FREE AGENCY 2024

[The Sebastian Express]

If one takes a look at the 2025 mock drafts, Cooper Flagg and Ace Bailey are really good prospects but no
more so than most drafts.

I'd hate to sit through another 15-20 win season in the hopes of luck in the lottery. Didn't help the Pistons
who have had a top 3 position in the last 3 drafts and ended up finished fifth. Team doesn't need help to
lose and might be better than most think if Scoot/Sharpe make major improvements in their games. That's
a big if however

This is just false. Cooper Flagg is considered one of the top, if not the best, American born prospect since LeBron/KD/Oden. He is considered, at this point, a franchise talent.

There is little reason to try to make the playoffs this year. It is a terrible decision.

HIs NBA comparison is AK47 but its a bit of a reach to place him in the Lebron level and unfair to place a
burden on Cooper to live up to the mantle of the next great player. Perhaps closer to an Anthony
Davis than a Lebron.

As I wrote, I doubt Portland can make the playoffs this season unless both Scoot/Sharpe make major
improvements in their game. Team with Deni and Donovan will be better but not that much better
to get them into the play in round. It's a team that is in transition, for they need more than just the first pick
in the 2025 draft for if Scoot continues to struggle, they might need to start over again with the French
PG who has been mocked to be going to Portland.

I did not say he was LeBron level. I said since. There is a distinct difference. I highly encourage you to go familarize yourself with Cooper Flagg with the research and scouting being done on the draft board.

[Norm2953]

This is just false. Cooper Flagg is considered one of the top, if not the best, American born prospect since LeBron/KD/Oden. He is considered, at this point, a franchise talent.

There is little reason to try to make the playoffs this year. It is a terrible decision.

HIs NBA comparison is AK47 but its a bit of a reach to place him in the Lebron level and unfair to place a
burden on Cooper to live up to the mantle of the next great player. Perhaps closer to an Anthony
Davis than a Lebron.

As I wrote, I doubt Portland can make the playoffs this season unless both Scoot/Sharpe make major
improvements in their game. Team with Deni and Donovan will be better but not that much better
to get them into the play in round. It's a team that is in transition, for they need more than just the first pick
in the 2025 draft for if Scoot continues to struggle, they might need to start over again with the French
PG who has been mocked to be going to Portland.

I did not say he was LeBron level. I said since. There is a distinct difference. I highly encourage you to go familarize yourself with Cooper Flagg with the research and scouting being done on the draft board.

.

I’ve seen this all before, when Blazer fans kept thinking Sidney Wicks would lead Portland
to the next level. Historically, it’s the player who has the ball in his hand who is the difference
maker. Flagg is going to be a really good player, but perhaps on the level of Anthony Davis but
read his NBA comparison of Ak 47 and Scottie Pippen.

Ace Bailey perhaps has more raw talent and the big who is going to Duke with Flagg for a while was
being mention as a star in this class. Strength of this class is in its depth for it has perhaps 6 guys
who would be top picks in a lot of draft classes. We’ll find after next season if it matches the great
draft class on 2003 which Lebron, Wade and Melo

[Butter]

HIs NBA comparison is AK47 but its a bit of a reach to place him in the Lebron level and unfair to place a
burden on Cooper to live up to the mantle of the next great player. Perhaps closer to an Anthony
Davis than a Lebron.

As I wrote, I doubt Portland can make the playoffs this season unless both Scoot/Sharpe make major
improvements in their game. Team with Deni and Donovan will be better but not that much better
to get them into the play in round. It's a team that is in transition, for they need more than just the first pick
in the 2025 draft for if Scoot continues to struggle, they might need to start over again with the French
PG who has been mocked to be going to Portland.

I did not say he was LeBron level. I said since. There is a distinct difference. I highly encourage you to go familarize yourself with Cooper Flagg with the research and scouting being done on the draft board.

.

I’ve seen this all before, when Blazer fans kept thinking Sidney Wicks would lead Portland
to the next level. Historically, it’s the player who has the ball in his hand who is the difference
maker. Flagg is going to be a really good player, but perhaps on the level of Anthony Davis but
read his NBA comparison of Ak 47 and Scottie Pippen.

Ace Bailey perhaps has more raw talent and the big who is going to Duke with Flagg for a while was
being mention as a star in this class. Strength of this class is in its depth for it has perhaps 6 guys
who would be top picks in a lot of draft classes. We’ll find after next season if it matches the great
draft class on 2003 which Lebron, Wade and Melo

It's super easy, just give the Blazers the #1 pick so they can decide who they want!

[Goldbum]

I'm hearing Portland has been offering up a "cheap depth package" that includes Matisse, Jabari and 1 of Timelord or Reath.
Looking to get in on a 3 team or larger deal.

[Norm2953]

I'm hearing Portland has been offering up a "cheap depth package" that includes Matisse, Jabari and 1 of Timelord or Reath.
Looking to get in on a 3 team or larger deal.

What would they be looking for if its not more picks?

[Norm2953]

I wonder if Portland will be a third team in the trade talks over Brandon Ingram?

Quite possible something will get done today on that front

[tester551]

I'm hearing Portland has been offering up a "cheap depth package" that includes Matisse, Jabari and 1 of Timelord or Reath.
Looking to get in on a 3 team or larger deal.

Going through the depth charts and looking who might be light on talent on the bench, wanting to be playoff contenders, having open roster spots, and contracts... The following teams may make sense:

+ Cleveland -> Thybulle + Reath <-> LeVert + 2nd?

+ Dallas -> Thybulle + Reath <-> Kieber + OMax

+ GSW -> Thybulle + RW3 + Walker <-> Wiggins

+ Houston -> RW3 + Walker <-> Eason + JGreen

+ LAC -> Thybulle (or RW3) <-> Tucker + 2-2nds

+ LAL -> Walker + RW3 <-> Vincent + Wood + 3-2nds

+ MIA -> Thybulle + RW3 + Walker <-> Robinson + Jovic

+ NOP -> They could REALLY use the depth package, but they don't have anything Portland can use. Maybe in a 3-way with Ingram...

+ SAC -> Thybulle + Reath + Walker <-> Huerter + 1st

Am I close with any of these?

[tester551]

I'm hearing Portland has been offering up a "cheap depth package" that includes Matisse, Jabari and 1 of Timelord or Reath.
Looking to get in on a 3 team or larger deal.

Going through the depth charts and looking who might be light on talent on the bench, wanting to be playoff contenders, having open roster spots, and contracts... The following teams may make sense:

+ Cleveland -> Thybulle + Reath <-> LeVert + 2nd?

+ Dallas -> Thybulle + Reath <-> Kieber + OMax

+ GSW -> Thybulle + RW3 + Walker <-> Wiggins

+ Houston -> RW3 + Walker <-> Eason + JGreen

+ LAC -> Thybulle (or RW3) <-> Tucker + 2-2nds

+ LAL -> Walker + RW3 <-> Vincent + Wood + 3-2nds

+ MIA -> Thybulle + RW3 + Walker <-> Robinson + Jovic

+ NOP -> They could REALLY use the depth package, but they don't have anything Portland can use. Maybe in a 3-way with Ingram...

+ SAC -> Thybulle + Reath + Walker <-> Huerter + 1st

Am I close with any of these?

3 way with GSW/NOP:

Ingram to GSW
Wiggins to Portland
RW3, Thybulle, Walker, GPII to Pels

[Norm2953]

I'm hearing Portland has been offering up a "cheap depth package" that includes Matisse, Jabari and 1 of Timelord or Reath.
Looking to get in on a 3 team or larger deal.

Going through the depth charts and looking who might be light on talent on the bench, wanting to be playoff contenders, having open roster spots, and contracts... The following teams may make sense:

+ Cleveland -> Thybulle + Reath <-> LeVert + 2nd?

+ Dallas -> Thybulle + Reath <-> Kieber + OMax

+ GSW -> Thybulle + RW3 + Walker <-> Wiggins

+ Houston -> RW3 + Walker <-> Eason + JGreen

+ LAC -> Thybulle (or RW3) <-> Tucker + 2-2nds

+ LAL -> Walker + RW3 <-> Vincent + Wood + 3-2nds

+ MIA -> Thybulle + RW3 + Walker <-> Robinson + Jovic

+ NOP -> They could REALLY use the depth package, but they don't have anything Portland can use. Maybe in a 3-way with Ingram...

+ SAC -> Thybulle + Reath + Walker <-> Huerter + 1st

Am I close with any of these?

3 way with GSW/NOP:

Ingram to GSW
Wiggins to Portland
RW3, Thybulle, Walker, GPII to Pels

Pelicans do have a need at center and Portland currently has 4 centers on the roster

[Village Idiot]

I'm hearing Portland has been offering up a "cheap depth package" that includes Matisse, Jabari and 1 of Timelord or Reath.
Looking to get in on a 3 team or larger deal.

Going through the depth charts and looking who might be light on talent on the bench, wanting to be playoff contenders, having open roster spots, and contracts... The following teams may make sense:

+ Cleveland -> Thybulle + Reath <-> LeVert + 2nd?

+ Dallas -> Thybulle + Reath <-> Kieber + OMax

+ GSW -> Thybulle + RW3 + Walker <-> Wiggins

+ Houston -> RW3 + Walker <-> Eason + JGreen

+ LAC -> Thybulle (or RW3) <-> Tucker + 2-2nds

+ LAL -> Walker + RW3 <-> Vincent + Wood + 3-2nds

+ MIA -> Thybulle + RW3 + Walker <-> Robinson + Jovic

+ NOP -> They could REALLY use the depth package, but they don't have anything Portland can use. Maybe in a 3-way with Ingram...

+ SAC -> Thybulle + Reath + Walker <-> Huerter + 1st

Am I close with any of these?

Denver desparately need depth after losing KCP for nothing. I can see them cashing in on MCJ. Not sure who might want him though given his price tag and injury history.

[Butter]

I am really hoping the Blazers can pull draft capitol out of these types of trades

[m0ng0]

I hope we work out something with Houston. We need a 4 badly!

[PDXKnight]

I am really hoping the Blazers can pull draft capitol out of these types of trades

Yeah, it’ll probably only be seconds unless we take bad money back but something is better than nothing

[JasonStern]

Simons will not only be on the roster but starting. I'm optimistic about a Sharpe/Scoot back court as much as anyone, and fear Sharpe being forced to play an undersized SF role. But Simons fits the age of the core, is on a friendly contract, and sadly is the best player on this team. Plus most teams don't view an undersized combo guard as that valuable. Meanwhile Sharpe/Scoot clearly aren't ready for prime time.

Now cashing in on Grant, if possible, makes a ton of sense. Same with Thybulle. But who knows what the market is for either player.

[Norm2953]

I find it fascinating to see how different clubs are navigating the apron for the Miami board is discussing
Caleb Martin turning down their $65/5 offers for Philly's $32/4 offer.

From Portland's POV, they are under the tax line and if were a contending team, they would have room to
maneuver for there literally is nobody on the roster whom they have to plan for an extension. Not likely
they will have a discussion this summer with Ayton/Simons and a potential extension with Sharpe at this
point is not a priority.

[PDXKnight]

I find it fascinating to see how different clubs are navigating the apron for the Miami board is discussing
Caleb Martin turning down their $65/5 offers for Philly's $32/4 offer.

From Portland's POV, they are under the tax line and if were a contending team, they would have room to
maneuver for there literally is nobody on the roster whom they have to plan for an extension. Not likely
they will have a discussion this summer with Ayton/Simons and a potential extension with Sharpe at this
point is not a priority.

Dang I wonder why caleb would take half, doesn't seem super smart

[Norm2953]

Teams who want to win are choosing where to settle on the apron.

The Celtics chose to keep their championship together for their payroll is $5 million above the second
apron and will be $16 million above the following season. The Nuggets chose to avoid the second
apron when they let KCP walk.

It does appear the league moving forward will place a premium on finding good young players on
rookie contracts which is why I hated Portland punting on their second round picks. I don't mind
the Deni trade for he's a solid young player on a great contract but I think Portland will miss Brogdon's
steady play and could have used Tyler Kolek, who might have played a Dave Twardzik role on next
years team.

[PDXKnight]

Teams who want to win are choosing where to settle on the apron.

The Celtics chose to keep their championship together for their payroll is $5 million above the second
apron and will be $16 million above the following season. The Nuggets chose to avoid the second
apron when they let KCP walk.

It does appear the league moving forward will place a premium on finding good young players on
rookie contracts which is why I hated Portland punting on their second round picks. I don't mind
the Deni trade for he's a solid young player on a great contract but I think Portland will miss Brogdon's
steady play and could have used Tyler Kolek, who might have played a Dave Twardzik role on next
years team.

We need minutes for scoot and sharpe and as good of a vet as brogdon was he hindered their development as does simons.

[tester551]

I find it fascinating to see how different clubs are navigating the apron for the Miami board is discussing
Caleb Martin turning down their $65/5 offers for Philly's $32/4 offer.

From Portland's POV, they are under the tax line and if were a contending team, they would have room to
maneuver for there literally is nobody on the roster whom they have to plan for an extension. Not likely
they will have a discussion this summer with Ayton/Simons and a potential extension with Sharpe at this
point is not a priority.

Dang I wonder why caleb would take half, doesn't seem super smart

I find that report a little suspect...
Martin at $8m is about right.
Martin at $13m feels overpaid.

Is there a legitimate source of the Miami offer?

[PDXKnight]

I find it fascinating to see how different clubs are navigating the apron for the Miami board is discussing
Caleb Martin turning down their $65/5 offers for Philly's $32/4 offer.

From Portland's POV, they are under the tax line and if were a contending team, they would have room to
maneuver for there literally is nobody on the roster whom they have to plan for an extension. Not likely
they will have a discussion this summer with Ayton/Simons and a potential extension with Sharpe at this
point is not a priority.

Dang I wonder why caleb would take half, doesn't seem super smart

I find that report a little suspect...
Martin at $8m is about right.
Martin at $13m feels overpaid.

Is there a legitimate source of the Miami offer?

Not sure if the offer was legit nor do I know what the market is for someone like Martin now, that is changing pretty rapidly in front of our eyes. Feels like stars are getting by far the bulk of the new money being handed out but it feels like in a year or two that will even out somewhat.