Ayton, Grant, and Simons for anything?

[Butter]

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.

It works of they play DDR at SG, Murray at the SF, and Jeremi at the PF

[Walton1one]

Not sure where to put this, but did anybody see what MEM 2-way player (2nd round pick, #53 pick) Cam Spencer did in the G-League last night?

Memphis second round pick Cam Spencer today for the Memphis Hustle in the G-League

51 points
6 boards
3 assists
18-24 FG
12-15 3P
1-1 FT

Was unconscious tonight and was only one 3 point made shy from breaking the all time record for 3PM in the G-League (12)

[Walton1one]

links updated

SImons to GS
https://www.si.com/nba/trailblazers/news/trail-blazers-anfernee-simons-labeled-as-trade-target-for-multiple-nba-teams

MPJ for Simons\Thybulle\Camara & 28' 1st
https://www.si.com/nba/trailblazers/news/blazers-predicted-to-land-179m-star-in-blockbuster-trade-proposal-01jdzkwq0vfs

Grant\RW3 for Dlo\Rui\Christie\JHS & 29' 1st
https://fadeawayworld.net/nba-trade-rumors/los-angeles-lakers/blockbuster-trade-idea-jerami-grant-and-robert-williams-iii-to-the-los-angeles-lakers

Lavine to POR
https://www.si.com/nba/trailblazers/news/trail-blazers-may-trade-for-all-star-with-reportedly-low-asking-price-01je1qvn6c95

POR\LAC\BRK 3-team deal
https://www.si.com/nba/trailblazers/news/blazers-land-40-3m-all-star-in-proposed-blockbuster-trade-01je23smhms5

Here is a new "hypothetical" trade
RW3 to CLE for Jaylon Tyson & Georges Niang

In this hypothetical deal, Robert Williams III could be a natural trade target for the Cavs. If he can continue to prove that he can remain healthy, Williams could be the right fit for the team off the bench. And if the Cavs could pull off such a move by only parting ways with 2024 first-round draft pick Jaylon Tyson and veteran Georges Niang, Cleveland should not hesitate to pull the trigger.

https://sircharlesincharge.com/nba-rumors-predicting-1-aggressive-trade-contender-consider-making/4

[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.

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.

No real argument from me. Mostly I posted this as a "FWIW". I agree with you about Marang--dude is a complete blowhard. However, he does have team access and a loud mouth. Again, FWIW...

[Runner300]

Rui Hachimura, which I see mentioned here a few times, is an empty stat guy.
He can shoot from anywhere, he can drive, he can dunk. He's a nice friendly guy.
But he will never pass the ball, not rebound enough, nor bother defend against anything that moves.
I had the pleasure to watch him for 4 years in Washington, where he was drafted, "developed", and then shipped off to make way for Deni Avdija.

[DusterBuster]

Rui Hachimura, which I see mentioned here a few times, is an empty stat guy.
He can shoot from anywhere, he can drive, he can dunk. He's a nice friendly guy.
But he will never pass the ball, not rebound enough, nor bother defend against anything that moves.
I had the pleasure to watch him for 4 years in Washington, where he was drafted, "developed", and then shipped off to make way for Deni Avdija.

I don't think anyone actually wants Rui Hachimura here, he's just necessary salary filler for getting Grant to the Lakers. I think Portland would be more than happy to ship him off to a 3rd team if it returned a second (or if Cronin gets his way, third) first round pick.

[BlazersBroncos]

Ya - Rui is pure salary filler in any deal. I would rather those minutes go to Rayan and Kris even if we swapped for him in a Grant deal.

Maybe some other team would value him a but - give us salary filler and maybe 2 SRP.

I still dont think LAL moves a FRP for someone of Grant's caliber. I think they are already looking towards the post-LBJ era and are at this point just coasting, making some big money on sales and letting LBJ get all the stat records he can gobble up.

[zzaj]

Rui Hachimura, which I see mentioned here a few times, is an empty stat guy.
He can shoot from anywhere, he can drive, he can dunk. He's a nice friendly guy.
But he will never pass the ball, not rebound enough, nor bother defend against anything that moves.
I had the pleasure to watch him for 4 years in Washington, where he was drafted, "developed", and then shipped off to make way for Deni Avdija.

I don't think anyone actually wants Rui Hachimura here, he's just necessary salary filler for getting Grant to the Lakers. I think Portland would be more than happy to ship him off to a 3rd team if it returned a second (or if Cronin gets his way, third) first round pick.

Rui sounds a heckuva lot like Grant. Although Grant seems to be defending better this year...

EDIT: Just looked it up. At 4 years younger, I'd trade Rui for Grant straight up if it were possible. Rui is the better player. Better shooter, better rebounder--grant gets a slight edge in defense this year, but he's been worse in past years.

But I haven't really watched Rui, so I don't know what his shooting is really about.

[dckingsfan]

Rui Hachimura, which I see mentioned here a few times, is an empty stat guy.
He can shoot from anywhere, he can drive, he can dunk. He's a nice friendly guy.
But he will never pass the ball, not rebound enough, nor bother defend against anything that moves.
I had the pleasure to watch him for 4 years in Washington, where he was drafted, "developed", and then shipped off to make way for Deni Avdija.

I don't think anyone actually wants Rui Hachimura here, he's just necessary salary filler for getting Grant to the Lakers. I think Portland would be more than happy to ship him off to a 3rd team if it returned a second (or if Cronin gets his way, third) first round pick.

Rui sounds a heckuva lot like Grant. Although Grant seems to be defending better this year...

EDIT: Just looked it up. At 4 years younger, I'd trade Rui for Grant straight up if it were possible. Rui is the better player. Better shooter, better rebounder--grant gets a slight edge in defense this year, but he's been worse in past years.

But I haven't really watched Rui, so I don't know what his shooting is really about.

FYI, Rui also has a lower BBIQ. Fine for the Lakers, he would be lost (IMO) on the Blazers.

[BlazersBroncos]

Rui is for sure not as good as Grant. All advanced metrics show he is a worse net player on the floor. He is also more position locked (PF) than Jerami. He is more of a Ayton type - empty stats for the most part but looks like Tarzan so constantly given higher praises than he deserves.

[tester551]

Rui is for sure not as good as Grant. All advanced metrics show he is a worse net player on the floor. He is also more position locked (PF) than Jerami. He is more of a Ayton type - empty stats for the most part but looks like Tarzan so constantly given higher praises than he deserves.

Agree that Rui is over hyped and generally an empty stats type player... And that he's locked in at the PF position.

Disagree that Rui is not as good as Grant. By most of the metrics that I look at - Rui is a better player than Grant.

Just a few. Rui is first, Grant second:

WS/48: 0.088 vs 0.054
TS%: 0.585 vs 0.525
TRB%: 9.8 vs 5.8
BPM: -1.5 vs -1.0
Net RTG (Off-Def): +3 (123-120) vs -9 (109-118)

[dckingsfan]

Rui is for sure not as good as Grant. All advanced metrics show he is a worse net player on the floor. He is also more position locked (PF) than Jerami. He is more of a Ayton type - empty stats for the most part but looks like Tarzan so constantly given higher praises than he deserves.

Agree that Rui is over hyped and generally an empty stats type player... And that he's locked in at the PF position.

Disagree that Rui is not as good as Grant. By most of the metrics that I look at - Rui is a better player than Grant.

Just a few. Rui is first, Grant second:

WS/48: 0.088 vs 0.054
TS%: 0.585 vs 0.525
TRB%: 9.8 vs 5.8
BPM: -1.5 vs -1.0
Net RTG (Off-Def): +3 (123-120) vs -9 (109-118)

Put Grant on the Fakers with a lower usage and those numbers get flipped big-time. If Rui had the same usage numbers his TO% would soar.

Rui is also a much worse defender. And that is saying something.

We get to agree to disagree big time on this one...

[DeBlazerRiddem]

Rui is for sure not as good as Grant. All advanced metrics show he is a worse net player on the floor. He is also more position locked (PF) than Jerami. He is more of a Ayton type - empty stats for the most part but looks like Tarzan so constantly given higher praises than he deserves.

Agree that Rui is over hyped and generally an empty stats type player... And that he's locked in at the PF position.

Disagree that Rui is not as good as Grant. By most of the metrics that I look at - Rui is a better player than Grant.

Just a few. Rui is first, Grant second:

WS/48: 0.088 vs 0.054
TS%: 0.585 vs 0.525
TRB%: 9.8 vs 5.8
BPM: -1.5 vs -1.0
Net RTG (Off-Def): +3 (123-120) vs -9 (109-118)

Put Grant on the Fakers with a lower usage and those numbers get flipped big-time. If Rui had the same usage numbers his TO% would soar.

Rui is also a much worse defender. And that is saying something.

We get to agree to disagree big time on this one...

I'm a numbers guy, but too many folks act like numbers are not context dependent. Usage and how the defense plans for you has just as much impact as anything.

[dckingsfan]

Agree that Rui is over hyped and generally an empty stats type player... And that he's locked in at the PF position.

Disagree that Rui is not as good as Grant. By most of the metrics that I look at - Rui is a better player than Grant.

Just a few. Rui is first, Grant second:

WS/48: 0.088 vs 0.054
TS%: 0.585 vs 0.525
TRB%: 9.8 vs 5.8
BPM: -1.5 vs -1.0
Net RTG (Off-Def): +3 (123-120) vs -9 (109-118)

Put Grant on the Fakers with a lower usage and those numbers get flipped big-time. If Rui had the same usage numbers his TO% would soar.

Rui is also a much worse defender. And that is saying something.

We get to agree to disagree big time on this one...

I'm a numbers guy, but too many folks act like numbers are not context dependent. Usage and how the defense plans for you has just as much impact as anything.

Exactly. Like WS/48. If you are on a team that never wins a game...

[zzaj]

As I said, I'd trade them straight up if it were possible...

26 year old averaging 17M/year through next year

vs.

30 year old averaging 32M/year through the next 3 years

Rui's a better shooter and rebounder, Grant's a better defender.

https://stathead.com/sharing/25Pos

https://stathead.com/sharing/v57ar

[Walton1one]

I'd rather get a draft asset for Grant than just Rui. If he came back as part of a deal including a draft pick, I am fine with him. Not sure he is a long-term asset for POR either, but he could fill a similar role to Grant.

Rui does come at a cheaper cost, he is 4 years younger and his contract is up (2) years earlier (26/27 vs 28/29)

[zzaj]

I'd rather get a draft asset for Grant than just Rui. If he came back as part of a deal including a draft pick, I am fine with him. Not sure he is a long-term asset for POR either, but he could fill a similar role to Grant.

Rui does come at a cheaper cost, he is 4 years younger and his contract is up (2) years earlier (26/27 vs 28/29)

Exactly...I don't really see any incentive for the Lakers to trade Rui + an asset for Grant--as I don't think Grant makes them that much better for the cost.

[Walton1one]

If teams are inquring about Reath, then I am surprised that he has not been traded yet?

Teams can also trade for any player whose salary comes in below this season’s two-years-of-service minimum contract value of $2.0875 million. It’s why I’ve been told that Portland has received early trade calls on reserve center Duop Reath. “He’s really interesting,” one Western Conference executive said.

https://www.blazersedge.com/2024/12/5/24314362/jake-fischer-marc-stein-portland-trail-blazers-nba-trade-deadline-duop-reath-clingan-ayton-williams

[m0ng0]

If teams are inquring about Reath, then I am surprised that he has not been traded yet?

Teams can also trade for any player whose salary comes in below this season’s two-years-of-service minimum contract value of $2.0875 million. It’s why I’ve been told that Portland has received early trade calls on reserve center Duop Reath. “He’s really interesting,” one Western Conference executive said.

https://www.blazersedge.com/2024/12/5/24314362/jake-fischer-marc-stein-portland-trail-blazers-nba-trade-deadline-duop-reath-clingan-ayton-williams

At this point of the marginals or redundancies he is first on the list. I like him as a person and player, but we got too many other areas we could potentially fill.

[Butter]

If teams are inquring about Reath, then I am surprised that he has not been traded yet?

Teams can also trade for any player whose salary comes in below this season’s two-years-of-service minimum contract value of $2.0875 million. It’s why I’ve been told that Portland has received early trade calls on reserve center Duop Reath. “He’s really interesting,” one Western Conference executive said.

https://www.blazersedge.com/2024/12/5/24314362/jake-fischer-marc-stein-portland-trail-blazers-nba-trade-deadline-duop-reath-clingan-ayton-williams

At this point of the marginals or redundancies he is first on the list. I like him as a person and player, but we got too many other areas we could potentially fill.

Agreed, he's basically fourth on the depth chart behind

Clingan
Ayton
RWIII
Reath

The problem is I'm hoping the Blazers trade Ayton, and RWIII could be traded or get injured (again).