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Interesting discussion I heard that Blazer fans should be rooting for the Nuggets because Simons reminds a lot of teams of Murray. Will this title and how Murray performed put more of an importance for players who are super skilled but not All Stars. Do you agree?

I've always been a Jamal Murray fan so I think he is solidly in that a fringe All-Star talent level, there are quite a few players who if the cards fall right for them could be All-Stars. He's had some development bumps and unfortunate timing on some injuries and happens to be a guard in the West but man watching him go toe-to-toe scoring with Mitchell in the bubble playoffs should have let everyone know he is an All-Star talent.

It'll be interesting to see if Jamal will seek an extension for he's got two years left on his deal
at $70 million.

Makes one wonder if Ant's contract will be considered a bargain by next summer

Oh yeah, as for Simons, I think like Murray he would be best playing with an unconventional playmaker at a different position. That is why I think Orlando makes a lot of sense for him with Paolo and Wagner being good playmakers up front, in a situation like that I think Simons also could someday (if the cards fall right that year) be a big time scorer and make an All-Star game or two.

Norm2953 wrote:It'll be interesting to see if Jamal will seek an extension for he's got two years left on his deal
at $70 million.

Makes one wonder if Ant's contract will be considered a bargain by next summer

Based on rumors, his contract is considered a bargain right now and hes worth a lot more than fans expect.

I know its not quantifiable, but Murray just seems way more competitive / hungrier than Simons. He also has a much bigger frame, which he uses quite well. Way tougher.

I dont really see a comparison.

No one can convince me that sharpe is not the better piece over anf moving forward

PDXKnight wrote:No one can convince me that sharpe is not the better piece over anf moving forward

I don’t think anyone was trying to?…

Not the point of this thread. Meant does it make Ant more valuable of a trade piece?

BlazersBroncos wrote:I know its not quantifiable, but Murray just seems way more competitive / hungrier than Simons. He also has a much bigger frame, which he uses quite well. Way tougher.

I dont really see a comparison.

He's listed as 20 lbs heavier

It really helps him that he plays next to Jokic who likely could play PG for the Nuggets. Allows him to
concentrate on scoring.

I keep thinking how elite the Blazers BC could be if Scoot is there at 3 for Portland would have
Scoot, Sharpe and Ant, all 24 year or younger with Ant providing a catch/shoot element that
Scoot/Sharpe lack. Likely the Blazers despite their talk of building around Dame see it as well.

I think using Murray as the figure for this question is difficult because Jokic is so extremely good as a player and also as a ballhandler/passer with his size.

I keep thinking how elite the Blazers BC could be if Scoot is there at 3 for Portland would have
Scoot, Sharpe and Ant, all 24 year or younger with Ant providing a catch/shoot element that
Scoot/Sharpe lack. Likely the Blazers despite their talk of building around Dame see it as well.

So we take Scoot, keep And and continue the Blazers tradition of having 2 guards under 6'3.

No, god, no.

Ant is a elite 6th man and we dont have the luxury of such a player right now with our overall meh talent base outside Dame and Sharpe. He should be on a new team in 23/24 regardless of the direction we take. You dont keep a 25M+ 6th man when rebuilding, and if we dont rebuild Simons is our most attractive trade piece to improve in a win-now direction.

BlazersBroncos wrote:

I keep thinking how elite the Blazers BC could be if Scoot is there at 3 for Portland would have
Scoot, Sharpe and Ant, all 24 year or younger with Ant providing a catch/shoot element that
Scoot/Sharpe lack. Likely the Blazers despite their talk of building around Dame see it as well.

So we take Scoot, keep And and continue the Blazers tradition of having 2 guards under 6'3.

No, god, no.

Ant is a elite 6th man and we dont have the luxury of such a player right now with our overall meh talent base outside Dame and Sharpe. He should be on a new team in 23/24 regardless of the direction we take. You dont keep a 25M+ 6th man when rebuilding, and if we dont rebuild Simons is our most attractive trade piece to improve in a win-now direction.

You do if Dame ultimately gets moved. Let's say Dame goes to Brooklyn for DFS, Dinwiddie and 3-4 picks.
That would put the 6-6 Dinwiddie in the back court with the 3 young guards and DFS would likely start
up front with Grant who I assume has a HS deal to sign with Portland.

Those two Brooklyn players provide a lot of stability to a very young Blazers team. If Portland was able to
insert Nurk in the deal with Claxton coming back, that would be okay but Claxton is considered a weak
rebounder for a center.

I think that team might have a reasonable chance at .500 with a brighter future as their young BC gains
experience. Portland would have cap space to fill out their roster with legit NBA level players as opposed
to trading for Pascal and as opposed to having to sign 3-4 CJ Eleby types to fill out their roster.

You do if Dame ultimately gets moved. Let's say Dame goes to Brooklyn for DFS, Dinwiddie and 3-4 picks.
That would put the 6-6 Dinwiddie in the back court with the 3 young guards and DFS would likely start
up front with Grant who I assume has a HS deal to sign with Portland.

If Dame gets moved guys like Dinwiddie and DFS are inconsequential - simply there for salary and to be flipped at a later date. And no way do you resign Jerami.

Why trade Dame, pay Grant, pencil guys like Spencer and DFS as starters - is the goal to ensure we dont get a high pick in 2024 but maybe fight for a bubble spot?

You gotta bottom out if you trade Dame. The below starting lineup would be a nightmare -

G - Spencer Dinwiddie
G - Anfernee Simons
F - DFS
F - Jerami Grant
C - Jusuf Nurkic

That is too good to tank but nowhere near good enough to do anything but treat a bubble win as a championship. I hate, hate, hate it.

We can get vet stability from simply resigning Eubanks and Thybulle - high character tone setters that are pure backup caliber guys and wont mess up any tanking.

Grant isn't resigning if Portland trades Dame. That's just not happening at all.

The Sebastian Express wrote:Grant isn't resigning if Portland trades Dame. That's just not happening at all.

I would say that's true, but money talks. If they're willing to overpay everyone else, he would probably come back.

DusterBuster wrote:Interesting discussion I heard that Blazer fans should be rooting for the Nuggets because Simons reminds a lot of teams of Murray. Will this title and how Murray performed put more of an importance for players who are super skilled but not All Stars. Do you agree?

Nope, Jokic makes non-allstars more valuable.