Grant Trade?

[Butter]

Is there anymore thoughts on the actual point of this thread? Specifically, Jerami Grant trade ideas?

[Norm2953]

Perhaps with the new media deal leading to a rise in the cap, that contract won't be so bad
for if Doncic gets that $367 million/5 supermax extension, teams might be willing to take on
Grant instead

[DeBlazerRiddem]

Perhaps with the new media deal leading to a rise in the cap, that contract won't be so bad
for if Doncic gets that $367 million/5 supermax extension, teams might be willing to take on
Grant instead

Fans always seem to be slow acclimating to the rise in salary across the board. I mean how many comparisons have I seen between Grant and Tobias Harris based on raw numbers when in reality Harris signed for ~30% of the cap and Grant is closer to 20%. That is a significant gulf between them and yet many folks seem hung up on raw numbers and comparing it to contracts in the past. We reference new contracts in how they compare to the last 5 years instead of comparing them to how the next 5 years of contracts will look.

[Wizenheimer]

I've not seen Edey play, but isn't he a bit slow?

not compared to a glacier

[tester551]

I've not seen Edey play, but isn't he a bit slow?

not compared to a glacier

IMO, Edey moves just as well (or poorly) as Clingan.

From a defensive side of things, I really don't see much difference between the two players... especially when you consider that Edey played nearly 50% more minutes than Clingan did, while being the primary offensive hub. These is a massive energy drop due to the load that most have not accounted for.

Having said that, neither one is worth a pick in the top 10 -> when you are looking at a Zubac or Hartstein level of impact.

[Wizenheimer]

I've not seen Edey play, but isn't he a bit slow?

not compared to a glacier

IMO, Edey moves just as well (or poorly) as Clingan.

From a defensive side of things, I really don't see much difference between the two players... especially when you consider that Edey played nearly 50% more minutes than Clingan did, while being the primary offensive hub. These is a massive energy drop due to the load that most have not accounted for.

Having said that, neither one is worth a pick in the top 10 -> when you are looking at a Zubac or Hartstein level of impact.

I'd probably extend it to being neither are worth a lottery pick. These two guys are pure-drop coverage C's and those kinds of C's are way to easy to get in mismatches and played off the court. The NBA isn't kind to C's like this

think a less defensive Walter Kessler (who has started less than half of his games and has only averaged 23 minutes for a lottery team). Or think Meyers Leonard 2.0

[Tim Lehrbach]

I didn't want to say it, but I've kinda been thinking about Meyers Leonard with relation to these two as well. Great measurables that may not translate to functional NBA athleticism.

[Norm2953]

not compared to a glacier

IMO, Edey moves just as well (or poorly) as Clingan.

From a defensive side of things, I really don't see much difference between the two players... especially when you consider that Edey played nearly 50% more minutes than Clingan did, while being the primary offensive hub. These is a massive energy drop due to the load that most have not accounted for.

Having said that, neither one is worth a pick in the top 10 -> when you are looking at a Zubac or Hartstein level of impact.

I'd probably extend it to being neither are worth a lottery pick. These two guys are pure-drop coverage C's and those kinds of C's are way to easy to get in mismatches and played off the court. The NBA isn't kind to C's like this

think a less defensive Walter Kessler (who has started less than half of his games and has only averaged 23 minutes for a lottery team). Or think Meyers Leonard 2.0

What if the alternative was more guards?

At least if they picked Clingan, they could avoid paying Ayton $40+ million in an extension

[tester551]

IMO, Edey moves just as well (or poorly) as Clingan.

From a defensive side of things, I really don't see much difference between the two players... especially when you consider that Edey played nearly 50% more minutes than Clingan did, while being the primary offensive hub. These is a massive energy drop due to the load that most have not accounted for.

Having said that, neither one is worth a pick in the top 10 -> when you are looking at a Zubac or Hartstein level of impact.

I'd probably extend it to being neither are worth a lottery pick. These two guys are pure-drop coverage C's and those kinds of C's are way to easy to get in mismatches and played off the court. The NBA isn't kind to C's like this

think a less defensive Walter Kessler (who has started less than half of his games and has only averaged 23 minutes for a lottery team). Or think Meyers Leonard 2.0

What if the alternative was more guards?

At least if they picked Clingan, they could avoid paying Ayton $40+ million in an extension

Don't agree with the parameters of your hypothetical.

A) There are lots more alternatives than 'more guards'.
B) Even if they don't pick Clingan, Portland can still avoid paying Ayton $40M in an extension

[Blazinaway]

I've not seen Edey play, but isn't he a bit slow?

not compared to a glacier

IMO, Edey moves just as well (or poorly) as Clingan.

From a defensive side of things, I really don't see much difference between the two players... especially when you consider that Edey played nearly 50% more minutes than Clingan did, while being the primary offensive hub. These is a massive energy drop due to the load that most have not accounted for.

Having said that, neither one is worth a pick in the top 10 -> when you are looking at a Zubac or Hartstein level of impact.

Neither one IMO will be the best Center from this draft, not that I think any of the C's in this draft will be all that good, perhaps average stater at best

[SweaterBae]

He's 37, he's not old.

[Norm2953]

I'd probably extend it to being neither are worth a lottery pick. These two guys are pure-drop coverage C's and those kinds of C's are way to easy to get in mismatches and played off the court. The NBA isn't kind to C's like this

think a less defensive Walter Kessler (who has started less than half of his games and has only averaged 23 minutes for a lottery team). Or think Meyers Leonard 2.0

What if the alternative was more guards?

At least if they picked Clingan, they could avoid paying Ayton $40+ million in an extension

Don't agree with the parameters of your hypothetical.

A) There are lots more alternatives than 'more guards'.
B) Even if they don't pick Clingan, Portland can still avoid paying Ayton $40M in an extension

If you avoid extending Ayton, who would be playing center?

The alternatives at 7 are Holland, Knecht, Castle, Dillingham, Williams, Salaun, Walter and McCain according to Tankathon. FIve of these are guards with three forwards. Knecht might be Jaime Jacquez but he's a guard. Williams is 178 lbs and Salaun is a poor man's Risacher. The best players in that group are guards

[BlazersBroncos]

What if the alternative was more guards?

At least if they picked Clingan, they could avoid paying Ayton $40+ million in an extension

Don't agree with the parameters of your hypothetical.

A) There are lots more alternatives than 'more guards'.
B) Even if they don't pick Clingan, Portland can still avoid paying Ayton $40M in an extension

If you avoid extending Ayton, who would be playing center?

The alternatives at 7 are Holland, Knecht, Castle, Dillingham, Williams, Salaun, Walter and McCain according to Tankathon. FIve of these are guards with three forwards. Knecht might be Jaime Jacquez but he's a guard. Williams is 178 lbs and Salaun is a poor man's Risacher. The best players in that group are guards

We could avoid extending Ayton by letting him expire and signing a MLE C, drafting a big in 2025 or even 2026 or trading for a C. We are not at all handcuffed to Ayton.

[tester551]

Don't agree with the parameters of your hypothetical.

A) There are lots more alternatives than 'more guards'.
B) Even if they don't pick Clingan, Portland can still avoid paying Ayton $40M in an extension

If you avoid extending Ayton, who would be playing center?

The alternatives at 7 are Holland, Knecht, Castle, Dillingham, Williams, Salaun, Walter and McCain according to Tankathon. FIve of these are guards with three forwards. Knecht might be Jaime Jacquez but he's a guard. Williams is 178 lbs and Salaun is a poor man's Risacher. The best players in that group are guards

We could avoid extending Ayton by letting him expire and signing a MLE C, drafting a big in 2025 or even 2026 or trading for a C. We are not at all handcuffed to Ayton.

100% correct.
As a team, you set your price that we'll pay him $X. When he wants more, you tell him go find your money elsewhere - and you sign someone else.

Here's a quick list of players that expire when Ayton does: Porzingis, Nurk, Vucevic, Collins, Naz, Robinson, WCJ, Mark Williams, and Kessler.
Not to mention there is 2 years to find a legitimate backup.

[Norm2953]

Portland is not a free agent destination. None of the guys listed will sign with Portland unless Portland overpays.

There are decent prospects in the 2025 draft but the big headed for Duke who played at the Nike AA game
is a long ways away from being able to play in the league.

I would find it difficult for Ayton to earn a $161 Million/3 extension from Portland but lets say he puts up
numbers similar to the last 20 games of the 2024 season (21.6/12.3) for the 2025 season.

He's currently earning $69 million for the 2025-26 seasons. Future extension would take him through his age
31 season in a time when the cap is projected to rise. In a league where Luka could get a max extension of
$367 million/5, paying Ayton $40 million no matter how much I hate it, might be a league norm for all these
guys are overpaid

[BlazersBroncos]

Portland is not a free agent destination. None of the guys listed will sign with Portland unless Portland overpays.

There are decent prospects in the 2025 draft but the big headed for Duke who played at the Nike AA game
is a long ways away from being able to play in the league.

I would find it difficult for Ayton to earn a $161 Million/3 extension from Portland but lets say he puts up
numbers similar to the last 20 games of the 2024 season (21.6/12.3) for the 2025 season.

He's currently earning $69 million for the 2025-26 seasons. Future extension would take him through his age
31 season in a time when the cap is projected to rise. In a league where Luka could get a max extension of
$367 million/5, paying Ayton $40 million no matter how much I hate it, might be a league norm for all these
guys are overpaid

Ya - I simply disagree. Ayton isnt an impact player. He shouldnt be back after his current contract. Go cheap at C.

Also, no PDX isnt a FA destination for big fish but we could certainly sign a MLE caliber guy.

[zzaj]

The only real issue I have with Ayton long-term is that it's likely that in order to get "good" Ayton it requires high usage, and high usage for Ayton means you have to have a system that revolves around what he does best.

A case could be made for the C position = success, if this year is any indication...Although, Denver and Philly have perennial MVP candidates, so they may exist as outliers.

[Case2012]

I think Ayton could and probably should play PF, he just needs to really work on his 3 to stretch the floor for someone like Edey (fingers crossed)), who I think can play fine in a drop coverage role. The defensive player of the year is a center that plays that way, and Edey is light years better offensively with a similar build. The last time the blazers drafted someone I wanted was CJ, so I doubt we will draft him though.

I really hope we can do a trade with Memphis or Sac or even NY later on, I think Grant will have a better market than others realize. We could probably send him to philly once they strike out on whatever star delusional Morey wants at the least without taking back salary.

[Norm2953]

Portland is not a free agent destination. None of the guys listed will sign with Portland unless Portland overpays.

There are decent prospects in the 2025 draft but the big headed for Duke who played at the Nike AA game
is a long ways away from being able to play in the league.

I would find it difficult for Ayton to earn a $161 Million/3 extension from Portland but lets say he puts up
numbers similar to the last 20 games of the 2024 season (21.6/12.3) for the 2025 season.

He's currently earning $69 million for the 2025-26 seasons. Future extension would take him through his age
31 season in a time when the cap is projected to rise. In a league where Luka could get a max extension of
$367 million/5, paying Ayton $40 million no matter how much I hate it, might be a league norm for all these
guys are overpaid

Ya - I simply disagree. Ayton isnt an impact player. He shouldnt be back after his current contract. Go cheap at C.

Also, no PDX isnt a FA destination for big fish but we could certainly sign a MLE caliber guy.

NBA MLE might be $15 million by the 2026 season.

Luka's extension for $367 million is just the start with Jimmy Butler's $113 million extension and Paul George's
potential max extension for guys in their mid 30's.

Lot's of guys that summer will be paid and Ayton at $40 million/season is by no means a max extension

[Pattycakes]

I didn't want to say it, but I've kinda been thinking about Meyers Leonard with relation to these two as well. Great measurables that may not translate to functional NBA athleticism.

I don’t agree with that. Both these guys dominated college basketball during their time in it. Me personally have much higher ceilings for both esp defensively.