2025 Off-Season Strategy - What will Cronin do?

[Walton1one]

nm

[zzaj]

Working out Newell\Riley\Richardson\Mcneeley\Fleming could be in case they acquire #16 or maybe it means nothing other than they missed out on Demin\Jakucionis.

Nothing's impossible...but IMO, it's simply that the Blazers aren't going to get any <15 picks in for workouts. They have no spots with guaranteed playing time for a rookie, and early lotto picks will be prioritizing their workouts for lower teams. It makes sense that players in the late lottery and outside the lottery are the only workouts in the Blazer facility. The Blazers simply aren't a very good lotto pick rookie destination right now.

[PDXKnight]

Trade ideas are a dime a dozen, but this is an intriguing idea. If Giannis is moved and if they would prefer to get their picks back, NO is likely the first call given they own 26/27 from MIL, but what if MIL\NO\3rd team roped in POR and spun of an asset that POR liked to get some (all?) of MIL 28/29/30 back as well?

Yahoo Sports' Kevin O'Connor reports that there are no untouchable players on the Pelicans' roster. "League sources say the Pelicans are gauging the market for everyone on their roster," said O'Connor. "They very well could end up keeping their core pieces, but it appears the Pelicans are looking into taking different paths this summer depending on what opportunities become available."

Milwaukee's future draft picks have suddenly become one of the most coveted assets in the league. If Portland decides to cash that chip in this summer, it must be worth it. And there may be no up-and-coming player who checks all of Portland's boxes better than Murphy.

Murphy is 24 years old and would fit perfectly with what the Trail Blazers have been building the past few seasons. He'd be integral to a versatile wing trio in Rip City, aligning with the timelines of building blocks Deni Avdija and Toumani Camara.

A career 38.3 percent three-point shooter, Murphy would help address the Trail Blazers' biggest roster weakness, while his 6-foot-8 frame would also help bolster a strength. That alone makes Murphy a valuable 3-and-D wing, which is highly coveted in today's NBA. But he also possesses an improving and underrated skill set as a shot-creator, giving him an All-Star-level ceiling.

Portland could dangle this year's No. 11 overall pick, but there's also one common thread between the two teams: the Milwaukee Bucks' future draft picks.

Because of that, both teams have leverage as facilitators in any potential blockbuster Giannis Antetokounmpo trade. Perhaps Portland could benefit from a multi-team trade where they include the Bucks' picks as part of a larger deal that lands them Murphy.

https://ripcityproject.com/blazers-ideal-trade-target-surging-rumors-true-trey-murphy#:~:text=Portland%20could%20dangle%20this%20year's,by%20latest%20NBA%20Finals%20trend

I dont know much about Murphy ill admit but im not sure id give up significant draft capital for him ie the 2029 bucks pick + 2028/2030 swaps would be a tough loss for a guy entering an extension starting at 29 mil coming off an injury especially at a position we are loaded at

[Wizenheimer]

Trade ideas are a dime a dozen, but this is an intriguing idea. If Giannis is moved and if they would prefer to get their picks back, NO is likely the first call given they own 26/27 from MIL, but what if MIL\NO\3rd team roped in POR and spun of an asset that POR liked to get some (all?) of MIL 28/29/30 back as well?

Yahoo Sports' Kevin O'Connor reports that there are no untouchable players on the Pelicans' roster. "League sources say the Pelicans are gauging the market for everyone on their roster," said O'Connor. "They very well could end up keeping their core pieces, but it appears the Pelicans are looking into taking different paths this summer depending on what opportunities become available."

Milwaukee's future draft picks have suddenly become one of the most coveted assets in the league. If Portland decides to cash that chip in this summer, it must be worth it. And there may be no up-and-coming player who checks all of Portland's boxes better than Murphy.

Murphy is 24 years old and would fit perfectly with what the Trail Blazers have been building the past few seasons. He'd be integral to a versatile wing trio in Rip City, aligning with the timelines of building blocks Deni Avdija and Toumani Camara.

A career 38.3 percent three-point shooter, Murphy would help address the Trail Blazers' biggest roster weakness, while his 6-foot-8 frame would also help bolster a strength. That alone makes Murphy a valuable 3-and-D wing, which is highly coveted in today's NBA. But he also possesses an improving and underrated skill set as a shot-creator, giving him an All-Star-level ceiling.

Portland could dangle this year's No. 11 overall pick, but there's also one common thread between the two teams: the Milwaukee Bucks' future draft picks.

Because of that, both teams have leverage as facilitators in any potential blockbuster Giannis Antetokounmpo trade. Perhaps Portland could benefit from a multi-team trade where they include the Bucks' picks as part of a larger deal that lands them Murphy.

https://ripcityproject.com/blazers-ideal-trade-target-surging-rumors-true-trey-murphy#:~:text=Portland%20could%20dangle%20this%20year's,by%20latest%20NBA%20Finals%20trend

Murphy's contract is 28M/year for the next 4 seasons. That's pretty high for a below average defender and weak rebounding wing. It's also noteworthy that Murphy's efficiency has dropped as his usage increased. That's not a good sign, although it's not like he's Justice Winslow as a shooter

there is also the issue of his salaries. This season, it's 5.1M; next season it's 25M. The Blazers do have a TPE that could absorb Murphy but I think Portland would be making a mistake if they traded more than the 11th pick. I probably wouldn't even do that because I'd hold out hope that the 11th pick would yield a player as good or better than Murphy, but on a 4 year rookie scale salary instead of 28M

[oldfishermen]

This draft class ranking is so unpredictable, you would think the agents would want their players to work out for as many teams as possible.

I get the part about finding the best fit and playing time. The flip side is, the higher a player is drafted in the first round. The more guaranteed money both the player and agent make. If the player is good enough. He will earn playing time.

[tester551]

I missed it or am just dumb...but who is JSJ?

also, if the F.O. still (idiotically) believes so strongly in Ayton, why the hell would they invest a 7th pick in Clingan?

Using AI to help figure that out... It looks like Jabari Smith Jr is the one that fits.

Presumably, that would be part of Giannis trade, where Portland would give up pick swaps?

*** EDIT -> I guess using AI slows some people down... ***

so then...Portland's big move in the off-season depends on Milwaukee trading Giannis to Houston?...LOL

don't get me wrong, Smith would be an interesting addition for the 4/5 rotation. But a Giannis-->Houston deal seems like a long shot. Otherwise it would need to be something like Thybulle + 11 for Smith. That's too steep a price IMO

I was thinking a bit more about this...

I wonder if a 4-way trade made sense with a KD type trade. PHX, HOU, ORL, and POR Framework would be something like this:

SUNS:
KD -> VanVleet + Bitadze + #10 + '26 Suns Pick Swap Returned
I'm not sure the Suns do this. But they get a lotto pick this year & regain control over their pick in '26. Maybe they can flip VanVleet for something more useful to the Suns.

ROCKETS:
VanVleet + Smith + #10 -> KD
Rockets get their star to lead the team.

MAGIC:
KCP + Bitadze + '26 Suns Pick Swap -> Simons
Discussed a million times already. No need to expound.

BLAZERS:
Simons -> KCP + Smith
This just re-position salary, hopefully for better fitting pieces.

[zzaj]

Trade ideas are a dime a dozen, but this is an intriguing idea. If Giannis is moved and if they would prefer to get their picks back, NO is likely the first call given they own 26/27 from MIL, but what if MIL\NO\3rd team roped in POR and spun of an asset that POR liked to get some (all?) of MIL 28/29/30 back as well?

Yahoo Sports' Kevin O'Connor reports that there are no untouchable players on the Pelicans' roster. "League sources say the Pelicans are gauging the market for everyone on their roster," said O'Connor. "They very well could end up keeping their core pieces, but it appears the Pelicans are looking into taking different paths this summer depending on what opportunities become available."

Milwaukee's future draft picks have suddenly become one of the most coveted assets in the league. If Portland decides to cash that chip in this summer, it must be worth it. And there may be no up-and-coming player who checks all of Portland's boxes better than Murphy.

Murphy is 24 years old and would fit perfectly with what the Trail Blazers have been building the past few seasons. He'd be integral to a versatile wing trio in Rip City, aligning with the timelines of building blocks Deni Avdija and Toumani Camara.

A career 38.3 percent three-point shooter, Murphy would help address the Trail Blazers' biggest roster weakness, while his 6-foot-8 frame would also help bolster a strength. That alone makes Murphy a valuable 3-and-D wing, which is highly coveted in today's NBA. But he also possesses an improving and underrated skill set as a shot-creator, giving him an All-Star-level ceiling.

Portland could dangle this year's No. 11 overall pick, but there's also one common thread between the two teams: the Milwaukee Bucks' future draft picks.

Because of that, both teams have leverage as facilitators in any potential blockbuster Giannis Antetokounmpo trade. Perhaps Portland could benefit from a multi-team trade where they include the Bucks' picks as part of a larger deal that lands them Murphy.

https://ripcityproject.com/blazers-ideal-trade-target-surging-rumors-true-trey-murphy#:~:text=Portland%20could%20dangle%20this%20year's,by%20latest%20NBA%20Finals%20trend

Murphy's contract is 28M/year for the next 4 seasons. That's pretty high for a below average defender and weak rebounding wing. It's also noteworthy that Murphy's efficiency has dropped as his usage increased. That's not a good sign, although it's not like he's Justice Winslow as a shooter

there is also the issue of his salaries. This season, it's 5.1M; next season it's 25M. The Blazers do have a TPE that could absorb Murphy but I think Portland would be making a mistake if they traded more than the 11th pick. I probably wouldn't even do that because I'd hold out hope that the 11th pick would yield a player as good or better than Murphy, but on a 4 year rookie scale salary instead of 28M

I haven't watched TMIII much, but a quick look at this past season for him and year before last for Grant is pretty telling. TMIII is the marginally better player although is 5 years younger and is still ascending.

What would concern me about committing to a 6'8" player of his caliber, besides salary issues, is that that would leave the Blazers with Grant, Avdija, Camara, Murphy...4 of a pretty similar player type all either deserving of or expecting starting minutes.

I'm not sure TMIII is the direction I would be going if I were Crolshey...

[Chanse503]

This kid pretty sharp:

Watch on YouTube

;t=2030s

[Jsun947]

I think the only team in the league that would have trade interest in Ayton is the Lakers?

Luka tends to like more of a rim running center & LeBron needs a center to space the floor. Ayton is neither of those things. Williams would be a good center for Luka when LeBron is off the floor, assuming he’s healthy.

The Lakers might also be the best fit for Grant. They need players under contract or that they can re-sign while LeBron is going to be under contract, he can space the floor, and when he gives a **** he’s ok defensively on the perimeter, and he wouldn’t cost them future assets.

If we traded Simons to Orlando I wonder if something like this would make sense?

Orlando Out
Anthony, Mo Wagner, Joseph, #16, #25
Orlando In
Simons

Lakers Out
Hachimura, Kleber, Vanderbilt, Vincent, Milton, Goodwin
Lakers In
Grant, Anthony, Williams,

Portland Out
Simons, Grant, Williams
Portland In
Hachimura, Kleber, Vanderbilt, Vincent, Milton, Goodwin, Mo Wagner, Joseph, #16, #25

Maybe we could flip some of the vets but almost everything is expiring so we could waive a few too.

[DaVoiceMaster]

8 for 3 trade? Do the Blazers have that many slots available? Then 3 draft picks?

[Wizenheimer]

8 for 3 trade? Do the Blazers have that many slots available? Then 3 draft picks?

yeah, it's entering the silly season when Blazer trade ideas don't have to account for the CBA or other team's needs

Blazers have 13 players under contract in the off-season

by the way, in the off-season a team, the Blazers for instance, can actually have more than 15 player under contract. IIRC the limit is 19 or 20. They just have to be down to 15 sometime close to the beginning of the regular season

[BlazersBroncos]

LAL isn’t nuking 2026 cap space for Jerami Grant.

[Village Idiot]

This kid pretty sharp:

Watch on YouTube

;t=2030s

i've seen a few of his videos and he comes across as a smug prick. Knowledgable and intelligent but a total dick-head. Hard for me to get past my disrespect of him to take his ideas with the respect they might deserve on their own merits.

[tester551]

This kid pretty sharp:

Watch on YouTube

;t=2030s

i've seen a few of his videos and he comes across as a smug prick. Knowledgable and intelligent but a total dick-head. Hard for me to get past my disrespect of him to take his ideas with the respect they might deserve on their own merits.

100% agree.

[DusterBuster]

Don’t feel like watching video, what were the trade offers?

[Wizenheimer]

Don’t feel like watching video, what were the trade offers?

wut? you don't have time for a 50 minute video of one guys opinions?

[DusterBuster]

Don’t feel like watching video, what were the trade offers?

wut? you don't have time for a 50 minute video of one guys opinions?

I mean, I would, but I have a busy day watching some paint dry. Priorities and all…

[oldfishermen]

Trades start @ 24 minutes
Draft starts @ 38 minutes

[Walton1one]

Actually, POR only has 11 players technically that they are locked into

Banton UFA
Walker RFA - QO by 6/29
Rupert - TO by 6/29
Reath - guarantee by 8/1

[Goldbum]

Would you guys be interested in who a couple of East Scouts and One from the west think Portland is higher and lower on than the consensus?