Woj: Deni to Portland for 14th pick and Brogdon

[Dark Faze]

I don't think he has an aggressive enough mentality to really break through his glass ceiling. There's two seasons of tanking basketball on his resume counting this year and last year (years where he actually had the skills to reach x level) and he just struggles to get shots up. His aggressiveness this month still only led to 13 FGA a night.

So for that reason I think his ceiling is going to be something like 18, 8, and 4 as a two way player. That's a hell of a player. But I also think that if we've rebuilt by the end of his current deal, if we really wanted to overpay him, we could. He's not going to be taking any discounts on his next deal and will go to the highest bidder based off how little (relatively) he has made over his first two NBA contracts.

I wouldn't be shocked if we were in a position to pick him up via free agency then. But all that is to say I'm feeling less worse about the trade as my idea of his ceiling is beginning to solidify. I don't think he has the scoring mentality required to be an all-star level player. It's a shame as shot attempts are the only thing I see holding him back.

[The Consiglieri]

I'll always wonder whether the current front office just didn't want to be repeatedly reminded that the most promising player on the team was drafted by the previous front office.

I guess we will know this if/when they trade Bub & Sarr for two middling FRPs. If they don't then I am guessing your hunch is probably spot on.

I seriously doubt it. Why would they care. They'd been here like six months and had all of one 1st round pick made. Otoh, we've seen plenty of FO's habitually undervalue players brought in by previous FO's, and Hollywood is notorious for putting into turn around projects started by previous heads of organizations. So it's not crazy, it just feels incredibly short sited and willfully stupid.

I still think it was a really simple thing:

The only asset left in house that people really wanted was Deni.

We needed to crater in '24, '25 and '26.

We were getting empty calories out of the value of his contract since we'd blow --- for 3 of the 4 years of his extension.

We could flip him for multiple firsts and seconds, dart throws, and a contract we might be able to dump for something.

All of that sounds more persuasive than:

The previous GM, who was a talentless hack at drafting, but pretty decent at flipping players for assets, actually hit on one guy, this is him, so ---- him. It just sounds crazy to me. Although it also sounds very 1980-2022 Boulez as well.

[AFM]

Well, if anyone has to apologize it's probably me, not cantoutsmartcrazy. I can be a real dick sometimes. Or most of the time depending on who you ask.
COSC if you see this please accept my apology. If not today, then eventually.

We're kosher as Deni's table salt, my friend.

This is actually how great friendships are formed. Just look at me and PIF. 10 years ago I hated that guy and now he's like my 6th favorite poster.

[payitforward]

Dang...! Life is so unfair -- I'm all the way down at #6? Meanwhile you are #5 on my list of favorites... I'm gonna cry I tell you!

[payitforward]

...I still think it (i.e. trading deni) was a really simple thing:

The only asset left in house that people really wanted was Deni.

We needed to crater in '24, '25 and '26.

We were getting empty calories out of the value of his contract since we'd blow --- for 3 of the 4 years of his extension.

We could flip him for multiple firsts and seconds, dart throws, and a contract we might be able to dump for something.

All of that sounds more persuasive than:

The previous GM, who was a talentless hack at drafting, but pretty decent at flipping players for assets, actually hit on one guy, this is him, so ---- him. It just sounds crazy to me....

This really does make sense.

Plus, since he'd just improved, they were selling pretty high on him.

[montestewart]

Glad PIF helped you all eventually see the light. But this was pretty funny. Also noticed (for the first time?) that Wizards jersey looks vaguely like Confederate flag

[dckingsfan]

...So for that reason I think his ceiling is going to be something like 18, 8, and 4 as a two way player. That's a hell of a player.

Not disagreeing with the rest of your post...

But... per 36, Deni is already a 18.4, 8.1 and 4.3 guy and that was with an incredibly miserable start to the season.

I think we are talking a 20, 8, 5 two-way guy with reasonably low usage. I could easily see 20, 8, 8 if he cuts down on the TOs.

[closg00]

Portland has the 2nd youngest team in the NBA, now with a young core to build and grow, Chauncey found his footing.

Read on Twitter

[Hidden Eye]

Deni 24/8/5 against the KD Suns.

Terrible trade. This trade better pan out cause right now it's really bad.

[dckingsfan]

Deni 24/8/5 against the KD Suns.

Terrible trade. This trade better pan out cause right now it's really bad.

I have finally let this part go...

But I am still rooting for Deni. Congrats to him for breaking .100 on WS/48.

[CntOutSmrtCrazy]

Deni 24/8/5 against the KD Suns.

Terrible trade. This trade better pan out cause right now it's really bad.

I watched that game as I was up late working, the odd thing it didn't even really even have the feel of a really great game despite putting up 24-8-5 on great scoring efficiency and solid defense (PHX constantly trying to get Simons on screens). He's starting to get to the point where you just expect more from, albeit it is tough trying to dictate on that team, you've got a lot of guys in Simons, Scoot, and Sharpe that are very ball dominant. Regardless, felt very ho-hum for him.

[Kanyewest]

Deni 24/8/5 against the KD Suns.

Terrible trade. This trade better pan out cause right now it's really bad.

I watched that game as I was up late working, the odd thing it didn't even really even have the feel of a really great game despite putting up 24-8-5 on great scoring efficiency and solid defense (PHX constantly trying to get Simons on screens). He's starting to get to the point where you just expect more from, albeit it is tough trying to dictate on that team, you've got a lot of guys in Simons, Scoot, and Sharpe that are very ball dominant. Regardless, felt very ho-hum for him.

Yeah, it was also an overtime game where he played 44 minutes and only took 12 shots . Still a good game overall

[TGW]

I was more disappointed in losing Deni from a culture perspective than his raw stats. Deni is a hard worker, unselfish, doesn't dominate the ball, and he's exciting to watch. I imagine his Blazer teammates enjoy playing with him. He also attacks the basket which is great to watch.

The Gizzards OTOH have put together one of the most unwatchable, selfish roster in recent memory. A bunch of guys who love to jack up contested jumpshots and do little to get in the paint. I mean, even the young players they've drafted treat the paint like it's hot lava.

[dckingsfan]

Deni 24/8/5 against the KD Suns.

Terrible trade. This trade better pan out cause right now it's really bad.

I watched that game as I was up late working, the odd thing it didn't even really even have the feel of a really great game despite putting up 24-8-5 on great scoring efficiency and solid defense (PHX constantly trying to get Simons on screens). He's starting to get to the point where you just expect more from, albeit it is tough trying to dictate on that team, you've got a lot of guys in Simons, Scoot, and Sharpe that are very ball dominant. Regardless, felt very ho-hum for him.

Yeah, it was also an overtime game where he played 44 minutes and only took 12 shots . Still a good game overall

Yep, 24 on 12, pretty good efficiency (+12). And he had those 5 assists and a ton of those hockey passes. But I don't think that is where he was most effective - it was on the defensive end of the court where he played his usual D and then got Portland going in transition.

[dckingsfan]

I was more disappointed in losing Deni from a culture perspective than his raw stats. Deni is a hard worker, unselfish, doesn't dominate the ball, and he's exciting to watch. I imagine his Blazer teammates enjoy playing with him. He also attacks the basket which is great to watch.

The Gizzards OTOH have put together one of the most unwatchable, selfish roster in recent memory. A bunch of guys who love to jack up contested jumpshots and do little to get in the paint. I mean, even the young players they've drafted treat the paint like it's hot lava.

In an alternate universe, I do wonder if they hadn't signed Kuz and kept Deni if the team dynamic wouldn't be considerably different. I really think Bilal (wild opinion) would have benefitted greatly with another year with Deni. And I think having Deni rebound the ball next to Sarr would have covered some of his defensive weaknesses. But maybe that would have added a few wins as well.

[gambitx777]

Deni got more than Luka lol can we just shut up about this being a bad trade lol !

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[AFM]

Deni got more than Luka if you think Brogdon is better than AD, sure...

[gambitx777]

Deni got more than Luka if you think Brogdon is better than AD, sure...

I believed my 2ed girl friend didn't cheat on me with 5 guys till guy number ,6 lol so yeah lol.

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[TGW]

Deni got more than Luka lol can we just shut up about this being a bad trade lol !

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[trast66]

Speaking of Brogdon, some thought we might get a conditional 1st or a couple 2nds for him that would add to ultimate trade value. Doesn’t look like it at this point.