Trade Thread

[Showdown]

I'm surprised the great play of Melo is being dismissed. Oubre is an expensive downgrade. Even Covington is a downgrade. Our SF position is covered nicely by Melo, Ariza, Hood, Little, and Hoard. It's not a position of need unless there is an upgrade. The only upgrade we can afford is a drafted steal, unlikely to happen. We are lucky we got a free agent steal.

Melo plays good but i don't think he can be good enough to be starter against PO teams so having legit starter with Melo as a 6th man reduce negative effects while still keep his scoring . That put team in next tier and transform Blazers from a mediocre 7th-8th seed team to legit dark horse contender and team that teams with HCA don't want to see as their lower seed opponent this year and if we sign him in the offseason that would be best chance for Blazers to win championship .

[d-train]

I'm surprised the great play of Melo is being dismissed. Oubre is an expensive downgrade. Even Covington is a downgrade. Our SF position is covered nicely by Melo, Ariza, Hood, Little, and Hoard. It's not a position of need unless there is an upgrade. The only upgrade we can afford is a drafted steal, unlikely to happen. We are lucky we got a free agent steal.

Melo plays good but i don't think he can be good enough to be starter against PO teams so having legit starter with Melo as a 6th man reduce negative effects while still keep his scoring . That put team in next tier and transform Blazers from a mediocre 7th-8th seed team to legit dark horse contender and team that teams with HCA don't want to see as their lower seed opponent this year and if we sign him in the offseason that would be best chance for Blazers to win championship .

Melo is better than just a starting quality player on a PO team. I don't know if Blazers will be contenders. I think it's possible. It will be easier for Blazers to become a contender than it would be to find a better starting SF than Melo is.

[BlazersBroncos]

Worth noting that Melo is a Non-Bird FA. To resign him, we would have to use the MLE.

[d-train]

Worth noting that Melo is a Non-Bird FA. To resign him, we would have to use the MLE.

If Blazers need their full $9.9M MLE to resign Melo, that would be great use of the exception.

[zzaj]

I wish the Blazers could figure out a way to get Derrick Rose. I feel like he would solve a lot of this season's head scratching issues as an actual second PG on the team...he's a better basketball player than CJ, albeit older and obviously less durable. The team has needed an actual second PG for a long time.

It obviously won't happen though, and for his sake I would like to see him go to a contender.

I think mostly I'm finding myself getting tired of the non-stop blathering of unrealistic expectations about the Simons, Littles, Hoards, Laymans, Connaughtons, Baldwins, Trent jrs, Stauskases, Hezonjas of the NBA that Olshey seems to love so much.

[HoopsFanAZ]

I'm surprised the great play of Melo is being dismissed. Oubre is an expensive downgrade. Even Covington is a downgrade. Our SF position is covered nicely by Melo, Ariza, Hood, Little, and Hoard. It's not a position of need unless there is an upgrade. The only upgrade we can afford is a drafted steal, unlikely to happen. We are lucky we got a free agent steal.

1) Melo hasn't played SF in 4 years.

2) We don't know if Ariza "is" anything, because he hasn't suited up for the team yet.

3) Hood is coming off a career altering (hopefully not ending) injury. He was an 11/4 guy with a 115 defensive rating before rupturing his achilles tendon...we can probably expect those numbers to come down in subsequent seasons.

4) Little is fine as a 3rd, energy off the bench guy. Hoard has a long way to go to prove he can contribute to wins as an NBA player (even though he's my favorite prospect on the team). Neither are going to hit a 3pt shot.

Melo is a forward. He should guard whoever is the easiest match-up at SF or PF at any given time. So long as the Blazers are using him to his strengths on O (having Melo be Melo), I like him on this team. He’s not who I’d want as an every game starter.

I liked the Ariza pick up as a better fit on D. I’ve never been a fan of Melo and Ariza makes that list, too. He can play and his option year plus tax savings are significant bonuses.

I’m a Hood fan. Keep him and see what happens with his very reasonable contract next season.
Little is in development. Don’t trade him unless in a package for an upgrade. Hoard in development. Gabriel as a PF in development.

ABSOLUTELY, (moving forward) SF and backup PF remain unsettled.
Nurkic, Collins, McCollum, Simons (yes, him too), and Lillard are the core. McCollum traded ONLY in a needle moving trade. Build around them.

WHITESIDE should be traded by the deadline. Period ... unless there’s just nothing worth doing. If the Blazers had a sweet shooting SF, then a 4/5 rotation of Nurk, HW (cut rate) and Collins is a “maybe.” I’d hate to see HWEC just gone for nothing.

[BlazersBroncos]

I think Ariza and Melo are both backup caliber forwards, but good ones at that. What I expect is that Melo is courted by true contenders this offseason and leaves us in the dust. I have a hard time seeing him feel loyalty to a team like Portland this late in his career. Someone with a real chance at a title will come knocking and he will be gone.

That would leave us our MLE, as in the small chance that Melo comes back we need to use said MLE to resign him. I don't think we can get a starting caliber SF with the exception, but I do think that we absolutely could get a nice backup PG. And for the love of god does this team need a true backup PG. Wiz has harped on this for years, and he is correct. No more 'combo guard with just enough handles' or 'point forward in the making' nonsense. Get this team a flipping true backup PG.

This is a poor FA market, but one guy that stands out as a UFA that may actually have starting upside at forward is Derrick Jones Jr. I would offer him the full MLE the day free agency started. He cant shoot, but isn't even 23 and is a high energy, elite athlete who can defend multiple positions.

[DaVoiceMaster]

Thoughts....

Portland trades Whiteside, Hezonja, Little, 2020 1st Rd Pick (Lotto protected, then top 10 protected, then two 2nd Rd picks), & cash
Portland receives: Dieng, Covington, & Rose
Why: Decent talent

Roster - this year and possibly next year
PG Lillard / Rose
SG McCollum / Simons or Trent Jr.
SF Covington / Ariza or Hood (next year)
PF Collins / Melo or Labisserie
_C Nurkic / Dieng

Minnesota trades: Dieng, Covington, Vonleh
Minnesota receives: Whiteside, Hezonja, cash
Why: They get out of Dieng's contract a year early and get cash to cover Hezonja's second year as well as a little extra.

Detroit trades: Rose
Detroit receives: Little, Vonleh, Portland Pick
Why: They get Little and a pick

Minnesota needs more... how do we make that happen? Does Detroit need sweetener or is the pick enough compensation? Does the pick need to go to Minnesota instead?

[Matt800]

Thoughts....

Portland trades Whiteside, Hezonja, Little, 2020 1st Rd Pick (Lotto protected, then top 10 protected, then two 2nd Rd picks), & cash
Portland receives: Dieng, Covington, & Rose
Why: Decent talent

Roster - this year and possibly next year
PG Lillard / Rose
SG McCollum / Simons or Trent Jr.
SF Covington / Ariza or Hood (next year)
PF Collins / Melo or Labisserie
_C Nurkic / Dieng

Minnesota trades: Dieng, Covington, Vonleh
Minnesota receives: Whiteside, Hezonja, cash
Why: They get out of Dieng's contract a year early and get cash to cover Hezonja's second year as well as a little extra.

Detroit trades: Rose
Detroit receives: Little, Vonleh, Portland Pick
Why: They get Little and a pick

Minnesota needs more... how do we make that happen? Does Detroit need sweetener or is the pick enough compensation? Does the pick need to go to Minnesota instead?

Last rumor I saw was Minnesota wanted d'angelo russell. Also heard Detroit wants to keep Rose but who knows?

Maybe this works:
POR out: Whiteside 1st
in: Dieng, Covington

Min out: Dieng, Covington, 1st.
in: Russell

GS out: Russell
in: Whiteside , 2x 1sts.

[DaVoiceMaster]

Not bad, so long as there is some protection on that pick. Do the Warriors wanna give up Russell for essentially 2 picks?

[Matt800]

Not bad, so long as there is some protection on that pick. Do the Warriors wanna give up Russell for essentially 2 picks?

I don't know I imagine there is a reason that the Warriors haven't traded Russell already. Maybe their asking price is higher. But if they could re-sign Whiteside they'd have an imposing team next year and some good trade assets.

[BlazersBroncos]

I think you guys are valuing Hassan far higher than the league in general does. I would be shocked if Whiteside and a pick could get that return.

I expect we simply stand pat and don't make another deal. This summer Melo will walk to a contender, we resign Whiteside, use the MLE on some borderline scrub and enjoy mediocracy while Neil sells us on the potential of the young guys for another season.

[zzaj]

I think you guys are valuing Hassan far higher than the league in general does. I would be shocked if Whiteside and a pick could get that return.

I expect we simply stand pat and don't make another deal. This summer Melo will walk to a contender, we resign Whiteside, use the MLE on some borderline scrub and enjoy mediocracy while Neil sells us on the potential of the young guys for another season.

I agree about the overvaluing of Hassan. I disagree that the Blazers will resign him.

Who starts at C next year? Both Nurkic and Hassan have balked at coming off the bench. It makes no locker room chemisty sense to bring Whiteside back, even at a discount.

[PDXKnight]

Worth noting that Melo is a Non-Bird FA. To resign him, we would have to use the MLE.

If Blazers need their full $9.9M MLE to resign Melo, that would be great use of the exception.

I suppose but I also don’t love melo if it’s a long deal. 1+1 with a po would be ok

[Matt800]

I think you guys are valuing Hassan far higher than the league in general does. I would be shocked if Whiteside and a pick could get that return.

I expect we simply stand pat and don't make another deal. This summer Melo will walk to a contender, we resign Whiteside, use the MLE on some borderline scrub and enjoy mediocracy while Neil sells us on the potential of the young guys for another season.

Portland's pick might be valued, especially if they trade Whiteside. But generally I agree that Portland would need to add more to get that return.

I would be surprised if Portland re-signs Whiteside. I think he will get more money than Portland wants to pay, and I doubt Whiteside would want to come back and fight for minutes with Nurkic and Collins. I don't think it makes sense for anyone involved.

It would be disappointing if Portland cant flip Whiteside for significant value that is retained for at least next season. This would be the best time to pay for more talent and see what the team can do during Lillard's prime.

If they have to hope to use cap space for free agents, I think that is concerning. They'd have to let a lot of guys walk including Ariza, and they would not have much money to work with. But either way Portland could have some luck with cheaper contracts in free agency. There are plenty of ex-POR guys who might want to come back.

[DaVoiceMaster]

Stay with me for a second...

Whiteside, Simons & a 1st Rd Pick for Dieng and Covington really sets this team up moving forward, assuming Jody Allen is all in and willing to pay the tax. The Blazers pick up the Ariza option (if he pans out the rest of this season) and resigns Melo. They would be short a backup PG, but they can find someone for cheap as Lillard or McCollum would always be on the floor.

I am not a Simons fan so I make this trade, but I know most of you are a fan and would not make this trade. That bench is pretty decent. Maybe the Blazers sign Napier again.

PG Lillard / Napier
SG McCollum / Hood / Trent Jr
SF Covington / Ariza /
PF Collins / Melo / Little
_C Nurkic / Dieng

[BlazersBroncos]

Stay with me for a second...

Whiteside, Simons & a 1st Rd Pick for Dieng and Covington really sets this team up moving forward, assuming Jody Allen is all in and willing to pay the tax. The Blazers pick up the Ariza option (if he pans out the rest of this season) and resigns Melo. They would be short a backup PG, but they can find someone for cheap as Lillard or McCollum would always be on the floor.

I am not a Simons fan so I make this trade, but I know most of you are a fan and would not make this trade. That bench is pretty decent. Maybe the Blazers sign Napier again.

PG Lillard / Napier
SG McCollum / Hood / Trent Jr
SF Covington / Ariza /
PF Collins / Melo / Little
_C Nurkic / Dieng

I would make that move if the pick is for 2021 and Lotto Protected. If MIN wants our 2020 pick, I would insist on Little rather than Simons.

The deal should include Napier, then we resign him this offseason. He is a better player than Simons at this moment (This will attract argument, but Simons has putrid advanced stats. He will end up better than Napier, but its years off IMO), so even the 3rd piece in this trade would be a better immediate on court contributor than the main value we send out. That's the sign of a really nice win now trade.

We would have bird rights if we obtain him via trade, unless I am mistaken. Give him a 2 year / 10M deal and draft a combo guard for the future.

Assuming we keep out FRP and still miss the playoffs after this deal, we would have pick 13/14. I am obsessed with Josh Green (Wes Matthews / Josh Hart hybrid) and ideally we take him to develop into the type of glue guy that we now have at SF. I also think Gary Trent is better at SF than SG, he has the mass to guard the big SF moreso than the footspeed to guard SG. So I move him down to 3rd string SF. With our own SRP, I like the idea of a PG to develop. There are a gaggle and I actually am not a Ducks homer, but I like Payton Pritchard as a try-hard backup PG prospect. Elite shooter who can run a team and isn't a great defender but puts in effort.

G - Damian Lillard / Shabazz Napier / Payton Pritchard
G - CJ McCollum / Rodney Hood / Josh Green
F - Robert Covington / Trevor Ariza / Gary Trent Jr
F - Zach Collins / Carmelo Anthony / Nassir Little
C - Jusuf Nurkic / Gorgui Dieng / Vet Min FA

That is one heck of a roster IMO. Really gritty, enough offense but very improved defense. Actual backup PG. Young depth at each spot but littered with vets as well. I think that roster could win a championship, it has a lot of similarities to the Dallas 2011 roster IMHO.

[d-train]

Stay with me for a second...

Whiteside, Simons & a 1st Rd Pick for Dieng and Covington really sets this team up moving forward, assuming Jody Allen is all in and willing to pay the tax. The Blazers pick up the Ariza option (if he pans out the rest of this season) and resigns Melo. They would be short a backup PG, but they can find someone for cheap as Lillard or McCollum would always be on the floor.

I am not a Simons fan so I make this trade, but I know most of you are a fan and would not make this trade. That bench is pretty decent. Maybe the Blazers sign Napier again.

PG Lillard / Napier
SG McCollum / Hood / Trent Jr
SF Covington / Ariza /
PF Collins / Melo / Little
_C Nurkic / Dieng

I want Whiteside, Simons, and our 1st round pick back. Melo is our starting SF and Covington offers no value over Ariza.

I would rather serve the person that executes this trade a shat sandwich than make Jody pay Dieng's contract.

Additionally, if you make this trade it costs us a $9.9M MLE and a $3.9M BAE next summer. And, it might cost us our chance to resign Melo.

Edit: In addition to all the above, this trade would commit Blazers to paying luxury taxes next year. Not for good reason, it commits Blazers to pay luxury taxes for a worse team than what is alternatively available for under the luxury tax.

[Khazim]

Stay with me for a second...

Whiteside, Simons & a 1st Rd Pick for Dieng and Covington really sets this team up moving forward, assuming Jody Allen is all in and willing to pay the tax. The Blazers pick up the Ariza option (if he pans out the rest of this season) and resigns Melo. They would be short a backup PG, but they can find someone for cheap as Lillard or McCollum would always be on the floor.

I am not a Simons fan so I make this trade, but I know most of you are a fan and would not make this trade. That bench is pretty decent. Maybe the Blazers sign Napier again.

PG Lillard / Napier
SG McCollum / Hood / Trent Jr
SF Covington / Ariza /
PF Collins / Melo / Little
_C Nurkic / Dieng

I want Whiteside, Simons, and our 1st round pick back. Melo is our starting SF and Covington offers no value over Ariza.

I would rather serve the person that executes this trade a shat sandwich than make Jody pay Dieng's contract.

Additionally, if you make this trade it costs us a $9.9M MLE and a $3.9M BAE next summer. And, it might cost us our chance to resign Melo.

Rather extreme reaction to a mostly balanced trade... Certainly can be agreed with or not, but it's not tragically out of balance from either direction so it's a pretty solid trade idea.

Melo is not a starting SF any more. I'm assuming you may have meant PF? In which case I don't believe Melo is starting if Collins and Nurkic are healthy, but I guess we shall (hopefully) see.

Can you please explain how this trade would cost us the MLE and BAE? I believe it could be the other way around, where if we don't trade Whiteside and his salary expires we would be under the cap and thus only have cap space to use, rather than the MLE. But I'm not an expert, so awaiting clarification.

[d-train]

Stay with me for a second...

Whiteside, Simons & a 1st Rd Pick for Dieng and Covington really sets this team up moving forward, assuming Jody Allen is all in and willing to pay the tax. The Blazers pick up the Ariza option (if he pans out the rest of this season) and resigns Melo. They would be short a backup PG, but they can find someone for cheap as Lillard or McCollum would always be on the floor.

I am not a Simons fan so I make this trade, but I know most of you are a fan and would not make this trade. That bench is pretty decent. Maybe the Blazers sign Napier again.

PG Lillard / Napier
SG McCollum / Hood / Trent Jr
SF Covington / Ariza /
PF Collins / Melo / Little
_C Nurkic / Dieng

I want Whiteside, Simons, and our 1st round pick back. Melo is our starting SF and Covington offers no value over Ariza.

I would rather serve the person that executes this trade a shat sandwich than make Jody pay Dieng's contract.

Additionally, if you make this trade it costs us a $9.9M MLE and a $3.9M BAE next summer. And, it might cost us our chance to resign Melo.

Rather extreme reaction to a mostly balanced trade... Certainly can be agreed with or not, but it's not tragically out of balance from either direction so it's a pretty solid trade idea.

Melo is not a starting SF any more. I'm assuming you may have meant PF? In which case I don't believe Melo is starting if Collins and Nurkic are healthy, but I guess we shall (hopefully) see.

Can you please explain how this trade would cost us the MLE and BAE? I believe it could be the other way around, where if we don't trade Whiteside and his salary expires we would be under the cap and thus only have cap space to use, rather than the MLE. But I'm not an expert, so awaiting clarification.

The trade sucks Alec Baldwin's schweddy balls.

Melo is a SF.

The trade costs us the full MLE and BAE. Check the CBA math. It also costs Jody luxury taxes in a year we could have a better team without paying any taxes.