Portland - Utah - Sacramento

[Myth]

The notion that Markannen and Grant are close in value is ridiculous.

I find the notion that Grant is negative at 3 years $102M but Lauri is positive at 4 years $196M ridiculous.

[Godaddycurse]

The notion that Markannen and Grant are close in value is ridiculous.

I find the notion that Grant is negative at 3 years $102M but Lauri is positive at 4 years $196M ridiculous.

Lauri was/played like an all star for 2 yrs prior to past season. I think he would go back to that form on a competitive team. 4/200 is standard for an all star these days. Grant was meh and had an even worse down year last season.

[Myth]

The notion that Markannen and Grant are close in value is ridiculous.

I find the notion that Grant is negative at 3 years $102M but Lauri is positive at 4 years $196M ridiculous.

Lauri was/played like an all star for 2 yrs prior to past season. I think he would go back to that form on a competitive team. 4/200 is standard for an all star these days. Grant was meh and had an even worse down year last season.

Being an all-star 3 seasons ago while having multiple years of less than stellar health and an inefficient year while being a subpar defender is not worth that contract plus the assets being asked of Portland to swap for Grant here. Especially when I think Lauri is a terrible fit on defense next to Lillard. As much as Grant is overpaid, I think he arguably fits the Blazers better because he is a better defender and can be more justified to play off the bench while allowing the even better defender in Camara to start. Lauri is definitely the better offensive player, but the Blazers have been building towards a more defensive identity. They have made an exception to that by bringing back Lillard, but I think having Lillard and Lauri both potentially playing big minutes is a mistake.

[oldfishermen]

http://insider.espn.com/nba/hollinger/statistics/_/position/pf

Hollinger's 24/25 power forward efficiency rating has Markkanen at #38. That is not close to a fringe all-star rating.

[Godaddycurse]

http://insider.espn.com/nba/hollinger/statistics/_/position/pf

Hollinger's 24/25 power forward efficiency rating has Markkanen at #38. That is not close to a fringe all-star rating.

Nobody is arguing he played like an all star last year. Argument is it was more due to circumstances than (lack of) talent.

[Godaddycurse]

I find the notion that Grant is negative at 3 years $102M but Lauri is positive at 4 years $196M ridiculous.

Lauri was/played like an all star for 2 yrs prior to past season. I think he would go back to that form on a competitive team. 4/200 is standard for an all star these days. Grant was meh and had an even worse down year last season.

Being an all-star 3 seasons ago while having multiple years of less than stellar health and an inefficient year while being a subpar defender is not worth that contract plus the assets being asked of Portland to swap for Grant here. Especially when I think Lauri is a terrible fit on defense next to Lillard. As much as Grant is overpaid, I think he arguably fits the Blazers better because he is a better defender and can be more justified to play off the bench while allowing the even better defender in Camara to start. Lauri is definitely the better offensive player, but the Blazers have been building towards a more defensive identity. They have made an exception to that by bringing back Lillard, but I think having Lillard and Lauri both potentially playing big minutes is a mistake.

A) alot of missed games was likely due to tanking/lpad management
B) dame isnt playing this yr and likely best suited as 6th man following year
C) Portlands problem isnt defense, its not enough offense imo

[babyjax13]

http://insider.espn.com/nba/hollinger/statistics/_/position/pf

Hollinger's 24/25 power forward efficiency rating has Markkanen at #38. That is not close to a fringe all-star rating.

Nobody is arguing he played like an all star last year. Argument is it was more due to circumstances than (lack of) talent.

Exactly this. And if people want to see him return to his prior level of play - as I suspect is the case - that makes plenty of sense.

[oldfishermen]

http://insider.espn.com/nba/hollinger/statistics/_/position/pf

Hollinger's 24/25 power forward efficiency rating has Markkanen at #38. That is not close to a fringe all-star rating.

Nobody is arguing he played like an all star last year. Argument is it was more due to circumstances than (lack of) talent.

Exactly this. And if people want to see him return to his prior level of play - as I suspect is the case - that makes plenty of sense.

What circumstances? Bad team? Injurys?

Markkanen has never played in a NBA playoff game. Which means he has spent all 7 seasons on bad teams. But suddenly, that is why he is not playing well.

Over 7 seasons, Markkanen has played in 403 games. That is an average of 57 a year. He is injured every season. But this season, his back injury may have caused his decline in efficiency. Now that is a concern about his future production, and games played.

I stand by my words. Markkanen is waaaay overpaid.

[babyjax13]

Nobody is arguing he played like an all star last year. Argument is it was more due to circumstances than (lack of) talent.

Exactly this. And if people want to see him return to his prior level of play - as I suspect is the case - that makes plenty of sense.

What circumstances? Bad team? Injurys?

Markkanen has never played in a NBA playoff game. Which means he has spent all 7 seasons on bad teams. But suddenly, that is why he is not playing well.

Over 7 seasons, Markkanen has played in 403 games. That is an average of 57 a year. He is injured every season. But this season, his back injury may have caused his decline in efficiency. Now that is a concern about his future production, and games played.

I stand by my words. Markkanen is waaaay overpaid.

The team asked him to play differently (there was lots of info preseason) + injuries + we totally bottomed out our talent (point guard play was abysmal). We asked Lauri to create more with his handle because they wanted him to develop as an isolation scorer. I do not really understand why, but it was a point of emphasis for the season. They also scaled back his usage and minutes + traded all of our playmaking. Also important ro note that Utah shut him down his first two seasons for the end of the year to tank. Local reporters said he could play. This year he complained about them shutting him down, basically saying at times that being on the injury report was news to him.

I am completely comfortable keeping him on the team and enjoying a bounce back year where he is back to playing like a top 30-40 player.

[Mavrelous]

http://insider.espn.com/nba/hollinger/statistics/_/position/pf

Hollinger's 24/25 power forward efficiency rating has Markkanen at #38. That is not close to a fringe all-star rating.

Nobody is arguing he played like an all star last year. Argument is it was more due to circumstances than (lack of) talent.

We also have a reference for how good he is in FIBA when he isn't playing for a team that's actively trying to lose, he is the 3rd best player in Eurobasket right now.