Ayton, Grant, and Simons for anything?

[PDXKnight]

Wizards asking for multiple 1st round picks for Kuzma, good, let's hope Cronin sees reason and is ok with trading Grant and\or other vets for (1) 1st.

Multiple highly protected picks are not more valuable than (1) unprotected or lightly protected pick.

I have a feeling the wiz are hoping for 1 first for kuz but starting high on their ask

[Butter]

about Sharpe's next contract:

his next contract will start after next season. That will be AFTER all the new media money starts to accelerate the salary cap. Now, the new CBA has a smoothing provision that will prevent a major jump in the cap like 2016 when Olshey went bat$****. The smoothing limits increases in the salary cap to 10% of the previous season's cap

the current Cap is 140.6M. If you project a 10% increase for each of the next 2 seasons, The cap when Sharpe gets paid could be 170M. Sharpe's max 1st year salary (unless he's all-NBA next season...not likely) would be 42.5M. If he got a max 5 year deal it could total 245M, which would approach 49M/year

now, that seems beyond realistic for Sharpe at this point; and a worst case scenario for Portland. But the history is that players who show any significant upside get paid extremely well in their rookie extensions. If Sharpe stays healthy and continues his trajectory you just about have to assume he's get at least 80% of his max and more likely close to 90%. Even at 75%, his 1st year salary will likely be over 30M. A 4 year deal would be 34M/year; a 5 year deal 35M/year. But he's very likely to exceed those numbers unless he flatlines his current trajectory

Brutal, $35mil+/year for a guy that has yet to show he can be "the guy"

Maybe they should trade Sharpe, draft a new guy and delay the big payoff.

Of course, if the Blazers trade Sharpe, he instantly becomes the next Kobe.

[dckingsfan]

Looks like Sac is trying to move Huerter and Lyles.

Grant for Huerter & Lyles plus a protected 1st would be what I would offer.

Why?

Portland - you get out from that contract and get cap flexibility starting next year. You assist with the tank while developing your youngsters moving forward. And you would assume that you will land the protected first as Grant should make them immediately better.

Sacramento - they really need 3-point shooting. That and it allows them to move Keon to the bench (addition by subtraction) and move DeRozen to SG (where he will get more mismatches).

I think this one could actually get done if we don't sit on the "two first round pick" issue. Or we make the second first round pick convey to a second to save face.

Edit: The other option would be Williams & Thybulle. If there was a way to move Grant for another protected 1st, that would work as well.

[BlazersBroncos]

Looks like Sac is trying to move Huerter and Lyles.

Grant for Huerter & Lyles plus a protected 1st would be what I would offer.

Why?

Portland - you get out from that contract and get cap flexibility starting next year. You assist with the tank while developing your youngsters moving forward. And you would assume that you will land the protected first as Grant should make them immediately better.

Sacramento - they really need 3-point shooting. That and it allows them to move Keon to the bench (addition by subtraction) and move DeRozen to SG (where he will get more mismatches).

I think this one could actually get done if we don't sit on the "two first round pick" issue. Or we make the second first round pick convey to a second to save face.

I think this could be a possibility if SAC continues to struggle. They have looked really bad lately.

I want to move off Simons and Ayton still but I think Grant and RWIII are much more realistic.

Jerami Grant + Jabari Walker JR for Kevin Huerter + Trey Lyles + 2027 LP FRP
Robert Williams III for Kenrich Williams + lowest 2025 OKC FRP (LP - reverts to 2 SRP)

Think we are stuck w/ Simons and Ayton - pray we let them expire.

[Walton1one]

Saw this today and just shook my head. IF true, then Cronin is an idiot. I will say, however, that the majority of rumors right now around players have teams asking for more than they are generally considered worth in return, but the fear here is that Cronin's stubborness\stupidity? may cause him to be the odd man out at the trade deadline with POR ending up not trading any of the main players (Grant\Ant\RW3\Ayton) that they need to trade.

If they come out of the trade deadline for the 2nd straight year, holding onto these players (let alone holding onto them this last offseason) then Cronin should be fired.

Elsewhere in the frontcourt, forward Jerami Grant has drawn consistent trade interest since signing a five-year, $160 million contract, but there’s been a difference in opinion on his value. Portland has been unwilling to trade Grant without two first-round picks in return, while interested teams have only been willing to consider parting with one first-round pick. Some teams also view Grant’s contract as a neutral asset.

https://hoopshype.com/rumor/3324313/

[Walton1one]

Nightmare scenario:

However, the Trail Blazers could strike on something like LaVine to give themselves a quicker rebuild. Portland has a few players on their roster that they have been looking to move and they could swap contracts with the Bulls.

LaVine would give Portland a legitimate go-to type of player who is still in his prime. The guard may fit in well alongside some of the Trail Blazers younger players and it could be a nice pairing.

I don't even know what this would look like?
Ayton & Thybulle for LaVine + minimum contract player (THT, Phillips?)? What is most frightening is that I could totally see Cronin watching games and deciding to cash assets in to compete now.

22-year-old Jonathan Kuminga has been linked to many teams in trade rumors (including the Brooklyn Nets), but Kuminga and his expiring contract might be shipped off to the Portland Trail Blazers in a deal that would send Anfernee Simons back to Golden State, according to a report this week from Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz.

Not sure how I would feel about a deal like this. Kuminga wants $35mil+ and I am not sure he is worth that

Would be something like:
Melton, Payton, Kuminga
for
Simons, Reath & Walker (or Banton)

More Simons trade ideas:

Since Orlando is his hometown, expect Simons to feel at home with the Magic. Jalen Suggs can slide to the shooting guard position, while Franz and Paolo play as the wings. This trade could happen by packaging Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Jett Howard with a 2027 first-round pick.

Haven't heard MIA before, I like Larsson

Portland’s primary target in this trade will be a 2029 first-round pick. The deal could involve Terry Rozier and Pelle Larsson matching Simons’ contract. The Blazers will continue in the trade market, as they will not want Rozier to eat into Henderson’s minutes.

3-team deal, but seems like a pretty nice haul for POR, not doable with Mann as he cant be traded until March 25'.

Could work with a combination of Hyland and\or any combination of Dunn\batum\Coffey

Also, 25' 1st can't be sent from LAC, would have to be 30 or 31 1st. 27' swap is already owned by OKC, but I guess it could be worst of all 3, but why?

Nets have (3) 25' 1st's?
Their own, MIL, NYK

Here is what the proposed deal would look like:

Trail Blazers receive: Guard Ben Simmons, guard Terance Mann, forward Kobe Brown, a 2025 first-round pick from the Nets, a 2025 first-round pick from the Clippers, and a 2027 first-round pick swap from the Clippers.

Clippers receive: Guard Dennis Schroder and center Robert Williams III

Nets receive: Forward P.J. Tucker, guard Anfernee Simons, forward Matisse Thybulle, a 2029 first-round draft pick from the Clippers, and a 2030 second-round draft pick from the Clippers

The Clippers land two win-now players as they try to go for a title with Kawhi Leonard and James Harden. Both Schroder and Williams III give them extra firepower and depth to compete in the Western Conference.

Lakers floating new rumor? (1) 1st for both Grant & RW3? I don't see it. Nor do I see Christie, JHS having much value, Rui I think could fit with this team.

Proposed Trade Details

Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Jerami Grant, Robert Williams III

Portland Trail Blazers Receive: D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, Max Christie, Jalen Hood-Schifino, 2029 First-Round Pick (LAL)

Another jump start of rebuild, and it has POR giving up Camara AND a 28' pick. Thing is, I don't trust Cronin enough to think that he wouldn't do something like this.

Also, DEN would have to send out another player to make this work I think. Someone like Peyton Watson, Julian Strawther, DaRon Holmes.

hmm...without the 28' 1st or another player (Murray? Banton?) instead of Camara, I might consider it. Porter Jr is only 26. Strawther\Holmes could be interesting. Tough to lose Camara, but if they kept 28' pick by including him and got Strawther\Watson or Holmes back? myabe....

Still, think they would have to be other moves (Grant?) on the horizon

Trail Blazers receive: Forward Michael Porter Jr.

Nuggets receive: Guard Anfernee Simons, forward Matisse Thybulle, forward Tounami Camara, and a 2028 first-round draft pick

[Butter]

Nightmare scenario:

However, the Trail Blazers could strike on something like LaVine to give themselves a quicker rebuild. Portland has a few players on their roster that they have been looking to move and they could swap contracts with the Bulls.

LaVine would give Portland a legitimate go-to type of player who is still in his prime. The guard may fit in well alongside some of the Trail Blazers younger players and it could be a nice pairing.

I don't even know what this would look like?
Ayton & Thybulle for LaVine + minimum contract player (THT, Phillips?)? What is most frightening is that I could totally see Cronin watching games and deciding to cash assets in to compete now.

22-year-old Jonathan Kuminga has been linked to many teams in trade rumors (including the Brooklyn Nets), but Kuminga and his expiring contract might be shipped off to the Portland Trail Blazers in a deal that would send Anfernee Simons back to Golden State, according to a report this week from Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz.

Not sure how I would feel about a deal like this. Kuminga wants $35mil+ and I am not sure he is worth that

Would be something like:
Melton, Payton, Kuminga
for
Simons, Reath & Walker (or Banton)

More Simons trade ideas:

Since Orlando is his hometown, expect Simons to feel at home with the Magic. Jalen Suggs can slide to the shooting guard position, while Franz and Paolo play as the wings. This trade could happen by packaging Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Jett Howard with a 2027 first-round pick.

Haven't heard MIA before, I like Larsson

Portland’s primary target in this trade will be a 2029 first-round pick. The deal could involve Terry Rozier and Pelle Larsson matching Simons’ contract. The Blazers will continue in the trade market, as they will not want Rozier to eat into Henderson’s minutes.

3-team deal, but seems like a pretty nice haul for POR, not doable with Mann as he cant be traded until March 25'.

Could work with a combination of Hyland and\or any combination of Dunn\batum\Coffey

Also, 25' 1st can't be sent from LAC, would have to be 30 or 31 1st. 27' swap is already owned by OKC, but I guess it could be worst of all 3, but why?

Nets have (3) 25' 1st's?
Their own, MIL, NYK

Here is what the proposed deal would look like:

Trail Blazers receive: Guard Ben Simmons, guard Terance Mann, forward Kobe Brown, a 2025 first-round pick from the Nets, a 2025 first-round pick from the Clippers, and a 2027 first-round pick swap from the Clippers.

Clippers receive: Guard Dennis Schroder and center Robert Williams III

Nets receive: Forward P.J. Tucker, guard Anfernee Simons, forward Matisse Thybulle, a 2029 first-round draft pick from the Clippers, and a 2030 second-round draft pick from the Clippers

The Clippers land two win-now players as they try to go for a title with Kawhi Leonard and James Harden. Both Schroder and Williams III give them extra firepower and depth to compete in the Western Conference.

Lakers floating new rumor? (1) 1st for both Grant & RW3? I don't see it. Nor do I see Christie, JHS having much value, Rui I think could fit with this team.

Proposed Trade Details

Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Jerami Grant, Robert Williams III

Portland Trail Blazers Receive: D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, Max Christie, Jalen Hood-Schifino, 2029 First-Round Pick (LAL)

Another jump start of rebuild, and it has POR giving up Camara AND a 28' pick. Thing is, I don't trust Cronin enough to think that he wouldn't do something like this.

Also, DEN would have to send out another player to make this work I think. Someone like Peyton Watson, Julian Strawther, DaRon Holmes.

hmm...without the 28' 1st or another player (Murray? Banton?) instead of Camara, I might consider it. Porter Jr is only 26. Strawther\Holmes could be interesting. Tough to lose Camara, but if they kept 28' pick by including him and got Strawther\Watson or Holmes back? myabe....

Still, think they would have to be other moves (Grant?) on the horizon

Trail Blazers receive: Forward Michael Porter Jr.

Nuggets receive: Guard Anfernee Simons, forward Matisse Thybulle, forward Tounami Camara, and a 2028 first-round draft pick

Wow, great roll up

[DusterBuster]

Nightmare scenario:

However, the Trail Blazers could strike on something like LaVine to give themselves a quicker rebuild. Portland has a few players on their roster that they have been looking to move and they could swap contracts with the Bulls.

LaVine would give Portland a legitimate go-to type of player who is still in his prime. The guard may fit in well alongside some of the Trail Blazers younger players and it could be a nice pairing.

I don't even know what this would look like?
Ayton & Thybulle for LaVine + minimum contract player (THT, Phillips?)? What is most frightening is that I could totally see Cronin watching games and deciding to cash assets in to compete now.

22-year-old Jonathan Kuminga has been linked to many teams in trade rumors (including the Brooklyn Nets), but Kuminga and his expiring contract might be shipped off to the Portland Trail Blazers in a deal that would send Anfernee Simons back to Golden State, according to a report this week from Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz.

Not sure how I would feel about a deal like this. Kuminga wants $35mil+ and I am not sure he is worth that

Would be something like:
Melton, Payton, Kuminga
for
Simons, Reath & Walker (or Banton)

More Simons trade ideas:

Since Orlando is his hometown, expect Simons to feel at home with the Magic. Jalen Suggs can slide to the shooting guard position, while Franz and Paolo play as the wings. This trade could happen by packaging Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Jett Howard with a 2027 first-round pick.

Haven't heard MIA before, I like Larsson

Portland’s primary target in this trade will be a 2029 first-round pick. The deal could involve Terry Rozier and Pelle Larsson matching Simons’ contract. The Blazers will continue in the trade market, as they will not want Rozier to eat into Henderson’s minutes.

3-team deal, but seems like a pretty nice haul for POR, not doable with Mann as he cant be traded until March 25'.

Could work with a combination of Hyland and\or any combination of Dunn\batum\Coffey

Also, 25' 1st can't be sent from LAC, would have to be 30 or 31 1st. 27' swap is already owned by OKC, but I guess it could be worst of all 3, but why?

Nets have (3) 25' 1st's?
Their own, MIL, NYK

Here is what the proposed deal would look like:

Trail Blazers receive: Guard Ben Simmons, guard Terance Mann, forward Kobe Brown, a 2025 first-round pick from the Nets, a 2025 first-round pick from the Clippers, and a 2027 first-round pick swap from the Clippers.

Clippers receive: Guard Dennis Schroder and center Robert Williams III

Nets receive: Forward P.J. Tucker, guard Anfernee Simons, forward Matisse Thybulle, a 2029 first-round draft pick from the Clippers, and a 2030 second-round draft pick from the Clippers

The Clippers land two win-now players as they try to go for a title with Kawhi Leonard and James Harden. Both Schroder and Williams III give them extra firepower and depth to compete in the Western Conference.

Lakers floating new rumor? (1) 1st for both Grant & RW3? I don't see it. Nor do I see Christie, JHS having much value, Rui I think could fit with this team.

Proposed Trade Details

Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Jerami Grant, Robert Williams III

Portland Trail Blazers Receive: D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, Max Christie, Jalen Hood-Schifino, 2029 First-Round Pick (LAL)

Another jump start of rebuild, and it has POR giving up Camara AND a 28' pick. Thing is, I don't trust Cronin enough to think that he wouldn't do something like this.

Also, DEN would have to send out another player to make this work I think. Someone like Peyton Watson, Julian Strawther, DaRon Holmes.

hmm...without the 28' 1st or another player (Murray? Banton?) instead of Camara, I might consider it. Porter Jr is only 26. Strawther\Holmes could be interesting. Tough to lose Camara, but if they kept 28' pick by including him and got Strawther\Watson or Holmes back? myabe....

Still, think they would have to be other moves (Grant?) on the horizon

Trail Blazers receive: Forward Michael Porter Jr.

Nuggets receive: Guard Anfernee Simons, forward Matisse Thybulle, forward Tounami Camara, and a 2028 first-round draft pick

Do you have the links for where all these came from?

A few of these are pretty interesting and are teams I've previously targeted as potential landing spots for the players they get.

A few of these offers (LaVine and MPJ) are literal nightmare fuel (the MPJ proposal specifically). There is no world in which I would move Camara and a first rounder for MPJ. I don't value MPJ very highly.

Love the Clippers 4 team deal quoted, but likely too good for Portland. Not sure I see the Nets POV on it either.

Simons to Orlando or GSW has been on my list of destinations for him for awhile. Both great fits and I think they both would have a lot of interest for various reasons.

Simons to Miami barely has a snowballs chance in hell. Can't see the Blazers and Heat making a trade for the foreseeable future while the current FO's are still in place.

Don't care for the Lakers deal, I would want 2 firsts back for both of Grant and Rob.

[Walton1one]

I’ll attach links tomorrow.

[DaVoiceMaster]

I read that same article about bit ago. Maybe I've not seen enough of Porter Jr, but that does not excite me. I don't like his contract and I don't wanna give up Camara.

Just send Ayton, Grant, Simons and 4 picks to Milwaukee for Lillard and Giannis!!! Boo ya

[Pattycakes]

Would anyone else be interested in deaaron fox?

Still only 26, and 10x the player ant could ever dream of being

[BlazersBroncos]

Would anyone else be interested in deaaron fox?

Still only 26, and 10x the player ant could ever dream of being

Not me. Keep rebuilding. 26 is entering prime.

SAC also isnt going to rebuild - and if they did the cost would likely be around Scoot + Sharpe + pick(s).

He isnt a clear cut #1 either - he needs to be a robin.

[zzaj]

I think the era of the <6'4" PG is over. It's gradually been trending upward. Besides a couple of players like Steph, Garland, Brunson, and Morant...who are the current PGs that are contributing to contending basketball that are shorter than 6'4"?

IMHO, Dylan Harper is the way. Demin is the way. Players with size that can handle primary duties.

[JRoy]

Would anyone else be interested in deaaron fox?

Still only 26, and 10x the player ant could ever dream of being

Not me. Keep rebuilding. 26 is entering prime.

SAC also isnt going to rebuild - and if they did the cost would likely be around Scoot + Sharpe + pick(s).

He isnt a clear cut #1 either - he needs to be a robin.

Hard pass on Fox.

That’s not a knock on him but no point paying for a #2 without a #1 guy on the roster.

[zzaj]

Say what you will about Marang (can't really stand the guy's personality, personally) but according to his Exec sources all is quiet on the trade front and he doesn't expect any trade any time soon.

[Norm2953]

Most likely there will be some talks as the clubs get closer to December 15

[BlazersBroncos]

Another idea - if SAC continues to struggle and wants to make a win-now move - I believe they are under the apron and did not use their MLE so they could use the MLE as a TPE and take Thybulle. Something of a 2-part move -

Jerami Grant + Jabari Walker JR for Kevin Huerter + Trey Lyles + 2027 LP FRP
Matisse Thybulle into MLE TPE + 2026 SRP

If they are willing to spend adding that MT for SRP part might help grease the wheels to moving off a FRP for Grant.

[Tim Lehrbach]

Another idea - if SAC continues to struggle and wants to make a win-now move - I believe they are under the apron and did not use their MLE so they could use the MLE as a TPE and take Thybulle. Something of a 2-part move -

Jerami Grant + Jabari Walker JR for Kevin Huerter + Trey Lyles + 2027 LP FRP
Matisse Thybulle into MLE TPE + 2026 SRP

If they are willing to spend adding that MT for SRP part might help grease the wheels to moving off a FRP for Grant.

I like Matisse and wish he could stay on the court, but is he really a sweetener? Can't see him getting regular minutes in Sacramento with DeRozan, Monk, Ellis, and now Crowder there. Plus Grant or Keegan, whichever they call the small forward.

That said, they are one of the few teams that I think should consider moving a (protected) first for Grant. It hasn't come together for them yet, but they have a pretty consistent top two, who are always going to keep them in the hunt. I think they should be buying and not selling, and I imagine their front office agrees.

[BlazersBroncos]

Another idea - if SAC continues to struggle and wants to make a win-now move - I believe they are under the apron and did not use their MLE so they could use the MLE as a TPE and take Thybulle. Something of a 2-part move -

Jerami Grant + Jabari Walker JR for Kevin Huerter + Trey Lyles + 2027 LP FRP
Matisse Thybulle into MLE TPE + 2026 SRP

If they are willing to spend adding that MT for SRP part might help grease the wheels to moving off a FRP for Grant.

I like Matisse and wish he could stay on the court, but is he really a sweetener? Can't see him getting regular minutes in Sacramento with DeRozan, Monk, Ellis, and now Crowder there. Plus Grant or Keegan, whichever they call the small forward.

That said, they are one of the few teams that I think should consider moving a (protected) first for Grant. It hasn't come together for them yet, but they have a pretty consistent top two, who are always going to keep them in the hunt. I think they should be buying and not selling, and I imagine their front office agrees.

Ya in retrospect they dont really need him with Ellis - and adding Grant means your pushing one of DDR / Keegan to the bench so there are even less GF minutes to go around.

[Walton1one]

Say what you will about Marang (can't really stand the guy's personality, personally) but according to his Exec sources all is quiet on the trade front and he doesn't expect any trade any time soon.

He has been wrong more often than not. I think he is full of bs, and\or he is deliberately being manipulated (or not told) IF he even talks to anyone who would be in the know. Like, why would they tell him? They would not...

This last draft, he was adamant and talking down to others who disagreed with him about that POR would be selecting Cody Williams. That Cody was at the TOP of their board at their draft position, and they loved his game. However that was not even remotely the case, then he tried to play it off like he knew they were taking DC the entire time. Insufferable person

That being said, would it really be a surprise if Cronin did not make a move before\at the deadline? I mean he didn't really LY. I don't trust Cronin AT ALL. He talks about building with the young guys, but then keeps vets that serve no long-term purpose for this team.

At some point, Cronin will have to deal with Ant\Ayton\RW3 & Thybulle, as all of them will be FA after next season and if he keeps stalling all he is doing is lowering the return he gets back for them and letting them walk for nothing would be beyond stupid b\c he isn't going to sign a FA that can meet the value of what he lost.

I am beginning to think as some have suggested, that he thinks he can shortcut his way back to relevance by keeping the vets and tanking when they are out of it. It is a stupid strategy, but all indications so far point to that.