. I do not want to give Chicago a Top 5 Milwaukee pick in 2028.

I disagree with this sentiment, giving up the 12th pick in a decent draft (it is still better than LY draft) would be dumb and quite frankly a fireable offense for a GM to allow that to occur.

Basically, you would have given up a lottery pick to make a #8 seed in the playoff and get obliterated by OKC, whom they are 0-3 vs this year, average loss by 14+pts. This is the epitome of not understanding the bigger picture.

They should have been angling for a top pick this year AND next year (potentially stronger draft) and THEN pivot to giving up that pick in 27' or working out a deal to insure the 28' MIL swap

Trading a #12 pick to CHI this year to get your own pick rights back is dealing from weakness and not strength.

I don't agree with this sentiment, but Cronin would be better off trading that 25' pick in a deal to get an established player, rather than just give it away to gain the ability to trade (1) more pick right now.

Right now, POR can trade 25 (at\after draft), (1) of their 29' picks & 31. If they traded their 25' pick to CHI to open up their 1st round picks, I think they only gain the ability to use ONE more pick in a deal

They could trade 26 (would have to be at 26' draft\Stepien)/28/30 in a deal or more likely 27/29(2)/31 in a deal

Cronin is up for an extension next year, I think one reason (part of at least) for this dysfunctional situation this team finds itself in, is that he needs to show some signs of improvement so he can get Jodi\Bert to give him an extension.

Here is to hoping that reality sets in over this next 7 game stretch, starting tonight and they find themselves with 5 to 6 more losses on the ledger and finally end this play in farce

@ BRK
@ CLE
@ PHI
@BOS
@ OKC
vs DET
@ GS

[Walton1one]

If we assume that the intention is for POR to trade their 25' 1st if they don't get into the top 4. Who do we think they would go after, that could also be available?

I think they will deal the 25' 1st either for another young player they are high on, but hasn't shown a ton yet OR go all in and deal that pick with other picks and Sharpe\Scoot\etc... to get a young "star" player

Kind of already listed who that star player could be, so I just wanted to list by team what players, fit the criteria:

- Age range of 23 to 28, Simons\Ayton\WilliamsDeni\Camara 24-27 age range, Cronin has stated they are "seeking players that fit with their core", clearly this is who he views as his core, even if it is fundamentally flawed by relying on Simons\Ayton to provide any semblance of high end winiing

- Probably a forward\guard, since they already have Ayton\Williams\Clingan on the roster, can't see them adding another big man

- Would have to be a player who actually COULD be attainable, either because their team is in disarray, or recent moves indicate they could be pivoting to a rebuild, or potentially salary 1st/2nd apron issues, or they have a log jam at a position, need to clear roster space, myriad of reasons and many we probably are completely unaware of, but generally most teams are not going to do what DAL just did and trade away a young star level player in their prime

Here is the List:

ATL - Daniels (21), J. Johnson Jr (23), Young (26), Okongwu (24)
BOS - J.Brown (26)
BRK - C. Johnson (28)
CHA - L.Ball (23) - please, no
CLE - J.Allen (26), D.Garland (25)
DAL - none
DEN - Murray (28), Porter Jr (26)
DET - Ivey (23)
GS - Kuminga (22), Podziemski (22)
HOU - J. Smith Jr (21), Whitmore (20), Eason (23)
IND - Haliburton (24), Mathurin (22), Nembhard (25)
LAC - none
LAL - Reaves (26)
MEM - J. Jackson Jr (25), Morant (25), Bane (26)
MIA - Adebayoo (27), Herro (25) - Can't see anything making sense here
MIL - none
MIN - McDaniels (24), Reid (25)
NO - Zion (24), D. Murray (28), Murphy (24), Jones (26)
NYK - Anunoby (27)
OKC - Wiggins (24), I'll list J.Williams (23), Holmgren (22) here, but I don't see any way OKC trades either even for a godfather package
ORL - Suggs (23), F. Wagner (23)
PHI - Maxey (24)
PHX - Booker (28)
SAC - K. Murray (24), Sabonis (28)
SA - Vassell (24)
TOR - Barrett (24), Dick (21), Quickley (25)
WAS - Kispert (25)
UTA - Sexton (26), Markkanen (27)

IF POR does trade the 25' 1st, I can't see any other players it would be who are not on this list

[BlazersBroncos]

I presume Lauri has lost some value now that he is well paid and coming off a down year. If that is the case, I would do -

Ayton + 10 for Lauri + 2027 FRP (Least favorable of CLE / MIN / LAL / UTA)

UTA moves up in the draft and gets a EC. PDX, as we seem to refuse to truly rebuild, gets a young'ish guy who fits the current roster well (Shooting to compliment Scoot / Deni / Camara) and still retains a FRP.

G - Scoot Henderson (30) / Anfernee Simons (18)
G - Toumari Camara (30) / Anfernee Simons (12) / Shadeon Sharpe (6)
F - Deni Avdija (30) / Shadeon Sharpe (18)
F - Lauri Markkanen (30) / Jerami Grant (18)
C - Donovan Clingan (24) / Robert Williams III (24)

I would prefer a true rebuild but assuming that isnt in the cards the above is decent.

[zzaj]

I presume Lauri has lost some value now that he is well paid and coming off a down year. If that is the case, I would do -

Ayton + 10 for Lauri + 2027 FRP (Least favorable of CLE / MIN / LAL / UTA)

UTA moves up in the draft and gets a EC. PDX, as we seem to refuse to truly rebuild, gets a young'ish guy who fits the current roster well (Shooting to compliment Scoot / Deni / Camara) and still retains a FRP.

G - Scoot Henderson (30) / Anfernee Simons (18)
G - Toumari Camara (30) / Anfernee Simons (12) / Shadeon Sharpe (6)
F - Deni Avdija (30) / Shadeon Sharpe (18)
F - Lauri Markkanen (30) / Jerami Grant (18)
C - Donovan Clingan (24) / Robert Williams III (24)

I would prefer a true rebuild but assuming that isnt in the cards the above is decent.

BB...this is OT, but I always chuckle to myself when you call him "Toumari"

[Walton1one]

Here is a team by team breakout of players POR could trade their 25' 1st for. If it is a player not mentioned here, I would be surprised.

WHY ATL?
Chance: VERY LOW. ATL has (2) 25' 1st's. What direction are they moving in? I thought the trade of DeAndre Hunter was odd. Clearly they traded Hunter away to clear space. Levert ($16) is a FA this year, Niang ($8 mil) is FA 26/27. Hunter is FA in 27/28. So they traded away a younger player to save $16mil in 26/27. Young has $49mil PO that year and Daniels is up for large contract. They have (2) 25 1st's.

This looks like a build around Daniels\Johnson\Okongwu\Risacher & (2) 25' 1st's - Which means Young could end up the odd man out. Just imagine a Young\Simons backcourt, lol. I thik Trae being traded is a distinct possibility, Trae to POR for Scoot & picks could possibly work, and POR is not adverse to rolling out small non defensive backcourts, are they? But this time would be different, am I right?

WHY BOS?
Chance: EXTREMELY LOW. They have their 25 1st. Start this off with chance of deal being unlikely. BOS in 2nd apron hell, as long as they keep winning probably ride it out? New ownership could bring new directive, likely they deal away secondary players before Brown\Tatum, but IF they deal one I think it would be Brown not Tatum. Not sure POR could offer enough here and even if they could it would take a 180 ownership perspective in order for this to even be feasible.

WHY BRK?
Chance: LOW. They have (4) 25' 1st rounders. Johnson is available, the price is high. POR could use his shooting, he would fit with Deni\Camara, Joe is always willing to overpay for a guy he likes, he has decent salary like Deni has, BRK has (4) 25' 1st's. Maybe they want (2) in the lottery and trade a later 25' 1st + Johnson to move up and get a future 1st or a young player (Scoot\Sharpe) in the exchange? The idea of trading a 25' 1st + Scoot or Sharpe for Johnson and a later 25 1st makes me ill.

WHY CHA?
Chance: LOW. They have their own 1st. Rumors of discontent about Ball, tons of talent, doesn't really seem to care, being paid $40mil+ thru 28/29. You know he fits POR archetype and how if they love Simons so much, could fit with him in backcourt. Getting 2-3 1st's and Sharpe or Scoot could be enough? I would hate this immensely. Does a 25' 1st for Tre Mann or Nick Smith excite anyone? Two small guards to add to a small backcourt, no thanks. Josh Green is another, none of the players that could be available excite me at all

WHY CLE?
Chance: LOW. They do not have a 25' 1st. They just traded FOR Hunter, they are going all in, however, their salary outlook is looking precarious? $187mil invested in top 5 players next year, 1st apron is $195 next year. Could they deal Garland for a large return? If they flame out do they revisit the Garland\Mitchell backcourt and move off Garland for a large package? I don't see anything else here really, Okoro for a 25' 1st? Why though?

WHY DEN?
Chance: MEDIUM. They do not have a 25' 1st. $181.8 next year in (4) players, Jokic is 30, if they bow out early, do they try something more drastic to build more depth around Jokic? No picks in 25', they could get multiple 1st's + young player for Murray, who is owed $46\50\53\57 next (4) years, yikes. Porter has (2) year @ $38\40 left. More likely they pivot away from him? Porter JR could slot into lineup with Deni\Camara, I guess it would depend on acquisition cost? I would thin DEN would want more than just picks, just don't see the fit here. I guess you could see a Strawther or Wattson for POR 25' pick typr of deal, Watson is RFA after next year, Strawther the year after, they could reset the clock on some younger guys. I like both, I could be ok with that. Braun is another, RFA in 26/27, I imagine they would rather resign than trade him

WHY DET?
Chance: LOW. They do not have a 25' 1st. They are not trading Cade, doubt they trade Ausar or Holland. I think Ausar could make most sense, I guess it would matter on the overpay? Would they turn down a couple 1st's for him or 1st\Sharpe? Don't see the logic of a deal here quite frankly. Ivey is FA in 26/27, maybe they look to trade him instead of having to pay him? Maybe POR likes Ivey is more ready than Sharpe? What would that deal. I don't see a financial need for DET or a reason for a deal here

Ivey for Sharpe + 25' 1st. Hate this deal as well. Schmitz BTW, likes Ivey, compared him to Ja Morant. I don't like the idea of an Ivey\Simons backcourt, nor do I think DET would move off Ausar at this point. Would you trade Sharpe for Ausar? Would either team?

WHY GS?
Chance: LOW. Wil they or won't they sign Kuminga to a big deal? No picks in 25, what if they got a pick or two and\or a young player? I am not convinced they resign him, however I think if he was traded it may be for vet not picks\young player. I listed Podz, but I don't see a fit with POR

WHY HOU?
Chance: LOW. They have PHX 25' pick, they will likely pick BEFORE POR, lol. I think they have several players that POR would be interested in: Smith Jr\Whitmore\Eason but no pressing need to trade any of them. More likely they trade one of them for a vet, not trade one away for picks\young players, especially since they have a lottery pick already

WHY IND?
Chance: MEDIUM. They have a 25' 1st. There is the Turner situation up in the air, he wants $30mil+/year, which they have not committed to yet. Cap situation if they sign Turner will be at\above 1st apron, they don't seem like a team willing to go there. I don't think they deal Haliburton w\o a godfather offer and I am not sure POR using all their chips (3) 1st's + Scoot and\or Sharpe is that offer. Mathurin was rumored to be available, more likely they find a way to deal Toppin to give them breathing room, but might they be intrigued by a 25' 1st + for him? maybe, Does POR view Mathurin as a good backcourt partner for Simons? Would not be a fan of this deal either. Nembhard is another guy, maybe Walker. I am not sure a 25' 1st alone could get Mathurin or Nembhard, maybe Walker? Mathurin probably makes most sense as he is RFA in 26/27

WHY LAL?
Chance: LOW. No 25' 1st I guess, if Lebron calls it quits, indications he is coming back for 1 more year, then you could see LAL move off Reaves for draft capital. I don't see a deal b\t these (2) teams. Knecht for a 25' 1st, I guess? Think they would rather use him for another deal though, rather than a draft pick, not sure I want to trade that pick for Knecht either.

WHY MEM?
Chance: LOW. They do not have a 25 1st. There are rumors about Ja Morant and that he could be traded, I find that hard to believe. maybe they are tired of him off court antics though, who knows what is happening behind the scenes. They have to pay Jaren Jackson after next year, they are locked into Ja at $39/42/44. No huge cap issues that I could see, are they are young enough to pivot off Ja and still contend? Not sure, they are playing well. Trading Ja would be out of necessity IMO, not b\c they necessarily would chose to do so. Is 3 1st's & Scoot and\or Sharpe enough, I doubt it. Morant in POR would be interesting IMO, can't say I would hate it, off court stuff would be concerning to monitor, would be a heavy price to pay though. As for trades for 25 1st, Aldama, who is an RFA after next year? Can't see POR needing another center. Maybe GG Jackson? Is that worth it?

WHY MIA?
Chance: EXTREMELY LOW. They have GS 1st, could have their own. They might be rebuilding, but I don't see interest from either party here , nor are they on best terms. Moving on

WHY MIN?
Chance: LOW. They have their 25' 1st. Sitting in the pole position in 2nd apron hell and if Randle opts in and why wouldn't he, they will likely be over the 1st apron. Priority seems to be to resign Reid as well, so something has to give here. Maybe McDaniels could fit alongside Deni\Camara, think it costs more than just a 25' 1st though. I thought MIN cap situation was worse but checking they will be at\over 1st apron, but should be able to get under 2nd apron, and the year after they have Randle\Conley as UFA, so no pressing need. I don't se a deal here, nor do I think it would make sense for either team. Does Alexander Walker for 25' 1st excite anyone?

WHY NO?
Chance: MEDIUM. They have their own 1st, likely high lottery. This is a team in disarray, losing Ingram for little is not a net positive IMO. This is all about Zion. Are they willing to deal him? and if so for what sort of monster package, b\c they are not trading him on the cheap IMO. I could se POR viewing Zion as worth the risk, small ball center in lineup with Camara\Deni, they have Clingan & Williams to rotate\rest Zion, he is similar to RW3 in that you just want to keep him healthy thru the season so he can wreck havoc in the playoffs and POR has the F\C players to win w\o him during the season. Making contracts work would be problematic, probably have to include Ayton as salary filler, then Sharpe (or Scoot), then 2-3 1st's. Still, NO trading away Zion would be risky, as would POR acquiring him. Not a fan of acquiring Zion, too many memories of failed big men (Walton\Bowie\Oden), POR does not need to add to their legacy. If NO wanted a 2nd lottery 1st for some reason, I guess Hawkins could make some sense, not sure I see anyone else though.

WHY NYK?
Chance: LOW. No 25' 1st. I don't see a deal here, Anunoby would be only guy I can see, I doubt they unload Bridges after what they paid to get him. They are built to win now and even if they disappoint in playoffs, what use would it be to trade Anunoby away for picks or a guy like Sharpe? Just doesn't make sense. Nor would I want to see that trade, yuck. Anunoby would fit with POR profile though, surrounding Simons and his awful defense with high end defenders. If NY wanted a lotto 1st, I don't see a player POR would value back.

WHY OKC?
Chance: VERY LOW. Looking like they will have (2) 25' 1st's. I listed them b\c they have a lot of desirable players in that range, but I don't see a reason for them to make a deal. They already HAVE a ton of future picks, they already HAVE a ton of good young players. The only avenue is if their ownership puts their foot down about the 1st\2nd apron, they could they offload secondary players for future picks? that is possible. Do any of Wiggins\Joe move the needle for POR? maybe? Does Topic excite POR? OKC can't roster all these players + draft picks, so they have to do something, but I seriously doubt it would be a move away from their big 3 (SGA\Williams\Holmgren), so they could take a lottery 1st from POR for one of those players, not a fan of this either, not a deal that would move the needle IMO, but Cronin could feel different. Again, don't like a backcourt dynamic of Simons\Joe or Wiggins either. IF OKC trades a player, I think it would be for a 1st out in the future, not the 25' pick.

WHY ORL?
Chance: LOW. They have (2) 25' 1st's. Wagner & Suggs fit the parameters, but they already have (2) 1st's, they want to win, not take a step back. I don't see why they would want to move Suggs for Sharpe\Scoot even with draft capital attached. Would they take the godfather offer for Wagner? Unlikely. I just don't see a fit b\t these teams. I think for POR pairing Suggs with Simons could be intriguing, again putting defenders all around Simons. Don't see a player for 25' swap here, ORL already has (2) 1st's, both late, so let's say a pick swap with POR 25 and a player to POR like Howard? Don't think they would swap Black for POR 25' 1st, but that would be another possibility.

WHY PHI?
Chance: VERY LOW. Unlikely they have their 25'1st. This team is a mess, Embiid injury, George play falling off a cliff. Could they try and trade for POR 25' 1st? Yeah I could see that, it won't be Maxey though and who else do they have of interest? No one IMO. Can't se a deal here, nor can I see any sort of deal (even for Maxey) being remotely exciting

WHY PHX?
Chance: LOW, they have CLE 1st. Chance of them making a trade seem very high, but I don't see it with POR, nor do I see any player outside of Booker who would make any sense. If PHX trades Durant for picks\younger players, could they move off Booker as well? Possible. Could POR make a big enough offer to get him? Maybe, would that deal propel this team to playoff contender status? I doubt it. Sharpe + (3) 1st's for Booker, is that worth it? I don't think so. Also, if Booker is going to be deal have to believe HOU is in the driver's seat.

WHY SAC?
Chance: LOW. They do not have a 25' 1st. Let's say the flame out in play-in or worse don't make it. Do they pivot to a rebuild? I don't think that they do. They are locked in on Lavine\Derozan for 2 more years, Murray's RFA in 2years. They have Sabonis\Monk for 3 years. I don't see a blow up the team move here. Would they trade Murray if POR overpaid for him? Maybe, but I doubt one 25' 1st is going to get it done. I don't see a deal b\t these 2 teams. The only guy I see POR having interest in would be Murray but it would cost more than just their 25' 1st.

WHY SA?
Chance: LOW, they already have (2) 25' lottery picks. The thought here is they get off the obligation to Vassell whom they owe $27\27\24.6\27 thru 28/29. This clears room for Fox's new deal and Wemby eventually. They don't need to do it, doubt they would want a 3rd lotto 1st, and they likely value him more than that. Keldon Johnson is another guy, they could offer for POR 25' 1st, maybe that could work (why for POR though?) but again does not make a ton of sense. Don't see SA sending a young player to POR for a 25' pick here

WHY TOR?
Chance: LOW. they do have their own 25' 1st. They have some young players I could see them dealing for a 2nd lottery pick if they liked a guy, I think they would want more than just POR 1st. Would they want to trade for native Sharpe? debatable. The move\signing of Ingram IMO makes it less likely they deal away a guy like Barrett. I don't think they trade away a guy like Dick for a 25' 1st, but maybe. Is Agbaji worth a 25' 1st? I don't think so. Quickley makes zero sense in POR, expensive and small, next to Simons? A monster deal for Barrett? Given TOR recent moves, doesn't make a ton of sense.

WHY WAS?
Chance: MEDIUM. WAS has (2) 25' 1st's. I don't see anything here except for a guy like Kispert. 25' 1st for Kispert? POR might value him more than a guy like Kneuppel in the draft and WAS, even though they have (2) 1st's would likely want another lottery 1st, maybe they throw back the MEM 1st (#26) to POR. Kispert is signed to a pretty reasonable deal thru 28/29, $13.9\13.9\13\13. I don't think the value is there personally, but I could see where a deal like this makes sense and the teams have worked with each other already.

WHY UTA?
Chance: LOW, UTA has (2) 25' 1st's, would they want a 2nd pick in lotto? Currently have #17, POR let's say ends up at 10\11, what is worth that exchange that POR would want. Sexton for 25' 1st, Thybulle & Murray, maybe a UTA #17 back? Sounds like a real ho hum deal. Sexton is a worse defender than Simons BTW, and that is saying something. I don't think Sexton be a good fit with Simons, and Markkanen isn't happening nor makes a ton of sense either.

[tester551]

I presume Lauri has lost some value now that he is well paid and coming off a down year. If that is the case, I would do -

Ayton + 10 for Lauri + 2027 FRP (Least favorable of CLE / MIN / LAL / UTA)

Man... this is BAD.
I'm not sure I'd trade Ayton for Lauri straight up.

Lauri has had 1 season where he was 'good'. Fortunately for him, it was in a contract year... His new contract is looking very omonious.

[Tim Lehrbach]

Walton1one, don't want to quote your whole post, but THAT is how you examine trade possibilities, not the vacuous "trade value" approach so popular on this site, which begins (and sometimes ends) with what one believes an asset "should" be worth. Great job.

[DusterBuster]

While my preference would obviously be getting a Top 3 pick in the 2025 draft (which is obviously not happening anymore), I actually hope we can give Chicago their owed pick this year.

Getting the 12th pick and still owing Chicago would be a poor outcome imo. Heck, I'd happily give them #12 and call it a day.

The Bucks could implode any year now. I do not want to give Chicago a Top 5 Milwaukee pick in 2028.

I disagree with this sentiment, giving up the 12th pick in a decent draft (it is still better than LY draft) would be dumb and quite frankly a fireable offense for a GM to allow that to occur.

Basically, you would have given up a lottery pick to make a #8 seed in the playoff and get obliterated by OKC, whom they are 0-3 vs this year, average loss by 14+pts. This is the epitome of not understanding the bigger picture.

They should have been angling for a top pick this year AND next year (potentially stronger draft) and THEN pivot to giving up that pick in 27' or working out a deal to insure the 28' MIL swap

Trading a #12 pick to CHI this year to get your own pick rights back is dealing from weakness and not strength.

I don't agree with this sentiment, but Cronin would be better off trading that 25' pick in a deal to get an established player, rather than just give it away to gain the ability to trade (1) more pick right now.

Right now, POR can trade 25 (at\after draft), (1) of their 29' picks & 31. If they traded their 25' pick to CHI to open up their 1st round picks, I think they only gain the ability to use ONE more pick in a deal

They could trade 26 (would have to be at 26' draft\Stepien)/28/30 in a deal or more likely 27/29(2)/31 in a deal

Cronin is up for an extension next year, I think one reason (part of at least) for this dysfunctional situation this team finds itself in, is that he needs to show some signs of improvement so he can get Jodi\Bert to give him an extension.

Here is to hoping that reality sets in over this next 7 game stretch, starting tonight and they find themselves with 5 to 6 more losses on the ledger and finally end this play in farce

@ BRK
@ CLE
@ PHI
@BOS
@ OKC
vs DET
@ GS

With the way they’re playing, I could see them beating PHI and DET. That would put them at 6-4 over their last 10, at this point they seem pretty destined to be somewhere in the 10-12 pick range.

Just a complete loss of a season in most all respects. We’ll see if the lottery god look favorably on the Blazers not egregiously tanking this year. Outside of that tho… this team looks locked in for a pretty mediocre summer.

[Dame Lizard]

The Bucks could implode any year now. I do not want to give Chicago a Top 5 Milwaukee pick in 2028.

There is no way this can happen.

If Portland has not repaid their debt to Chicago by the 2028 draft, here is what happens.

* If Portland's pick is 2-14 -> Portland can swap picks with Milwaukee
* If Portland's pick is 15-30 -> It goes to Chicago & Milwaukee keeps their pick

I don't agree with your thought process at all... Say Portland gets #12 pick in the 2025 draft. Portland can negotiate with Chicago and another team (say Orlando, OKC, or Brooklyn) to trade down for multiple picks and give Chicago one of the picks to pay off the pick we owe them.

It would work out something like this:

Portland: #12 -> #25 + Future Pick Returned
Orlando: #16 + #25 -> #12
Chicago: Portland Future Pick -> #16

Now I still think #16 is still too high (too much value) to trade Chicago. It should be in the 19-21 range.... So maybe Portland could trade down again from #16 and pick up some additional assets. Maybe Minnesota for #20 + #32 + a future second?

Ok, that's good Intel Tester and Wiz.

So if Portland gave Chicago #12 this year to waive the future obligation to Chicago, the Blazers couldn't swap #20 in 2028 for Milwaukee's #4? (hypothetical).

[tester551]

The Bucks could implode any year now. I do not want to give Chicago a Top 5 Milwaukee pick in 2028.

There is no way this can happen.

If Portland has not repaid their debt to Chicago by the 2028 draft, here is what happens.

* If Portland's pick is 2-14 -> Portland can swap picks with Milwaukee
* If Portland's pick is 15-30 -> It goes to Chicago & Milwaukee keeps their pick

I don't agree with your thought process at all... Say Portland gets #12 pick in the 2025 draft. Portland can negotiate with Chicago and another team (say Orlando, OKC, or Brooklyn) to trade down for multiple picks and give Chicago one of the picks to pay off the pick we owe them.

It would work out something like this:

Portland: #12 -> #25 + Future Pick Returned
Orlando: #16 + #25 -> #12
Chicago: Portland Future Pick -> #16

Now I still think #16 is still too high (too much value) to trade Chicago. It should be in the 19-21 range.... So maybe Portland could trade down again from #16 and pick up some additional assets. Maybe Minnesota for #20 + #32 + a future second?

Ok, that's good Intel Tester and Wiz.

So if Portland gave Chicago #12 this year to waive the future obligation to Chicago, the Blazers couldn't swap #20 in 2028 for Milwaukee's #4? (hypothetical).

Incorrect.

Soon as the Chicago obligation is paid off- then Portland retains the rights to swap the 28 pick with the Bucks regardless of where it lands in the draft.

[JasonStern]

I want 20 draft picks over the next 6 years

(checks the Blazers roster and assets)

And I want Sydney Sweeney. We're both going to be disappointed. Hell, I can't even get Sydney as a GLB.

Read on Twitter

[Case2012]

You definitely have a better chance than Crolshey picking a successful direction for this team, so slide in those DM's boss.

[Walton1one]

Not the greatest news IMO, for worst-case scenarios regarding POR offseason. Cronin enters the last season of his deal next year and given this team's play of late, I would not be surprised if he tried to fast-track a move in the offseason, and here are some of the names I dredged up when I was looking at player this organization would probably like...ugh

https://hoopshype.com/lists/nba-intel-jimmy-butler-trae-young-lamelo-ball-mark-williams-brandon-ingram-kyle-kuzma-raptors-wizards-76ers-mavericks/?utm_content=buffera47ee&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

RJ Barrett

Based on conversations before the deadline, Barrett could be a trade candidate to monitor this summer.

With the Toronto Raptors envisioning a frontcourt of Scottie Barnes and newly extended Brandon Ingram along with former lottery pick Gradey Dick at shooting guard, where does that leave current leading scorer RJ Barrett’s future?...Barrett, a Toronto native, is having the best season of his career, averaging career-highs in points (21.7), rebounds (6.4) and assists (5.6). He’s owed $27.7 million next season and $29.62 million for the 2026-27 season.

I could certainly see POR going after Barrett, not sure what the deal would be, I imagine the combination of a few draft picks (25', 29', 31') + players back.

Does Ayton fit with Ingram & Barnes? Or a deal centered around one of Scoot\Sharpe + picks.

I don't think Barrett moves the needle significantly, nor do I view him as a star-caliber player, but I could certainly see Cronin\Schmitz view a Barrett\Simons as a better backcourt moving forward, especially if he can keep one of Sharpe\Scoot and then use draft picks to fill out whatever draft capital is needed.

LaMelo Ball

Ball led the Hornets to two Play-In Tournament games during his first two seasons, the farthest the franchise has gone in the past nine seasons.

Looking ahead, Ball wants to start winning. Thus, is Ball willing to endure more losing and lessen his chances of individual accolades as the Hornets continue rebuilding under the new regime

Will the Hornets equally want to pay Ball, who’s in the first year of a five-year, $204 million contract, while the team has yet to win with him as the face of the franchise and is in the early stages of a rebuild?

If Charlotte puts Ball on the trade market, the Hornets could kick start a complete tear-down rebuild by trading him and clearing his maximum salary off the books long-term while adding cheaper young talent and several future first-round draft picks.

I hate even the thought of this, but Schmitz and company view Ball as a star caliber player and a "franchise changing talent". I do not view Ball as a winning player at all, nor do I view Simons, and here you would have both of them starting in the backcourt, yuck.

I would imagine it would take a massive deal, Scoot (and maybe Sharpe) + a big contract (Ayton makes the most sense, I doubt they would take Grant back lol), 25' 1st, 29' 1st + (maybe) 31' 1st. I don't think Ball is worth that cost

Trae Young

With the four-time All-Star as the face of the franchise, Atlanta has reached one Eastern Conference Finals, lost twice in the first round, and missed the playoffs three times.

Thus, the question on the mind of executives around the league is whether or not Atlanta will commit a long-term extension to Young this summer or look to move him before having to pay him more money.

With Atlanta four years removed from the Conference Finals and declining in the playoffs since, will Young continue to believe that’s possible in Atlanta as he enters the prime of his career, or would a change of scenery be necessary to chase a title?

Atlanta is ideally not looking to go over the luxury tax threshold next season, HoopsHype has learned, which will play a role in the team’s roster construction this summer and the futures of those veterans.

How this all affects Young’s future remains to be seen, but it’s a situation that executives will continue to monitor in the coming months.

Personally, I don't see the fit for POR with Trae Young, provided that Cronin's intention is to add a player to the core of Simons\Deni\Camara & Ayton\Cingan\RW3. Could he fit with Sharpe? I imagine the deal could be centered around Scoot or Sharpe + multiple picks. Same as Ball, you would need a big salary to make this deal happen. Good news for POR, Ayton\Simons\Williams + Thybulle could all count, as they are all expiring.

Get ready for it, I think it will be a mistake, but I think Joe needs to insure his job and quite frankly I think he has always viewed these last few years as a retool not a rebuild, and his actions completely reflect that, even if he has often said the opposite.

lol and Danny boy is talking about such a scenario as I type this now (and has mentioned before)....

[oldfishermen]

Not a fan of Trae Young.

If the available trade partner is the Hawks. I am going after Jalen Johnson. He fits better with the type of versatile two way players Cronin has been going after. Believe his new contract ppp expires on June 28.

Odds of a trade are slim, but. I would be talking to the Hawks about Jalen, not Trae.