2023 NBA Draft (tonight's discussion on pg 58)

[DusterBuster]

I kind of like the idea of DDR. I thin Vucevic is a FA this summer. Would the Bulls have any interest in Nurkic, Little, and #5 for DDR? That still leaves Simons for another trade, maybe with Orlando.

Instead of the #5, what about removing all protections on their 2024 first rounder owed to Chicago? Guarantees the pick conveys to Chicago and has a chance to be lottery.

[The Sebastian Express]

Or we could just trade them New York's pick and a second rounder, which they will probably take like I've said from the beginning.

[BlazersBroncos]

We have drafter top 7 two years in a row now - removing protections from that CHI pick would be foolish IMO.

[DaVoiceMaster]

I'd like to get DDR from Chicago without giving up Simons. If the Blazers can do that without giving up the #5 pick, I'm all for it. If we can free up our future pick, even better. Then utilize Simon's for a different trade. I just don't think it's that easy.

[Joshumitsu]

This draft is made for Portland. I don't think people understand that, enough.

The way I see it, this is a historic draft for versatile wing/forwards with star potential. Blazers have either Simons or Dame at the 1 (maybe both) and they have Sharpe at the 2. The draft will allow Portland to acquire a legitimate versatile wing/forward with All-Star talent that it hasn't had since Pippen.

Amen-Miller-Walker-Ausar-Hendricks. Those 5 prospects are fantastic players outside the Top 2.

Simons-Sharpe-2023 pick would be great to rebuild around. That trio would be strong.

But I don't even think you need to rebuild. In one or two years, this current roster will be quickly retooled due to the level of talent in this draft. If Dame can wait that long, I think it'll benefit him. If not, again, it's a good core to rebuild with.

[BlazersBroncos]

I'd like to get DDR from Chicago without giving up Simons. If the Blazers can do that without giving up the #5 pick, I'm all for it. If we can free up our future pick, even better. Then utilize Simon's for a different trade. I just don't think it's that easy.

I dont see a path where we can get DDR using Nurkic - unless we attach a pick. Think I would rather move Simons than have CHI own 2 of our FPR.

Maybe we could do DDR + PDX FRP for Simons + NYK FRP - then attach some picks to Nurkic and turn him into Turner.

[DaVoiceMaster]

I'd like to get DDR from Chicago without giving up Simons. If the Blazers can do that without giving up the #5 pick, I'm all for it. If we can free up our future pick, even better. Then utilize Simon's for a different trade. I just don't think it's that easy.

I dont see a path where we can get DDR using Nurkic - unless we attach a pick. Think I would rather move Simons than have CHI own 2 of our FPR.

Maybe we could do DDR + PDX FRP for Simons + NYK FRP - then attach some picks to Nurkic and turn him into Turner.

I wonder if it would be easier to move Nurkic attached to the #5 pick than a future pick or two, particularly if that would eliminate that future pick protection on that pick owed to Chicago.

I'm not a big Little fan so I would include, as well. Nurkic fills a need with Vucevic as a FA. They would save a little money with Nurkic vs Vucevic, as well while adding a young talent in Little and a high draft pick. That is just my reasoning, which may be way off. I'd still like to see Nurkic and Doncic together. They could be the Itch Bros.

[DusterBuster]

I'd like to get DDR from Chicago without giving up Simons. If the Blazers can do that without giving up the #5 pick, I'm all for it. If we can free up our future pick, even better. Then utilize Simon's for a different trade. I just don't think it's that easy.

I dont see a path where we can get DDR using Nurkic - unless we attach a pick. Think I would rather move Simons than have CHI own 2 of our FPR.

Maybe we could do DDR + PDX FRP for Simons + NYK FRP - then attach some picks to Nurkic and turn him into Turner.

I wonder if it would be easier to move Nurkic attached to the #5 pick than a future pick or two, particularly if that would eliminate that future pick protection on that pick owed to Chicago.

I'm not a big Little fan so I would include, as well. Nurkic fills a need with Vucevic as a FA. They would save a little money with Nurkic vs Vucevic, as well while adding a young talent in Little and a high draft pick. That is just my reasoning, which may be way off. I'd still like to see Nurkic and Doncic together. They could be the Itch Bros.

I like Nas a lot, but don’t trust him at all to stay healthy. I definitely think he will end up as filler in a trade this summer.

[The Sebastian Express]

I dont see a path where we can get DDR using Nurkic - unless we attach a pick. Think I would rather move Simons than have CHI own 2 of our FPR.

Maybe we could do DDR + PDX FRP for Simons + NYK FRP - then attach some picks to Nurkic and turn him into Turner.

I wonder if it would be easier to move Nurkic attached to the #5 pick than a future pick or two, particularly if that would eliminate that future pick protection on that pick owed to Chicago.

I'm not a big Little fan so I would include, as well. Nurkic fills a need with Vucevic as a FA. They would save a little money with Nurkic vs Vucevic, as well while adding a young talent in Little and a high draft pick. That is just my reasoning, which may be way off. I'd still like to see Nurkic and Doncic together. They could be the Itch Bros.

I like Nas a lot, but don’t trust him at all to stay healthy. I definitely think he will end up as filler in a trade this summer.

He just had ANOTHER surgery. I agree about salary filler. I really love him, he's such a positive and energetic guy.. but he gets injured so much and he isn't consistent.

[DaVoiceMaster]

Trade #1

Portland trades: Simons, Walker, NYK Pick, $5M cash
Portland receives: WCJ, Collins, Pick #12
Why: moves on from Simon's and gets two big men and a pick in return.

Orlando trades: WCJ, Isaacs, Pick #12
Orlando receives, Simons, Walker, NYK Pick
Why: Simon's is the shooter Orlando needs and pairs well with Fultz in the backcourt.

San Antonio trades: Collins
San Antonio receives: Isaac's, $5M cash
Why: Isaac's contract is only guaranteed $7.6M. With the $5M cash, the Spurs save money on Collins contract.


Trade #2

Portland trades: Nurkic, Little
Portland receives: DDR, PDX Future Pick
Why: move on from Nurkic, get a talented player in return and free up their draft pick for future trades.

Chicago trades: DDR, PDX Future Pick
Chicago receives; Dallas filler, Little, Pick #12
Why: DeRozan is expiring, they save money on his contract and get their lotto pick back this year.

Dallas trades: Filler (S&T Woods or Powell)
Dallas receives: Nurkic
Why: Nurkic fills a position of need and would pair well with Doncic.

Resign: Grant, Thybulle, Winslow
Sign: George Hill


PG Lillard / Hill / Johnson
SG Thybulle / Sharpe
SF DeRozan / Winslow
PF Grant / Watford / Walker - #5 Pick
_C Carter Jr / Collins / Eubanks

[JasonStern]

Feel like DDR is kind of a lock given the Bulls collapse, them holding us hostage over Olshey's incompetency, and Dame putting the franchise on notice.
Will probably bite us like the Nets trading the Dame pick for Crash.
But as TSE will point out, Dame is the franchise. And the franchise has refused to go all-in with him or move on.
Dual timelines is great for ticket sales, but sucks if you're an athlete stuck in purgatory.

"WeLl, iF wE aRe TrAdInG #5, I wAnT JaYlEn BrOwn!"

And I want Dončić or Jokic. Doesn't mean #5 can land that.

[PDXKnight]

Feel like DDR is kind of a lock given the Bulls collapse, them holding us hostage over Olshey's incompetency, and Dame putting the franchise on notice.
Will probably bite us like the Nets trading the Dame pick for Crash.
But as TSE will point out, Dame is the franchise. And the franchise has refused to go all-in with him or move on.
Dual timelines is great for ticket sales, but sucks if you're an athlete stuck in purgatory.

"WeLl, iF wE aRe TrAdInG #5, I wAnT JaYlEn BrOwn!"

And I want Dončić or Jokic. Doesn't mean #5 can land that.

Id hate to deal a high pick for derozan but wouldn’t be shocked either. If we trade with chicago at least get lavine but preferably not. And if we trade sharpe it better be no one from chicago…

[Pattycakes]

I’m a bigger fan of full rebuild now, or retool, than continuing throwing random players around Dame and hoping for sudden championship with no real commitment to depth or getting it fully right.

Derozan and Dame pairing with a Grant resigning is a good 4-5 years late to be exciting and we are much better off just going young at this point. But I’ll never believe we actually pull the plug until it happens, so that feels like a good possibility.

No vet depth, young guys still get 15-25 mins a game who shouldn’t be even getting minutes on a championship team - rinse and repeat

[Goldbum]

I’m a bigger fan of full rebuild now, or retool, than continuing throwing random players around Dame and hoping for sudden championship with no real commitment to depth or getting it fully right.

Derozan and Dame pairing with a Grant resigning is a good 4-5 years late to be exciting and we are much better off just going young at this point. But I’ll never believe we actually pull the plug until it happens, so that feels like a good possibility.

No vet depth, young guys still get 15-25 mins a game who shouldn’t be even getting minutes on a championship team - rinse and repeat

This Northwest Sports fans can look at the Russell Wilson trade for a glimpse into what the thinking could be.
We have way too many guys that can play but can't separate themselves.
Knox, Walker, Nas, Reddish, Thybulle, Mays, Eubanks, Watford... 8 guys who can get minutes. The problem is if you ask 10 people to put them in order you probably get 10 different answers.
We need to turn those 8 development pieces into a legit backup big, 1 combo forward who can impact winning, and 1 combo guard who can match up with SGs but still run the offense(actually that COULD be Mays).
Then we tackle the starters. And pepper the roster with role playing veterans with good positional size.
I know this is more roster philosophy than trade idea, but our roster is so dang flat. Chancey isn't a good enough coach yo deploy these JAGs in ways that create positive mismatches.

[HoopsFanAZ]

Feel like DDR is kind of a lock given the Bulls collapse, them holding us hostage over Olshey's incompetency, and Dame putting the franchise on notice.
Will probably bite us like the Nets trading the Dame pick for Crash.
But as TSE will point out, Dame is the franchise. And the franchise has refused to go all-in with him or move on.
Dual timelines is great for ticket sales, but sucks if you're an athlete stuck in purgatory.

"WeLl, iF wE aRe TrAdInG #5, I wAnT JaYlEn BrOwn!"
And I want Dončić or Jokic. Doesn't mean #5 can land that.

Id hate to deal a high pick for derozan but wouldn’t be shocked either. If we trade with chicago at least get lavine but preferably not. And if we trade sharpe it better be no one from chicago…

I wouldn’t want to see DDR for the lottery pick and Simons, either. DDR will be 34 next season, making $28.6 million in the final year of contract. Neither a 3 point shooter nor a D stopper … I absolutely do like him. Simons (age 24) + Nas + #23 = DDR. Lavine (age 28) and Simons for athleticism and Lonzo Ball (if he gets healthy) as a big PG who can defend. Toss in some 2nd rounders? Sure. Blazers keep their lottery pick and free up their future picks. IMHO, this is reasonable for both.

[JasonStern]

Feel like DDR is kind of a lock given the Bulls collapse, them holding us hostage over Olshey's incompetency, and Dame putting the franchise on notice.
Will probably bite us like the Nets trading the Dame pick for Crash.
But as TSE will point out, Dame is the franchise. And the franchise has refused to go all-in with him or move on.
Dual timelines is great for ticket sales, but sucks if you're an athlete stuck in purgatory.

"WeLl, iF wE aRe TrAdInG #5, I wAnT JaYlEn BrOwn!"
And I want Dončić or Jokic. Doesn't mean #5 can land that.

Id hate to deal a high pick for derozan but wouldn’t be shocked either. If we trade with chicago at least get lavine but preferably not. And if we trade sharpe it better be no one from chicago…

I wouldn’t want to see DDR for the lottery pick and Simons, either. DDR will be 34 next season, making $28.6 million in the final year of contract. Neither a 3 point shooter nor a D stopper … I absolutely do like him. Simons (age 24) + Nas + #23 = DDR. Lavine (age 28) and Simons for athleticism and Lonzo Ball (if he gets healthy) as a big PG who can defend. Toss in some 2nd rounders? Sure. Blazers keep their lottery pick and free up their future picks. IMHO, this is reasonable for both.

Big difference between what I want and what I expect. What I'd pay for DeRozan versus what a GM under pressure would pay to keep Dame happy. But again, if the goal is to keep Dame happy, bringing in Grant and then DeRozan while reupping Nurkic is pretty much what you have asked for.

LaVine vs. DeRozan is interesting. LaVine is the better player, but he's fragile and the Blazers are pretty cursed when it comes to player health. And he's owed more. And the asking price is higher. When he's on, he's the guy. But, if you can get DeRozan for less and retain Grant, you can redeem a lot of the malaise Olshey era and make a case that the Blazers actually tried. The try was futile because of a decade of bad management.

Or was it?

Wizenheimer will love this. What if Soap Opera Star Olshey was a great GM? He just wasn't playing for our team. (Jilted lover music plays)

[Norm2953]

Whatever the team does, have realistic expectations for does adding player XX to Dame/Grant
get you 15 wins and a first round matchup they could win?

Think about the type of player needed to get those 15 wins and the cost to acquire player XX
which is at the crux of every win now proposals.

At the very least, settle on the course of action which is in the best interests of the fans and
the franchise

[DusterBuster]

The more I get removed from the season, the more I hope the Blazers do trade Dame.

[JRoy]

The more I get removed from the season, the more I hope the Blazers do trade Dame.

Ah, acceptance.

[BlazersBroncos]

I think Dame foolishly has Billups back, but man cutting that dead fish and signing Nurse would be a godsend.

They may be two of the most opposite coaches in the league - Chauncey a coach with no clue how to coach but liked by the players, Nurse a tremendous X/O guy with elite adjustments who wears on his players (At least that is what I can sus out of this firing).

Do guys want to win? Or want a BFF in the locker room?