Summer 2023 Trade Thread

[JasonStern]

We landed Reddish, Thybulle and the #23 pick for a guy likely to walk. That's a great trade.

Reddish sucks. Knicks fans laughed their assess off when we got him. The Knicks board had a 30 page long thread where they all just bashed Portland's management for not understanding that Cam Reddish is not a professional basketball player and you would be better off playing the dog from Air Bud. At one point, Cam Reddish's dad even chimed in, laughing his ass off that the Blazers were going to pay him actual money to play basketball. Dame called him out without calling him out in an interview. Chauncey Billups was able to get another year as the head coach of a professional basketball team because when your roster includes Cam Reddish, how is anyone realistically expected to win a basketball game?

I like Thybulle and agree that a pick for Hart was a solid return, but the idea that obtaining Cam Reddish was anything other than lighting money on fire that could have went to, I dunno, something positive like child cancer research, is total b.s.

And before everyone snaps, Cam Reddish is a better basketball player than Mario Hezonja. But the fact that we are playing these guys meaningful minutes in actual NBA games says a lot about how our management and ownership views this franchise.

I miss Stotts. Probably the most underrated Blazers coach since Adelman. One time Hezonja ditched practice because he was upset over his cup of coffee. I don't remember if Dutch Bros got his order wrong or what. But imagine being self entitled to a point where you're getting paid over a million dollars, but are so upset about your coffee you don't show up to work. And Stotts has to sit there, trying to coach an actual basketball team while also being a babysitter. For a chucker I could beat at playing HORSE. Drunk. With Brandon-Clyde distracting me with GLBs.

Raymound Fatton's history has been well documented. I also really dislike Nolan Smith, but don't have any stories.

[The Sebastian Express]

Just chiming in to say once again, that IMO it was a massive mistake to let Hart go. The fact that the Blazers let a multi-dimensional winner get away, and will likely sign a single-dimensional player (who hasn't really won games) for too much money in Grant? ...shows that management isn't capable of making winning basketball decisions. /rant.

Hart was almost certainly going to walk in the summer. He's an east coast guy. So is his wife. He gave an interview that mentioned his wife not really liking being so far away from friends and family, by being in portland, because she doesn't like to fly. Unless we SEVERELY overpaid him, he was going to walk for nothing in the offseason. Yes, I'd love to have guys like him on the team. But we've watched plenty of guys walk for nothing. Why do that when he likely told Cronin he'd be leaving in the offseason? We landed Reddish, Thybulle and the #23 pick for a guy likely to walk. That's a great trade.

I think this was also compounded by the very important fact is his wife was (still is?) pregnant with twins and was feeling lonely out here on the west coast when all their family is over on the east coast. While I would've preferred we were able to keep Josh long-term, I think best for Josh and his family money wise and mental health wise was for them to go to the east coast. I'm happy for them and wish them the best. I'm rooting for the Knicks because of him.

[DusterBuster]

We landed Reddish, Thybulle and the #23 pick for a guy likely to walk. That's a great trade.

Reddish sucks. Knicks fans laughed their assess off when we got him. The Knicks board had a 30 page long thread where they all just bashed Portland's management for not understanding that Cam Reddish is not a professional basketball player and you would be better off playing the dog from Air Bud. At one point, Cam Reddish's dad even chimed in, laughing his ass off that the Blazers were going to pay him actual money to play basketball. Dame called him out without calling him out in an interview. Chauncey Billups was able to get another year as the head coach of a professional basketball team because when your roster includes Cam Reddish, how is anyone realistically expected to win a basketball game?

I like Thybulle and agree that a pick for Hart was a solid return, but the idea that obtaining Cam Reddish was anything other than lighting money on fire that could have went to, I dunno, something positive like child cancer research, is total b.s.

And before everyone snaps, Cam Reddish is a better basketball player than Mario Hezonja. But the fact that we are playing these guys meaningful minutes in actual NBA games says a lot about how our management and ownership views this franchise.

I miss Stotts. Probably the most underrated Blazers coach since Adelman. One time Hezonja ditched practice because he was upset over his cup of coffee. I don't remember if Dutch Bros got his order wrong or what. But imagine being self entitled to a point where you're getting paid over a million dollars, but are so upset about your coffee you don't show up to work. And Stotts has to sit there, trying to coach an actual basketball team while also being a babysitter. For a chucker I could beat at playing HORSE. Drunk. With Brandon-Clyde distracting me with GLBs.

Raymound Fatton's history has been well documented. I also really dislike Nolan Smith, but don't have any stories.

I still stand by the deal as a good deal given the Blazers mind was made up they weren't going to pay the freight on Hart. Basically felt Reddish was nothing more than a 'kick the tire' type of player, which seemed what he was. The tire was flat, let him walk and move on.

I also miss Stotts as coach. I thought the defensive criticism were overrated and in the game of Pro's vs Con's, the pro's outweighed the con's for Stotts. Certainly can't saw the same for Chauncey.

[Village Idiot]

Paul George seems like the obvious target now. It would have to be a three or four team deal but value- and money-wise our pick, especially if it ends up at 6 or 7, Simons and Nurkic works.

Dame
Thybulle, Sharpe,
PG13
Grant
FA

Upcoming free agent centers:

Vucevic, B. Lopez, Poetl, Naz Reid, Bryant, Plumlee, Drummond, Mo Wagner, Paul Reed, Eubanks

[DusterBuster]

Paul George seems like the obvious target now. It would have to be a three or four team deal but value- and money-wise our pick, especially if it ends up at 6 or 7, Simons and Nurkic works.

Dame
Thybulle, Sharpe,
PG13
Grant
FA

Upcoming free agent centers:

Vucevic, B. Lopez, Poetl, Naz Reid, Bryant, Plumlee, Drummond, Mo Wagner, Paul Reed, Eubanks

Would Paul and Lillard want to play together? Have they moved on past the "bad shot" in 2019?

Also, is PG a good fit regardless? Lottery pick, Simons and Nurkic is a lot to give up for a guy with PG's injury history and who's going to be a FA in 2024. Talented player when healthy, but I don't love him as a target.

[red_power]

I was ready to label PG as a good fit for a one-and-done run, for a reasonable price of course. And then recall it's going to be difficult for this Blazers roster even to reach playoffs with George nursing his injuries for the half of the season.

[Case2012]

Paul George seems like the obvious target now. It would have to be a three or four team deal but value- and money-wise our pick, especially if it ends up at 6 or 7, Simons and Nurkic works.

Dame
Thybulle, Sharpe,
PG13
Grant
FA

Upcoming free agent centers:

Vucevic, B. Lopez, Poetl, Naz Reid, Bryant, Plumlee, Drummond, Mo Wagner, Paul Reed, Eubanks

Would Paul and Lillard want to play together? Have they moved on past the "bad shot" in 2019?

Also, is PG a good fit regardless? Lottery pick, Simons and Nurkic is a lot to give up for a guy with PG's injury history and who's going to be a FA in 2024. Talented player when healthy, but I don't love him as a target.

They hate each other, it's no secret. That would be a squad if pg stayed healthy but there's zero chance of that. I like how that team looks with plumlee given the options. He had career highs this year across the board at 33, it will be interesting to see what he gets on his next deal. Still, I like him as a target for cheap.

[JasonStern]

Just chiming in to say once again, that IMO it was a massive mistake to let Hart go. The fact that the Blazers let a multi-dimensional winner get away, and will likely sign a single-dimensional player (who hasn't really won games) for too much money in Grant? ...shows that management isn't capable of making winning basketball decisions. /rant.

Hart was almost certainly going to walk in the summer. He's an east coast guy. So is his wife. He gave an interview that mentioned his wife not really liking being so far away from friends and family, by being in portland, because she doesn't like to fly. Unless we SEVERELY overpaid him, he was going to walk for nothing in the offseason. Yes, I'd love to have guys like him on the team. But we've watched plenty of guys walk for nothing. Why do that when he likely told Cronin he'd be leaving in the offseason? We landed Reddish, Thybulle and the #23 pick for a guy likely to walk. That's a great trade.

I think this was also compounded by the very important fact is his wife was (still is?) pregnant with twins and was feeling lonely out here on the west coast when all their family is over on the east coast. While I would've preferred we were able to keep Josh long-term, I think best for Josh and his family money wise and mental health wise was for them to go to the east coast. I'm happy for them and wish them the best. I'm rooting for the Knicks because of him.

Josh was awesome and I miss him. But look at the salary cap situation. It was him, Grant, or a massive tax bill for a mediocre roster. Getting Matisse Thybulle and a late 1st was a solid return knowing that he wasn't going to be retained. That's a better haul than what Detroit got for Grant.

[JasonStern]

Basically felt Reddish was nothing more than a 'kick the tire' type of player, which seemed what he was. The tire was flat, let him walk and move on.

If your goal is to get the #5 pick in the draft lottery, Cam Reddish is the man for the job.

[GEE]

Hart was awesome. A true plug and play guy that you just give ANY assignment, and he does it. He is becomming a big difference maker for the Knicks, and he must be pretty happy with his own situation, one would imagine. Good for him.

I think he was a piece, like all the other current players, that have been part of this team building process since Cronin took office. Unfortunately it can't be built overnight, especially considering how Olshey clearly crapped on the living room rug before he left. I hate to use the word, but it is a process that I think is going nicely, but slower because we missed out on that NO lotto pick, but Hart was handled with class, and we got a good return.

Sharpe I think is the big reason we moved on from Hart, but it also points to the likeliness we resign Grant and Thybulle as a result. Strong core IMO going forward, regardless of what we end up doing about Dame.

[zzaj]

I stand by my point.

Hart, Grant, or a massive tax bill? If I’m trying to win I take Hart…even if it means a tax bill. Grant hasn’t won jack…

Hart’s wife felt lonely out here with family on the East coast? (PS. Where have we heard that same story before?). If that’s what Portland is up against when it comes to acquiring and keeping good professional athletes…If non-star players are forcing the team’s hand with destination demands or destination ultimatums, then Portland will never actually be title level competitive.

And IMO Hart’s departure likely had zero to do with Sharpe.

Again, if the team and management were actually committed to winning, they figure out ways to keep the players that help them win. You don’t overpay seriously flawed players like Grant.

Lillard/Hart/Sharpe could have potentially been the best 3 guard lineup the team has had in decades.

[Village Idiot]

a Brooklyn trade that actually makes sense is:

Brooklyn trades:

Nic Claxton
Ben Simmons
#21 pick

Portland trades:

Anfernee Simons
Jusuf Nurkic
Nassir Little

Brooklyn gets one Mikal Bridges buddies, only its Simons and not Lillard. Simons makes a lot more sense for them given their timeline and need for a go-to-guy and three point shooting. They also unload Simmons and get a 3 and D guy in Little.

Portland gets a defensive oriented center so they can finally get rid of the drop coverage necessitated by Nurkic. They lock Ben Simmons in a gym all summer with Damian Lillard. The #21 goes to the Bulls to settle that debt.

[BlazersBroncos]

Regardless of our other moves and draft lotto position, if I was in the FO I would throw the MLE at Paul Reed the moment FA started. Not often you could potentially snag a guy as young and still w/ potential in FA like Reed. 76'ers probably match, but with Harden a UFA they may lose Paul while negotiating w/ Harden.

The energy, athleticism, switchability and rebounding Reed would bring would be huge for this squad.

[Goldbum]

Regardless of our other moves and draft lotto position, if I was in the FO I would throw the MLE at Paul Reed the moment FA started. Not often you could potentially snag a guy as young and still w/ potential in FA like Reed. 76'ers probably match, but with Harden a UFA they may lose Paul while negotiating w/ Harden.

The energy, athleticism, switchability and rebounding Reed would bring would be huge for this squad.

I wanted Reed in the draft. Do we want another tweener 4 though? Would prefer a center. Maybe Bamba? Reed is a better player for sure..

[BlazersBroncos]

Reed can play either big spot off the bench and is proving himself playoff rotation worthy. Bamba is a idea, not a player. He cant get on the floor for LAL.

I wouldnt pay Bamba more than the BAE, and I dont think he would win out in a TC battle for the backup spot w/ Eubanks.

[Village Idiot]

Reed can play either big spot off the bench and is proving himself playoff rotation worthy. Bamba is a idea, not a player. He cant get on the floor for LAL.

I wouldnt pay Bamba more than the BAE, and I dont think he would win out in a TC battle for the backup spot w/ Eubanks.

I used to have a lot of hope that Bamba would "get it". He has all the tools and is even a bright guy but I don't think he's ever going to become a quality basketball player. Would rather sigh Drummond as the back-up or third string center.

[BlazersBroncos]

Reed can play either big spot off the bench and is proving himself playoff rotation worthy. Bamba is a idea, not a player. He cant get on the floor for LAL.

I wouldnt pay Bamba more than the BAE, and I dont think he would win out in a TC battle for the backup spot w/ Eubanks.

I used to have a lot of hope that Bamba would "get it". He has all the tools and is even a bright guy but I don't think he's ever going to become a quality basketball player. Would rather sigh Drummond as the back-up or third string center.

Eubanks was better than Drummond this past year in nearly every advanced metric. I dont get the drive to move off Eubanks. He is a quality backup C. All the advanced metrics show this. I think if Eubanks leaves it wont be due to PDX snagging a backup C upgrade, but due to a contending caliber team snagging him. He is going to be very appealing to winning teams that want a low usage, high motor C who plays within himself.

[Village Idiot]

Reed can play either big spot off the bench and is proving himself playoff rotation worthy. Bamba is a idea, not a player. He cant get on the floor for LAL.

I wouldnt pay Bamba more than the BAE, and I dont think he would win out in a TC battle for the backup spot w/ Eubanks.

I used to have a lot of hope that Bamba would "get it". He has all the tools and is even a bright guy but I don't think he's ever going to become a quality basketball player. Would rather sigh Drummond as the back-up or third string center.

Eubanks was better than Drummond this past year in nearly every advanced metric. I dont get the drive to move off Eubanks. He is a quality backup C. All the advanced metrics show this. I think if Eubanks leaves it wont be due to PDX snagging a backup C upgrade, but due to a contending caliber team snagging him. He is going to be very appealing to winning teams that want a low usage, high motor C who plays within himself.

Sorry that I wasn't clear. I too like Eubanks. I would want Drummond in addition to Drew. Sometimes we would need a more bulky center, especially if we manage to upgrade from Nurkic to someone more mobile. Injuries and fouls happen. At a minimum contract level having two backup is better than one

[Case2012]

Drummond rebounds at an elite level and he's huge. He's still technically in his prime and pretty mobile. I would sign him in a beat to a vet minimum deal as a back up or 3rd string guy.

[BlazersBroncos]

I guess the vet min as a 3rd stringer would be fine, but in the last 3 seasons 4 win-now teams have brought Andre Drummond on board to be their backup big man and all 4 have walked away from him after a short amount of time - LAL, PHI, BRK and now CHI.

I dont think trying to be the 5th team to offer Andre the backup C role would be a smart investment. I dont really believe in 5th times the charm type thinking.