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

[DusterBuster]

Regardless of the Dame situation and whether he decides to stay or go, I am perfectly happy moving forward with a 1-3 core of Simons/Sharpe/Grant/Thybulle. Adding Scoot to this feels like repeating a long dumb mistake that we are just about to get out of, plus it wouldn't help our PF/C rotation one bit.

I'm all for trading the #3 pick, but not to appease Dame and a player not near his timeline. I want to use that #3 pick, and as many other future picks a needed to get our PF & C for the future. #3 should get us one of the two, and I'd also like to go hard after RUI once this game 4 is over.

Dame / Nurkic / Expendables / Picks <<-->> Claxton / Simmons / Dinwiddie / RUI / M.Williams

Simons / Dinwiddie
Sharpe / Thybulle
Grant
Simmons / RUI
Claxton / Williams

Not sure who stays or goes: Keon / Little / Knox / Watford / Walker / Eubanks

This might be the single worst trade I’ve seen on here. High bar you cleared there sir or madame as the case may be.

[Norm2953]

Regardless of the Dame situation and whether he decides to stay or go, I am perfectly happy moving forward with a 1-3 core of Simons/Sharpe/Grant/Thybulle. Adding Scoot to this feels like repeating a long dumb mistake that we are just about to get out of, plus it wouldn't help our PF/C rotation one bit.

I'm all for trading the #3 pick, but not to appease Dame and a player not near his timeline. I want to use that #3 pick, and as many other future picks a needed to get our PF & C for the future. #3 should get us one of the two, and I'd also like to go hard after RUI once this game 4 is over.

Dame / Nurkic / Expendables / Picks <<-->> Claxton / Simmons / Dinwiddie / RUI / M.Williams

Simons / Dinwiddie
Sharpe / Thybulle
Grant
Simmons / RUI
Claxton / Williams

Not sure who stays or goes: Keon / Little / Knox / Watford / Walker / Eubanks

I've watched the Victor/Scoot game a couple of times.

Scoot is a guy who relentlessly attacks the basket offensively and appears to be a bit like Patrick Beverly
defensively. Solidly built, great leaper, speed but only has a developing jump shot.

Blazers BC with Thybulle next to him would really be tough defensively but he's not like the typical Blazers
guard for we haven't had a plus defender in our BC since perhaps Wesley Matthews.

[The Sebastian Express]

Man wants to trade Dame for Simmons and then the third pick for Mark Williams, who will be behind Claxton as part of the Dame trade.

[Norm2953]

This was Highkin. He's pretty well connected with the team.

Trading 3 is most likely. Blazers would move that for Bridges in a heartbeat but it seems like the Nets aren't that interested in moving him. Outside of Bridges, I would think Siakam, Brown, KAT, level players all seem to be the Blazers target.

God help us all

Yes… having All Star talent… “god help us all” indeed.

I swear some people are allergic to acquiring talent.

Towns has a $224 Million/4 contract that the T wolves would be ecstatic to be rid of. How could Portland
field a competitive team with Dame/Towns taking up $120 million between them?

[The Sebastian Express]

God help us all

Yes… having All Star talent… “god help us all” indeed.

I swear some people are allergic to acquiring talent.

Towns has a $224 Million/4 contract that the T wolves would be ecstatic to be rid of. How could Portland
field a competitive team with Dame/Towns taking up $120 million between them?

Dame and Towns would only make a combined 82million or so next year. The 120 million per year between the two starts to happen after 2024-2025, which is also when the current NBA tv deals expire and will set to be renegotiated. The general consensus there is a higher deal and thus an increase in cap, meaning we will likely see a spike (though maybe more evened out than last time) and that 120 million is not 90% of the cap.

[GEE]

Regardless of the Dame situation and whether he decides to stay or go, I am perfectly happy moving forward with a 1-3 core of Simons/Sharpe/Grant/Thybulle. Adding Scoot to this feels like repeating a long dumb mistake that we are just about to get out of, plus it wouldn't help our PF/C rotation one bit.

I'm all for trading the #3 pick, but not to appease Dame and a player not near his timeline. I want to use that #3 pick, and as many other future picks a needed to get our PF & C for the future. #3 should get us one of the two, and I'd also like to go hard after RUI once this game 4 is over.

Dame / Nurkic / Expendables / Picks <<-->> Claxton / Simmons / Dinwiddie / RUI / M.Williams

Simons / Dinwiddie
Sharpe / Thybulle
Grant
Simmons / RUI
Claxton / Williams

Not sure who stays or goes: Keon / Little / Knox / Watford / Walker / Eubanks

This might be the single worst trade I’ve seen on here. High bar you cleared there sir or madame as the case may be.

I think YOU are mistaken... I'm pretty sure I've posted far worse.

If you look and or read, you'll clearly see that a trade idea isn't the point I'm making. jeez.

[GEE]

Man wants to trade Dame for Simmons and then the third pick for Mark Williams, who will be behind Claxton as part of the Dame trade.

Yes I do. I'd start with the UNC product in Little with that #3 and would add more as needed to get THE GUY I want. And though I know you can't see it... I think this Dame to BKN trade scenario sets us up well to make another fairly large adjustment with the resulting salary situations one year from now when Dinwiddie comes off allowing us to likely pay Claxton, and agian 2 years from now when (if it fails) Simmons huge contract comes off the books. Playoff window would open in two years.

And as for the breakdown of the trade, fyi I have Simmons and Nurkic as a WASH in value. Dame for Claxton, Dinwiddie and a pick package of 2FFRPs(the good ones) and 3 swaps. Is that really the worst you've ever seen?

Is it so crazy to want to invest in more than one bigman? I personally would have a difficult time letting Eubanks be included, and would be the last of the expendables I'd want to let loose, even if we were fortunate enough to land all of Simmons, Rui, Claxton and Williams.

Or we can just cap ourselves out on more over-priced non-needle movers for Dame.

[Norm2953]

Yes… having All Star talent… “god help us all” indeed.

I swear some people are allergic to acquiring talent.

Towns has a $224 Million/4 contract that the T wolves would be ecstatic to be rid of. How could Portland
field a competitive team with Dame/Towns taking up $120 million between them?

Dame and Towns would only make a combined 82million or so next year. The 120 million per year between the two starts to happen after 2024-2025, which is also when the current NBA tv deals expire and will set to be renegotiated. The general consensus there is a higher deal and thus an increase in cap, meaning we will likely see a spike (though maybe more evened out than last time) and that 120 million is not 90% of the cap.

Its the second tax apron in the new CBA that is the problem. Nobody knows if there will be smoothing to prevent a repeat if 2017

[DusterBuster]

Regardless of the Dame situation and whether he decides to stay or go, I am perfectly happy moving forward with a 1-3 core of Simons/Sharpe/Grant/Thybulle. Adding Scoot to this feels like repeating a long dumb mistake that we are just about to get out of, plus it wouldn't help our PF/C rotation one bit.

I'm all for trading the #3 pick, but not to appease Dame and a player not near his timeline. I want to use that #3 pick, and as many other future picks a needed to get our PF & C for the future. #3 should get us one of the two, and I'd also like to go hard after RUI once this game 4 is over.

Dame / Nurkic / Expendables / Picks <<-->> Claxton / Simmons / Dinwiddie / RUI / M.Williams

Simons / Dinwiddie
Sharpe / Thybulle
Grant
Simmons / RUI
Claxton / Williams

Not sure who stays or goes: Keon / Little / Knox / Watford / Walker / Eubanks

This might be the single worst trade I’ve seen on here. High bar you cleared there sir or madame as the case may be.

I think YOU are mistaken... I'm pretty sure I've posted far worse.

If you look and or read, you'll clearly see that a trade idea isn't the point I'm making. jeez.

If this is sarcasm or a joke, I’m definitely not getting it.

[Effigy]

It really seems like our team could go in two completely different directions depending on what Charlotte does. If they take Scoot, we take Miller who would fit in really, really well with our current team. Maybe Dame can be convinced to stay. However, I’m I’m not sure Miller would get the development he needs as our fourth option. But you deal with that going forward I guess

But if they take Miller and Scoot is the guy available, I don’t see how that fits our team at all. We not only have to trade Dame, we may need to trade Simmons. I mean, I guess we can keep Simmons, but we will have the same tiny back court we have always had. That said, I still want us to take and keep Scoot if he is the one available. Bad teams should never pass on talent because of roster fit, imo.

[Butter]

It really seems like our team could go in two completely different directions depending on what Charlotte does. If they take Scoot, we take Miller who would fit in really, really well with our current team. Maybe Dame can be convinced to stay. However, I’m I’m not sure Miller would get the development he needs as our fourth option. But you deal with that going forward I guess

But if they take Miller and Scoot is the guy available, I don’t see how that fits our team at all. We not only have to trade Dame, we may need to trade Simmons. I mean, I guess we can keep Simmons, but we will have the same tiny back court we have always had. That said, I still want us to take and keep Scoot if he is the one available. Bad teams should never pass on talent because of roster fit, imo.

I went through several scouting video's for Miller and Scxot last night (not just highlights, they discussed strengths and weaknesses).

I dont see anyway the Blazers can draft Scoot of thr plan is to keep Dame. Probably why there is so much talk about trading the 3rd.

With all of the talk about thr Blazers wanting an elite SF, I can easily see them selling Dame on Miller. That guy is a pure shooter who could pick and pop all day long.

I'm wondering if there is any way the Blazers could do a low cost trade up with the Hornets, who might really like Scoot anyways? Send them Little, or a few 3rds? OR, would Charlotte ask for the moon to move down one spot?

[wco81]

Kevin O'Connor said Celtics should trade Brown instead of giving him the $300 million extension and their target should be Lillard.

[wco81]

Towns has a $224 Million/4 contract that the T wolves would be ecstatic to be rid of. How could Portland
field a competitive team with Dame/Towns taking up $120 million between them?

Dame and Towns would only make a combined 82million or so next year. The 120 million per year between the two starts to happen after 2024-2025, which is also when the current NBA tv deals expire and will set to be renegotiated. The general consensus there is a higher deal and thus an increase in cap, meaning we will likely see a spike (though maybe more evened out than last time) and that 120 million is not 90% of the cap.

Its the second tax apron in the new CBA that is the problem. Nobody knows if there will be smoothing to prevent a repeat if 2017

A couple of weeks ago, they said there would be smoothing, no more cap spikes. So it will go up $10 million at most in a year.

But NBA getting what it wants, which is over 3X what their current TV deal pays, is far from guaranteed. Media companies like Disney are struggling. So is WBD, which owns TNT. But NBC has said it's interested in bidding for NBA rights.

[BlazersBroncos]

I would love to add Mark Williams - think he will be a nice player, probably a step down from a Walker Kessler (More offense, not near the defender Kessler is) - but for #3? Thats wild man.

For my crazy take of the day - I would trade #3 for Kessler and #9 - guess we all have insane takes.

[tester551]

Dame and Towns would only make a combined 82million or so next year. The 120 million per year between the two starts to happen after 2024-2025, which is also when the current NBA tv deals expire and will set to be renegotiated. The general consensus there is a higher deal and thus an increase in cap, meaning we will likely see a spike (though maybe more evened out than last time) and that 120 million is not 90% of the cap.

Its the second tax apron in the new CBA that is the problem. Nobody knows if there will be smoothing to prevent a repeat if 2017

A couple of weeks ago, they said there would be smoothing, no more cap spikes. So it will go up $10 million at most in a year.

But NBA getting what it wants, which is over 3X what their current TV deal pays, is far from guaranteed. Media companies like Disney are struggling. So is WBD, which owns TNT. But NBC has said it's interested in bidding for NBA rights.

I could be wrong, but I thought is was a 10% max rise per year.
Not a $10M max increase per year.

[Norm2953]

I would love to add Mark Williams - think he will be a nice player, probably a step down from a Walker Kessler (More offense, not near the defender Kessler is) - but for #3? Thats wild man.

For my crazy take of the day - I would trade #3 for Kessler and #9 - guess we all have insane takes.

I made that proposal a few weeks ago. TSE said she threw up in her throat hearing my proposal.

Not going to happen but 9 would leave Portland in position to draft Hendricks at 9, but I'd love to see
Portland emerge from this draft with draft with Kessler and Hendricks

[The Sebastian Express]

Because it's not an ideal deal. It's a top three draft. The rest of the lottery is not bad, but there are three talents distinguished in the top three as potentially very, very good at becoming franchise players. If we're trading three, we're trading that to put legitimate veteran help around Dame in the form of a all-star caliber player.

Which we have a much better shot at with number three than nine.

If we aren't trading three and Dame wants out, which is not set in stone, then we need high level talent. Talent that we are certain will not end up played off the floor in the playoffs.

[GEE]

I think Cronin will give every impression to Dame that he is trying his damnist to move that #3 to get Toronto to give us Siakam or OG, but they just won't budge without Sharpe. Darn it. I think Cronin will show Dame the same effort in regards to other big name players like they already did publicly with Bridges. Several more attempts, with severeal more non-needle moving moves, but no luck. Sorry Dame.

So where's that list Dame? Need to wrap this up before the draft. Talk to Bridges recently?

[Norm2953]

I'd still offer up 3 to Orlando for Wagner.

Unlikely they'd do it but if they really want Scoot, that is Portland's price

[Moonbeam]

I think more than any other draft spot in the lottery, the third pick makes this offseason the most interesting and hard to predict. With the #1 pick, Portland would likely take Wemby and Dame may be on board given his immense potential. With the #2 pick, Portland could take whichever worked out the best between Scoot and Miller and make subsequent deals based on that position. With a #4 pick or lower, Portland would seemingly be in a position to take one of the next tier of draftees or deal it for a player more ready to compete. But with the #3 pick, Portland's decisions may hinge on what Charlotte does at #2. If Charlotte takes Scoot and Miller is left for Portland to take at #3, I could see Portland taking that pick and then looking to move Simons and/or Nurkic for a frontcourt upgrade. If Charlotte takes Miller, things get more complicated. That would seemingly leave Portland with Dame, Simons, Sharpe, Scoot, and Thybulle as assets. The likelihood of all 3 of Dame, Simons, and Sharpe remaining on the team was already pretty low in my view, but it seems likely it would be even lower. Whether they try to build around Dame by trading some combination of #3/Simons/Sharpe, commit to a rebuild by trading Dame, or hedge their bets by, for instance, just trading Simons, would probably depend on what players are available from other teams.

It's going to be wild to see what happens over the next month or so.