I think Portland is the best "bad" team I've seen

[tcheco]

the team has upside, but they still lack 1 more player with good potencial to start building the structure.
Trading Grant or Ayton should be a priority to help them tank a little better and let the kids have their growing pains, but in no way they should be desperate to do it.

Good year to see what they really have in Scoot and Clingan, great trade for Deni to help the young ones have some sound players to rely on.

If they land any of the top 3 prospects next year, then they should be in a perfect position going forward, a two year rebuild after losing their big star is a quick turnaround

[Wingy]

It really does all hinge on Scoot moving forward.

That's basically it. It typically takes young points a few years to ramp up but I'm hoping he frequently flashes star potential this year. The rest is kinda window dressing.

Scoot and Sharpe really.

Right now they’re both theoretical, but the path is there.

[Duffman100]

Scoot and Sharpe are key. Can they be efficient, impactful. Obviously loads of potential but that'll really decide.

[Michael Beasley]

They just seem like such a disjointed, ragtag bunch. Like what even is this team's identity?

[Bobbymcgee]

Don't they want to continue to tank to get a high draft pick next summer?

[-HB-]

They just seem like such a disjointed, ragtag bunch. Like what even is this team's identity?

People can hate on Chauncey but the identity is much grittier/defensive minded than before.

[dakomish23]

IDK. This roster should have won more than 23 games

https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/NYK/2008.html

[Woodsanity]

IDK. This roster should have won more than 23 games

https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/NYK/2008.html

A lot of "offense" only guys who are rotating doors on defense. Not really to be honest.

[zzaj]

From a PDX perspective...much of what has been said here is pretty spot-on.

IIRC, the quintet of Scoot, Simons, Sharpe, Grant and Ayton only played 3 games together last year. So most of us fans view it as a lost year--especially with regard to Sharpe.

A big issue is Scoot, Sharpe, Simons, Grant and Ayton all play their best basketball with the ball in their hands. That's why I think Deni and Clingan acting as facilitators from their respective positions can work, although that worries me with Deni. I know he played his best with the ball more in his hands for the Wiz.

If Scoot can get himself to Kemba levels, Sharpe plays as well as he did pre-injury in Nov-Dec of last year, Deni fits in perfectly doing Deni things, everyone else does what they do, AND everyone stays healthy? Then I could see them at 31 wins. I don't think that's a play-in in the West.

My hope is that the Blazers can somehow leverage Simons and Grant into 1st rounders. To really ensure top 5 pick opportunity.

I love Deni's fit on Portland, but losing Brogdon hurts Scoot, IMO. I believe Scoot was helped a lot by having Brogdon on the bench in a mentor role at the end of the year.

[Wingy]

Scoot and Sharpe are key. Can they be efficient, impactful. Obviously loads of potential but that'll really decide.

For Sharpe, at least for me, the biggest risk is that his availability is already a huge question mark. Not great so early and so young.

[Duffman100]

Scoot and Sharpe are key. Can they be efficient, impactful. Obviously loads of potential but that'll really decide.

For Sharpe, at least for me, the biggest risk is that his availability is already a huge question mark. Not great so early and so young.

Yeah it's tough.

Year 1 - 47/36/and 71 with 80 games played
Year 2 - 40/33/82 with 32 games played

Year 3 will definitely be interesting. His raw talent passes the eye test lets see how he puts it together this year and if he stays on the floor.

[Wingy]

Scoot and Sharpe are key. Can they be efficient, impactful. Obviously loads of potential but that'll really decide.

For Sharpe, at least for me, the biggest risk is that his availability is already a huge question mark. Not great so early and so young.

Yeah it's tough.

Year 1 - 47/36/and 71 with 80 games played
Year 2 - 40/33/82 with 32 games played

Year 3 will definitely be interesting. His raw talent passes the eye test lets see how he puts it together this year and if he stays on the floor.

Re: eye test, yeah the kid definitely pops. I’m thinking back to his (lack of) Kentucky days too. Obviously hope he holds up…the more exciting talent the better for us fans.

[username_taken]

Don’t see it. Scoot and Sharpe aren’t good players yet and they’ll need to be pretty good for this team to be remotely competitive

[Chuck Everett]

I'm going on record that Portland is going to be very hard to play against at the Moda. I like their starting five with Deni added to them. If Scoot is just Dennis Schroder level as a second year guy, that would be a massive improvement.

The only reason they are "bad-bad" is because the organization wants to lose so they get Grant and Ayton up out of there before training camp. If they keep their guys, Portland may tread water as a .500 team into January.

TLDR: How great is the will of the front office to tank and look for more draft picks?

[Ballerhogger]

Waiting for grant to become a free at the deadline

[Hornet Mania]

in the East, Charlotte also has a very good bad team.

I think Char should go for Lavine
Ball/Lavine/Miller/Bridges/Williams, with some bench pieces, is a pretty solid team

But in all seriousness Charlotte needs to stay patient.

The team has shortcut their last three rebuilds by picking up expensive quasi-stars (Al Jefferson, Nic Batum, Gordon Hayward) and capped their ceiling as a result. This time I'd rather they just let Ball/Miller take the reins and try to grow organically. Plus they get to keep their 1st round pick if it's in the lotto this year, and then only have to give the Spurs two 2nd rounders.

I agree with the OP, on paper Portland has a lot of nice pieces. Problem is mostly fit and the fact the rest of the west are even better. If they choose to unload some vets for picks at the deadline they'll be able to add to their war chest.

[Chuck Everett]

By the way, Thybulle is on his way to being DNP out of the league if he doesn't figure out how to make open shots. Last year was pathetic from him. His defense isn't elite enough to be a zero on offense.

[JRoy]

Waiting for grant to become a free at the deadline

Not happening with 3 years left on that contract.

Should not have signed him but that is a different topic.

[Johnny Bball]

That means they need to trade whoever is making them too good. Especially Brogdan and Grant.

[Chuck Everett]

That means they need to trade whoever is making them too good. Especially Brogdan and Grant.

Brogdon was already traded to Washington for Deni Avdija.