Dame is coming back to Portland!!!

[m0ng0]

Or it could improve Grant's mood? That's a lot of salary for one who can't play this year, one who does not seem to care and seemingly one who does not want to be here

[tester551]

It almost seems like the window of Jerami grant rumors occuring and then dying with him ultimately not being moved has to do with Dame returning. We all know Dame likes him so could be quite possible when Dame started to show interest in returning we kept Grant knowing full well it could be suicide dealing a vet Dame prefers

You're giving Dame too much credit.

Simplest explanation is usually most likely... Grant has negative trade value and would require Blazers to add assets to move.

[DusterBuster]

It almost seems like the window of Jerami grant rumors occuring and then dying with him ultimately not being moved has to do with Dame returning. We all know Dame likes him so could be quite possible when Dame started to show interest in returning we kept Grant knowing full well it could be suicide dealing a vet Dame prefers

You're giving Dame too much credit.

Simplest explanation is usually most likely... Grant has negative trade value and would require Blazers to add assets to move.

Yeah, I agree, I don't think the Dame or Grant situations have much to do with one another.

[Shem]

Watch on YouTube

[DusterBuster]

Watch on YouTube

Something I wasn't aware of was the 2026 cap space. I would assume this means waiving the last years of Rob and Thybulle, then letting Sharpe walk and maybe declining Scoot?

[Case2012]

Watch on YouTube

Something I wasn't aware of was the 2026 cap space. I would assume this means waiving the last years of Rob and Thybulle, then letting Sharpe walk and maybe declining Scoot?

Naw, we're gonna showcase then trade, bet on it. You never said who you'd go all in for??

[DusterBuster]

Watch on YouTube

Something I wasn't aware of was the 2026 cap space. I would assume this means waiving the last years of Rob and Thybulle, then letting Sharpe walk and maybe declining Scoot?

Naw, we're gonna showcase then trade, bet on it. You never said who you'd go all in for??

Honestly, I haven't given it much thought. My brains been in the mode of the slow burn rebuild that it hasn't really switched until the Dame news a few days ago.

At this point, I don't really know what the idea of going "all in" would even look like anymore.

The Blazers do look like they could have some cap space next summer. but looking at the current FA crop, while there are some great names, none seem super likely... Maybe Dame could convince KD to sign a 1 year deal if things go sideways with the Rockets? KD seems like a dude who's gonna hop around a lot to end his career, so not convinced he'll be a Rocket for long. Not sure that's "all in", but it would be something I guess?

No one else on the FA list makes much sense to be honest, nor do I really think FA is a good use of the Blazer flexibility.

That means going all-in would be back to a trade. The only rumbling name for a trade candidate is Giannis, and that ship has probably sailed for a couple of reasons now. I might keep eyes on the Orlando situation with Paolo and Franz... If things still aren't clicking next season after their big move this summer, I could see them breaking that duo up. Markannenn and Sabas could still be targets? If I had any faith the Embiid's knee problems will get better, I might be convinced to look into trading for him... but yeah... nooooo.

I honestly don't really see much of a "all in" deal I'm interested in right now. I think I need to see what this team is first this season and see where it's at a bit first before I can pinpoint one guy where it's like "HIM, THATS THE DUDE!"

[tester551]

Watch on YouTube

Something I wasn't aware of was the 2026 cap space. I would assume this means waiving the last years of Rob and Thybulle, then letting Sharpe walk and maybe declining Scoot?

Doubt there is really an option on that cap space plan...

'26-27 - Cap Projection => $166M

Holiday - $34.8M
Grant - $34.2M
Avdija - $13.1M
Lillard - $13.4M
Scoot - $13.6M
Clingan - $7.5M
Murray - $5.3M (would have to decline '26/27 salary prior to Nov 25)
Camara - $2.4M
Yang - $4.6M
Total = $128.9M for 9 players [or $123.6M without Murray]

Would have $37.1M in cap space [or $42.4M without Murray]

CAP HOLDS:
Sharpe (RFA) - $25.2M
Rupert (RFA) - $3.0M
Reath (RFA) - $3.0M
2026 1st Round Pick - $5M

Keeping JUST Sharpe's cap hold and the pick -> the possible cap space is less than the MLE.

Waive CAP Holds:
RWIII - $19.9M
Thybulle - $21.9M
Wesley - $2.5M

In looking at this closer, I think it is imperative to find a trade for Grant... Even clearing $12M off his salary for next year would be HUGE.

Here are a couple suggestions:
Charlotte -> Miles Bridges $25M / $22.8M
Sacramento -> DeRozan $24.5M / $25.7M
Milwaukee -> Kuzma $22.4M / $20.3M
Memphis -> KCP $21.6M / $21.6M
Phoenix -> Brooks $21.1M / $19.9M

[BlazersBroncos]

Grant will take a FRP to move.

If we have some talks w/ some needle moving FA in summer 2026 and they are ready to sign then trade Grant and that FRP during the 2026 offseason (Many teams will have space). But I wouldnt trade him with assets to open cap space otherwise.

No one ever signs in Portland. Thats not likely to change. Paying a FRP to open some cap space is foolish unless the player is like in town ready to sign (Sort of a Myles Turner type situation).

[DusterBuster]

Watch on YouTube

Something I wasn't aware of was the 2026 cap space. I would assume this means waiving the last years of Rob and Thybulle, then letting Sharpe walk and maybe declining Scoot?

Doubt there is really an option on that cap space plan...

'26-27 - Cap Projection => $166M

Holiday - $34.8M
Grant - $34.2M
Avdija - $13.1M
Lillard - $13.4M
Scoot - $13.6M
Clingan - $7.5M
Murray - $5.3M (would have to decline '26/27 salary prior to Nov 25)
Camara - $2.4M
Yang - $4.6M
Total = $128.9M for 9 players [or $123.6M without Murray]

Would have $37.1M in cap space [or $42.4M without Murray]

CAP HOLDS:
Sharpe (RFA) - $25.2M
Rupert (RFA) - $3.0M
Reath (RFA) - $3.0M
2026 1st Round Pick - $5M

Keeping JUST Sharpe's cap hold and the pick -> the possible cap space is less than the MLE.

Waive CAP Holds:
RWIII - $19.9M
Thybulle - $21.9M
Wesley - $2.5M

In looking at this closer, I think it is imperative to find a trade for Grant... Even clearing $12M off his salary for next year would be HUGE.

Here are a couple suggestions:
Charlotte -> Miles Bridges $25M / $22.8M
Sacramento -> DeRozan $24.5M / $25.7M
Milwaukee -> Kuzma $22.4M / $20.3M
Memphis -> KCP $21.6M / $21.6M
Phoenix -> Brooks $21.1M / $19.9M

Cap holds are a real pet peeve of mine on this forum. So many people clutch pearls over those and yet I've never seen an actual franchise ever operate in a manner where they are prohibitive.

IMO, cap holds are aren't worth bringing up because they actually don't really matter in practice. Teams OPERATE in FA as though they don't have them, even when they do.

If there's a player they really want in FA, they will renounce all players they need to to open up the max amount of space without blinking an eye if it means getting a top-tier FA.

I know this rant will mean nothing and next time cap space comes up, everyone is going to freak out over cap holds again... but yeah... I don't get it.

[Wizenheimer]

Cap holds are a real pet peeve of mine on this forum. So many people clutch pearls over those and yet I've never seen an actual franchise ever operate in a manner where they are prohibitive.

IMO, cap holds are aren't worth bringing up because they actually don't really matter in practice. Teams OPERATE in FA as though they don't have them, even when they do.

If there's a player they really want in FA, they will renounce all players they need to to open up the max amount of space without blinking an eye if it means getting a top-tier FA.

I know this rant will mean nothing and next time cap space comes up, everyone is going to freak out over cap holds again... but yeah... I don't get it.

depends on who the cap-hold is for, if the players is a re-signing priority, and if the cap-hold is less than the projected new base salary

Sharpe's cap-hold is 25.2M. Blazers will NOT be renouncing Sharpe. So, at minimum his cap-hold would be in effect (assuming his new base salary is over 25M). The interesting cap-hold is Thybulle. Cronin may actually want to re-sign Thybulle since 2026-27 cap-space is DOA anyway, and his new deal should be smaller than his cap-hold

obviously, if the Blazers hadn't bought out Ayton and he was a 48M cap-hold next summer, he's be renounced in a hurry

[tester551]

No one ever signs in Portland. Thats not likely to change. Paying a FRP to open some cap space is foolish unless the player is like in town ready to sign (Sort of a Myles Turner type situation).

That player would be Deni...

That is why moving Grant would be important this season. If we can clear $15M to $20M of his $35M contract -> Portland would be able to renegotiate Deni's contract and give him a raise so that it is possible to extend him.

[Wizenheimer]

Doubt there is really an option on that cap space plan...

'26-27 - Cap Projection => $166M

Holiday - $34.8M
Grant - $34.2M
Avdija - $13.1M
Lillard - $13.4M
Scoot - $13.6M
Clingan - $7.5M
Murray - $5.3M (would have to decline '26/27 salary prior to Nov 25)
Camara - $2.4M
Yang - $4.6M
Total = $128.9M for 9 players [or $123.6M without Murray]

Would have $37.1M in cap space [or $42.4M without Murray]

CAP HOLDS:
Sharpe (RFA) - $25.2M
Rupert (RFA) - $3.0M
Reath (RFA) - $3.0M
2026 1st Round Pick - $5M

Keeping JUST Sharpe's cap hold and the pick -> the possible cap space is less than the MLE.

Waive CAP Holds:
RWIII - $19.9M
Thybulle - $21.9M
Wesley - $2.5M

In looking at this closer, I think it is imperative to find a trade for Grant... Even clearing $12M off his salary for next year would be HUGE.

Here are a couple suggestions:
Charlotte -> Miles Bridges $25M / $22.8M
Sacramento -> DeRozan $24.5M / $25.7M
Milwaukee -> Kuzma $22.4M / $20.3M
Memphis -> KCP $21.6M / $21.6M
Phoenix -> Brooks $21.1M / $19.9M

on your first listing you forgot roster charges for less than 12 players. The charge will be around 1.4M next season, so if the Blazers have 9 players they will be assessed 4.2M in roster charges. If they have 8 guaranteed contracts deduct 5.6M from your cap-space projection

as for Grant, I really don't believe the Blazer front office views moving him as imperative. In fact< I wouldn't be surprised if they view him as an integral part of the 'it's-winning-time-now' rotation

[Wizenheimer]

No one ever signs in Portland. Thats not likely to change. Paying a FRP to open some cap space is foolish unless the player is like in town ready to sign (Sort of a Myles Turner type situation).

That player would be Deni...

That is why moving Grant would be important this season. If we can clear $15M to $20M of his $35M contract -> Portland would be able to renegotiate Deni's contract and give him a raise so that it is possible to extend him.

to me, since Deni's contract runs thru the next 3 seasons, he's not the priority. Blazers won't have enough cap to resign him in 2026-27 unless they attach dfaft assets to Grant and even then, it probably wouldn't be enough

the bigger priority is re-signing Camara. And if the Blazers get Camara on an extension any time this season, 2026-27 cap-space is kaput/DOA. Portland sure doesn't want to allow Camara to be UFA in 2027. And they don't want him to be RFA in 2026. Those are the only two options if they can't get him extended this season

[dckingsfan]

Hence why in hindsight, the trade for Jrue made zero sense. It should have been to just let Simons go...

[DusterBuster]

Cap holds are a real pet peeve of mine on this forum. So many people clutch pearls over those and yet I've never seen an actual franchise ever operate in a manner where they are prohibitive.

IMO, cap holds are aren't worth bringing up because they actually don't really matter in practice. Teams OPERATE in FA as though they don't have them, even when they do.

If there's a player they really want in FA, they will renounce all players they need to to open up the max amount of space without blinking an eye if it means getting a top-tier FA.

I know this rant will mean nothing and next time cap space comes up, everyone is going to freak out over cap holds again... but yeah... I don't get it.

depends on who the cap-hold is for, if the players is a re-signing priority, and if the cap-hold is less than the projected new base salary

Sharpe's cap-hold is 25.2M. Blazers will NOT be renouncing Sharpe. So, at minimum his cap-hold would be in effect (assuming his new base salary is over 25M). The interesting cap-hold is Thybulle. Cronin may actually want to re-sign Thybulle since 2026-27 cap-space is DOA anyway, and his new deal should be smaller than his cap-hold

obviously, if the Blazers hadn't bought out Ayton and he was a 48M cap-hold next summer, he's be renounced in a hurry

Again, I think this misses the point I'm making... Teams are operating through each summers FA period knowing they have variable salary cap scenarios to work with. IF something falls into their laps where needing max cap space is necessary - say something crazy like someone convinces Luka to sign in Portland for the full max... in that scenario they know they can waive Sharpe and make that full max cap space. So... in essence, the Blazer do have full max cap space regardless of the cap holds and why I continue to claim - THEY DON'T MATTER. The team knows what they need to do in every scenario to make salary cap figures work. If they need to make dramatic cuts to make salaries work for a FA, they can do that.

Hell, the Bucks and Lillard are a perfect example of that. They knew that if they make a hard choice like stretch waiving Dame, they would have enough cap space to sign a significant FA this summer if the opportunity arose, and they did that.

So I go back to my initial point, why are we even brining up cap holds when they're a thing that can easily be maneuvered around? Additionally, name me one time, one single time... it has been reported that a team couldn't make a summer move they wanted to but we're stopped by cap holds?

Even had they kept Ayton let's say, they don't have to renounce cap holds UNTIL THEY NEED THE SPACE. I think the timing of Cap Holds just gets wildly lost on everyone here who's just so focused on the numbers on a sheet. You can literally agree to a contract with a player with the cap holds still on the books, the only second cap holds matter is when it's time to sign contracts. Cap holds for all intense and purposes are just line items on a budgeting sheet, they are not prohibitive to a teams ability to function in FA in any way shape or form that I have ever seen.

I just find all the talk of cap management on this forum so dogmatic and not at all in line with how NBA teams actually operate.

[Wizenheimer]

Cap holds are a real pet peeve of mine on this forum. So many people clutch pearls over those and yet I've never seen an actual franchise ever operate in a manner where they are prohibitive.

IMO, cap holds are aren't worth bringing up because they actually don't really matter in practice. Teams OPERATE in FA as though they don't have them, even when they do.

If there's a player they really want in FA, they will renounce all players they need to to open up the max amount of space without blinking an eye if it means getting a top-tier FA.

I know this rant will mean nothing and next time cap space comes up, everyone is going to freak out over cap holds again... but yeah... I don't get it.

depends on who the cap-hold is for, if the players is a re-signing priority, and if the cap-hold is less than the projected new base salary

Sharpe's cap-hold is 25.2M. Blazers will NOT be renouncing Sharpe. So, at minimum his cap-hold would be in effect (assuming his new base salary is over 25M). The interesting cap-hold is Thybulle. Cronin may actually want to re-sign Thybulle since 2026-27 cap-space is DOA anyway, and his new deal should be smaller than his cap-hold

obviously, if the Blazers hadn't bought out Ayton and he was a 48M cap-hold next summer, he's be renounced in a hurry

Again, I think this misses the point I'm making... Teams are operating through each summers FA period knowing they have variable salary cap scenarios to work with. IF something falls into their laps where needing max cap space is necessary - say something crazy like someone convinces Luka to sign in Portland for the full max... in that scenario they know they can waive Sharpe and make that full max cap space. So... in essence, the Blazer do have full max cap space regardless of the cap holds and why I continue to claim - THEY DON'T MATTER. The team knows what they need to do in every scenario to make salary cap figures work. If they need to make dramatic cuts to make salaries work for a FA, they can do that.

Hell, the Bucks and Lillard are a perfect example of that. They knew that if they make a hard choice like stretch waiving Dame, they would have enough cap space to sign a significant FA this summer if the opportunity arose, and they did that.

So I go back to my initial point, why are we even brining up cap holds when they're a thing that can easily be maneuvered around? Additionally, name me one time, one single time... it has been reported that a team couldn't make a summer move they wanted to but we're stopped by cap holds?

Even had they kept Ayton let's say, they don't have to renounce cap holds UNTIL THEY NEED THE SPACE. I think the timing of Cap Holds just gets wildly lost on everyone here who's just so focused on the numbers on a sheet. You can literally agree to a contract with a player with the cap holds still on the books, the only second cap holds matter is when it's time to sign contracts. Cap holds for all intense and purposes are just line items on a budgeting sheet, they are not prohibitive to a teams ability to function in FA in any way shape or form that I have ever seen.

I just find all the talk of cap management on this forum so dogmatic and not at all in line with how NBA teams actually operate.

ok....but...there has been an ongoing discussion in this forum about 2026-27 cap-space, and if the Blazers could generate enough to get Avdija signed to an extension

in that context, discussion about Sharpe's 25M cap-hold is certainly germane as it would effectively erase any cap-space

[DusterBuster]

ok....but...there has been an ongoing discussion in this forum about 2026-27 cap-space, and if the Blazers could generate enough to get Avdija signed to an extension

in that context, discussion about Sharpe's 25M cap-hold is certainly germane as it would effectively erase any cap-space

And even in that context, I will continue to point out teams routinely find ways around this.

Additionally, Sharpe hasn't shown he's worth 25m a year and at this rate, so if for some reason it has to come down to Deni vs Shae (it won't, I'm sure they'll find some way around it, but feel free to worry if you must), the decision shouldn't be that hard.

[zzaj]

Also, just because a team CAN waive a player to make room, doesn't mean it's smart to operate that way. MIL is a fairly good example of this as well, although Lillard's injury isn't something any team could plan for. Waiving Lillard to make room for Turner could end up being a disaster if Giannis leaves. If the Bucks had the foresight to make moves prior to having to waive Lillard, then they might be in much better shape.

[Wizenheimer]

ok....but...there has been an ongoing discussion in this forum about 2026-27 cap-space, and if the Blazers could generate enough to get Avdija signed to an extension

in that context, discussion about Sharpe's 25M cap-hold is certainly germane as it would effectively erase any cap-space

And even in that context, I will continue to point out teams routinely find ways around this.

I think you've pushed your argument past the breaking point

The Blazers have Deni signed for the next 3 seasons and have massive leverage when he becomes UFA. They won't simply renounce and waive Sharpe to try and generate cap-space that may not even be enough to get Deni re-signed.

besides that, both Sharpe and Camara are eligible for extensions this season. I'd be inclined to think at least one of them will be extended. And that would eliminate any cap-space

not all cap-holds are the same