Twitter Trade Rumor Roundup

[The Sebastian Express]

Yes, making Sharpe untouchable for Zion was the right move. Because it's not just Sharpe, the rumors were Sharpe, Scoot and Ant. That is not a realistic request for a guy who has missed so many games. Because it takes all of Portland's highest assets. All of them. For nothing guaranteed.

Scoot and Ant? Yes. Ant and Sharpe.. a little harder to digest, yes but. Scoot and Sharpe? Very hard to digest, but you think about it.

But you can't do all three for a guy who's missed that many games and has concerns about his dedication to keeping in shape. You just can't. That's not good for t he franchise. Nor is it good for trying to put a contender around Dame.

[tester551]

What do you all think about DeAndre Hunter? Asking for a friend.

Who's going out in the deal? I don't see Simons as being interesting to Atlanta given their roster. I'd have interest in any/all of Hunter, Collins, Okongwu.

Atlanta apparently needs to get out of the tax (per owner 'mandate'). They need to drop ~$15M in salary when factoring filling out the rest of the roster to do so.

Hunter would be nice, but IMO he's an athletic guy who still hasn't developed the skills to be a good player. If we are targeting the Hawks, Collins would be my pick.

I was REALLY hoping Portland could pull off Ant to Orlando, Cap Space + Walker to Atlanta, and Collins + 11 to Portland.

Maybe we can still do something without picks. I'll have to look it over a bit more.

[PDXKnight]

What do you all think about DeAndre Hunter? Asking for a friend.

Who's going out in the deal? I don't see Simons as being interesting to Atlanta given their roster. I'd have interest in any/all of Hunter, Collins, Okongwu.

Atlanta apparently needs to get out of the tax (per owner 'mandate'). They need to drop ~$15M in salary when factoring filling out the rest of the roster to do so.

Hunter would be nice, but IMO he's an athletic guy who still hasn't developed the skills to be a good player. If we are targeting the Hawks, Collins would be my pick.

I was REALLY hoping Portland could pull off Ant to Orlando, Cap Space + Walker to Atlanta, and Collins + 11 to Portland.

Maybe we can still do something without picks. I'll have to look it over a bit more.

Perhaps cronin has something lined up with anf and is waiting on Dame before he agrees?

[Jsun947]

I think he’s waiting to talk to free agents, or for trade partners to talk to free agents

[Wizenheimer]

I don't know if I mentioned it here or not, but there's been quite a bit of chatter that yesterday, after the Pels had tried unsuccessfully for a week to trade for 2 or 3 using a bunch of future 1st's and #14, they 'reportedly' pivoted to offering Zion to Portland but the Blazer had to send back #3, Sharpe, and Ant. And Cronin told them to pound sand

apparently the Blazers had plenty of offers for #3 but they were all crappy like that, and most were worse. Cronin tried but teams weren't stepping up with near enough of an offer for a 3rd pick in a 3 player draft

*******************************************

it's also reported that after the draft, Dame called Scoot to welcome him to Portland. I don't think that means much as far as if he asks out

Just as a question, are we being too overprotective of Sharpe? I get the kneejerk "hell no" with Sharpe... and that Zion has so many issues with his health, but is making Sharpe that untouchable smart if you're trying to get the highest of high-level player?

Obviously with Siakam and OG level player, fast and easy no. But Zion when healthy (I know) is an MVP-caliber player and it's not a question. He's the kind of player who just doesn't ever come available and the only reason they're considering is those warts he has over the first few years. Was making Sharpe untouchable for Zion the right move?

if you're asking if Blazers fans have gotten about 6 miles over their skis predicting a HOF career for Sharpe...yes they have

and if players like Tatum or Doncic had been offered for #3 and Sharpe, Portland would have been stupid to decline. But Zion isn't like one of those guys. He's a lot closer to Oden in availability and that seriously depreciates his value.

I kind of liked the idea of Zion, and if it would have been 3 + Ant, I would have been OK with the trade. But I also would have believed the chances the trade would payoff were very small. Adding Sharpe was a bridge too far....assuming that report is true

[GEE]

I think what is entirely possible is, that Cronin HAS OFFERS for Dame already, should he choose to depart and is just playing a waiting game with Dame. Putting on a show for him, appearing and very verbally showing the world he is still actively looking hard for that win-now trade, while everyone watching sorta sees it for what it is... a show.

Meanwhile, the pressure on Dame from the media experts continues to build as Cronin has essentially called Dame's bluff. Cronin drafted Dame's replacement... who on this earth really believes the plan is to team up the two? Cronin, at least in my view is playing this whole thing brilliantly, just continuing to build with youth, while Dame wavers whether or not he wants to be a part of the youth build. Seems clear as glass to me that we will see this to start next season plus much, much more once Dame finally figures out how to ask to be traded. Not sure what else will be added, but I'm thinking it may not include Grant either. This leaves me with no clue who will make out the rest, so I'll just show what we likely have, minus Dame and Grant:

Simons / Scoot / Frenchy
Sharpe / Thybulle / Keon
Little / Murray
Watford / Knox
Nurkic / Eubanks / Walker

I think looking at this helps to imagine what we could be after a potential Dame move, and which city we might prefer, if Dame does have a list bigger than two with Cronin. Nurkic remains a HUGE question mark, and maybe not a priority (at least not right now). I'm hoping it's BRK, for Dame's sake. Philly would be my 2nd choice. Boston I think is DOA and Miami doesn't have anything to trade: Herro is a zero until he shows he can play, and live up to that big money he is owed. Experts seem to think many more teams will try to get Dame, but it's his move... Stay or Go... doesn't seem to matter to Cronin. He seems comfortable just going really small while Dame remains. We'll just slide Sharpe and Thybulle to more SF minutes.

Dame / Scoot / Frenchy
Simons / Thybulle
Sharpe / Little / Murray
Watford / Knox
Nurkic / Eubanks / Walker

[DusterBuster]

Cronin said he set the table for some potential trades the next few weeks… assuming that’s not just another bill of goods, there is rumblings George is still available and we know Portland talked to the Clippers about Paul.

Could Simons, Nurkic, Little for Paul and Zubac be something to interest the Clippers? Maybe a couple FRPs?

[The Sebastian Express]

Cronin said he set the table for some potential trades the next few weeks… assuming that’s not just another bill of goods, there is rumblings George is still available and we know Portland talked to the Clippers about Paul.

Could Simons, Nurkic, Little for Paul and Zubac be something to interest the Clippers? Maybe a couple FRPs?

Here are my thoughts on this idea.

To do this they need to just revoke the protections on the pick owed to Chicago.

Then make this offer.

2025 swap. 2026 unprotected - this is an elite draft as of right now. It's why if we trade Dame I want us to get at least one unprotected pick in this draft. 2027 swap. 2028 unprotected.

Yes, that is two unprotected picks given up. And a risk we'll lose 2025 and 2027 if stuff goes south. But Clippers need picks. Paul is older and injury prone, but he is elite talent. That's possibly four good picks if things go south here.

OKC could beat this package, obviously, but I don't know if they would try. I would be willing to do a 2029 swap as well, because ultimately we would still have those three picks - we must just lose value standing in it if everything goes poorly.

But a lineup of..

Dame/Scoot
Shaedon/Scoot/Thybulle
George/Thybulle/Murray
Grant/Watford/Murray
MLE?/Zubac

It's not terrible.

[DaVoiceMaster]

Lillard and Nurkic to Brooklyn for Simmons, Claxton, Thomas, Clowney pick, Whitehead pick, future pick.

PG Simons / Johnson /
SG Sharpe / Thomas / Whitehead
SF Simmons / Little / Williams / Rupert
PF Clowney/ Murray / Walker
_C Claxton / Watford /

I'd want another center cuz I'm not sold on Watford at center. Interesting lineup. Pretty versatile.

[DusterBuster]

Cronin said he set the table for some potential trades the next few weeks… assuming that’s not just another bill of goods, there is rumblings George is still available and we know Portland talked to the Clippers about Paul.

Could Simons, Nurkic, Little for Paul and Zubac be something to interest the Clippers? Maybe a couple FRPs?

Here are my thoughts on this idea.

To do this they need to just revoke the protections on the pick owed to Chicago.

Then make this offer.

2025 swap. 2026 unprotected - this is an elite draft as of right now. It's why if we trade Dame I want us to get at least one unprotected pick in this draft. 2027 swap. 2028 unprotected.

Yes, that is two unprotected picks given up. And a risk we'll lose 2025 and 2027 if stuff goes south. But Clippers need picks. Paul is older and injury prone, but he is elite talent. That's possibly four good picks if things go south here.

OKC could beat this package, obviously, but I don't know if they would try. I would be willing to do a 2029 swap as well, because ultimately we would still have those three picks - we must just lose value standing in it if everything goes poorly.

But a lineup of..

Dame/Scoot
Shaedon/Scoot/Thybulle
George/Thybulle/Murray
Grant/Watford/Murray
MLE?/Zubac

It's not terrible.

Exactly my thoughts. Same of how the pick situation would work as well. So it’s a premium price, but if healthy a good team… I think?

[DusterBuster]

Lillard and Nurkic to Brooklyn for Simmons, Claxton, Thomas, Clowney pick, Whitehead pick, future pick.

PG Simons / Johnson /
SG Sharpe / Thomas / Whitehead
SF Simmons / Little / Williams / Rupert
PF Clowney/ Murray / Walker
_C Claxton / Watford /

I'd want another center cuz I'm not sold on Watford at center. Interesting lineup. Pretty versatile.

I don’t think Brooklyn would offer Clayton for Dame.

[PDXKnight]

Cronin said he set the table for some potential trades the next few weeks… assuming that’s not just another bill of goods, there is rumblings George is still available and we know Portland talked to the Clippers about Paul.

Could Simons, Nurkic, Little for Paul and Zubac be something to interest the Clippers? Maybe a couple FRPs?

Here are my thoughts on this idea.

To do this they need to just revoke the protections on the pick owed to Chicago.

Then make this offer.

2025 swap. 2026 unprotected - this is an elite draft as of right now. It's why if we trade Dame I want us to get at least one unprotected pick in this draft. 2027 swap. 2028 unprotected.

Yes, that is two unprotected picks given up. And a risk we'll lose 2025 and 2027 if stuff goes south. But Clippers need picks. Paul is older and injury prone, but he is elite talent. That's possibly four good picks if things go south here.

OKC could beat this package, obviously, but I don't know if they would try. I would be willing to do a 2029 swap as well, because ultimately we would still have those three picks - we must just lose value standing in it if everything goes poorly.

But a lineup of..

Dame/Scoot
Shaedon/Scoot/Thybulle
George/Thybulle/Murray
Grant/Watford/Murray
MLE?/Zubac

It's not terrible.

Exactly my thoughts. Same of how the pick situation would work as well. So it’s a premium price, but if healthy a good team… I think?

i don’t love this idea, at least yet… if this is the best we got we aren’t gonna win a title anyhow so sacrificing future picks imo is trivial unless we can somehow flip other pieces around. And we’d have a gaping hole at c and limited rebounders on that roster even if we get a center who hits the boards. If we can add a third piece and fill up the c position with a starter for the mle it could be a worthy attempt, but i’m skeptical we have the pieces to pull that off without sacrificing 2 really good young players who should be obvious

[Village Idiot]

Lillard and Nurkic to Brooklyn for Simmons, Claxton, Thomas, Clowney pick, Whitehead pick, future pick.

PG Simons / Johnson /
SG Sharpe / Thomas / Whitehead
SF Simmons / Little / Williams / Rupert
PF Clowney/ Murray / Walker
_C Claxton / Watford /

I'd want another center cuz I'm not sold on Watford at center. Interesting lineup. Pretty versatile.

I don’t think Brooklyn would offer Clayton for Dame.

Claxton will be an unrestricted free-agent after next season and, unless we have cap-space, we won't be able to extend him at market value.

Brooklyn can't put togheter a decent package for Lillard unless Bridges is involved and I would imagine that defeats the purpose. Even if we were to give them Lillard for nothing their team wouldn't be any better than our current Blazers roster. Neither team has a competent coach.

[PDXKnight]

Lillard and Nurkic to Brooklyn for Simmons, Claxton, Thomas, Clowney pick, Whitehead pick, future pick.

PG Simons / Johnson /
SG Sharpe / Thomas / Whitehead
SF Simmons / Little / Williams / Rupert
PF Clowney/ Murray / Walker
_C Claxton / Watford /

I'd want another center cuz I'm not sold on Watford at center. Interesting lineup. Pretty versatile.

I don’t think Brooklyn would offer Clayton for Dame.

Claxton will be an unrestricted free-agent after next season and, unless we have cap-space, we won't be able to extend him at market value.

Brooklyn can't put togheter a decent package for Lillard unless Bridges is involved and I would imagine that defeats the purpose. Even if we were to give them Lillard for nothing their team wouldn't be any better than our current Blazers roster. Neither team has a competent coach.

Brooklyns offer is way better than Miamis. They have a treasure trove of picks available

[Dame Lizard]

I don't know if I mentioned it here or not, but there's been quite a bit of chatter that yesterday, after the Pels had tried unsuccessfully for a week to trade for 2 or 3 using a bunch of future 1st's and #14, they 'reportedly' pivoted to offering Zion to Portland but the Blazer had to send back #3, Sharpe, and Ant. And Cronin told them to pound sand

apparently the Blazers had plenty of offers for #3 but they were all crappy like that, and most were worse. Cronin tried but teams weren't stepping up with near enough of an offer for a 3rd pick in a 3 player draft

*******************************************

it's also reported that after the draft, Dame called Scoot to welcome him to Portland. I don't think that means much as far as if he asks out

Just as a question, are we being too overprotective of Sharpe? I get the kneejerk "hell no" with Sharpe... and that Zion has so many issues with his health, but is making Sharpe that untouchable smart if you're trying to get the highest of high-level player?

Obviously with Siakam and OG level player, fast and easy no. But Zion when healthy (I know) is an MVP-caliber player and it's not a question. He's the kind of player who just doesn't ever come available and the only reason they're considering is those warts he has over the first few years. Was making Sharpe untouchable for Zion the right move?

Zion for Scoot, Sharpe and Ant is an absolutely attrocious trade by all proportions trade imo.

Zion has played 35% of games during his first 4 years. He's also showed horrendous attitude to the extent that CJ had to call him out publicly. We know CJ well enough to know that must mean that it's bad.

As mentioned above, if Tatum or Doncic were available, I'd easily do Scoot + Sharpe + Anfernee + future picks in a heartbeat.

[Goldbum]

What about something like
POR
Ant+Nurkic
4
WCJ+Eason
HOU
Suggs
4
Eason

ORL
Suggs + WCJ
4
Nurkic+Ant

You get a lower upside, floor raising, versatile Center to fix the starters and Eason as the guy to slot next to Grant with the Starters. With Whitmore and Amen HOU has too many combo Forwards and could use a big defender to pair with either of their guards (I know they have Amen but feel like he will play a lot of 3 and he's only going to be out there 28-32 minutes anyway).
If that would keep Dame I'd throw in how ever many seconds it takes to make it work.

[GEE]

Wiretap this morning states that Dame is vacationing in Paris, and was streaming on Instagram live at some club while the DJ was playing Will Smith's "Welcome to Miami" song. Not a big deal really, and I think Dame was just having some fun with it one would guess, but I highly doubt that Cronin and company thought this was the least bit funny.

I'll say it one last time... Herro has less than zero trade value IMO, until he proves he can return to form and live up to that big-ass contract he signed. Outside of Herro and some weak draft picks... Miami has very little to offer for Dame, while Cronin has ZERO obligation to appease Dame. If he keeps posting dumb **** like this on Instagram, he may just find himself in Minnesota and not South Beach.

[red_power]

I think we are slowly coming to the point where FO will be forced to move one of our guards for quite an underwhelming commodity in return.

We can only hope it's going to be Ant and not Dame.

[PDXKnight]

Wiretap this morning states that Dame is vacationing in Paris, and was streaming on Instagram live at some club while the DJ was playing Will Smith's "Welcome to Miami" song. Not a big deal really, and I think Dame was just having some fun with it one would guess, but I highly doubt that Cronin and company thought this was the least bit funny.

I'll say it one last time... Herro has less than zero trade value IMO, until he proves he can return to form and live up to that big-ass contract he signed. Outside of Herro and some weak draft picks... Miami has very little to offer for Dame, while Cronin has ZERO obligation to appease Dame. If he keeps posting dumb **** like this on Instagram, he may just find himself in Minnesota and not South Beach.

Yeah miami fans think they can offer a bunch of 2 way players who panned out along with herro for Dame, it just is a crap offer. If they had the pieces we should listen but given that they don't it'd be dumb of us not to turn down a team like Brooklyn who could offer 5 unprotected firsts from phx and Dallas (maybe their own way way out) if Dame is cool with that destination and wants out. Honestly cap freedom 1 young player and 5 firsts would be a very competitive offer if we could get that out of them

[PDXKnight]

I think we are slowly coming to the point where FO will be forced to move one of our guards for quite an underwhelming commodity in return.

We can only hope it's going to be Ant and not Dame.

Unfortunately that is the case given our roster composition, teams are gonna underpay. Unfortunately anf should've been dealt before the draft if we knew our direction but Scoot is definitely worth the cost of having to move on from anf at a low return if it comes down to that. The more I think about it I bet Orlando would still be interested. Honestly it's likely be good to get out from anfs deal assuming Dame stays. 75 million-85 mil Is way too much to pay for 2 guards. At least with 2 rookie talented guards we can fill up our back court rotation fairly cheaply outside of Dame using Scoot as a backup at first. But getting out from anfs deal will be essential for roster composition, or repositioning that money into a forward somehow