What should the Blazers do about the center spot?

[Case2012]

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[Norm2953]

Two words - Ibou Badji.

Imagine if they had found another way to get Grant while getting the Pelicans FRP.

I would have loved to pair Duren with Sharpe, who were the two youngest players in the 22 draft.

[DaVoiceMaster]

I'm sorry to see the Blazers waived Sarr. I liked what little I saw of him and was hoping to see more. Let's see what this new kid can do.

[Case2012]

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Looks too slow to get minutes but he’s got a 7’8 wingspan. In Mike Schmitz I trust!

[BlazersBroncos]

If I remember correctly Ibou was getting R1 hype for a few years then never developed. His G-League stats are tremendous for his minimal PT (7 games, 17mpg, 7.5ppg, 6.5rpg, 2.5bpg, 1.5apg). I like this, but would have kept Sarr and let the twig guy from Florida St walk.

[DaVoiceMaster]

Makes me wonder if Sarr's injury is worse than initially thought.

[Norm2953]

I'd also continue to monitor how Ben Simmons is doing with the Nets. Perfect guy to team up with
in Portland for he'll never demand shots and would be content to rebound and play defense

[Goldbum]

I agree on Simmons
Nurk+Hart+GP2
4
Simmons
Frees up room to sign
D Favors

Dame/Ant/Simmons
Ant/Sharpe/Keon
Sharpe/Nas/Walker
Grant/Watford/Simmons/Watford
Simmons/Favors/Eubanks

It's a huge swing/buy low move but I think Dame's leadership along with Chauncey unlocks Ben's gane.
Brooklyn get significantly better with guys that compliment KG and Kyrie

[PDXKnight]

I agree on Simmons
Nurk+Hart+GP2
4
Simmons
Frees up room to sign
D Favors

Dame/Ant/Simmons
Ant/Sharpe/Keon
Sharpe/Nas/Walker
Grant/Watford/Simmons/Watford
Simmons/Favors/Eubanks

It's a huge swing/buy low move but I think Dame's leadership along with Chauncey unlocks Ben's gane.
Brooklyn get significantly better with guys that compliment KG and Kyrie

It's a win from a talent perspective but if Simmons does any more of his antics suddenly it looks like a bad deal. It's definitely a good conversation trade scenario at minimum

[GEE]

I think adding GP2 might be unnecessary: Works without him. Is it just a coincidence that Simmons played well against us? Might just be the Tin-foil, but I felt like he possibly auditioning for a part on this Blazers team? As for the trade idea, I of course love the idea of taking a chance on Simmons, if we get could him at such a discount.

My second move would be to target the Hornets, and try to acquire Mark Williams. Keon, GB3 plus 2023 FRP for Mark Williams. Add an additional pick if needed, because after this lineup is built, we won't need any more youth for at least a couple years. Also Love the idea of Wendell Carter Jr, but he seems hard to get.

January 15th Roster / I'm hoping for this or better:

Dame / GP2
Sharpe / Simons(6thMOTY)
Grant / Little
Simmons / Winslow / Walker
Eubanks / Williams / Watford

[BlazersBroncos]

My second move would be to target the Hornets, and try to acquire Mark Williams. Keon, GB3 plus 2023 FRP for Mark Williams. Add an additional pick if needed, because after this lineup is built, we won't need any more youth for at least a couple years. Also Love the idea of Wendell Carter Jr, but he seems hard to get.

I am way out on Mark Williams. He cant crack the C rotation on a team w/ the worst C rotation in the league. Wouldn't trade Keon for him, much less a FRP, much much less both.

Also dont see BRK moving Ben unless Durant is traded. I dont think the latter happens honestly.

WCJ could be an option as ORL has a ton of guards but no real standout + Simons is a ORL native.

I would love to gamble on Issac still as well - something like Simons, Nurkic, FRP? for WCJ, Isaac, Ross

G - Damian Lillard / Gary Peyton II / Keon Johnson
G - Josh Hart / Shadeon Sharpe / Terrance Ross
F - Jerami Grant / Nas Little / Terrance Ross / Greg Brown
F - Jonathan Isaac / Justice Winslow / Jabari Walker
C - Wendell Carter JR / Drew Eubanks / Trendon Watford

Like that but wont happen and Isaac just isnt someone you can pencil in like I did above.

[Norm2953]

There was a thread on the trade board about the the Hornets dumping Plumlee, so that the rest of
the guys could get minutes.

I wouldn't gamble on Isaac for the guy like Zach Collins never plays. I can't believe this board is so
down on Simons that they would trade him for a guy who is never on the court?

[BlazersBroncos]

There was a thread on the trade board about the the Hornets dumping Plumlee, so that the rest of
the guys could get minutes.

I wouldn't gamble on Isaac for the guy like Zach Collins never plays. I can't believe this board is so
down on Simons that they would trade him for a guy who is never on the court?

The trade would be made for WCJ with Isaac being a flyer.

Basically Ant for WCJ and Nurkic for JI. I would do either of those swaps separately or ideally together.

[Norm2953]

Magic are headed for another trip in the lottery and likely can fill their guard needs there for
according to ESPN, three of the next best players (after Victor) are PG's. There is no need for
them to trade their big

[Tim Lehrbach]

I'd move Simons for a significant upgrade in the middle. Not sure about WCJ, though. I haven't seen him play much, and he doesn't rate as a positively impactful defender. At least he appears to finish inside competently. How else does he improve on Nurkic?

[GEE]

I'd move Simons for a significant upgrade in the middle. Not sure about WCJ, though. I haven't seen him play much, and he doesn't rate as a positively impactful defender. At least he appears to finish inside competently. How else does he improve on Nurkic?

Simons is as untouchable as any current Blazer and part of a Top 3 list without a doubt in my mind. As far as the PF/C upgrade, it's obvious Cronin knows it exists and they are clearly currently looking for Diamonds in the rough. Meanwhile he is also evaluating how the Army of Forwards currently assembled fit together, and who might get sacrificed in a move for that PF/C upgrade. Capt. Obvious also tells me that the N.O. lottery pick would have gone a long way towards addressing our current weakness at the PF/C position.

So anyway, January 15th... unless Nurkic can Slim-Fast his ass down 25lbs (which is exactly what he needs most IMHO), He's Gone. The value in those off-season trades by Cronin can now be seen by most. With Nurkic, Hart, Winslow, Good young players, and Picks... What's clear to me is Joe has the assets to target just about anyone that becomes available two months from now. What's also worth noting is, we currently have no idea WHO will make that list of players that are attainable via trade, when teams then become Buyers or Sellers around the Trade Deadline.

I can't say it loud enough that I have absolutely no idea what addition/s will be added, but I will continue to WAR Simmons because I honestly think he's a good gamble with Chauncey, Dame and our need for the type of things he is really good at. Basically the perfect fit Simmons clearly needs, and I also think he could be attained fairly easily without using up all our best assets.

SECOND MOVE would be for a more traditional Big and I would personally prefer a Blue Chipper vs. an Expensive, Big Name Veteran. The reason I mentioned the Hornets is because they are clearly dumb as a franchise, and I think Cronin is proving to be quite smart. I would definitely test that water because the Hornets simply just don't play their guy in Williams. They seem to PREFER going with Plumlee, Washington, Oubree and now Richards, the Kentucky rookie 2nd rounder. No good reason why as far as I know, but the kid is really good, and would fit in like a glove. USE PICKS MOSTLY, if possible! We don't need any for the next couple years, and our FRP next year by itself, should go a long way in getting a solid to great Center in Williams. I honestly believe he is The Man, better than Duran (mainly from the neck up), and will become very comparable to Wendall Carter Jr. JUST DO IT JOE... or do us one better.

LMAO about Isaacs as it appears he hasn't really played since getting his raise, and I love WCJ, but Orlando loves him more. My THIRD MOVE: Bring back LMA... maybe... I'm very 50/50 on this one.

SUMMARY: Nurkic / Hart for Simmons --- Watford & two(if needed) FFRPs for Williams --- LMA Vet Min.

Result:
Dame / Simons / Keon
Sharpe / GP2
Grant / Little / GB3
Simmons / Winslow / Walker
Eubanks / Williams / LMA

[Case2012]

Just clone Drew Eubanks and Josh Hart.

New blazer line up.

Josh Hart / Josh Hart
Josh Hart /Josh Hart
Josh Hart / Josh Hart
Drew Eubanks / Drew Eubanks
Drew Eubanks / Drew Eubanks

[Village Idiot]

With Lillard injured again I went with other.

It's hard to see this team winning much the coming months if both Lillard and Payton are missing time. The West is so darned competitive this season with really only Houston losing intentionally. Great time to give Sharpe, Keon and Walker lots of playing time and get a shot at Wemba.

when January 15 rolls around:

Portland trades:

Anfernee Simons
Jusuf Nurkic
Nassir Little
$6.363 million to Indiana

Portland receives:

Myles Turner
Terrence Ross - ending contract
Gary Harris - fully unguaranteed next season
2023 pick swap option with Indiana for the third highest of Boston (13-30), Chicago (5-30) and Cleveland (15-30). If only 2 of the 3 picks conveys, Portland receives the second highest

We get our guy in Turner (this trades is dependent on Turner agreeing to sign an extension) and cut enough salary obligations to be able to resign Turner, Grant, Hart, Eubanks and Winslow. We get a pick this draft and are free to trade future picks.

Indiana trades:

Myles Turner

Indiana receives:

Mo Bamba - fully unguaranteed next season
Kendrick Nunn (ending contract)
RJ Hamption - (ending contract)
2023 Chicago first via Orlando (protections top 5, top 4, then converts to second round picks in 25 and 26) goes into pick pool for with the third highest of Chicago/ Boston (13-30)/Cleveland (15-30) going to Portland. If only 2 of the 3 picks conveys, Portland receives the second highest
$6.363 million from Portland

LA Lakers trade:

Russell Westbrook
Kendrick Nunn
2027 1st - unprotected

LA Lakers receive:

Anfernee Simons
Jusuf Nurkic
Jonathan Issac

This assumes the Lakers are competitive in mid-January. It gives them a big upgrade at center. Simons had the best catch and shoot 3pt percentage last year and will get lots of open looks from Lebron. If Issac comes back healthy (which is supposed to do soon) he gives the Lakers a lock-down, 5-position defender who doesn't need a lot of touches on offense.

Orlando trades:

Jonathan Issac
Terrence Ross - ending contract
Gary Harris - fully unguaranteed next season
Mo Bamba - fully unguaranteed next season
2023 Chicago first via Orlando

Orlando receives:

Nassir Little
Russell Westbrook (ending contract)
2027 1st - unprotected

The Magic clear up another $10 million off their books for next season and get that juicy post Lebron, post AD pick. Little gives them a really solid 3 and D wing who they can slot in a starting role at SG. His age and contract are real posiitves here.

[Case2012]

That's the worst trade I've ever seen..

[HoopsFanAZ]

The Suns are not a center-oriented team and haven’t been for years. They’ve taken swings on bigs as draft picks and mostly get disappointed. And they have a Chris Paul problem … that he’s aging and need their next man up not named Cam Payne. Booker, Bridges, and Johnson are their present and future at 2 through 4 (even with CJ needing some meniscus work done).

The principal players are Nurkic + Simons = Ayton. Simons is a young stud and fits Phoenix. The Arizona sun will help Nurkic slim down.
Ayton is the upgrade, Simons the sacrifice, and Sharpe the guy who helps me forget giving up Ant.

Dame, Sharpe, Hart, Grant, Ayton
Keon, GP, Little, Winslow, Walker, Watford, Eubanks