Early discussion on the 2023 offseason

[3pt_chucker]

I don't disagree that trading for Dame solves this teams issues alone but it can set the team on the right path to do so. I'm not proposing for a Dame trade but it make sense on multiple levels(I won't elaborate in an effort to keep this post short). He's not a savior or the only option but trading for him is by far one of the better options that's currently available. To be frank, you just sound jaded from the losing and disappointment more than anything else, which I totally get.

This team has plenty of good talent and pieces but I think has been severely impacted by (a) zero real bigs or PGs and (b) inept coaching. Getting passable players at either PG/C and an improved staff (better assistants around JV), can make a huge difference by itself.

Also the Nets clearly have assets... I just showed you what they have from the Bobby Marks tweet. Get that idea out your head right now as it's simply not true. The only assets the Nets don't have is their own picks until 2028, which means they should avoid tanking as much as possible. Nets can trade for Dame and have plenty left over for more moves with prudent GM-ing.

Simmons playing Center was not why he went to IR. He has the body weight and strength to do it. Look at how he was able to guard Embiid in the post and that was him far from 100%. His problems stemmed from getting knee soreness which is a common problem that occurs post-back surgery from overload/compensation. Look it up if you think I'm BS-ing. I believe his future (if he wants to keep playing) is as a point C/PF, in similar vein to what Sabonis/Draymond is now. He might just not want to play this way tho.

Regardless, I only put him there as a placeholder post Dame trade and not a real solution since I don't buy he has the work ethic or drive to be a better player.

'i just think we need some time to redvelop the culture and cultivate young talent.

This constant need to move from on star to the next is toxic.

I would way rather work on getting Simmons back to an all star level player, develop Bridges/Claxton/Cam J. And draft some young guys and give them real playing time.

Trading for Dame puts immediate Championship expectations back on this team. And forces us to once again morgtage our short term future.

Granted Dame is 100x the locker room guy KD/Kyrie/Harden are. But hes also never been able to be good enough to breakthrough.

And its generally very hard to win with a small PG as your best player. Outside of Curry.

"Redevelop the culture" is BS GM speak when they want to solidify their jobs security from fans and media. It's means very little in actual basketball terms and winning.

It's fine to grow organically but the history of the NBA has shown over and over again, you need legit star players to contend (not just make the playoffs) and usually a superstar to win the whole thing.

There are 3 ways to acquire one of those guys: draft, FA, trade. Drafts are the most volatile unless you get a top 3 pick, which the Nets won't have for many years to come. FA is not an option for another couple seasons at least. Trade is the best option currently and should definitely be explored and not dismissed.

You say "mortgage our short term future" but what would the Nets be mortgaging exactly? They do not have a blue chip prospect under 25, they don't have full control over their own pick until 2028 draft, so at best they will be dumpster diving at the back end of drafts and/or hoping that the Suns and Philly massively implode. The Nets best players (Bridges and Johnson) are already at their beginning of their peak (late 20s), so either trade them and push the timeline back or build around them to maximize their window assuming you believe they are franchise building points. There is no sense waiting till they are in their 30s, hoping a late 1st rounder becomes a superstar to push the team over the edge.

Lastly, I actually agree that small guards as the #1 limits what you can do in team building and reduces your margin for error on both ends of the floor(personnel and scheme). I just disagree with the strawman that trading for Dame = nothing else can be done after to build around him narrative that's being repeated over and over. Marks has to be thinking multiple moves ahead and not a one move to fix all type of thing. Dame would be an excellent start IMO, considering the main realistic alternatives (ex: Trae, KAT)

[Riconet]

'i just think we need some time to redvelop the culture and cultivate young talent.

This constant need to move from on star to the next is toxic.

I would way rather work on getting Simmons back to an all star level player, develop Bridges/Claxton/Cam J. And draft some young guys and give them real playing time.

Trading for Dame puts immediate Championship expectations back on this team. And forces us to once again morgtage our short term future.

Granted Dame is 100x the locker room guy KD/Kyrie/Harden are. But hes also never been able to be good enough to breakthrough.

And its generally very hard to win with a small PG as your best player. Outside of Curry.

There is a very real possibility that Simmons is done as a good NBA player, whether due to physical limitations, lack of desire or both. Frankly I think it's 75% likely that this is the case, and Marks and JV may have determined that this is the case. If so, they need to get rid of him so they can use the cap space. Folding him into a trade for an expensive older guy on a rebuilding team who can still play at a very high level, like Dame, may be the best avenue to do so.

Also, Cam J is 27 and Bridges turns 27 this summer. They aren't on the down slope yet but it's not like they are young development players either. They will probably (hopefully!) continue to improve their basketball smarts and mental toughness -- both of them faded down the stretch in several of the Sixers games -- but they are squarely in their athletic primes.

[CalamityX12]

I don't disagree that trading for Dame solves this teams issues alone but it can set the team on the right path to do so. I'm not proposing for a Dame trade but it make sense on multiple levels(I won't elaborate in an effort to keep this post short). He's not a savior or the only option but trading for him is by far one of the better options that's currently available. To be frank, you just sound jaded from the losing and disappointment more than anything else, which I totally get.

This team has plenty of good talent and pieces but I think has been severely impacted by (a) zero real bigs or PGs and (b) inept coaching. Getting passable players at either PG/C and an improved staff (better assistants around JV), can make a huge difference by itself.

Also the Nets clearly have assets... I just showed you what they have from the Bobby Marks tweet. Get that idea out your head right now as it's simply not true. The only assets the Nets don't have is their own picks until 2028, which means they should avoid tanking as much as possible. Nets can trade for Dame and have plenty left over for more moves with prudent GM-ing.

Simmons playing Center was not why he went to IR. He has the body weight and strength to do it. Look at how he was able to guard Embiid in the post and that was him far from 100%. His problems stemmed from getting knee soreness which is a common problem that occurs post-back surgery from overload/compensation. Look it up if you think I'm BS-ing. I believe his future (if he wants to keep playing) is as a point C/PF, in similar vein to what Sabonis/Draymond is now. He might just not want to play this way tho.

Regardless, I only put him there as a placeholder post Dame trade and not a real solution since I don't buy he has the work ethic or drive to be a better player.

Right, nor I'm taking you or anyone with that opinion as a pusher for the move. It's hypothetical, offseason discussions we can have amongst us.

The only jaded I could yes to that assumption is at our effort and coaching for gm 3 n 4... Absolute disappointing. I predicted being swept here so even with that correct predication I still came out hating us more. Why? 100% on our compete level along with coaching. I could go by seeing us go down fighting, which I anticipated us to do, try try try but to fall short due to the disadvantages... but gm 3 had Harden tossed out in the game where we had a lead(IIRC) and gm 4 had no Embiid at all.... but we lost both... so to me... that's just unacceptable... can't root for that. Bad flaws and bad decisions had to have happened for that to blow up in our faces. Mind you, watching the other teams around playing harder and harder.... doesn't exactly make things easier seeing our colors.

We need those picks, IMO, more than we need Dame. Dame is a fit, IMO, more for a team ready to contend and/or needing that extra piece. We're far from that stage anymore. We need a reset and rebrand.... We only made it to the playoffs due to that 18 win month, other than that, we were B lining into the lottery at ease. The picks need to rebuild the team, without them, we're not having much room to improve. Whether we draft them or use them for other non-Dame like trades.... like if i was asked, would i bulk that pkg for Dame or that pkg plus more for a Luka level, bet your butt I'm preaching luka.

Can't underestimate the wear and tear of playing C. Simmons, even with size similar to today's big in some cases always had the edge body wise vs his position counterparts however on the C positions, he doesn't have that edge or experience to bang so he would not be put in the best place to succeed. He won't win rebounds, blocks, box out, fight... his lack of shooting aid doesn't bring the big guy out from the paint to chance a drive by to the rim(not to mention, he doesn't even drive by lol).

[TheNetsFan]

From the Ringer today:

Where do the Nets go from here?

What a year! Brooklyn entered this season as a title contender. The team left it as a speed bump. What now? Bridges’s emergence as someone capable of assuming a top-shelf scorer’s burden—after the trade deadline, only Zach LaVine took more shots—and potentially becoming an All-Star is massive. Claxton became one of the league’s best defenders, and there’s suddenly draft capital for the Nets to dangle this summer in a trade.

What they need is obvious. Before Game 3, Jacque Vaughn was asked about his team’s inability to get downhill and create shots attacking the paint. He sat back, looked toward the ceiling, and spoke the truth. “I’m just going to be as simple as possible,” Vaughn said. “It’s personnel.”

The numbers say that before they were eliminated over the weekend, Brooklyn led the postseason in drives per 100 possessions, and only three teams did it more after the trade deadline. But by and large, the Nets weren’t at all effective in the way Vaughn means.

Translation: Brooklyn has fantastic supporting pieces and role players. All it needs to complement, accentuate, and uplift its army of two-way wings is a flamethrowing point guard. Preferably one who can create his own shots, draw two defenders, run effective pick-and-rolls, and balance out the roster, which is desperate for more playmaking.

This summer the Nets may have two marquee options. The first is Trae Young. For a variety of reasons that are self-explanatory to anyone who’s watched the Atlanta Hawks play basketball for the past two years, Sean Marks may be unwilling to go down that road. The second is Damian Lillard, who just so happened to be at Barclays Center last week and is also close with Bridges.

Lillard is one of the NBA’s top 75 players of all time and is coming off his best season. He also has proven leadership chops that would enrich Brooklyn’s culture instead of plunging it into acid. Dame’s on-court weaknesses would be hidden in the shrubbery of the long, versatile defense, which can provide exactly what he’s never had all these years in Portland.

Brooklyn can move Spencer Dinwiddie to the bench and give itself a Sixth Man of the Year candidate, then unleash Bridges as the capable no. 2 offensive option he’s more suited to being. The Nets don’t have any intriguing young players to offer. What they do have is Ben Simmons’s contract, Patty Mills, four unprotected first-round picks from the Suns, one unprotected first-round pick from the Mavericks, and their own first-round pick in 2029.

Blazers fans won’t like my hypothetical trade, but for a team that’s stuck between two separate timelines and could rebuild around Shaedon Sharpe, Anfernee Simons, and whoever they get in this year’s draft (Portland has a 10.5 percent chance at landing Victor Wembanyama), it’s pretty damn good.

And if Lillard has his eyes set on playing for the Nets—which he should?—Portland will likely acquiesce in favor of other offers that are theoretically more favorable. They’ll do right by the best player in franchise history.

https://www.theringer.com/nba/2023/4/24/23695660/nba-lakers-grizzlies-lebron-james-ja-morant

I'm starting to come around to this.

- Simmons, O'Neale and 3 1sts for Dame
- Unload Harris elsewhere to create cap space
- Sign Draymond as a FA

Dame
Bridges
CJ
Draymond
Clax

bench: Dinwiddie, DFS, Sharpe, Sumner

I'd be pretty excited about that lineup.

Draymond? The Nets won't have cap space. Is he settling for the tax MLE? If they go the Dame route, I can see them targeting a Tobias Harris caliber PF (feasible if Harden leaves Philly). I wouldn't put it past Marks to try to buy low on John Collins, who could be a nice fit if he can bounce back from a poor season.

[Papi_swav]

Ben Simmons, Patty Mills, Cam Thomas , one of our picks this year, Suns 2025 1st, and one of the later picks we got with a lottery protection for Dame. Final offer, take it or leave it. Anything more is a dub

Then we flip Joe Harris, DFS and Din for something else.

Pass.

We can do better.

You can? Name the trade package then.

he can't lol and if he does it'll be something unrealistic ofcourse

[MrDollarBills]

I dunno why anyone is talking about us signing players. We're capped out and the roster as is right now is probably a bottom 8 team.

[MrDollarBills]

I don't disagree that trading for Dame solves this teams issues alone but it can set the team on the right path to do so. I'm not proposing for a Dame trade but it make sense on multiple levels(I won't elaborate in an effort to keep this post short). He's not a savior or the only option but trading for him is by far one of the better options that's currently available. To be frank, you just sound jaded from the losing and disappointment more than anything else, which I totally get.

This team has plenty of good talent and pieces but I think has been severely impacted by (a) zero real bigs or PGs and (b) inept coaching. Getting passable players at either PG/C and an improved staff (better assistants around JV), can make a huge difference by itself.

Also the Nets clearly have assets... I just showed you what they have from the Bobby Marks tweet. Get that idea out your head right now as it's simply not true. The only assets the Nets don't have is their own picks until 2028, which means they should avoid tanking as much as possible. Nets can trade for Dame and have plenty left over for more moves with prudent GM-ing.

Simmons playing Center was not why he went to IR. He has the body weight and strength to do it. Look at how he was able to guard Embiid in the post and that was him far from 100%. His problems stemmed from getting knee soreness which is a common problem that occurs post-back surgery from overload/compensation. Look it up if you think I'm BS-ing. I believe his future (if he wants to keep playing) is as a point C/PF, in similar vein to what Sabonis/Draymond is now. He might just not want to play this way tho.

Regardless, I only put him there as a placeholder post Dame trade and not a real solution since I don't buy he has the work ethic or drive to be a better player.

'i just think we need some time to redvelop the culture and cultivate young talent.

This constant need to move from on star to the next is toxic.

I would way rather work on getting Simmons back to an all star level player, develop Bridges/Claxton/Cam J. And draft some young guys and give them real playing time.

Trading for Dame puts immediate Championship expectations back on this team. And forces us to once again morgtage our short term future.

Granted Dame is 100x the locker room guy KD/Kyrie/Harden are. But hes also never been able to be good enough to breakthrough.

And its generally very hard to win with a small PG as your best player. Outside of Curry.

Question: Bridges is pushing 30. How long do you feasibly want to wait?

[JRoy]

Pass.

We can do better.

You can? Name the trade package then.

he can't lol and if he does it'll be something unrealistic ofcourse

Have already done so;

Lillard
Nurkic

For Simmons
Claxton
2-3 FRP

Salt to taste

[3pt_chucker]

Rockets sign Ime to zero fuss by anybody because apparently his situation is no longer toxic after just a couple of months **pretends to be shocked**

[3pt_chucker]

You can? Name the trade package then.

he can't lol and if he does it'll be something unrealistic ofcourse

Have already done so;

Lillard
Nurkic

For Simmons
Claxton
2-3 FRP

Salt to taste

You'd accept that as a Blazers fan??

That's a great trade for the Nets.

[Hello Brooklyn]

I don't disagree that trading for Dame solves this teams issues alone but it can set the team on the right path to do so. I'm not proposing for a Dame trade but it make sense on multiple levels(I won't elaborate in an effort to keep this post short). He's not a savior or the only option but trading for him is by far one of the better options that's currently available. To be frank, you just sound jaded from the losing and disappointment more than anything else, which I totally get.

This team has plenty of good talent and pieces but I think has been severely impacted by (a) zero real bigs or PGs and (b) inept coaching. Getting passable players at either PG/C and an improved staff (better assistants around JV), can make a huge difference by itself.

Also the Nets clearly have assets... I just showed you what they have from the Bobby Marks tweet. Get that idea out your head right now as it's simply not true. The only assets the Nets don't have is their own picks until 2028, which means they should avoid tanking as much as possible. Nets can trade for Dame and have plenty left over for more moves with prudent GM-ing.

Simmons playing Center was not why he went to IR. He has the body weight and strength to do it. Look at how he was able to guard Embiid in the post and that was him far from 100%. His problems stemmed from getting knee soreness which is a common problem that occurs post-back surgery from overload/compensation. Look it up if you think I'm BS-ing. I believe his future (if he wants to keep playing) is as a point C/PF, in similar vein to what Sabonis/Draymond is now. He might just not want to play this way tho.

Regardless, I only put him there as a placeholder post Dame trade and not a real solution since I don't buy he has the work ethic or drive to be a better player.

'i just think we need some time to redvelop the culture and cultivate young talent.

This constant need to move from on star to the next is toxic.

I would way rather work on getting Simmons back to an all star level player, develop Bridges/Claxton/Cam J. And draft some young guys and give them real playing time.

Trading for Dame puts immediate Championship expectations back on this team. And forces us to once again morgtage our short term future.

Granted Dame is 100x the locker room guy KD/Kyrie/Harden are. But hes also never been able to be good enough to breakthrough.

And its generally very hard to win with a small PG as your best player. Outside of Curry.

"Redevelop the culture" is BS GM speak when they want to solidify their jobs security from fans and media. It's means very little in actual basketball terms and winning.

It's fine to grow organically but the history of the NBA has shown over and over again, you need legit star players to contend (not just make the playoffs) and usually a superstar to win the whole thing.

There are 3 ways to acquire one of those guys: draft, FA, trade. Drafts are the most volatile unless you get a top 3 pick, which the Nets won't have for many years to come. FA is not an option for another couple seasons at least. Trade is the best option currently and should definitely be explored and not dismissed.

You say "mortgage our short term future" but what would the Nets be mortgaging exactly? They do not have a blue chip prospect under 25, they don't have full control over their own pick until 2028 draft, so at best they will be dumpster diving at the back end of drafts and/or hoping that the Suns and Philly massively implode. The Nets best players (Bridges and Johnson) are already at their beginning of their peak (late 20s), so either trade them and push the timeline back or build around them to maximize their window assuming you believe they are franchise building points. There is no sense waiting till they are in their 30s, hoping a late 1st rounder becomes a superstar to push the team over the edge.

Lastly, I actually agree that small guards as the #1 limits what you can do in team building and reduces your margin for error on both ends of the floor(personnel and scheme). I just disagree with the strawman that trading for Dame = nothing else can be done after to build around him narrative that's being repeated over and over. Marks has to be thinking multiple moves ahead and not a one move to fix all type of thing. Dame would be an excellent start IMO, considering the main realistic alternatives (ex: Trae, KAT)

I have news for you.

A 32 year old Lillard, who is injury prone, due to make 60 million at age 36 is not a "legit star."

He literally couldn't even get his team to the play in round. Nor has he even come close to seriously contending for a Championship.

If we could get Giannis or Jokic I would be seriously listening.

This is just a waste of time, and mindless star chasing for further medicority.

The Nets would be giving up picks that could turn into star players. Especially with the Suns/Mavs looking like they might collapse in the next few years.

The future is giving up the chance to draft a star ourselves since we have no picks. Or save those assets later so we could get a guy like Luka, Giannis, Embiid etc.

The Suns/Mavs could easily collapse and hand us a top 5 pick. Luka is already looking like he might ask out. CP3/KD are on their last legs.

Giving it all up for Lillard makes no sense. Sorry.

Bridges/Johnson are not young. But they have a few more years in their 20s before we can look to build a contender. And worst case we just trade them for a ton of assets.

I'm not basing my entire franchise of Bridges timeline. As much as I like him. Hes not a franchise guy.

Once we trade for Dame, assets will be diminshed and we won't be able to get another high level star. Or draft one.

[Tha King]

Lillard would be repeating the same scenario over again for the third time, just because. And for what? To be a 4 or 5 seed? You add him to this group right now as is without trading anyone and it's still not better than the Bucks, Celtics, or Sixers who would have better #1, #2, and #3 options. If Mobley and Garland keep progressing the Cavs would be more talented as well.

He's played a total of 87 games the last two seasons. He had a great year (when he played) this year but the fall off for a player at his point in his career can be drastic and quick - Harden was MVP caliber year one on the team to barely an all star the following year. When you consider his contract, you could only imagine the ramifications that would have on the team in a scenario where he falls off and you have no cap flexibility and draft picks.

I also don't understand why he'd even be interested in going to the Nets. If he's actually leaving the Blazers you have to imagine it'll be to a team where he's contending day one and not one that would be slightly more talented than his group right now. The Heat seem like the team that makes the most sense and they could probably put together something more compelling.

This team is not close imo. The Hawks, Raptors, and Heat are more talented and they are play-in level. Bridges is not a level of player you rush a retool for. If the Rockets get Harden and they want to contend trading him for the picks back and some more could be the way to go so this roster can be properly rebuilt.

[JRoy]

he can't lol and if he does it'll be something unrealistic ofcourse

Have already done so;

Lillard
Nurkic

For Simmons
Claxton
2-3 FRP

Salt to taste

You'd accept that as a Blazers fan??

That's a great trade for the Nets.

That’s the neighborhood of what I would be willing to do.

[Marvin Martian]

Lillard would be repeating the same scenario over again for the third time, just because. And for what? To be a 4 or 5 seed? You add him to this group right now as is without trading anyone and it's still not better than the Bucks, Celtics, or Sixers who would have better #1, #2, and #3 options. If Mobley and Garland keep progressing the Cavs would be more talented as well.

He's played a total of 87 games the last two seasons. He had a great year (when he played) this year but the fall off for a player at his point in his career can be drastic and quick - Harden was MVP caliber year one on the team to barely an all star the following year. When you consider his contract, you could only imagine the ramifications that would have on the team in a scenario where he falls off and you have no cap flexibility and draft picks.

I also don't understand why he'd even be interested in going to the Nets. If he's actually leaving the Blazers you have to imagine it'll be to a team where he's contending day one and not one that would be slightly more talented than his group right now. The Heat seem like the team that makes the most sense and they could probably put together something more compelling.

This team is not close imo. The Hawks, Raptors, and Heat are more talented and they are play-in level. Bridges is not a level of player you rush a retool for. If the Rockets get Harden and they want to contend trading him for the picks back and some more could be the way to go so this roster can be properly rebuilt.

It's not his talent that is the issue. It is his contract. You basically have an all star level player for role player money for the next 4 years. Once his contract is up, he will demand close to 200M at the rate he is going. At that point, you are treadmilling. This gives the team a 4 year window to win a ring.

Lillard is not the answer IMO, but Marks needs to make a play for star talent this offseason.

[TheNetsFan]

Have already done so;

Lillard
Nurkic

For Simmons
Claxton
2-3 FRP

Salt to taste

You'd accept that as a Blazers fan??

That's a great trade for the Nets.

That’s the neighborhood of what I would be willing to do.

Claxton and Nurkic inclusions are a no go in my opinion. I don't think it's even legal salary wise and will have the Nets flirting with the second apron for years. Simmons, Thomas and 3 FRPs is more likely.

[TheNetsFan]

I don't disagree that trading for Dame solves this teams issues alone but it can set the team on the right path to do so. I'm not proposing for a Dame trade but it make sense on multiple levels(I won't elaborate in an effort to keep this post short). He's not a savior or the only option but trading for him is by far one of the better options that's currently available. To be frank, you just sound jaded from the losing and disappointment more than anything else, which I totally get.

This team has plenty of good talent and pieces but I think has been severely impacted by (a) zero real bigs or PGs and (b) inept coaching. Getting passable players at either PG/C and an improved staff (better assistants around JV), can make a huge difference by itself.

Also the Nets clearly have assets... I just showed you what they have from the Bobby Marks tweet. Get that idea out your head right now as it's simply not true. The only assets the Nets don't have is their own picks until 2028, which means they should avoid tanking as much as possible. Nets can trade for Dame and have plenty left over for more moves with prudent GM-ing.

Simmons playing Center was not why he went to IR. He has the body weight and strength to do it. Look at how he was able to guard Embiid in the post and that was him far from 100%. His problems stemmed from getting knee soreness which is a common problem that occurs post-back surgery from overload/compensation. Look it up if you think I'm BS-ing. I believe his future (if he wants to keep playing) is as a point C/PF, in similar vein to what Sabonis/Draymond is now. He might just not want to play this way tho.

Regardless, I only put him there as a placeholder post Dame trade and not a real solution since I don't buy he has the work ethic or drive to be a better player.

'i just think we need some time to redvelop the culture and cultivate young talent.

This constant need to move from on star to the next is toxic.

I would way rather work on getting Simmons back to an all star level player, develop Bridges/Claxton/Cam J. And draft some young guys and give them real playing time.

Trading for Dame puts immediate Championship expectations back on this team. And forces us to once again morgtage our short term future.

Granted Dame is 100x the locker room guy KD/Kyrie/Harden are. But hes also never been able to be good enough to breakthrough.

And its generally very hard to win with a small PG as your best player. Outside of Curry.

Question: Bridges is pushing 30. How long do you feasibly want to wait?

Bridges is currently 26 years old. "Pushing 30" is hyperbole.

That being said, a Dame trade can't happen in a vacuum. If we go in for Dame, the front court needs to be upgraded as well.

[JRoy]

You'd accept that as a Blazers fan??

That's a great trade for the Nets.

That’s the neighborhood of what I would be willing to do.

Simmons and Nurkic inclusions are a no go in my opinion. I don't think it's even legal salary wise and will have the Nets flirting with the second apron for years. Simmons, Thomas and 3 FRPs is more likely.

Full stop.

Zero interest in another tiny chucker.

If this is the proposed deal POR will look elsewhere.

[Tha King]

Lillard would be repeating the same scenario over again for the third time, just because. And for what? To be a 4 or 5 seed? You add him to this group right now as is without trading anyone and it's still not better than the Bucks, Celtics, or Sixers who would have better #1, #2, and #3 options. If Mobley and Garland keep progressing the Cavs would be more talented as well.

He's played a total of 87 games the last two seasons. He had a great year (when he played) this year but the fall off for a player at his point in his career can be drastic and quick - Harden was MVP caliber year one on the team to barely an all star the following year. When you consider his contract, you could only imagine the ramifications that would have on the team in a scenario where he falls off and you have no cap flexibility and draft picks.

I also don't understand why he'd even be interested in going to the Nets. If he's actually leaving the Blazers you have to imagine it'll be to a team where he's contending day one and not one that would be slightly more talented than his group right now. The Heat seem like the team that makes the most sense and they could probably put together something more compelling.

This team is not close imo. The Hawks, Raptors, and Heat are more talented and they are play-in level. Bridges is not a level of player you rush a retool for. If the Rockets get Harden and they want to contend trading him for the picks back and some more could be the way to go so this roster can be properly rebuilt.

It's not his talent that is the issue. It is his contract. You basically have an all star level player for role player money for the next 4 years. Once his contract is up, he will demand close to 200M at the rate he is going. At that point, you are treadmilling. This gives the team a 4 year window to win a ring.

Lillard is not the answer IMO, but Marks needs to make a play for star talent this offseason.

Yea I get that, but again, this roster at present is so far off from even thinking about contention. It's a #1 and a #2 away. You then have a max player just taking up a roster spot which makes it incredibly difficult to compete while that's happening.

I think if the Rockets offer the picks back (plus more) for Bridges that could be the best long term route. I get not wanting to do that though so what star(s) are you thinking?

[Eatgreenz]

Could be a chance mavs could trade us the 10th pick if they get it for DFS back

[Tha King]

I just think while Simmons is on the roster as a max player it's going to be very difficult to maneuver through that and put together a cohesive team. Just taking up too much of the roster. If he regains some form that changes the calculus.

If you go the route of just getting the picks back and rebuilding properly, you could then trade CJ, DFS, O'Neale and Din for more picks. That's possibly at least three more firsts plus whatever extra you get from the Rockets for Bridges. I'd rather go that route then try to add to a current group that is less talented than play-in teams in the conference.

Use the next two years while Simmons is on the roster to develop whatever is left on the roster and go into 2025 FA with probably the most picks in the entire league and ample cap space.