What should the Blazers do about the center spot?

[Tim Lehrbach]

Appreciate all the ideas.

The more I think about these alternatives, the less I see the available modest upgrades at center making more than a marginal difference. Maybe we need to entertain a broader approach. Keep Lillard, Grant, and Sharpe; make everything else available for the best player frontcourt player. Would widening the search yield a bigger impact?

For example, put the above-mentioned package of Nurkic, Simons, and Little out there: what solves this puzzle?

Lillard/Johnson
Sharpe/GPII
Grant/Hart
???/Winslow/Walker
Eubanks/Watford

Or add Johnson and subtract Little from the outgoing...

Lillard/GPII
Sharpe/Hart
???/Little
Grant/Winslow/Walker
Eubanks/Watford

Or focus on returning a player who can start at the five...

Lillard/GPII
Sharpe/Hart
Little/Walker
Grant/Winslow
???/Eubanks/Watford

Or keep Nurkic and Little, send Hart and Winslow's ending contracts out (note: I hate the thought of moving these two, just providing an example of the wide array of options we have)...

Lillard/Johnson
Sharpe/GPII
Grant/Little
???/Walker
Nurkic/Eubanks

Who is or will be selling, anyway? Could the Blazers put a competitive bid in for the top players likely to hit the market?

It could be that the likeliest way for the Blazers to vault from great story to dark horse contender is for somebody, preferably a two-way big, to replace Simons and join Lillard and Grant in the top-three on the team, while clearing the way for Sharpe to become #4.

Thing is, I've got no answers. Do you?

[Blazinaway]

I don't necessarily think we have to "upgrade" Nurk but instead get a C or PF/C who complements him and plays a much different style so we can throw out different situational lineups. For me Simons is the guy I'd move to do this, I just think playing Dame and ANT together is not good long term as we play less team ball and more ISO ball, we have all the SG/SF's we need with Hart/Sharpe/Nas and Payton when he finally is available. Then our D is much better as we are longer and play better D and Sharpe needs more minutes.

[Norm2953]

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

This is not a bad proposal for while Ayton just got paid, he and Monte likely still don't see eye to eye.

I'd hate to see the 22 year old Simons haunt the Blazers for the next 10 years, especially with Dame's recent injuries
for I've seen lots of guys have success as PG's for the Suns over the past 40 or so years and perhaps out of Portland,
Nurk/Simons would play like they did last January.

I do think Ayton will always be a tease for while he has all the physical tools, I'm leery of guys who have trouble playing
for one of the good guys in the league in Monte. Simons, Booker, Bridges. Johnson and Nurk might be a solid starters
group with Cp3 around to mentor Simons

[GEE]

I honestly don't understand why, with all of the other good assets available including future picks, people want to shop Simons. He is easily one the least available... Believe THAT. On a similar note, I also believe there is zero desire to shop Dame and the ultimate goal is for co-existence between both Simons and Dame. Team success over Individual success still remains the biggest hurdle IMO.

We will have 3 All-Stars this year if Dame shoots for triple double's over 50 burgers. Plus, he'll get 25ppg just by tying up his laces. High assists / Low turnovers !!! That is most important from a PG. This is exactly why I constantly mention Simmons as a possible addition: It allows Dame to be a SG. It would also have the added benefit of allowing Grant to play his natural position of SF. Shaedon at the 2, with Simons as 6th MOTY... Eubanks is just fine at C. I'd simply add A Blue-Chip Center (whichever one Cronin likes most) and overpay to do it (using future picks over players preferably), then just add a Vet Min C. Would love this:

Dame / Simons
Sharpe / GP2 / Keon
Grant / Little / GB3
Simmons / Winslow / Walker
Eubanks / B-C / LMA(Vet min)

[Tim Lehrbach]

This is exactly why I constantly mention Simmons as a possible addition: It allows Dame to be a SG. It would also have the added benefit of allowing Grant to play his natural position of SF. Shaedon at the 2, with Simons as 6th MOTY... Eubanks is just fine at C.

Nurkic and Hart for Simmons seems to be your preferred deal. Brooklyn might bite to get off Ben's contract if their season goes further south, but I don't see that happening.

I like Simmons more than most, and he just kicked our team's butt a couple nights ago, but he's a huge risk owed a ton of money.

Can you name your blue-chip center prospect and the price the Blazers pay to acquire him? I struggle to think of anybody attainable.

As far as Simons goes, I don't at all assume he'll be shopped. I just think he's the best piece the Blazers can use to get better in the frontcourt, where more help is needed. I acknowledge his scoring and (limited) creation would be missed if they were subtracted without viable replacement.

[GEE]

This is exactly why I constantly mention Simmons as a possible addition: It allows Dame to be a SG. It would also have the added benefit of allowing Grant to play his natural position of SF. Shaedon at the 2, with Simons as 6th MOTY... Eubanks is just fine at C.

Nurkic and Hart for Simmons seems to be your preferred deal. Brooklyn might bite to get off Ben's contract if their season goes further south, but I don't see that happening.

I like Simmons more than most, and he just kicked our team's butt a couple nights ago, but he's a huge risk owed a ton of money.

Can you name your blue-chip center prospect and the price the Blazers pay to acquire him? I struggle to think of anybody attainable.

As far as Simons goes, I don't at all assume he'll be shopped. I just think he's the best piece the Blazers can use to get better in the frontcourt, where more help is needed. I acknowledge his scoring and (limited) creation would be missed if they were subtracted without viable replacement.

I had been championing going after Mark Williams since March. He's another WCJ in skill-set, maybe better, and is waaay underrated due to the talent he played with at Duke. I watched alot of him there, and they rarely ran a play for him, and his teammates seemed to never pass him the ball, even with established deep post position. The Hornets are also known to be a less than Danny Ainge-level, when it comes to intelligence, evidenced by the organization not even playing their youth, choosing rather to go after every win they can. Sound familiar? If we can do better than Williams, I'm all for it, but I just think his talents and character fit us like a glove. And I think overpaying with future picks and hopefully just Watford, might be enough to get it done. Hornet water should be tested IMO.

Simmons is fairly useless to Brooklyn, if he can't handle the rock. Period. Kyrie is coming back and there is still only one basketball. I also happen to think the performance we saw from him, was very much an audition. Bottom line is, for BRK, Hart and Nurkic would help Durrant a great deal more than Simmons, and the same could be said for us. Just imagine Simmons at the four with the shooting of Dame, Sharpe and Grant in the starting lineup. Simons comes in as 6th man, moving Simmons to a small-ball 5. Holy-Crap is what I'm trying to say. Reserves: Keon, GP2, GB3, Walker, Little, Williams, LMA. With this, I have no need for draft picks for at least 3 years. Sell 'em!

[DaVoiceMaster]

I honestly don't understand why, with all of the other good assets available including future picks, people want to shop Simons. He is easily one the least available... Believe THAT. On a similar note, I also believe there is zero desire to shop Dame and the ultimate goal is for co-existence between both Simons and Dame. Team success over Individual success still remains the biggest hurdle IMO.

We will have 3 All-Stars this year if Dame shoots for triple double's over 50 burgers. Plus, he'll get 25ppg just by tying up his laces. High assists / Low turnovers !!! That is most important from a PG. This is exactly why I constantly mention Simmons as a possible addition: It allows Dame to be a SG. It would also have the added benefit of allowing Grant to play his natural position of SF. Shaedon at the 2, with Simons as 6th MOTY... Eubanks is just fine at C. I'd simply add A Blue-Chip Center (whichever one Cronin likes most) and overpay to do it (using future picks over players preferably), then just add a Vet Min C. Would love this:

Dame / Simons
Sharpe / GP2 / Keon
Grant / Little / GB3
Simmons / Winslow / Walker
Eubanks / B-C / LMA(Vet min)

I'm not convinced we will have any All Stars this season. Streaky players who play good and not so good. We'll see though. It's still early. Maybe Simons will become more consistent. Maybe Grant will become a bit more consistent, as well. Maybe Lillard won't miss much time and will find his shot. If those 3 things don't happen, I don't know that any make the All Star team.

[GEE]

I had said just recently, that I thought the teams' biggest hurdle still, is to find a way for both Simons and Dame to coexist; for Chauncey to find the right rotations where both players can thrive to the best of their abilities. Now Dame is out another week or two....

[Blazinaway]

I'd like to get Poetl but think the cost may be too high - surprised SA did not extend him, something up there?

[BlazersBroncos]

I'd like to get Poetl but think the cost may be too high - surprised SA did not extend him, something up there?

Im still bummed we didnt find a way to get Kessler. He would be so ideal - cheap so we have some extra $$$ for Hart / Grant, great defender, sets decent screens, can finish above the rim, low usage, knows his role already, etc. etc.

Poeltl is better today but I think we cant afford to give up assets for a 3rd guy that will be due a payday.

[GEE]

KAT has been out with, ironically, a calf injury and I've remained suspicious whether he and Rudy will mesh well or not. If it doesn't KAT may become available as an option to potentially pair/split with Nurkic. Not sure I'd want him, but ???

[BlazersBroncos]

KAT has been out with, ironically, a calf injury and I've remained suspicious whether he and Rudy will mesh well or not. If it doesn't KAT may become available as an option to potentially pair/split with Nurkic. Not sure I'd want him, but ???

Any deal for KAT would have to include Nurkic to a 3rd team IMO. You cant have all that $$$ tied up at C, and Jusuf would almost certainly be a baby if benched, assuming his past behavior is any indication of future.

And the cost would be pretty high. Likely Ant, Nurkic (To 3rd team), Little, numerous FRP for KAT - and even then I dont know that gets it done.

[Goldbum]

3 Team deal
Nurkic +Hart and Keon
Nurkic + John Collins to PHX
Ayton to Portland
Hart+Crowder+Keon to ATL
Probably won't be popular but I feel Like Ayton is the best attainable big man out there.

Dame/Ant/GP2
Ant/GP2/Sharpe
Winslow/Little/Sharpe
Grant/Walker/Watford/Winslow
Ayton/Eubanks/Watford

That's a pretty good team in my opinion and leaves us with only Winslow to worry about resigning
With the way Hart's been shooting I don't think the drop off at SF is that significant. GP2 Replaces the lost minutes at guard Sharpe plays a little more... lineups with Winslow/Grant/Ayton are stout defensively especially if GP2 mans one the Guard spots.

[BlazersBroncos]

Is the Ayton and PHX relationship still on the rocks? I have not heard anything about it since the season started.

I think thats a pretty nice trade idea all around. I would say, while Ayton is better than Nurkic he really isnt going to bring a new dynamisms to the Blazers. He isnt especially good at defending the rim, is switchier / twitcher than Nurk on the perimeter but nothing to write home about and he doesnt open the offense by hitting the 3. He is much better at midranged shots and far better at finishing. They are about the same level as rebounders.

But, the deal would make sense. We upgrade from Nurkic and the cost, Hart, is a guy that we are going to have a tough time resigning. I would try to keep Keon, I like him quite a bit.

[Norm2953]

I'd do that trade. Whether Phoenix does it is another matter but all the criticisms of Ant would only
be increased with the loss of two players who can initiate the offense.

[Goldbum]

I'd do that trade. Whether Phoenix does it is another matter but all the criticisms of Ant would only
be increased with the loss of two players who can initiate the offense.

Agreed. However I feel that more minutes for Winslow, along with GP2 and Watford he should be able to figure it out. I know the Ant frustration is real but I believe in the Kid. Ayton/GP2 and Winslow takes pressure off him on defense. I just really like that team. Maybe we drop one of the 2 way bigs and grab another 2 way ball handler.

[GEE]

I must say that my feelings about Nurkic recently, are much different than at the start of the season. Especially over the last few games, I've noticed the big fella is really trying hard to do what is being asked of him, and just busting his ass lately. Props, when props are due. My biggest gripe was his not being in top condition coming in ( He looked heavy and doughy), and his stupid flip shots instead of powerful finishes. But with his recent play while logging heavy minutes, he should be much better form by the A/S break. Just hope that big body can take the punishment, because we continue to have only Eubanks and Watford if he goes down.

I still think the best thing we can do to upgrade the roster, is to add to Nurkic, and hopefully acquire an additional Center. My preference is known, but better is better. We are running Nurkic to his limits right now, and we're playing with fire if we think we can do it to him all season. He could eventually break. Need to get him some help real soon IMO.

also... like the creativity with the trade. DA would be a huge shift from Nurkic and I would definitely give it a thumbs up it it were possible, but the Suns are crushing it right now, so the DA ship may have sailed. I do feel like Cronin must have a list of targets he's monitoring. I just hope to see a relevant addition soon.

[monopoman]

I must say that my feelings about Nurkic recently, are much different than at the start of the season. Especially over the last few games, I've noticed the big fella is really trying hard to do what is being asked of him, and just busting his ass lately. Props, when props are due. My biggest gripe was his not being in top condition coming in ( He looked heavy and doughy), and his stupid flip shots instead of powerful finishes. But with his recent play while logging heavy minutes, he should be much better form by the A/S break. Just hope that big body can take the punishment, because we continue to have only Eubanks and Watford if he goes down.

I still think the best thing we can do to upgrade the roster, is to add to Nurkic, and hopefully acquire an additional Center. My preference is known, but better is better. We are running Nurkic to his limits right now, and we're playing with fire if we think we can do it to him all season. He could eventually break. Need to get him some help real soon IMO.

also... like the creativity with the trade. DA would be a huge shift from Nurkic and I would definitely give it a thumbs up it it were possible, but the Suns are crushing it right now, so the DA ship may have sailed. I do feel like Cronin must have a list of targets he's monitoring. I just hope to see a relevant addition soon.

It literally blows my mind how even when he gets an offensive rebound standing by the basket and has plenty of time to dunk it he never does. He seems to love these flip shot instead. Dude just dunk the **** ball, it's likely a 95% success rate with a dunk and even if they try to grab or stop it they likely foul.

It would be one thing if his flip shots near the rim were far more affective but they aren't.

[DaVoiceMaster]

I must say that my feelings about Nurkic recently, are much different than at the start of the season. Especially over the last few games, I've noticed the big fella is really trying hard to do what is being asked of him, and just busting his ass lately. Props, when props are due. My biggest gripe was his not being in top condition coming in ( He looked heavy and doughy), and his stupid flip shots instead of powerful finishes. But with his recent play while logging heavy minutes, he should be much better form by the A/S break. Just hope that big body can take the punishment, because we continue to have only Eubanks and Watford if he goes down.

I still think the best thing we can do to upgrade the roster, is to add to Nurkic, and hopefully acquire an additional Center. My preference is known, but better is better. We are running Nurkic to his limits right now, and we're playing with fire if we think we can do it to him all season. He could eventually break. Need to get him some help real soon IMO.

also... like the creativity with the trade. DA would be a huge shift from Nurkic and I would definitely give it a thumbs up it it were possible, but the Suns are crushing it right now, so the DA ship may have sailed. I do feel like Cronin must have a list of targets he's monitoring. I just hope to see a relevant addition soon.

It literally blows my mind how even when he gets an offensive rebound standing by the basket and has plenty of time to dunk it he never does. He seems to love these flip shot instead. Dude just dunk the **** ball, it's likely a 95% success rate with a dunk and even if they try to grab or stop it they likely foul.

It would be one thing if his flip shots near the rim were far more affective but they aren't.

He dunked the ball once last game. What more do you want?

I was surprised when he did it. I've never seen a 7 footer that doesnt dunk the ball. Are his legs just shot and he's not able to jump much? I just don't get it. I really hate it when he flips the ball at the basket. I'm so tired of watching it.

[monopoman]

I must say that my feelings about Nurkic recently, are much different than at the start of the season. Especially over the last few games, I've noticed the big fella is really trying hard to do what is being asked of him, and just busting his ass lately. Props, when props are due. My biggest gripe was his not being in top condition coming in ( He looked heavy and doughy), and his stupid flip shots instead of powerful finishes. But with his recent play while logging heavy minutes, he should be much better form by the A/S break. Just hope that big body can take the punishment, because we continue to have only Eubanks and Watford if he goes down.

I still think the best thing we can do to upgrade the roster, is to add to Nurkic, and hopefully acquire an additional Center. My preference is known, but better is better. We are running Nurkic to his limits right now, and we're playing with fire if we think we can do it to him all season. He could eventually break. Need to get him some help real soon IMO.

also... like the creativity with the trade. DA would be a huge shift from Nurkic and I would definitely give it a thumbs up it it were possible, but the Suns are crushing it right now, so the DA ship may have sailed. I do feel like Cronin must have a list of targets he's monitoring. I just hope to see a relevant addition soon.

It literally blows my mind how even when he gets an offensive rebound standing by the basket and has plenty of time to dunk it he never does. He seems to love these flip shot instead. Dude just dunk the **** ball, it's likely a 95% success rate with a dunk and even if they try to grab or stop it they likely foul.

It would be one thing if his flip shots near the rim were far more affective but they aren't.

He dunked the ball once last game. What more do you want?

I was surprised when he did it. I've never seen a 7 footer that doesnt dunk the ball. Are his legs just shot and he's not able to jump much? I just don't get it. I really hate it when he flips the ball at the basket. I'm so tired of watching it.

I assume there is some underlying issue because this has to be the most obvious thing in the world. No way in hell does Chauncey not realize that a dunk is the most optimal shot when you get an offensive rebound and can dunk it. I seem to remember him dunking more when he first became a Blazer years ago.