zzaj wrote:Myth wrote:zzaj wrote:Despite what Cronin thinks, the Blazers aren't really in any kind of place to be giving away picks for non-upgrades.
My thing is I don’t highly value 2nd rounders and cap space may be used to increase trade flexibility that may result in longer term upgrades.
Sure...I just don't think the flexibility gained in trading for one year less of a known player who is not a malcontent, and who actually compliments what the team is trying to do, despite the roster crunch, is worth two non-value players, one of which is a known malcontent and 2nd round pick assets.
Believe me. I want Grant gone as much as anybody...I just think there may be better options available than this. Especially if the Blazers end up keeping Grant for another year and he rehabs a bit of value and is on 1 less year of contract.
It isn't just 1 year less though. It is $14M less in 2026-27 AND $36.4M less in 2027-28 (if Grant opts in). 2 2nds to save that much on what is expected to be a bench player is great IMO. I don't like Kuzma either. I'd be fine if he never plays for the Blazers, but I actually think if he does, he is more likely to rehab his value as a shorter contract at $20M in his last year of his contract than Grant is with an extra year at $36M. That extra cap space could be used to bring back much better picks than the 2 we are sending out, or bring in a younger under contract player that a team needs to move off to avoid tax. I'd be for keeping Grant over Kuzma if we planned on competing in the next couple seasons, but I don't think we are close to doing that, so I make the move that has higher upside of trading for long term pieces and better assets.
