DEC 15: Robert Williams for Obi Toppin

[Crymson]

Unlikely.

I know exactly how terrible the Blazers are.

Who do you think the best Blazer player will be this year?

I'd say Scoot, Grant, Sharpe, Simons, and Ayton all have a shot at being better than Avdija. Grant alone was better last season than Avdija has been through his four years in the NBA so far.

If Deni is the best player on the team, then I think that's likely to be because everyone else had very disappointing seasons rather than because he was particularly good in his own right. And with how the roster is, he's unlikely to receive the same billing that he did in Washington last season.

[JRoy]

Unlikely.

I know exactly how terrible the Blazers are.

Who do you think the best Blazer player will be this year?

I'd say Scoot, Grant, Sharpe, Simons, and Ayton all have a shot at being better than Avdija. Grant alone was better last season than Avdija has been through his four years in the NBA so far.

If Deni is the best player on the team, then I think that's likely to be because everyone else had very disappointing seasons rather than because he was particularly good in his own right. And with how the roster is, he's unlikely to receive the same billing that he did in Washington last season.

I like Sharpes future, but Scoot is awful and all the others have major flaws.

All will probably score more than Avdija but he is an actual 2 way player unlike any of those guys.

[Crymson]

I like Sharpes future, but Scoot is awful and all the others have major flaws.

All will probably score more than Avdija but he is an actual 2 way player unlike any of those guys.

Scoot was awful in year one as a possession-heavy primary handler, the toughest role for any rookie. Sharpe is still a TBD but certainly has potential. When Simons is healthy, he's a strong scorer.

Grant is very much a two-way player. He was a good defender well before he became a notable scorer, and that hasn't gone away. Ayton is a solid defender when he's trying, though effort is an eternal variable with that waste of talent.

[JRoy]

I like Sharpes future, but Scoot is awful and all the others have major flaws.

All will probably score more than Avdija but he is an actual 2 way player unlike any of those guys.

Scoot was awful in year one as a possession-heavy primary handler, the toughest role for any rookie. Sharpe is still a TBD but certainly has potential. When Simons is healthy, he's a strong scorer.

Grant is very much a two-way player. He was a good defender well before he became a notable scorer, and that hasn't gone away. Ayton is a solid defender when he's trying, though effort is an eternal variable with that waste of talent.

Simons and Ayton are fools gold. Grant can play defense when motivated, though hasn’t been often in recent years.

POR didn’t do much to make Scoots rookie year easier. Not a single competent screener on the roster and a terrible coach. Hopefully one day he will approach average.

[Myth]

if by the grace of God you are able to snag Flagg or Bailey you sure don't let Avidja or anyone else get in their way of their development.

Why would he block their development? He is probably the most versatile player we have and could easily play SF or PF. Most of the rest of the Blazers are the ones that are clearly 1 position. He also is not a heavy volume shooter, he should be easily complimentary to either of those guys.

[BlazersBroncos]

if by the grace of God you are able to snag Flagg or Bailey you sure don't let Avidja or anyone else get in their way of their development.

Why would he block their development? He is probably the most versatile player we have and could easily play SF or PF. Most of the rest of the Blazers are the ones that are clearly 1 position. He also is not a heavy volume shooter, he should be easily complimentary to either of those guys.

Ya one of the many things that’s great about Demi is his multi faceted skillset makes him a fit with a variety of archetypes at either F position.

We haven’t had a 2 way forward who plays smart efficient basketball and doesn’t ball stop since Batum. Deni is a keeper.

[Scoot McGroot]

If Indy deals for RW3, it will be to acquire a cheaper replacement for Myles Turner as he enters free agency, not as a very expensive backup. I think Isaiah Jackson is developing nicely into that 15-ish minute a night backup (with some situational small ball minutes of Siakam or Toppin at the 5).

If Indy makes a bigger move elsewhere using a Turner, I could see a possible corresponding acquisition of RW3, if he’s healthy and looks like he could mostly regain his mobility and impact on the court. I don’t know that Indy would make that deal straight up, though, and risk having RW3 as a super expensive backup for Myles the following year, though.

[JeffFosters]

I’m a big fan of RW3 and Thybulle* but Indy doesn’t have great salaries to match in trades with a rebuilding team. If we still had the Bruce Brown $20m expiring I’d be all for swapping it for Rob and Matisse. As of now acquiring either means giving up a solid rotation guy.

Honestly it really depends on how Walker comes along in year 2, specifically whether he’s forcing himself in to the rotation and if he looks better as a 3 or a 4.

* edited to note that MT wasn’t part of the OP but he’s the only other (realistic) Blazer I’d be keen on

[Wizop]

Pacers have Jackson, Wiseman, and Toppin as backup centers. they also have Freeman on a two-way who can be a center and Walker can play small-ball center. there is no need to trade for a center. the need is for a wing-sized-wing.