2025 Off-Season Strategy - What will Cronin do?

[DaVoiceMaster]

Id love to get a decent PF in the draft.

Where is Deni getting the bulk of his minutes? I'd like to see him primarily at the four and Camara at the three. If that is the decision, we are basically left with upgrading the SG, OR drafting depth PF of the bench, which I would be good with.

I'm not convinced Sharpe is worth $43M and if that is the asking price for his new contract, perhaps the Blazers move him. The team does not have a traditional PF and I'd like to have one, even if they come off the bench. Walker is not the PF I'm looking for. If the Blazers moved Sharpe, Camara could play the 2, Deni the 3, and a new player fills the 4. Or just bring the new PF off the bench.

[Wizenheimer]

Id love to get a decent PF in the draft.

Where is Deni getting the bulk of his minutes? I'd like to see him primarily at the four and Camara at the three. If that is the decision, we are basically left with upgrading the SG, OR drafting depth PF of the bench, which I would be good with.

I'm not convinced Sharpe is worth $43M and if that is the asking price for his new contract, perhaps the Blazers move him. The team does not have a traditional PF and I'd like to have one, even if they come off the bench. Walker is not the PF I'm looking for. If the Blazers moved Sharpe, Camara could play the 2, Deni the 3, and a new player fills the 4. Or just bring the new PF off the bench.

I'm not sure where this idea of a max contract for Sharpe comes from. 43M seems way over the top right now. Scottie Barnes and Lemelo Ball signed 43M/year deals but both of them have been all-stars. Avdija was a 9th pick and signed a 16M/year deal. Jalen Suggs was a 5th pck and signed a 29M/year deal. Devin Vassell has been better than Sharpe thru 3 seasons and signed a 27M/year deal

[dckingsfan]

Id love to get a decent PF in the draft.

Where is Deni getting the bulk of his minutes? I'd like to see him primarily at the four and Camara at the three. If that is the decision, we are basically left with upgrading the SG, OR drafting depth PF of the bench, which I would be good with.

I'm not convinced Sharpe is worth $43M and if that is the asking price for his new contract, perhaps the Blazers move him. The team does not have a traditional PF and I'd like to have one, even if they come off the bench. Walker is not the PF I'm looking for. If the Blazers moved Sharpe, Camara could play the 2, Deni the 3, and a new player fills the 4. Or just bring the new PF off the bench.

So this. Sharpe is a RFA. You need to negotiate hard with him and then if need be, let him walk (or match). He isn't going to get a max from any other team - just not happening given the new CBA.

I think that letting Simons go is addition by subtraction. But that is just me.

Given all that - the other option is to trade down and take Yaxel Lendeborg (for example). Say trade our pick for 2 of Brooklyn's picks (again, just an example). But this would take creativity of Cronin's part, possible?

[JasonStern]

If they take French PG Traore, it'll be to replace Scoot for how can they play together?

Not suggesting this, but great analogy - If the Blazers take Jordan, how can he play with Drexler?
If Traore is the BPA, you take him. The Blazers can trade Traore or Scoot if the fit isn't there. Or let Simons expire. The team needs more than one player capable of playing point.

Scoots improvement and contract timing is why I keep circling the idea of trading Sharpe. It extends the time line to give a young player a max deal.

No team is maxing out current Scoot Henderson. He's a 13/5/3 player that can't beat out Anfernee Simons. Rooting for the guy, but if he continues to improve, Simons expires next season. Cap space problem solved.

Sharpe + 9/10 might yield another solid player on a good contract
as opposed to drafting someone at 9/10 and hopes he fits with what Portland needs.

Except now you just lost your team's one pure SG. Sure, you have Simons and Thybulle. But, you have Simons and Thybulle. And you just traded a 21 year old 17.5/4.1/2.6 player for this unnamed player that somehow fits the roster, is young, and is on a good contract.

Again, I'd love to trade for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. But, that's not realistic. Continually repeating that the Blazers should obtain elite talent on dream contracts is cool and all, but it gets a bit annoying when nobody can pin-point target acquisitions and rationalize why the other team would agree to such a deal.

I'm not convinced Sharpe is worth $43M and if that is the asking price for his new contract, perhaps the Blazers move him.

What team has $43M in cap space that is willing to spend it all on Shaedon Sharpe? And I say that as a Sharpe stan.

[dckingsfan]

Yeah, I thought about this - I am not sure you actually need a "true" SG. The trio of Camara/Grant/Avdija did pretty well. Add your PG and C to the mix and you are fine. I don't think Grant is going anywhere, hence the statement.

Either way, if you want to extend Sharpe - just note that he is a RFA. Play hardball. If he walks, fine. He isn't going to be offered $43M anywhere as pointed out above.

Don't offer Simons anything. Play hardball with Ayton as well. Draft BPA or better yet, trade down and get to picks.

[DaVoiceMaster]

Where is Deni getting the bulk of his minutes? I'd like to see him primarily at the four and Camara at the three. If that is the decision, we are basically left with upgrading the SG, OR drafting depth PF of the bench, which I would be good with.

I'm not convinced Sharpe is worth $43M and if that is the asking price for his new contract, perhaps the Blazers move him. The team does not have a traditional PF and I'd like to have one, even if they come off the bench. Walker is not the PF I'm looking for. If the Blazers moved Sharpe, Camara could play the 2, Deni the 3, and a new player fills the 4. Or just bring the new PF off the bench.

I'm not sure where this idea of a max contract for Sharpe comes from. 43M seems way over the top right now. Scottie Barnes and Lemelo Ball signed 43M/year deals but both of them have been all-stars. Avdija was a 9th pick and signed a 16M/year deal. Jalen Suggs was a 5th pck and signed a 29M/year deal. Devin Vassell has been better than Sharpe thru 3 seasons and signed a 27M/year deal

And Thybulle wasn't worth $12M but someone offered it and the Blazers matched. Someone might be willing to overpay for Sharpe. I'm not saying just yet to move him, but it may be a consideration. If someone does offer a big payday, the Blazers either match the offer and potentially put themselves in a hole for the following 5-years or they let him walk for nothing. Not getting something in return would be a huge hit.

[Wizenheimer]

I'm not convinced Sharpe is worth $43M and if that is the asking price for his new contract, perhaps the Blazers move him. The team does not have a traditional PF and I'd like to have one, even if they come off the bench. Walker is not the PF I'm looking for. If the Blazers moved Sharpe, Camara could play the 2, Deni the 3, and a new player fills the 4. Or just bring the new PF off the bench.

I'm not sure where this idea of a max contract for Sharpe comes from. 43M seems way over the top right now. Scottie Barnes and Lemelo Ball signed 43M/year deals but both of them have been all-stars. Avdija was a 9th pick and signed a 16M/year deal. Jalen Suggs was a 5th pck and signed a 29M/year deal. Devin Vassell has been better than Sharpe thru 3 seasons and signed a 27M/year deal

And Thybulle wasn't worth $12M but someone offered it and the Blazers matched. Someone might be willing to overpay for Sharpe. I'm not saying just yet to move him, but it may be a consideration. If someone does offer a big payday, the Blazers either match the offer and potentially put themselves in a hole for the following 5-years or they let him walk for nothing. Not getting something in return would be a huge hit.

Thybulle was signed with an exception...the full MLE. There's no 40M MLE

[dckingsfan]

I'm not convinced Sharpe is worth $43M and if that is the asking price for his new contract, perhaps the Blazers move him. The team does not have a traditional PF and I'd like to have one, even if they come off the bench. Walker is not the PF I'm looking for. If the Blazers moved Sharpe, Camara could play the 2, Deni the 3, and a new player fills the 4. Or just bring the new PF off the bench.

I'm not sure where this idea of a max contract for Sharpe comes from. 43M seems way over the top right now. Scottie Barnes and Lemelo Ball signed 43M/year deals but both of them have been all-stars. Avdija was a 9th pick and signed a 16M/year deal. Jalen Suggs was a 5th pck and signed a 29M/year deal. Devin Vassell has been better than Sharpe thru 3 seasons and signed a 27M/year deal

And Thybulle wasn't worth $12M but someone offered it and the Blazers matched. Someone might be willing to overpay for Sharpe. I'm not saying just yet to move him, but it may be a consideration. If someone does offer a big payday, the Blazers either match the offer and potentially put themselves in a hole for the following 5-years or they let him walk for nothing. Not getting something in return would be a huge hit.

No, they won't be in a huge hole if they don't match. Letting him walk for nothing is beneficial to the cap moving forward vs. an overpay.

Just don't do it.

[DaVoiceMaster]

I'm not sure where this idea of a max contract for Sharpe comes from. 43M seems way over the top right now. Scottie Barnes and Lemelo Ball signed 43M/year deals but both of them have been all-stars. Avdija was a 9th pick and signed a 16M/year deal. Jalen Suggs was a 5th pck and signed a 29M/year deal. Devin Vassell has been better than Sharpe thru 3 seasons and signed a 27M/year deal

And Thybulle wasn't worth $12M but someone offered it and the Blazers matched. Someone might be willing to overpay for Sharpe. I'm not saying just yet to move him, but it may be a consideration. If someone does offer a big payday, the Blazers either match the offer and potentially put themselves in a hole for the following 5-years or they let him walk for nothing. Not getting something in return would be a huge hit.

Thybulle was signed with an exception...the full MLE. There's no 40M MLE

I'm just saying he wasn't worth his contract either.

[Wizenheimer]

And Thybulle wasn't worth $12M but someone offered it and the Blazers matched. Someone might be willing to overpay for Sharpe. I'm not saying just yet to move him, but it may be a consideration. If someone does offer a big payday, the Blazers either match the offer and potentially put themselves in a hole for the following 5-years or they let him walk for nothing. Not getting something in return would be a huge hit.

Thybulle was signed with an exception...the full MLE. There's no 40M MLE

I'm just saying he wasn't worth his contract either.

well, Cronin has signed Simons, Nurkic, Payton, and Grant. Matched Thybulle; and traded for Ayton and Timelord. None of those guys are worth their contracts.

he did well with Avdija, but another GM did that contract

I guess then the odds are he will eventually make a good contract decision, but with Simons and Ayton being due for new deals in 2026....uh oh

[Norm2953]

Yeah, I thought about this - I am not sure you actually need a "true" SG. The trio of Camara/Grant/Avdija did pretty well. Add your PG and C to the mix and you are fine. I don't think Grant is going anywhere, hence the statement.

Either way, if you want to extend Sharpe - just note that he is a RFA. Play hardball. If he walks, fine. He isn't going to be offered $43M anywhere as pointed out above.

Don't offer Simons anything. Play hardball with Ayton as well. Draft BPA or better yet, trade down and get to picks.

Been buried doing my taxes but I'd like to see what their late lottery pick + Sharpe gets them in trade.

Looking for a player that would fit in with Scoot, Deni, Camara and DC. One of Deni/Camara could end up in the
BC but it needs to be a player with some size who can make his open shots.

Would trading Portland's late lottery pick for two of Brooklyn's picks in the 20's make any sense?

[dckingsfan]

Yeah, I thought about this - I am not sure you actually need a "true" SG. The trio of Camara/Grant/Avdija did pretty well. Add your PG and C to the mix and you are fine. I don't think Grant is going anywhere, hence the statement.

Either way, if you want to extend Sharpe - just note that he is a RFA. Play hardball. If he walks, fine. He isn't going to be offered $43M anywhere as pointed out above.

Don't offer Simons anything. Play hardball with Ayton as well. Draft BPA or better yet, trade down and get to picks.

Been buried doing my taxes but I'd like to see what their late lottery pick + Sharpe gets them in trade.

Looking for a player that would fit in with Scoot, Deni, Camara and DC. One of Deni/Camara could end up in the BC but it needs to be a player with some size who can make his open shots.

Would trading Portland's late lottery pick for two of Brooklyn's picks in the 20's make any sense?

That is an interesting trade. Say, 10 for 18 & 26. And then you take shooters. But this doesn't seem like something Cronin would do?

"I think" the Sharpe trade would need to wait until the next off-season when someone wants to sign him but doesn't want us to match so that there is a S&T? We get back a bad contract and draft capital for Sharpe?

[DaVoiceMaster]

Thybulle was signed with an exception...the full MLE. There's no 40M MLE

I'm just saying he wasn't worth his contract either.

well, Cronin has signed Simons, Nurkic, Payton, and Grant. Matched Thybulle; and traded for Ayton and Timelord. None of those guys are worth their contracts.

Which is what worries me, that he will offer Sharpe a max contract.

[Norm2953]

It'd be interesting if they did 10 for 18/26 and just drafted more 6'8 guys like a lot of
teams.

[Wizenheimer]

I don't see any logical reason for the Blazers to trade an 8-11 pick for two late 1st's

the Blazers are already loaded with role players. What they don't have is an elite player...a legitimate lead option. A 10th pick has low odds of landing one, but it's a hell of a lot better odds than of finding one well outside of the lottery

[BlazersBroncos]

Ya I am not interested in moving down. Just take the highest upside guy regardless of position w/ the FRP.

I strongly think that guy is Noa Essangue but think he goes before our pick once teams get him in solo workouts.

[DusterBuster]

Ya I am not interested in moving down. Just take the highest upside guy regardless of position w/ the FRP.

I strongly think that guy is Noa Essangue but think he goes before our pick once teams get him in solo workouts.

Same, I hate move-down trades with a passion. Unless you're getting some unreal future asset value in return, like 3 FRPs... and even then, I would need to negotiate the restrictions on them so they aren't FRPs in name only.

[oldfishermen]

It appears Cronin " may" have up to 4 roster spots to fill, (before trades). Who do you bring back?

Team option:
I'm assuming the TO for Scoot and Sharpe are picked up.
I would not pick up the TO on Murray and Rupert.

Free agents.
Both FA Banton and RFA Walker are worth considering bringing back. It would depend on their price, and who we draft.

[zzaj]

It appears Cronin " may" have up to 4 roster spots to fill, (before trades). Who do you bring back?

Team option:
I'm assuming the TO for Scoot and Sharpe are picked up.
I would not pick up the TO on Murray and Rupert.

Free agents.
Both FA Banton and RFA Walker are worth considering bringing back. It would depend on their price, and who we draft.

Walker needs to be getting extended playing time at the PF position in the remaining games. Blazers need to see if his 3pt shooting is actually sustainable--I know he's worked on it for over a year. Rest Deni...

If so, he's worth bringing back as a hustle, elite rebounder who can hit the 3pt shot.

I've been a Banton supporter, but agree that he doesn't really provide anything that isn't replaceable. It would suck to lose the team's best defender at the guard position...but that's mostly because the Blazer guards are as a collection terrible at defense.

[zzaj]

The Blazers really hosed themselves losing that Toronto game...going from 8th (with a loss) to 10th.

If a player like Maluach falls to 8th, I could see getting some value from teams wanting to trade up since this draft is light on good Center prospects.

Of course this is all on Cronin for not ditching whomever he could of Simons, Ayton and Grant prior to the season. The Blazers would likely be 4th or 5th if he would have done that--47% and 42% chance at a top 4 pick, at those respective positions.