You are the GM of the BLAZERS, what would you do this offseason?

[Astaluego]

With 14 players under contract, 2 lottery picks (7/14) 2 more in the second round (34/40), and being an expensive team for their aspirations, I guess they will have to make some moves...what would you do?

[giberish]

I haven't looked much at the draft, I'd assume all things equal they'll look for forward and perhaps center help with the lotto picks.

They need to move one of their vets (Simons, Brogdon, Thybulle, Grant, RWIII, Ayton) in a move that gets them under the luxury tax (no one wants to pay luxury taxes on a team that isn't even trying for the play-in). They could deal 2 or 3 if good deals come along, but they don't have to do more. In general I could trade any of them, with the decision based on who's getting the best trade offer(s). There would be some preferences though.

Simons would be my first choice to move - he's an outright bad defender and I don't know that he helps a team offense as much as his individual stats would say. To Orlando for Anthony, cap space and a future 1st or two? (don't really want Anthony but Orlando would want to send him out, the salary difference is enough to get Portland away from the tax and you can live with him as an overpaid 4th guard. Brogdon would be the next choice if Simons is kept. I like him better as a 3rd guard with Scoot and Sharpe but if you have Simons with them then Brogdon becomes unnecessary.

Grant would be next. I think he's similar to Simons in that he doesn't help as much as his PPG would indicate and might draw interesting offers. Portland's thinner at forward though so he's much less in the way. The others don't make as much sense to move but for the right offer would certainly be dealt.

[Pattycakes]

I haven't looked much at the draft, I'd assume all things equal they'll look for forward and perhaps center help with the lotto picks.

They need to move one of their vets (Simons, Brogdon, Thybulle, Grant, RWIII, Ayton) in a move that gets them under the luxury tax (no one wants to pay luxury taxes on a team that isn't even trying for the play-in). They could deal 2 or 3 if good deals come along, but they don't have to do more. In general I could trade any of them, with the decision based on who's getting the best trade offer(s). There would be some preferences though.

Simons would be my first choice to move - he's an outright bad defender and I don't know that he helps a team offense as much as his individual stats would say. To Orlando for Anthony, cap space and a future 1st or two? (don't really want Anthony but Orlando would want to send him out, the salary difference is enough to get Portland away from the tax and you can live with him as an overpaid 4th guard. Brogdon would be the next choice if Simons is kept. I like him better as a 3rd guard with Scoot and Sharpe but if you have Simons with them then Brogdon becomes unnecessary.

Grant would be next. I think he's similar to Simons in that he doesn't help as much as his PPG would indicate and might draw interesting offers. Portland's thinner at forward though so he's much less in the way. The others don't make as much sense to move but for the right offer would certainly be dealt.

Not bad.

I have us targeting Holland, Knecht, or Clingan at 7 plus Edey, Ware, or Salaun at 14 this draft..


We should trade 2 of Jerami Grant, Simons, Brogdon for decent future draft capital.. could technically trade both guards and draft one, but I don’t see that happening.


Could also see some smaller moves like maybe extending someone like Dalano Banton to a couple years.. and swap one of Jabari Parker or Kris Murray out for another guy w higher potential. Oh, and Thybulle can yield us a potato chip from grandmas couch. That’s cool.

Sounds pretty sound..

Would say Scoot, Ayton, Shaedon and Camara are basically the “untouchables”.. all things considered.. and then the three vets mentioned will be our assets to play around with. We have some solid bench guys like Banton and Reath, Parker and Murray both steady improving.. the 4 potential draft picks this year including two in lottery.

Blazers might still look “meh” after this offseason but I think it will be the next evolution of what it meant this year. I also expect major steps up from scoot and ayton as both finished this recent season on absolute tears.

[Astaluego]

I haven't looked much at the draft, I'd assume all things equal they'll look for forward and perhaps center help with the lotto picks.

They need to move one of their vets (Simons, Brogdon, Thybulle, Grant, RWIII, Ayton) in a move that gets them under the luxury tax (no one wants to pay luxury taxes on a team that isn't even trying for the play-in). They could deal 2 or 3 if good deals come along, but they don't have to do more. In general I could trade any of them, with the decision based on who's getting the best trade offer(s). There would be some preferences though.

Simons would be my first choice to move - he's an outright bad defender and I don't know that he helps a team offense as much as his individual stats would say. To Orlando for Anthony, cap space and a future 1st or two? (don't really want Anthony but Orlando would want to send him out, the salary difference is enough to get Portland away from the tax and you can live with him as an overpaid 4th guard. Brogdon would be the next choice if Simons is kept. I like him better as a 3rd guard with Scoot and Sharpe but if you have Simons with them then Brogdon becomes unnecessary.

Grant would be next. I think he's similar to Simons in that he doesn't help as much as his PPG would indicate and might draw interesting offers. Portland's thinner at forward though so he's much less in the way. The others don't make as much sense to move but for the right offer would certainly be dealt.

Not bad.

I have us targeting Holland, Knecht, or Clingan at 7 plus Edey, Ware, or Salaun at 14 this draft..


We should trade 2 of Jerami Grant, Simons, Brogdon for decent future draft capital.. could technically trade both guards and draft one, but I don’t see that happening.


Could also see some smaller moves like maybe extending someone like Dalano Banton to a couple years.. and swap one of Jabari Parker or Kris Murray out for another guy w higher potential. Oh, and Thybulle can yield us a potato chip from grandmas couch. That’s cool.

Sounds pretty sound..

Would say Scoot, Ayton, Shaedon and Camara are basically the “untouchables”.. all things considered.. and then the three vets mentioned will be our assets to play around with. We have some solid bench guys like Banton and Reath, Parker and Murray both steady improving.. the 4 potential draft picks this year including two in lottery.

Blazers might still look “meh” after this offseason but I think it will be the next evolution of what it meant this year. I also expect major steps up from scoot and ayton as both finished this recent season on absolute tears.

If Ayton is a long-term piece, why would they want to select a center with a lottery pick...?
Do you think J.Grant will be available?

[Skybox]

Me too…if you’re kind of stuck with Ayton- it could be a lot worse. I’d probably just consider him your Center and grab a wing and a guard. There are some small guards that look like great fits to replace Simons as 3rd guard. Some feel Dillingham is the most talented scorer in the draft, but his size makes him a question. I’d love for POR to move Simons out, maybe Brogdon too and get Dillingham, McCain, or even Reed (if he drops). I love Castle, but think he and Scoot overlap a bit too much. I’d start with the idea that Scoot, Sharpe, and Ayton are the core (at least for now).

So, best SF at 7 and best guard (or another F if Simons brings back a G like Cole Anthony) at 14…trade Simons for payroll relief, a rotation player, and a pick or two. ORL is an obvious target with a need for Simons, picks and, most importantly, cap space. DET and others could also be interested…maybe even SAS, who has cap space and wings to spare. I can’t stand the idea of paying Grant, in POR’s current status, and his value WONT be increasing as he ages. See what you can get…maybe ATL sends a younger, less overpaid utility forward in Hunter and more for Grant?

[Pattycakes]

I haven't looked much at the draft, I'd assume all things equal they'll look for forward and perhaps center help with the lotto picks.

They need to move one of their vets (Simons, Brogdon, Thybulle, Grant, RWIII, Ayton) in a move that gets them under the luxury tax (no one wants to pay luxury taxes on a team that isn't even trying for the play-in). They could deal 2 or 3 if good deals come along, but they don't have to do more. In general I could trade any of them, with the decision based on who's getting the best trade offer(s). There would be some preferences though.

Simons would be my first choice to move - he's an outright bad defender and I don't know that he helps a team offense as much as his individual stats would say. To Orlando for Anthony, cap space and a future 1st or two? (don't really want Anthony but Orlando would want to send him out, the salary difference is enough to get Portland away from the tax and you can live with him as an overpaid 4th guard. Brogdon would be the next choice if Simons is kept. I like him better as a 3rd guard with Scoot and Sharpe but if you have Simons with them then Brogdon becomes unnecessary.

Grant would be next. I think he's similar to Simons in that he doesn't help as much as his PPG would indicate and might draw interesting offers. Portland's thinner at forward though so he's much less in the way. The others don't make as much sense to move but for the right offer would certainly be dealt.

Not bad.

I have us targeting Holland, Knecht, or Clingan at 7 plus Edey, Ware, or Salaun at 14 this draft..


We should trade 2 of Jerami Grant, Simons, Brogdon for decent future draft capital.. could technically trade both guards and draft one, but I don’t see that happening.


Could also see some smaller moves like maybe extending someone like Dalano Banton to a couple years.. and swap one of Jabari Parker or Kris Murray out for another guy w higher potential. Oh, and Thybulle can yield us a potato chip from grandmas couch. That’s cool.

Sounds pretty sound..

Would say Scoot, Ayton, Shaedon and Camara are basically the “untouchables”.. all things considered.. and then the three vets mentioned will be our assets to play around with. We have some solid bench guys like Banton and Reath, Parker and Murray both steady improving.. the 4 potential draft picks this year including two in lottery.

Blazers might still look “meh” after this offseason but I think it will be the next evolution of what it meant this year. I also expect major steps up from scoot and ayton as both finished this recent season on absolute tears.

If Ayton is a long-term piece, why would they want to select a center with a lottery pick...?
Do you think J.Grant will be available?

I would say to support him, as well as have a backup? We don’t currently have a healthy and solid backup center. Probably just smart personnel management imo. Grant is absolutely available. He’s a huge contract but he’s also a very productive scorer who’s only 30, someone will want him.

[vege]

Makes no sense for a team this bad to be this expensive. I'd try to get rid of all 4 expensive players, including Ayton.


Trade #1
Washington in DeAndre Ayton, Portland in Richaun Holmes, Landry Shamet and #26.

Washington need talent, Portland need high character vets to help develop their young guards, Ayton doesn't fit imo.

Trade #2
Detroit in Grant and Cam Johnson
Portland In a late 1st from Brooklyn (either Phoenix or Philly 1st with added protection so it's 20+)
Brooklyn In Jaden Ivey and Malcolm Brodgon

Brooklyn saves money next offseason, they add a talented young guard and a solid vet to continue being competitive
Detroit add 2 good but super expensive Forwards but they'd fit well with Cade and Monty
Portland saves money and add an asset in the process

Trade #3

Orlando In Anfernee Simons
Portland In #18 + Orlando's choice of Jett Howard or Caleb Houstan
Simons to Orlando is obvious. Maybe Houston or Howard are not needed I don't know

Trade #4
GSW in #40
Portland In Kevon Looney (add a young veteran that's a good passer/rebounder/defender to make sure the young players learn how to play the right way)
GSW saves money and add an asset while they give up a player they no longer need. Porland add a high character, young veteran who plays the right way to set the example.

Package some picks to move up and get 2 rookies this draft, no more than that. If Portland can't move up, trade some picks for future picks.

Kevon Looney / Rob Williams / Duop Reap
Rookie / Kris Murray / Toumani Camara
Matisse Thybulle / Rookie / Jabari Walker
Shaedon Sharpe / Gary Harris / Landry Shamet / Orlando kid
Scoot Henderson / Monte Morris or Delon Wright

That's a cheap team with some veterans that can play defense, play hard, and can be a solid example for the kids. Maybe it's too many young players to develop I don't know, but to me it makes a lot more sense than what they have right now.

[Texas Chuck]

Yeah I'd see if anyone makes a reasonable offer on Simons or Grant. If so, I'd take it for either or both. If not, then just move Brogdon or Thybulle to dodge the tax.

Then its just play all the kids with the vets sprinkled in. See what you can learn about them, while winning under 25 games.

[JRoy]

If I were GM I would start with the draft; No obvious stars at the top and pretty flat throughout. I would go into the draft with the idea that we need to add cheap talent that might be worth keeping.

I would listen to all offers, but the only talent I really want to keep is Sharpe.

7-Edey
He has proven he can log heavy minutes and produce at a high level. He’s a dinosaur but he is huge and productive and it would be great to have a center that doesn’t flinch from contact.
14-Da Silva
Looks like a guy that will contribute for 10 years.
34-Ryan Dunn
Thybulle replacement
40-Oso Igodaro
Hopefully a rotation level player

I would want to send out some of the overpaid players still on the roster.
Ayton-Tough to find a deal that works. Maybe CHI is the mismanagement continues, odds are we are stuck with him.
Grant-easier to move and I don’t value him as highly as the FO does. There are teams that would benefit from a sweet shooting forward that isn’t an embarrassment on the other end.
Simons-send him to ORL. They really need his shooting and that is the only thing he does well.
Brogdon-I’d rather keep him than the other big money guys. He can play with either Scoot or Sharpe and can fill the vet mentor role for another year.
Rob Williams-hopefully rehabs value but doubt it happens.

“There is a party in the parking lot, Coach Billups. Bring your stuff…”

Get this bum out of here now. Horrible hire.

These are my opinions and are not shared by the POR FO or likrr we let anyone else.

[ChettheJet]

Being Captain Obvious, I've got to pick a lane. Right now the Blazers are almost in the same predicament as the Chicago Bulls. They've both got a expensive veteran lineup that just hasn't won. The Bulls have young improving veterans like White and Dosunmu who should have bigger roles, Williams who they need to decide on. At the same time PORT has some young players who they should play and find out about before they come due for new contracts.

My lane is clear the veterans who have shown what they've got for several teams and they aren't going to suddenly get much better. Make room to start Scoot, Sharpe, Thybulle, Murray and Walker., maybe even Simons.

I'd actually look at the Bulls to be one partner. Likely trade Ayton for Vucevic and the PORT pick back. Yes the same 2 years left but for less money and for all you will complain about what Vucevic can't do, he's a solid veteran, yeah he can still shoot but he's a willing passer so the ball doesn't fall into a black hole with him so those young guys aren't afraid to pass him the ball.

At least that's one trade where the Blazers don't have to attach picks to shed a contract. They get their pick back so if any of the next 2-3 trades does need to include a future pick they can do it.

[Blazers20]

I’d start off with possible trades.

DET: Grant-Thybulle
HOU: Ivey-Brogdon-Williams
ORL: Simons-Reath-Camara
POR: 3rd & 5th Pick-Future Picks from ORL (2028 LAL/WAS and 2030 MIL)-Isaac or Salary Filler-Steven Adams

Detroit gets 2 useful players that possibly improves the team (read in the past Ivey didn’t fit well in Detroit with Cade).

Udoka gets 2 players he favored when he was in Boston and a young point to pair with Green in the future.

Orlando gets a scoring guard with a decent outside shot to help with the development of the Magic team which should be that much better with another year under their belt without really touching their core team.

Blazers get a bunch of draft capital and a decent backup to Ayton in Adams and Portland can see what Isaac has left in the tank.

[Blazers20]

Blazers would then have picks 3-5-7-14-34-40. Could they package these picks to move up to snag Sarr and or Risacher? Pick 5 and 14 for the 1st pick and 3-34-40 for the 2nd pick? If not they could just go keep the picks and attempt to draft BPA, get bigger and more versatile.

[Blazers20]

Finally I’d like to take a shot at signing Bol Bol and give him an opportunity to play a ton of minutes and see if he and Ayton can become a decent front line.

I’d really just like to carryover Scoot, Sharpe and Ayton from last years team and see what can be built with a true rebuild and allow Scoot, Sharpe, Bol and Ayton to build chemistry together along with the picks.

[orlando_joe]

Makes no sense for a team this bad to be this expensive. I'd try to get rid of all 4 expensive players, including Ayton.


Trade #1
Washington in DeAndre Ayton, Portland in Richaun Holmes, Landry Shamet and #26.

Washington need talent, Portland need high character vets to help develop their young guards, Ayton doesn't fit imo.

Trade #2
Detroit in Grant and Cam Johnson
Portland In a late 1st from Brooklyn (either Phoenix or Philly 1st with added protection so it's 20+)
Brooklyn In Jaden Ivey and Malcolm Brodgon

Brooklyn saves money next offseason, they add a talented young guard and a solid vet to continue being competitive
Detroit add 2 good but super expensive Forwards but they'd fit well with Cade and Monty
Portland saves money and add an asset in the process

Trade #3

Orlando In Anfernee Simons
Portland In #18 + Orlando's choice of Jett Howard or Caleb Houstan
Simons to Orlando is obvious. Maybe Houston or Howard are not needed I don't know

Trade #4
GSW in #40
Portland In Kevon Looney (add a young veteran that's a good passer/rebounder/defender to make sure the young players learn how to play the right way)
GSW saves money and add an asset while they give up a player they no longer need. Porland add a high character, young veteran who plays the right way to set the example.

Package some picks to move up and get 2 rookies this draft, no more than that. If Portland can't move up, trade some picks for future picks.

Kevon Looney / Rob Williams / Duop Reap
Rookie / Kris Murray / Toumani Camara
Matisse Thybulle / Rookie / Jabari Walker
Shaedon Sharpe / Gary Harris / Landry Shamet / Orlando kid
Scoot Henderson / Monte Morris or Delon Wright

That's a cheap team with some veterans that can play defense, play hard, and can be a solid example for the kids. Maybe it's too many young players to develop I don't know, but to me it makes a lot more sense than what they have right now.

#18 and houston seems fair with port getting a 24 mill tpe to pick up bad contract and asset ..

[Wizenheimer]

what Portland should do is shop att their veteran players, hard. That includes Simon and Ayton. Maybe them exspecially. Not one of their vets has the talent to alter the trajectory of a team. But they do have enough talent to deliver some damaging wins next season. So instead of blatantly tanking by faking injury, the Blazers should organically tank by dumping those veteran players

the problem with all Portland hypothetical plans is that the Blazers may have the worst ownership in the NBA. Seattle-based Jody Allen and Vulcan management don't care at all about wins. They care about cash flow, dodging the luxury tax, and keeping the NBA ATM open as long as possible

[Norm2953]

Personally if I were Portland, I'd worry less about the team being expensive and would pay the
tax for its just this upcoming season with Brogdon and likely Thybulle expiring and Simons
and Ayton and expiring in 2026 make budget eventually will not be an issue. Only extend those guys
if its necessary

For me its about talent acquisition and this draft has a number of juniors and seniors who thanks
to Covid and NIL, stayed in school and have learned how to play. This is not a draft with any sure
fire stars but there are like 10 Jaime Jacquez' types out there who will be ready to play some
minutes next season.

Let's say the Blazers draft Knecht at 7 with Edey at 14 with another of the Juniors/seniors at 34
and the team drafts a big man project like Ulrich Chomche at 40 whom they stash overseas

Team trades Simons to Orlando. If they get #18 and a future pick that's fine and Portland takes
Tristan De Silva or a front court player like Daron Holmes

If they can move Grant, that's fine but he's going to be hard to move for any real value

Portland' then has De Silva, Knecht, Edey and whoever they drafted at 34

They go into next season in the BC Scoot, Sharpe, Brogdon

At center they have Ayton and Edey who i think will be a tough match up against second unit centers

At forward they have Grant, Walker, Camara and the rookie they take at 18

and has two players Knecht and Thybulle to play a SF/SG role

Team doesn't have a star player but that player doesn't exist in this draft. This a draft which Portland
makes moves to draft a replacement for the guys they wish to replace

[tacos]

Yeah I'd see if anyone makes a reasonable offer on Simons or Grant. If so, I'd take it for either or both. If not, then just move Brogdon or Thybulle to dodge the tax.

Then its just play all the kids with the vets sprinkled in. See what you can learn about them, while winning under 25 games.

You have the right answer here. With the cap growing and so many teams having money, all while the free agent class leaves much to be desired, there are going to be some ugly contracts signed this year, making overpaid vets start looking a lot better. In the event we must kick the can to the deadline or later for the other vets, I liked the Thybulle for TE and some good 2nds in the future that you posted some weeks back.

[Myth]

I haven't looked much at the draft, I'd assume all things equal they'll look for forward and perhaps center help with the lotto picks.

They need to move one of their vets (Simons, Brogdon, Thybulle, Grant, RWIII, Ayton) in a move that gets them under the luxury tax (no one wants to pay luxury taxes on a team that isn't even trying for the play-in). They could deal 2 or 3 if good deals come along, but they don't have to do more. In general I could trade any of them, with the decision based on who's getting the best trade offer(s). There would be some preferences though.

Simons would be my first choice to move - he's an outright bad defender and I don't know that he helps a team offense as much as his individual stats would say. To Orlando for Anthony, cap space and a future 1st or two? (don't really want Anthony but Orlando would want to send him out, the salary difference is enough to get Portland away from the tax and you can live with him as an overpaid 4th guard. Brogdon would be the next choice if Simons is kept. I like him better as a 3rd guard with Scoot and Sharpe but if you have Simons with them then Brogdon becomes unnecessary.

Grant would be next. I think he's similar to Simons in that he doesn't help as much as his PPG would indicate and might draw interesting offers. Portland's thinner at forward though so he's much less in the way. The others don't make as much sense to move but for the right offer would certainly be dealt.

Not bad.

I have us targeting Holland, Knecht, or Clingan at 7 plus Edey, Ware, or Salaun at 14 this draft..


We should trade 2 of Jerami Grant, Simons, Brogdon for decent future draft capital.. could technically trade both guards and draft one, but I don’t see that happening.


Could also see some smaller moves like maybe extending someone like Dalano Banton to a couple years.. and swap one of Jabari Parker or Kris Murray out for another guy w higher potential. Oh, and Thybulle can yield us a potato chip from grandmas couch. That’s cool.

Sounds pretty sound..

Would say Scoot, Ayton, Shaedon and Camara are basically the “untouchables”.. all things considered.. and then the three vets mentioned will be our assets to play around with. We have some solid bench guys like Banton and Reath, Parker and Murray both steady improving.. the 4 potential draft picks this year including two in lottery.

Blazers might still look “meh” after this offseason but I think it will be the next evolution of what it meant this year. I also expect major steps up from scoot and ayton as both finished this recent season on absolute tears.

If Ayton is a long-term piece, why would they want to select a center with a lottery pick...?
Do you think J.Grant will be available?

I’m of the mindset of being happy to select Clingan, but not fully convinced he translates in the NBA. 18-20 minutes per game should be sufficient his rookie season, and more in the games Ayton misses. If he is good enough to make Ayton expendable, great. We deal Ayton when we are confident in Clingan. If Clingan busts, then we still have Ayton.

I really hope Portland makes Grant available.

[JasonStern]

Trade #34 and #40 to Boston for #30. Failing that, stash some Euros like Dadiet and Đurišić with the 2nd round picks.
Draft best players available at #7, #14, #30.
Trade Thybulle or Timelord to duck the luxury tax.
Tank.
Field offers for Brogdon at the trade deadline. Or let him expire to duck the luxury tax next year.

Not the sexiest plan, but fairly realistic.

[balsamic_ducks]

I start ripping this down to the studs. No reason to be this expensive and be a bottom 5 team. Grant, Ayton,
Brogdon, Simons, Rob Williams, and Thybulle are all for sale to the highest bidder