RealGM

Can't use the trade machine on this one as Nic Claxton can't be traded until mid January but the numbers seem to work.

The idea here is that the Nets use their cap space this summer and move on from Cam J, DFS, and Claxton in favor of the youth movement.

I think the Lakers are giving up two first rounders (with second rounder possibly going their way).

As I am not sure how to value either Scoot or Ayton I am not sure if the Blazers should be neutral on picks or if anything should be going to or from them.

Nets Give:

Cam Johnson SF
DFS PF
Nic Claxton C

Nets Get:

Scoot Henderson PG
Christian Wood SF
Rui Hatchimura PF
Deandre Ayton C

Why for the Nets?

Nets get draft picks and a young prospect in Scoot while they can try Ayton and Hatchimura on for size with both contracts coming off the books in the Summer of 2026. They would also have a team option on Scoot that they could move off of that Summer if they really needed the cap space. Wood is an expiring contract.

Lakers Give:

Deangelo Russell PG
Christian Wood SF
Rui Hatchimura PF

Lakers Get:

Cam Johnson SF
DFS PF

Why for the Lakers?

They move off of both Russell and Hatchimura to get two players that can help them win now and in the future. DFS has a player option next year but might just find a long term home in LA.

Trailblazes Give:

Scoot Henderson PG
Deandre Ayton C

Trailblazers get:

Deangelo Russell PG
Nic Claxton C

Why for Trailblazers?

Claxton is less expensive than Ayton and locked up on a longer team friendly contract while Ayton has a greater cap hit might simply walk after two years. Scoot has been inconsistent and this gives them a chance to move on with an expiring Deangelo Russell. Claxton is the prize here but they might also be getting draft capital depending on how everyone feels about the value of the players involved.

Sorry, wrong forum.

No from Portland. They already have Ayton's replacement in Donovan Clingan so Claxton would have to play power forward and even then the fit would be poor.

If the Blazers were getting Cam Johnson, I would consider this. As BC said, Claxton isn't a fit with Clingan here now.

Absolutely a NO on this trade. POR is not trading Scoot, and if they were going to even consider it, it would not be for this package.

Scoot is only 20
He is still under team control for another two years
Need to see how he plays under a new coach, preferably one who actually RUNS an offense of some sort
He needs more minutes, in a more defined role that SUITS what his strengths are (a ball distributor that needs the ball in his hands to be most effective)
Need to see how he plays with players who better suit his style of play, unlike players like Simons\Banton

It is Cronin's job to fix the mess that HE created here. HE drafted Scoot @ #3, which led to POR trading away Dame. HE is the one, responsible for holding onto vets like Simons, in particular, who block Henderson's growth. HE chose to hang on to Billups, who we all know will play the vets b\c he wants to win\try and get another job. HE chose to roll back with pretty much the same roster as LY losing one, vets and all. HE is the one who overpaid said vets or traded for them and HE is the one who (allegedly) holds unreasonable value on those players.

I'm so low on Scoot as anybody, but they are not going to use him to dump Ayton and take on longer-term salary.

DusterBuster wrote:If the Blazers were getting Cam Johnson, I would consider this. As BC said, Claxton isn't a fit with Clingan here now.

Trading Scoot for Cam Johnson seems like a great way to immediately put us back on the treadmill.

cucad8 wrote:

DusterBuster wrote:If the Blazers were getting Cam Johnson, I would consider this. As BC said, Claxton isn't a fit with Clingan here now.

Trading Scoot for Cam Johnson seems like a great way to immediately put us back on the treadmill.

Are you sure you’re thinking of the right Cam from Brooklyn. Johnson is the good one, Thomas is the shot happy player.

DusterBuster wrote:

cucad8 wrote:

DusterBuster wrote:If the Blazers were getting Cam Johnson, I would consider this. As BC said, Claxton isn't a fit with Clingan here now.

Trading Scoot for Cam Johnson seems like a great way to immediately put us back on the treadmill.

Are you sure you’re thinking of the right Cam from Brooklyn. Johnson is the good one, Thomas is the shot happy player.

Yeah. He's 28,will be 29 in a few months. He'd have been a great add 3 years ago when we had Dame. But what, are we gonna start him and grant, and send Camara AND Deni to the bench? Is this team contending in 2 years? If not, he's a 31 year old free agent.

Look, I get being down on Scoot, but moving him for a 28 year old at this point makes absolutely no sense to me. Cam's a great role player. But he's injured too often, not a good defender. What are we doing with him? Are you trotting out Ant/Sharpe/Cam/Grant/Ayton? We should be trying to reset around Sharpe/Clingan/Scoot, and see where they are in a year, not trading promise for older role players.