Ayton, Grant, and Simons for anything?

[zzaj]

Rumor is PHX sending Nurkic to CHA for Richards, (2) 2nd’s & another player, could be anyone number of guys b/t: Micic, Martin, Williams, Green or a combination of lesser contracts

Meanwhile our GM is sitting on his hands, embarrassing, especially since Nurkic as a contract & player is no great prize

You’re the one who thinks cronin is sitting on his hands because he refuses to dump guys for less than fair value. He’s a great gm, we are just a terrible fan base at this point. I honestly don’t think we deserve him

Thanks for the insight, Neil! lol

[DusterBuster]

Sounds like the Suns are interested in Duop Reath.

Since Chauncey isn’t giving him any run, seems like a good idea to move him somewhere he can play.

[Butter]

Sounds like the Suns are interested in Duop Reath.

Since Chauncey isn’t giving him any run, seems like a good idea to move him somewhere he can play.

I'm a little nervous about moving Reath if there's any chance they trade RWIII or, Ayton.

[Walton1one]

Sounds like the Suns are interested in Duop Reath.

Since Chauncey isn’t giving him any run, seems like a good idea to move him somewhere he can play.

I'm a little nervous about moving Reath if there's any chance they trade RWIII or, Ayton.

If only they would have kept the #40 pick instead of trading it for cash

[Wizenheimer]

Wiz,
I disagree about Reath, there was some interesting speculation about him a while back, about his deal that could be appealing for teams. Not that I expect them to get much for him, but a 2nd round pick seems reasonable...

Any team, regardless of their cap situation, can always sign or trade for a player by way of the minimum exception. ... 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.

Reath make $2.048mil

Stein confirms a report by Jake Fischer that Trail Blazers center Duop Reath is worth watching in trade talks. Reath is earning the veteran’s minimum and is probably expendable with three other centers on the roster.

Although his play of late....woof

I didn't say there wasn't any interest...although I'm even skeptical of that

what I pushed back on was the "strong interest" assertion. A 2nd round pick isn't associated with strong interest. And the rules haven't changes for vet minimum contracts. And of course Reath is averaging 2.6 pts and 1.1 reb while shooting 37.5% on FG's and 33.3% on three's.

[DaVoiceMaster]

A 2nd Rd Pick would be an amazing return for Reath. The guy.only stands on the 3 point line offensively and doesn't do anything defensively.

[Walton1one]

To think that PHX got Oso Ighodaro for cash from POR is infuriating... Not to mention the players drafted (several of whom are rotation players for good\playoff caliber teams) that POR passed on:

Oso Ighodaro @#40\PHX - 17min\game, now starting for PHX, averaging 21min over last 5 games
Jaylen Wells @ 39\MEM - Probably rookie of the year? Averaging 26min 11.7-3.4-1.7
Ajay Mitchell @ #38\OKC - Averaged 16.5min before injury on a DEEP OKC team
Johnny Furphy @ #35\IND - Averaging 8.3min in limited bench role as a 20yr old

You would think someome might want to ask Cronin if they need to re-evaluate their scouting department, given the HUGE misses they had this year? I mean, that is not inconsequntial.

I don't want to hear about how they didn't have room either, when WAY better teams are utilizing these players in meaningful roles, yet somehow they would have us believe that player wouldn't be useful to POR? What a joke...

[PDXKnight]

To think that PHX got Oso Ighodaro for cash from POR is infuriating... Not to mention the players drafted (several of whom are rotation players for good\playoff caliber teams) that POR passed on:

Oso Ighodaro @#40\PHX - 17min\game, now starting for PHX, averaging 21min over last 5 games
Jaylen Wells @ 39\MEM - Probably rookie of the year? Averaging 26min 11.7-3.4-1.7
Ajay Mitchell @ #38\OKC - Averaged 16.5min before injury on a DEEP OKC team
Johnny Furphy @ #35\IND - Averaging 8.3min in limited bench role as a 20yr old

You would think someome might want to ask Cronin if they need to re-evaluate their scouting department, given the HUGE misses they had this year? I mean, that is not inconsequntial.

I don't want to hear about how they didn't have room either, when WAY better teams are utilizing these players in meaningful roles, yet somehow they would have us believe that player wouldn't be useful to POR? What a joke...

Seems like oso is the only one we truly "passed up on." It's hard to strike gold in the late first and early second. In fact it's sort of a crap shoot. At least at this point oso doesn't seem like a huge miss. Just because you're starting doesnt mean you should be a starter but time will tell

[Walton1one]

Understand your point however, I disagree. Both Wells & Mitchell (in particular) along with Ighodaro are playing important roles on playoff-caliber teams. For a team like POR, whose GM states they need more talent, to pass on such players, while teams far superior to them are utilizing them in significant roles is not a good look. To say that in POR those same players are not needed or would not be an increase in the overall talent level strains credibility.

Jaylen Wells is likely the rookie of the year, starting on a team with the 6th best record in the NBA

Vecenie just released his rookie rankings and said this about Wells (#1 on the rankings):

You can count on Wells for 25 minutes per night at least of solid defense against relatively difficult assignments and real shot-making from distance. The scoring might fluctuate, but he makes the right decisions and gives real effort and energy

In regards to Mitchell, who was a rotation player for the #1 team in the west (#2 in NBA), which is absolutely stacked with talent, he is ranked #8, dropping b\c of injury

Mitchell’s injury was terrible timing, as the Thunder were quickly reaching a point when they needed to convert Mitchell from a two-way contract to a roster spot to make sure their backup point guard would be able to keep playing (two-ways are limited to just 50 games). I assume they will still convert him, as he proved enough to get a real contract. The Thunder won’t want to risk restricted free agency with him this summer after he showcased that he can be a critical bench player on one of the two best teams in the league as a rookie. The Thunder have won Mitchell’s 560 minutes this season by nearly nine points per 100 possessions, which is completely ridiculous. His ability to make quick, accurate decisions, shoot the ball and organize the offense has been huge.

Both Wells\Mitchell could have been selected if POR had not dealt their #34 for future 2nd's (all of which are likely to be much worse than the #34 they gave up - 27' from MIN, 29' least favorable b\t IND\WAS & 30' from NY)

#40\Oso was straight up dumped for cash.

I think it is totally appropriate to question Cronin's reasons and wonder about how they evaluate talent. How can you miss on so many guys? If I was GM, I would sure want to know.

[zzaj]

I said it before this draft, and I'll say it again...while 2024 was likely weak at the top, it's one of the deepest drafts I can remember. There are a ton of players taken in the teens and twenties that haven't been given a real chance to play. I loved Mitchell, and Wells (wasn't a fan of Oso). It was poor GMing to stand by players like Walker and Reath and not potentially find players with higher ceiling, or more talent via that draft.

[DusterBuster]

Posted this on the GB, but I have wonder if the Blazers wouldn't consider still trading for Zion? If they pick is trending in that 6-10 range, would they consider something like this...

Grant
Scoot
2025 FRP (Top 2 Protected, Unprotected in 2026)

for

Zion

Blazers and Pelicans reported did discuss a swap similar to this before Dame demanded a trade and the two teams have a good working relationship. The Blazers FO also seems to have very little appetite to be the level of bad they need to be to lock in a Top 4 pick. So if they aren't going to properly tank, maybe they just try to get a depressed asset like Zion and hope a change of scenery helps?

Admittedly, Zion in the Portland food scene is a risk... but if healthy, the resulting roster is pretty interesting...

Simons
Sharpe
Zion
Deni
Clingan

[Butter]

Posted this on the GB, but I have wonder if the Blazers wouldn't consider still trading for Zion? If they pick is trending in that 6-10 range, would they consider something like this...

Grant
Scoot
2025 FRP (Top 2 Protected, Unprotected in 2026)

for

Zion

Blazers and Pelicans reported did discuss a swap similar to this before Dame demanded a trade and the two teams have a good working relationship. The Blazers FO also seems to have very little appetite to be the level of bad they need to be to lock in a Top 4 pick. So if they aren't going to properly tank, maybe they just try to get a depressed asset like Zion and hope a change of scenery helps?

Admittedly, Zion in the Portland food scene is a risk... but if healthy, the resulting roster is pretty interesting...

Simons
Sharpe
Zion
Deni
Clingan

The idea of a generational talent is enticing, BUT

I cannot imagine a worse place for Zion. I would imagine that he's dealing with some aspects of depression. He needs to be on a sunny beach like Miami.

[DaVoiceMaster]

I would pass on Zion. The guy cannot stay healthy and on the court. He'd be great to have on the roster, but what do you do about the other 50 games in the season?

[zzaj]

I can't see any GM in their right mind giving up anything of value for Zion at this point. He's played in 197 games and missed 207. On top of that he's dealt with off the court issues and apparently has some mental things he's dealing with. Obviously he's probably a Top 10 player...but he's the same as the worst player in the NBA in over half of games, sitting on a bench.

That being said, I'd want to see what that contract and all it's escape clauses looks like.

EDIT: I just saw that a high 1st is attached. Easy nope. To a team like the Blazers high draft picks are like blue diamonds...they can't be giving them away for players that likely wouldn't even want to be here and play less than half the games in an NBA season.

[Walton1one]

1) I have no desire for Zion whatsoever, the risk is not worth the hypothetical reward

2) I don’t think POR can trade their 25 pick, since they owe that pick to CHI, they would have to trade it with protections like 3 to 13? And then in 26 same thing or 1 to 13, as CHI has rights otherwise.

I don’t think trading a high/mid lottery pick for Zion is worth it, especially when you don’t even know if that guy can consistently be on the court

[cucad8]

Posted this on the GB, but I have wonder if the Blazers wouldn't consider still trading for Zion? If they pick is trending in that 6-10 range, would they consider something like this...

Grant
Scoot
2025 FRP (Top 2 Protected, Unprotected in 2026)

for

Zion

Blazers and Pelicans reported did discuss a swap similar to this before Dame demanded a trade and the two teams have a good working relationship. The Blazers FO also seems to have very little appetite to be the level of bad they need to be to lock in a Top 4 pick. So if they aren't going to properly tank, maybe they just try to get a depressed asset like Zion and hope a change of scenery helps?

Admittedly, Zion in the Portland food scene is a risk... but if healthy, the resulting roster is pretty interesting...

Simons
Sharpe
Zion
Deni
Clingan

I would absolutely take a risk on Zion at some price point. Unfortunately, we cant trade that 2025 pick.

[Walton1one]

Trade restrictions have been lifted for the below 18 players.

96% of the league is now trade eligible.

Brooklyn: Nicolas Claxton

Charlotte: Miles Bridges

Chicago: Patrick Williams

Indiana: Obi Toppin

LA Lakers: Max Christie

Memphis: Scotty Pippen Jr.

Miami: Haywood

Noted this on the Xo-sphere. Not sure if any of these players would be a part of a trade package involving POR. The one that jumps out a little is Max Christie, if there were any legs to an LAL deal (involving RW3 or Grant)

Kind of wonder about a deal revolving around RW3 for Christie & 2nd round pick exchange?

Something along the lines of RW3\Banton\Walker for Christie & Vincent + (2) 25' picks

Christie is only 21, good size, shooter (37.2% from 3pt this year), and they have Knecht waiting in the wings (+ Milton).

POR $3.7mil below luxury taxe, LAL can only take back 100% or less of what they send out. This deal adds about $1.5 to POR cap, still under luxury tax

Also gives LAL a little more $ to sign a FA (Markelle Fultz has been rumored), they are approx $3.5 under 2nd apron, this would move them to around $5mil under. Fultz has 6? years of service, minimum contract would be around $2.6-$2.8mil

[DusterBuster]

Posted this on the GB, but I have wonder if the Blazers wouldn't consider still trading for Zion? If they pick is trending in that 6-10 range, would they consider something like this...

Grant
Scoot
2025 FRP (Top 2 Protected, Unprotected in 2026)

for

Zion

Blazers and Pelicans reported did discuss a swap similar to this before Dame demanded a trade and the two teams have a good working relationship. The Blazers FO also seems to have very little appetite to be the level of bad they need to be to lock in a Top 4 pick. So if they aren't going to properly tank, maybe they just try to get a depressed asset like Zion and hope a change of scenery helps?

Admittedly, Zion in the Portland food scene is a risk... but if healthy, the resulting roster is pretty interesting...

Simons
Sharpe
Zion
Deni
Clingan

I would absolutely take a risk on Zion at some price point. Unfortunately, we cant trade that 2025 pick.

**** Neil Olshey for that trade.

I guess I should say this deal would be contingent on another trade - likely RW3 for a late late late 2025 first.

[BlazersBroncos]

I want nothing to do with Zion. Its Ben Simmons all over again but with food and strippers instead of video games and insta models.

[MasterIchiro]

I want nothing to do with Zion. Its Ben Simmons all over again but with food and strippers instead of video games and insta models.

What's wrong with any of those things? Personally, I'm a fan. And this offends me.

Good day.