Realistic Wish List???

[DC_Melo]

I think the one of the biggest X-factor for this season is Matice Thybuille. He is known for his defense, but he shot 43.8 3pt% last year. Can he keep that up in his contract year?

I joked earlier in the thread, but I wouldn't mind seeing one more SG/SF like Huerter that can help with spacing.

The Blazers have decent depth, but I'm suggesting that Cronins focus should be to try to upgrade one of the starting spots.

Assuming that C (Clingan, Yang), PF (Deni) and SF (Camara) are locked in. That means upgrades are probably coming from SG and PG.

However, Sharp could really step up this year and become the primary scorer they have been hoping for. Maybe something finally clicks for Scoot, and he becomes the starting level starter / star he was supposed to be?

I think the “click” has already happened for Scoot, we just need to give him a little time to let it show. If you look at his numbers last year, he was a night and day different player pre-January compared to post-January. Something did click in him last year and he went from being a huge net negative to a net neutral on the court and still showing signs of growth. His efficiency numbers were still negative for the season, but Scoot was at -5ish BPM around Christmas time and he finished the year at -2.2 (huge improvement over -5.8 his rookie year too). Ultimately, time will tell if that growth trajectory continues, but Scoot had to have something “click” for him to show the growth he did last season.

Which brings us to the situation we have with our roster. At ever single position we have a player (or two) we are investing heavily developmental minutes into:

Pg- Scoot
SG- Sharpe, Thybulle
SF- Camara, Murray?
PF- Deni
C-Clingan, Yang

That’s a lot of youngsters needing developmental minutes, and not including any older vets. Which puts us at a conundrum… what player can we realistically get that is worth developing more than our current youth, or is an obvious upgrade?

I’m not sure there is anyone out there that fits that bill, especially at SG/SF where we have a glut of promising players to continue developing (including Thybulle, who I love that you mentioned). So I guess I’m tossing out my summer shopping list… I don’t think there’s a realistic clear upgrade available and I don’t want to shop for any more prospects that would take minutes from the ones we have. Last year we saw real tangible growth from most our youngsters at most positions. More than anything available out there, I want to see if that continues or stalls out.

[Walton1one]

Thybulle is not an investment player, nor is he a player who likely stays here after his contract expires at the end of the season, unless of course Cronin executes one of his vastly overpay a guy specials which he is so adept at & Murray looks like a wasted “lottery” pick and Rupert\Cissoko are still not able to display themselves as even rotational players after 3 years, not good

[dckingsfan]

Thybulle is not an investment player, nor is he a player who likely stays here after his contract expires at the end of the season, unless of course Cronin executes one of his vastly overpay a guy specials which he is so adept at & Murray looks like a wasted “lottery” pick and Rupert\Cissoko are still not able to display themselves as even rotational players after 3 years, not good

Yep, we should assume that either RWIII or Thybulle are here next season. But Thybulle could be an asset at the trade deadline and certainly can help in the rotation for this year.

I might disagree on Rupert & Cissoko. I would think this would be there make or break season. They are just 21 this upcoming season in their 3rd seasons. And not to make excuses but they were behind a logjam of players at their positions. Now, if they can't get minutes when one of the regular rotation players go down - then there is a problem.

One more reminder - most players that are drafted at their positions are generally not very good. So, let's see how it plays out. But yeah, Murray wasn't a good pick. Question: why do you see him as a wasted lottery pick when he was picked 23rd overall?

[BlazersBroncos]

I am not convinced Thybulle isnt someone you keep around if he can be resigned for a similar number. He is a great locker room guy and his low usage style fits a win-now team and a rebuild team as a tone setter. He doesnt demand big minutes and the few he plays he is a needle moving defender.

Caveat would be health. If he can stay healthy this year I would have no issue bringing him back at a 10-12M AV deal.

[Walton1one]

I am not convinced Thybulle isnt someone you keep around if he can be resigned for a similar number. He is a great locker room guy and his low usage style fits a win-now team and a rebuild team as a tone setter. He doesnt demand big minutes and the few he plays he is a needle moving defender.

Caveat would be health. If he can stay healthy this year I would have no issue bringing him back at a 10-12M AV deal.

He tried to run once already, I see no reason after another likely losing season that he would want to stay here, when he tried to leave once already and this time he will be a UFA.

That may be his worth\salary wise, but odds are he seeks that elsewhere rather than POR...

[BlazersBroncos]

I am not convinced Thybulle isnt someone you keep around if he can be resigned for a similar number. He is a great locker room guy and his low usage style fits a win-now team and a rebuild team as a tone setter. He doesnt demand big minutes and the few he plays he is a needle moving defender.

Caveat would be health. If he can stay healthy this year I would have no issue bringing him back at a 10-12M AV deal.

He tried to run once already, I see no reason after another likely losing season that he would want to stay here, when he tried to leave once already and this time he will be a UFA.

That may be his worth\salary wise, but odds are he seeks that elsewhere rather than POR...

I may be misremembering but didnt we wait on offering a deal to see what he got in RFA? I dont really see that as running.

[Walton1one]

Thybulle is not an investment player, nor is he a player who likely stays here after his contract expires at the end of the season, unless of course Cronin executes one of his vastly overpay a guy specials which he is so adept at & Murray looks like a wasted “lottery” pick and Rupert\Cissoko are still not able to display themselves as even rotational players after 3 years, not good

Yep, we should assume that either RWIII or Thybulle are here next season. But Thybulle could be an asset at the trade deadline and certainly can help in the rotation for this year.

I might disagree on Rupert & Cissoko. I would think this would be there make or break season. They are just 21 this upcoming season in their 3rd seasons. And not to make excuses but they were behind a logjam of players at their positions. Now, if they can't get minutes when one of the regular rotation players go down - then there is a problem.

One more reminder - most players that are drafted at their positions are generally not very good. So, let's see how it plays out. But yeah, Murray wasn't a good pick. Question: why do you see him as a wasted lottery pick when he was picked 23rd overall?

He wasn't a lottery pick, just a dig at Cronin\Scmitz who mentioned that they had him graded as a lottery talent (same with Rupert)

As for Rupert\Cissoko, I am totally in for them getting rotational minutes, but ask yourself on a team that has a mix of young guys they are supposedly prioritizing (but not starting at least some of them) like: Avdija, Camara, Scoot, Sharpe, Clingan, Murray & Yang and a mix of veteran players like: Holiday, Thybulle, Grant & Williams, how many minutes do you really think Billups is going to give to Rupert & Cissoko? I think unless one of them blows up (unlikely), they will spend another year shuffled b\t the big club & the Remix.

[Walton1one]

I am not convinced Thybulle isnt someone you keep around if he can be resigned for a similar number. He is a great locker room guy and his low usage style fits a win-now team and a rebuild team as a tone setter. He doesnt demand big minutes and the few he plays he is a needle moving defender.

Caveat would be health. If he can stay healthy this year I would have no issue bringing him back at a 10-12M AV deal.

He tried to run once already, I see no reason after another likely losing season that he would want to stay here, when he tried to leave once already and this time he will be a UFA.

That may be his worth\salary wise, but odds are he seeks that elsewhere rather than POR...

I may be misremembering but didnt we wait on offering a deal to see what he got in RFA? I dont really see that as running.

If I recall, Thybulle's agent directly asked the Blazers NOT to match the contract from DAL

Thybulle doesn’t want to be in Portland, according to a source close to the organization. Not to mention, NBA Insiders Marc Stein and Chris Haynes had mentioned the match on Friday morning’s episode of #thisleague UNCUT.

“The Dallas Mavericks implemented a poison pill and they were hoping that would prevent the Blazers from matching,” Haynes said.

The ‘poison pill’ that Haynes is talking about was Dallas adding a player option following the second year. There’s also a 15% trade kicker and the structure of the deal allows for Matisse Thybulle to be paid half the money by Oct. 1 each year. Thybulle ‘desperately’ wanted to be in Dallas.

“The vibe I’ve gotten is that Thybulle really did want to end up with Dallas,” Stein said. “This is something Thybulle’s been wanting even before this summer. Dallas has been talked about as a potential destination. The Mavericks have explored in the past pathways to trade for Thybulle.”

[dckingsfan]

Thybulle is not an investment player, nor is he a player who likely stays here after his contract expires at the end of the season, unless of course Cronin executes one of his vastly overpay a guy specials which he is so adept at & Murray looks like a wasted “lottery” pick and Rupert\Cissoko are still not able to display themselves as even rotational players after 3 years, not good

Yep, we should assume that either RWIII or Thybulle are here next season. But Thybulle could be an asset at the trade deadline and certainly can help in the rotation for this year.

I might disagree on Rupert & Cissoko. I would think this would be there make or break season. They are just 21 this upcoming season in their 3rd seasons. And not to make excuses but they were behind a logjam of players at their positions. Now, if they can't get minutes when one of the regular rotation players go down - then there is a problem.

One more reminder - most players that are drafted at their positions are generally not very good. So, let's see how it plays out. But yeah, Murray wasn't a good pick. Question: why do you see him as a wasted lottery pick when he was picked 23rd overall?

He wasn't a lottery pick, just a dig at Cronin\Scmitz who mentioned that they had him graded as a lottery talent (same with Rupert)

As for Rupert\Cissoko, I am totally in for them getting rotational minutes, but ask yourself on a team that has a mix of young guys they are supposedly prioritizing (but not starting at least some of them) like: Avdija, Camara, Scoot, Sharpe, Clingan, Murray & Yang and a mix of veteran players like: Holiday, Thybulle, Grant & Williams, how many minutes do you really think Billups is going to give to Rupert & Cissoko? I think unless one of them blows up (unlikely), they will spend another year shuffled b\t the big club & the Remix.

Ah, makes more sense.

I would hope for one of Rupert & Cissoko to make enough progress so they can fill in when the inevitable injuries come. And yes, more time at the Remix when they aren't playing the better.

And if they don't make the jump this year, then you let them go. But it does show you how thin our margin is right now.

[oldfishermen]

https://youtube.com/shorts/c9rvxnF3FMk?si=YkYEl02M-CZFk9wu

And he is a shooter. FA.

[Butter]

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De'Anthony Melton is still on the wire.

[GEE]

QUACK! QUACK! I know he wasn't shown on your list Butter, but I did suggest trying to bring our Payton Pritchard home.

I strongly feel that TRUE PGs are grossly undervalued, as witnessed in this years' playoffs. With the exception being Shae, it seemed like every team had one, and Pacers actually had two, with TJ coming off their bench, looking like Steve freakin' Nash. The Mike Conleys, Vanvleets, Brunsons and CP3's are still valuable IMHO, plus the kid has that IT factor, someone that absolutely hates to lose, and would likely be a great character, high bbiq floor leader that can knock it down from distance.

Is he gettable though? I'm thinking Pritchard can't be thrilled about Simons joining the C's, and if the rumors are true about a possible Celtics / Dame romance brewing (Please be true), than I think he might be very gettable. Recent trading partners and in the eastern conference... that should help too.I honestly think if we could overpay a little (2 SRPs LOL) he would have by far his best season yet, and compete with Scoot for the starting spot.

Not really confident in Jrue yet either. I have no freakin' clue what effect his addition will have on our team and its' chemistry. Hope he fits in well, but Pritchard I firmly believe would fit in on this Blazers squad perfectly, and his talents are what we are missing the most. Also not completely sold on the idea of Deni running the point more than a little, and should be used as a secondary ball handler, not the primary.

I would easily consider starting Scoot as well, DAY ONE, with Pritchard right there to take his starting spot, if Scoot can't prove he can hold down the stating job. Jrue... no real opinion on him yet, and starting him is far from a given IMO, regardless of what he makes. Grant at the 2, Camara at 3, Deni at 4 and Cling-Kong in the paint. B/Ups 2-5: Sharpe, Thybulle, RWIII and YangBang. I honestly think this team would become one that other teams really don't look forward to playing, knowing a night against the Blazers will be no fun at all.

[Butter]

QUACK! QUACK! I know he wasn't shown on your list Butter, but I did suggest trying to bring our Payton Pritchard home.

I strongly feel that TRUE PGs are grossly undervalued, as witnessed in this years' playoffs. With the exception being Shae, it seemed like every team had one, and Pacers actually had two, with TJ coming off their bench, looking like Steve freakin' Nash. The Mike Conleys, Vanvleets, Brunsons and CP3's are still valuable IMHO, plus the kid has that IT factor, someone that absolutely hates to lose, and would likely be a great character, high bbiq floor leader that can knock it down from distance.

Is he gettable though? I'm thinking Pritchard can't be thrilled about Simons joining the C's, and if the rumors are true about a possible Celtics / Dame romance brewing (Please be true), than I think he might be very gettable. Recent trading partners and in the eastern conference... that should help too.I honestly think if we could overpay a little (2 SRPs LOL) he would have by far his best season yet, and compete with Scoot for the starting spot.

Not really confident in Jrue yet either. I have no freakin' clue what effect his addition will have on our team and its' chemistry. Hope he fits in well, but Pritchard I firmly believe would fit in on this Blazers squad perfectly, and his talents are what we are missing the most. Also not completely sold on the idea of Deni running the point more than a little, and should be used as a secondary ball handler, not the primary.

I would easily consider starting Scoot as well, DAY ONE, with Pritchard right there to take his starting spot, if Scoot can't prove he can hold down the stating job. Jrue... no real opinion on him yet, and starting him is far from a given IMO, regardless of what he makes. Grant at the 2, Camara at 3, Deni at 4 and Cling-Kong in the paint. B/Ups 2-5: Sharpe, Thybulle, RWIII and YangBang. I honestly think this team would become one that other teams really don't look forward to playing, knowing a night against the Blazers will be no fun at all.

It's not my list, I just consolidated inputs from the other posters. Good catch on Pritchard

[JRoy]

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De'Anthony Melton is still on the wire.

Solid pick up if healthy.

[dckingsfan]

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Would have liked to take a risk on Branham...

[GEE]

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Would have liked to take a risk on Branham...

First, not a fan of Kelly but seeing him go to the Spurs is a depth move I think for the Spurs, telling me they are done tanking and are trying win NOW.

To your point, Branham... not sure I've ever even heard of him (my fault maybe), but just the guy I would have NOT been surprised by, if Croniin were to target him, because again, like Deni last year, I've never heard of him but sure he's likely a Baller.

[dckingsfan]

Would have liked to take a risk on Branham...

First, not a fan of Kelly but seeing him go to the Spurs is a depth move I think for the Spurs, telling me they are done tanking and are trying win NOW.

To your point, Branham... not sure I've ever even heard of him (my fault maybe), but just the guy I would have NOT been surprised by, if Cronin were to target him, because again, like Deni last year, I've never heard of him but sure he's likely a Baller.

This.

I just think we didn't have "the guy" to pull off the trade (a backup big like Kelly). And honestly, he would be a gamble - he can definitely shoot but would he be able to step up the D and handles enough...

"I feel like" we should have a bunch of sub 23 year olds we are developing. We kind of do in Scoot, Clingan, Cissoko, Rupert and Sharpe... so there is that. But I wouldn't mind one more possible PG or big in that age range.

[Butter]

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Would have liked to take a risk on Branham...

First, not a fan of Kelly but seeing him go to the Spurs is a depth move I think for the Spurs, telling me they are done tanking and are trying win NOW.

To your point, Branham... not sure I've ever even heard of him (my fault maybe), but just the guy I would have NOT been surprised by, if Croniin were to target him, because again, like Deni last year, I've never heard of him but sure he's likely a Baller.

From Hoopshype

Bucket-getter who can score off-the-dribble and with a variety of moves from the midrange… Also able to hit shots off the dribble from beyond the arc… Great driver of the basketball and finisher around the paint… Able to score on smaller guards on post-ups… Needs to improve passing as he gets tunnel vision with the ball.

[dckingsfan]

Would have liked to take a risk on Branham...

First, not a fan of Kelly but seeing him go to the Spurs is a depth move I think for the Spurs, telling me they are done tanking and are trying win NOW.

To your point, Branham... not sure I've ever even heard of him (my fault maybe), but just the guy I would have NOT been surprised by, if Croniin were to target him, because again, like Deni last year, I've never heard of him but sure he's likely a Baller.

From Hoopshype

Bucket-getter who can score off-the-dribble and with a variety of moves from the midrange… Also able to hit shots off the dribble from beyond the arc… Great driver of the basketball and finisher around the paint… Able to score on smaller guards on post-ups… Needs to improve passing as he gets tunnel vision with the ball.

That last part is the part you would have to believe would get better. That he would learn how to see and pass.

[BlazersBroncos]

Not sure why we are discussing Pritchard. Given how cheap he is and how expensive that BOS team is there isn’t a chance in hell he is traded.

Not to mention we literally just traded for Jrue lol