Blazers to Buyout Deandre Ayton!

[DusterBuster]

getting literally nothing for DA when even Charlotte was able to trade Nurk is absolutely mind **** -ly brain melting levels of insanity.

I don't think anyone would give up anything meaningful to get Ayton in the current circumstances. After his failed stint with Blazers I bet his value as a core player is close to zero.. A stronger team would obviously be willing to get him as a role player, but $35 mln paycheck is a bit too much for that role.

If this team isn’t going to compete for a playoff spot, then what the **** was the Holiday trade for?

I actually believe dumping Ayton is a good addition by subtraction to make this team more competitive. I mean he's a chucker who treats basketball with zero effort and yet has a former #1 pick ego. I don't think his presence on the roster was really helpful for the team's performance.

Quote 1: my point from the Nurk example is that even players with no trade “value” can be traded. I’m a firm believer that getting something is better than getting nothing. Buying out Ayton is getting nothing. You don’t get draft assets. You don’t get roster depth. You don’t get future trade assets. You get… nothing.

Quote 2: sure, I’ll let you have your addition by subtraction argument. I happen to somewhat agree (tho still believe you should get SOMETHING back). I also will push back on him not being a positive influence on the roster for wins. When the team went 9/10 and tanked their top 7 lottery hopes, it coincided with DAs best stretch of play ever as a Blazer. He was unquestionably their best player in that stretch and what I had assumed gave them their ill-fated “hope” that this roster was even halfway decent. So the hope they got made them confident enough to trade for an expensive 36yo vet and pass on top end talent in order to reach for a high-risk/high-reward prospect over more clear cut talent in a draft…

I don’t disagree with what you’re expressing, but I’m just frustrated in any lack of a plan here.

[DusterBuster]

Tiniest grain of salt rumor… Luka and Ayton have the same agent. Ayton will sign with Lakers (likely regardless) and some rumblings the Blazers buying out DA so he can sign with LAL is part of a bigger transaction of Grant to the Lakers. So basically Grant to Lakers for something around Rui and pieces… maybe a pick… but Lakers were comfortable doing it for just Grant. Blazers buy out DA so he can goto Lakers on a vet min deal for a year, then whatever deal the Lakers do for Grant isn’t just for Grant, it’s actually Grant AND Ayton, just by non trade-only means.

[Black and Blue]

Tiniest grain of salt rumor… Luka and Ayton have the same agent. Ayton will sign with Lakers (likely regardless) and some rumblings the Blazers buying out DA so he can sign with LAL is part of a bigger transaction of Grant to the Lakers. So basically Grant to Lakers for something around Rui and pieces… maybe a pick… but Lakers were comfortable doing it for just Grant. Blazers buy out DA so he can goto Lakers on a vet min deal for a year, then whatever deal the Lakers do for Grant isn’t just for Grant, it’s actually Grant AND Ayton, just by non trade-only means.

That would be insane if true.

From Blazer’s Edge:

Shams Charania is reporting that Ayton approached the Blazers about a possible buyout in order to play with a contender. At first that seems insulting, but it’s actually a decent development if a buyout is on the table anyway. Ayton’s desire to move makes the chances of him taking less money greater than if the buyout had been initiated by the team. He has some incentive to agree to a lower amount. That’s good news for Portland.


No doubt Ayton was chagrined that the Blazers used their last two lottery picks to select centers. He could see the writing on the wall. Apparently he didn’t want to languish another year in Portland where he was not wanted. Playing for a winning team that valued his services was more attractive.

Jason Quick is reporting to The Athletic [subscription required] that Ayton was a headache for the team, with multiple fines for tardiness and a questionable attitude. If accurate, that helps explains the Blazers side of the story.

Sounds primarily like Ayton and the team were just tired of each other and Ayton ended it (which the team was overjoyed about and probably meant a good number for the buyout).

If Grant is somehow on the move then this offseason is incredible for reshaping this team around its young talent (yes Jrue helps with that in that we have lacked that guy to level up our roster). Even if Grant stays but agrees to a 6th man role this team is doing a lot of smart things to focus on their young core.

[DusterBuster]

Blazer Banter pod very confident in this Grant rumor. Lakers wanted both Grant and DA, couldn’t do that for obvious CBA reasons. DA and Luka have same agent. Ayton gets to sign with Lakers for free. Lakers trade for Grant… LeBron thinks highly of Grant over Rui according to rumor source… but the trade is really for Grant and Ayton even if on paper it’s just Grant.

We will see, but it sure makes a lot of sense. DFS opted out, Lakers likely not wanting to take on that extension for 5yrs when there’s only 3 of Grant (aligning with at max how many LBJ has left).

Grant’s agent was looking to get him to Lakers last summer… LBJ publicly bitching about the roster, if he knows this is in the works, it makes him look great in the media cause he put “pressure” on Lakers to improve the roster and the “miraculously” did it a few days later.

Might just be late and see too many pins and red strings, but it sure makes sense when you think about it.

If the Blazers get rid of JG and get semi not awful return, I’ll retract my frustrations of letting DA walk… but not of my belief that Cronin is anything more than a player agent puppet. Even if this hypothetical rumor comes true, part of what was said about the rumor was that Cronin had nothing to do with it and ALLLLLLLL this was agent driven.

Per usual, Cronin put his **** on autopilot.

[red_power]

I don’t disagree with what you’re expressing, but I’m just frustrated in any lack of a plan here.

I don't disagree with you too. Cronin seems to have a modus operandi of making a bad decision and then having to make another bad decision to bail out of the mess he previously created.
In fact, I will be pleasantly surprised if Jrue won't suddenly turn into a laid-back washed-up often-injured dead weight dreaming to play for the Lakers in the middle of next season haha

[ebott]

I'm real curious to see if the Blazers use the MLE now. The only rumors we heard about a possible Ayton trade was teams just wanting to shed salary. I don't think we would have ended up with anyone that would have helped us on the court. Just longer term baggage and maybe some second round picks. If they use the MLE and that player is useful, I'll call the buyout a success.

[m0ng0]

Frees up room for Yang to backup Clingan

[Sinobas]

I pray the Grant deal goes down. For Cronin to be able to rid the team of Ayton, Simons and Grant in one off-season is great.

I said at the time of the Jrue trade, that the willingness to take on that salary indicates Cronin has a plan to get rid of Grant.

For the Lakers, they get a center they despartely need, and Grant, who can be a really good role player when motivated. All for basically Rui and other crap.

It would also explain letting Walker go.

[grigs]

Blazer Banter pod very confident in this Grant rumor.

Do you have a link you could share to the pod?

[DusterBuster]

Blazer Banter pod very confident in this Grant rumor.

Do you have a link you could share to the pod?

Watch on YouTube

It’s like midway through.

[Pattycakes]

I’m gonna wait for the facts before forming the opinion. Anyone else?

[DusterBuster]

I’m gonna wait for the facts before forming the opinion. Anyone else?

Yes and no lol.

[PDXKnight]

If we can dump Grant as much as id still say its a stupid trade i can at least live with jrue's cap hit.

[m0ng0]

Blazer Banter pod very confident in this Grant rumor.

Do you have a link you could share to the pod?

Watch on YouTube

It’s like midway through.

God this is like watching beavis and butthead

[DusterBuster]

Do you have a link you could share to the pod?

Watch on YouTube

It’s like midway through.

God this is like watching beavis and butthead

Yeah... its not great. Shocked they have so many viewers tbh. The Brant guy seems to have some league connections, so again, take it for what it is.

Again for me, I don't hate the move really, and in fact it's largely what I've wanted to see for awhile with this team... moving / removing vets so they can go full Baby Blazers. They should have done this 2 years ago. But again, Cronin is fence sitting in the most frustrating way... and by all reports, this happened because the agent asked to be traded/moved. Once it was clear there was no deal they liked, they just decided to buy him out vs do a deal they didn't like.

My frustration here is Joe shouldn't have needed an agent to make him do the smart move. He could have been proactive about this years ago. Doing so would have saved up so much time and development that has been absolutely pissed away. I guess better late than never, but also... what is the **** direction of this team. Are you competing or developing? The moves made this offseason signals you're doing both, which imo signals you have no idea what tf you're doing. Cronin partly dealing with the cards he's been dealt... fine... but even still, he had to have had some suspicion this was coming a few weeks ago, and if so, why bother with Jrue...?

[dckingsfan]

I **** give up. This offseason is stupid. I’m not mad, just confused

What's the matter? Didn't get 1st round picks? Didn't get a player? What's up?

Doing literally nothing with an asset. Not even trying. Nurkic got moved. You can’t tell me you couldn’t move DA. This was NBA agents controlling the Blazers roster vs the GM doing his due diligence… that’s what’s the matter.

I’ve given Cronin a lot of rope this summer, but it’s very clear now he’s just in the league to do Klutch’s bidding, not what’s best for the Blazers because Joe has no spine or he’s just a puppet collecting a paycheck.

The reality is it was a bad signing and no team wanted DA. Waiving him is the best for the team and DA.

For the team, it moves Clingan to the starter - he was better last year that DA - full stop. Now there won't be the distraction in the locker room. It also allows Reath to move to the backup (although he isn't a good defensive C) and will present an opportunity for trade or just expire. That also gives Yang a year to develop as the backup. RWIII is just an expiring. This gives clarity to the team on the direction...

You will see a starting lineup of Clingan, Deni, Camara and Grant along with Holiday. That is a defensive minded group. And Sharpe and Thybulle can get their minutes in this rotation. The question is can that starting lineup get you into the playoffs? Will a non rim protector (Reath) be enough as a backup while Yang develops?

The cap space is tertiary.

For DA, he can move to a team as the backup or to a team that is woeful at the C position.

[DusterBuster]

What's the matter? Didn't get 1st round picks? Didn't get a player? What's up?

Doing literally nothing with an asset. Not even trying. Nurkic got moved. You can’t tell me you couldn’t move DA. This was NBA agents controlling the Blazers roster vs the GM doing his due diligence… that’s what’s the matter.

I’ve given Cronin a lot of rope this summer, but it’s very clear now he’s just in the league to do Klutch’s bidding, not what’s best for the Blazers because Joe has no spine or he’s just a puppet collecting a paycheck.

The reality is it was a bad signing and no team wanted DA. Waiving him is the best for the team and DA.

For the team, it moves Clingan to the starter - he was better last year that DA - full stop. Now there won't be the distraction in the locker room. It also allows Reath to move to the backup (although he isn't a good defensive C) and will present an opportunity for trade or just expire. That also gives Yang a year to develop as the backup. RWIII is just an expiring. This gives clarity to the team on the direction...

You will see a starting lineup of Clingan, Deni, Camara and Grant along with Holiday. That is a defensive minded group. And Sharpe and Thybulle can get their minutes in this rotation. The question is can that starting lineup get you into the playoffs? Will a non rim protector (Reath) be enough as a backup while Yang develops?

The cap space is tertiary.

For DA, he can move to a team as the backup or to a team that is woeful at the C position.

He wasn't signed, he was traded for.

And no, there isn't clarity to the team on the direction...

You just traded for a 32mil per year 36yo Jrue Holiday - so you have no direction on youth for Scoot... he's back to being a backup.

Moving Ayton wasn't Cronin's choice. It was Ayton's agents choice. He forced Cronin's hand, he didn't make this deal because he wanted to make space for Clingan and Yang play.

So no, there's no **** direction here. It's still a mix of weird dual timelines and Cronin simply reacting to agents vs actually executing a real plan to develop talent or win-now.

[PDXKnight]

What's the matter? Didn't get 1st round picks? Didn't get a player? What's up?

Doing literally nothing with an asset. Not even trying. Nurkic got moved. You can’t tell me you couldn’t move DA. This was NBA agents controlling the Blazers roster vs the GM doing his due diligence… that’s what’s the matter.

I’ve given Cronin a lot of rope this summer, but it’s very clear now he’s just in the league to do Klutch’s bidding, not what’s best for the Blazers because Joe has no spine or he’s just a puppet collecting a paycheck.

The reality is it was a bad signing and no team wanted DA. Waiving him is the best for the team and DA.

For the team, it moves Clingan to the starter - he was better last year that DA - full stop. Now there won't be the distraction in the locker room. It also allows Reath to move to the backup (although he isn't a good defensive C) and will present an opportunity for trade or just expire. That also gives Yang a year to develop as the backup. RWIII is just an expiring. This gives clarity to the team on the direction...

You will see a starting lineup of Clingan, Deni, Camara and Grant along with Holiday. That is a defensive minded group. And Sharpe and Thybulle can get their minutes in this rotation. The question is can that starting lineup get you into the playoffs? Will a non rim protector (Reath) be enough as a backup while Yang develops?

The cap space is tertiary.

For DA, he can move to a team as the backup or to a team that is woeful at the C position.

I much prefer jrue-sharpe-deni-camara-clingan personally. Holding out hope we dump Grant to la

I do think clingan at center can get us to the playoffs if he stays healthy. But if he goes down it gets thin pretty quick as rob won't last more than 30 games and duop isnt a world beater. Yang will begin 3rd or 4th in the rotation id imagine with a chance to move up as the season progresses.

[PDXKnight]

Doing literally nothing with an asset. Not even trying. Nurkic got moved. You can’t tell me you couldn’t move DA. This was NBA agents controlling the Blazers roster vs the GM doing his due diligence… that’s what’s the matter.

I’ve given Cronin a lot of rope this summer, but it’s very clear now he’s just in the league to do Klutch’s bidding, not what’s best for the Blazers because Joe has no spine or he’s just a puppet collecting a paycheck.

The reality is it was a bad signing and no team wanted DA. Waiving him is the best for the team and DA.

For the team, it moves Clingan to the starter - he was better last year that DA - full stop. Now there won't be the distraction in the locker room. It also allows Reath to move to the backup (although he isn't a good defensive C) and will present an opportunity for trade or just expire. That also gives Yang a year to develop as the backup. RWIII is just an expiring. This gives clarity to the team on the direction...

You will see a starting lineup of Clingan, Deni, Camara and Grant along with Holiday. That is a defensive minded group. And Sharpe and Thybulle can get their minutes in this rotation. The question is can that starting lineup get you into the playoffs? Will a non rim protector (Reath) be enough as a backup while Yang develops?

The cap space is tertiary.

For DA, he can move to a team as the backup or to a team that is woeful at the C position.

He wasn't signed, he was traded for.

And no, there isn't clarity to the team on the direction...

You just traded for a 32mil per year 36yo Jrue Holiday - so you have no direction on youth for Scoot... he's back to being a backup.

Moving Ayton wasn't Cronin's choice. It was Ayton's agents choice. He forced Cronin's hand, he didn't make this deal because he wanted to make space for Clingan and Yang play.

So no, there's no **** direction here. It's still a mix of weird dual timelines and Cronin simply reacting to agents vs actually executing a real plan to develop talent or win-now.

Ive had it with players making 30-40 mil if not more hard balling their way out of an obligation they signed. If youre a team cancer and/or have an attitude problem to me youre not fulfilling the obligation of your contract. Honestly teams should have every right to bench a player like that and id go further as to say they should be allowed to penalize conduct detrimental to the team with major contract penalties but thats just my opinion.. Either way its amazing how much a player and agent can complain and get their way leaving a team footing the bill and cap burden

[dckingsfan]

Doing literally nothing with an asset. Not even trying. Nurkic got moved. You can’t tell me you couldn’t move DA. This was NBA agents controlling the Blazers roster vs the GM doing his due diligence… that’s what’s the matter.

I’ve given Cronin a lot of rope this summer, but it’s very clear now he’s just in the league to do Klutch’s bidding, not what’s best for the Blazers because Joe has no spine or he’s just a puppet collecting a paycheck.

The reality is it was a bad signing and no team wanted DA. Waiving him is the best for the team and DA.

For the team, it moves Clingan to the starter - he was better last year that DA - full stop. Now there won't be the distraction in the locker room. It also allows Reath to move to the backup (although he isn't a good defensive C) and will present an opportunity for trade or just expire. That also gives Yang a year to develop as the backup. RWIII is just an expiring. This gives clarity to the team on the direction...

You will see a starting lineup of Clingan, Deni, Camara and Grant along with Holiday. That is a defensive minded group. And Sharpe and Thybulle can get their minutes in this rotation. The question is can that starting lineup get you into the playoffs? Will a non rim protector (Reath) be enough as a backup while Yang develops?

The cap space is tertiary.

For DA, he can move to a team as the backup or to a team that is woeful at the C position.

He wasn't signed, he was traded for.

And no, there isn't clarity to the team on the direction...

You just traded for a 32mil per year 36yo Jrue Holiday - so you have no direction on youth for Scoot... he's back to being a backup.

Moving Ayton wasn't Cronin's choice. It was Ayton's agents choice. He forced Cronin's hand, he didn't make this deal because he wanted to make space for Clingan and Yang play.

So no, there's no **** direction here. It's still a mix of weird dual timelines and Cronin simply reacting to agents vs actually executing a real plan to develop talent or win-now.

Yes, he was traded - but the initial signing was pretty bad (IMO) and trading for that bad contract... well.

And of course it does give a bit of clarity to the team. You now know that they are going all-in on Clingan. Also, moving a guard for a guard that plays D... that seems like a bit of clarity, no? Maybe not the clarity we want but there is a bit of direction in the moves.

Also, I am not giving any kudos to Cronin - hope that is clear