BlazersBroncos wrote:Tim Lehrbach wrote:I know better than to place any stock in the wisdom of the commons (Trade Board), but here I go anyway: when I look at the speculative "market" for other players on there (Cam Johnson, rental Ingram, rental Butler, LaVine, DeRozan...), it just reinforces the my perception that there are no assets to be had for our veterans. There are significantly better players potentially available in trade who are drawing tepid interest -- or at least haven't been traded for significant value yet.
It's admittedly a guess, but I just don't think teams are so eager anymore to cough up picks for rentals or role players. Never go full Afflalo.
100% agreement.
I see no FRP on the table for Simons, Ayton or Grant.
Ayton has an archetype that isnt in demand, is overpaid, doesnt space the floor, doesnt protect the rim and few teams would even have both matching salary and a starting C need if he was remotely coveted.
Simons is one of a gaggle of short, score only combo guards projected to be avaliable. He is having his worst season ever and is a generationally poor defender by all advanced metrics.
Grant is having a putrid season and was handed a contract that should, in retrospect, be a capital offense. 3 more years after this at 30M+. There is a good chance that if he continues this level of play by the summer of 2025 Jerami Grant will be considered the worst contract in the entire league. Let that set in and give me some examples of worse if you disagree.
We sat on our stocks too long and the .com bubble has burst. Its basically worst case scenario for the Blazers regarding the value of these guys. They are all having their worst seasons of their careers - more or less and the NBA trade market has dramatically changed due to the new CBA. Its a total cluster ****.
Maybe for this trade deadline, but not forever.
Other teams might trade for Blazers players for two reasons:
1) to help them win more games
2) expiring contracts to get under the salary aprons
If Cronin can't make a move this year, I will be very bummed, but next year,
....................25-26..........26-27
Ayton: $35,550,814......$0
Simons: $27,678,571......$0
Matice: $11,500,000......$0
That's going to look pretty appealing to salary capped teams.