If Portland blows it up...

[d-train]

If the Blazers can get a real and decent PF for McCollum, they should end this backcourt redundancy. Someone at least 6'9", 235 lbs, with reach and some meanness. Maybe Giles can have great workouts in the offseason and become that which was so lacking this season. Maybe Collins will get healthy and show growth from the last time he played (which I have forgotten). Then get a backup PG and let Powell/Simmons be the SG tandem.

Would you guys trade Cj for Tobias Harris?

Hell NO! Harris could be a good backup scorer, but I wouldn't give you spit for him on his contract.

[d-train]

Coming in peace. Some Heat fans want to know what you guys think of a package built around Herro & Bam for Lillard. Do you lean more towards "intrigued, but would like more (if so, what)" or do you lean towards that package being a non-conversation starter/better deals available elsewhere?

thanks

No thanks

[Kobewade11]

Coming in peace. Some Heat fans want to know what you guys think of a package built around Herro & Bam for Lillard. Do you lean more towards "intrigued, but would like more (if so, what)" or do you lean towards that package being a non-conversation starter/better deals available elsewhere?

thanks

No thanks

I'll take that as "better deals available elsewhere". Thanks

[d-train]

This offers lead me to another question: How much Dame is better than CJ? Because if we could get CJ in a Tobias swap, our team would be way more balanced. To get Dame, we would have to spend a lot of assests.

Lillard is better than CJ like Embiid is better than Nurkic. CJ would make Sixers champions overnight. But, you don't get CJ without giving up Simmons.

[d-train]

Coming in peace. Some Heat fans want to know what you guys think of a package built around Herro & Bam for Lillard. Do you lean more towards "intrigued, but would like more (if so, what)" or do you lean towards that package being a non-conversation starter/better deals available elsewhere?

thanks

No thanks

I'll take that as "better deals available elsewhere". Thanks

I don't know if there is a better deal. I believe no deal is better.

[BlazersBroncos]

I cant wait for CJ to get traded so d-train can backtrack and immediately overrate whomever we got in said CJ deal.

[JasonStern]

Coming in peace. Some Heat fans want to know what you guys think of a package built around Herro & Bam for Lillard. Do you lean more towards "intrigued, but would like more (if so, what)" or do you lean towards that package being a non-conversation starter/better deals available elsewhere?

thanks

No thanks

I'll take that as "better deals available elsewhere". Thanks

If Dame did want out, something built around Simmons+filler makes more sense for Portland.

But no offense taken. A Lillard/Butler pairing would be great to watch. Expect a bunch of low-ball offers from Portland on the T&T board built around a CJ/Butler swap. Crazy thing is that a Butler to Portland trade could have made sense if Miami wanted to build around their young core - GTJ, the two 1sts used in the Covington trade, Simons, Little, future assets, etc. Instead Portland acquired some role players that didn't show up when it mattered.

[Roy The Natural]

No thanks

I'll take that as "better deals available elsewhere". Thanks

If Dame did want out, something built around Simmons+filler makes more sense for Portland.

But no offense taken. A Lillard/Butler pairing would be great to watch. Expect a bunch of low-ball offers from Portland on the T&T board built around a CJ/Butler swap. Crazy thing is that a Butler to Portland trade could have made sense if Miami wanted to build around their young core - GTJ, the two 1sts used in the Covington trade, Simons, Little, future assets, etc. Instead Portland acquired some role players that didn't show up when it mattered.

I don't think Simmons makes any sense for Porltand in a Lillard deal. He's about to turn 25... has shown little progression since entering the league, and is on a max contract. He makes sense in going to a 3rd team for high end prospects and picks coming back. But if Lillard is out the door, the goal is rebuild. It would be incredibly stupid to wager on a guy with Simmons skillset to be an impact player at 29 when the rebuild possibly starts to ascend in 3-4 years.

Portland needs to look at rookie contract guys who are showing major progression, and/or lotto picks if they're moving Lillard.

[d-train]

I cant wait for CJ to get traded so d-train can backtrack and immediately overrate whomever we got in said CJ deal.

I can wait. I'm willing to trade any player for a better player, or continue to enjoy the benefits of no trade. Some people just can't take the best deal when it's no deal.

[HoopsFanAZ]

If the Blazers can get a real and decent PF for McCollum, they should end this backcourt redundancy. Someone at least 6'9", 235 lbs, with reach and some meanness. Maybe Giles can have great workouts in the offseason and become that which was so lacking this season. Maybe Collins will get healthy and show growth from the last time he played (which I have forgotten). Then get a backup PG and let Powell/Simmons be the SG tandem.

Would you guys trade Cj for Tobias Harris? He played really good this year, but he isos a lot in the post( redudant with Embiid) and he´s not a willing 3 pt shooter ( but he shot 40% this year). If we get Cj our backcourt would be way better, and we could move Simmons to the PF spot, where he trully belongs. ...

To the trade Lillard idea, not a fan of that.

Trading CJ — a talented shooter who gets his own shot long and midrange? Yes to Tobias Harris. Trades that help shore up weaknesses while balancing rosters … trade deals. Harris will have his weaknesses, too. I’ll take that and be happy.

Or trade CJ for Khris Middleton. Jimmy Butler. Gordon Hayward. DeMar DeRozan. Pick your favorite. Pick what can be gotten in a package. Standing pat is standing still when it comes to CJ. CJ plus a lot to get Simmons? Done and done. To get Lonzo Ball in a package. Yup. Siakam. Yup.

I’m not going to be picky. Portland has to improve on D, defensive rebounding, giving up 2nd chance points — a few categories so that the D doesn’t SUCK HUGE FRIGGIN BOULDERS. Yes, to having better health … AND a balanced roster.

[d-train]

There is no way you can get Lillard, CJ, Nurk, Powell, and RoCo to stand still. This group has improved tremendously in a short time. They will continue to improve. I would try to add another big defender/rebounder that can spread the floor. Collins would be perfect if his health is good.

[Norm2953]

That Bam+Herro isn't a bad first offer but the fact that the Heat have no future picks makes it hard
to put together a trade. A Lillard trade needs the usual combination of picks and pick swaps along
with a solid young player and a solid big for it appears Nurkic and Collins could very well be done
in Portland

[BlazersBroncos]

Nurkic is just pissed. He was missed so many times on rolls to the bucket, held the team together on defense and is fuming from the ticky-tacky fouls that doomed him. Give him time to chill. His passion to win games is only eclipsed by Dame. We need to keep players like that around.

I also wouldnt be surprised if Dame and Nurkic made a coordinated effort to sound the alarm after the loss. They are the only two guys on this team that have the competitive drive to lose sleep over this type of embarrassment.

[d-train]

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/262822/Terry-Stotts-Im-Under-Contract-For-Two-More-Years-Well-See-What-Happens

Sometimes even stupid questions have good answers. The Malone/Stockton tandem took Jazz into playoffs 10 straight years that ended in failures, mostly early exits. Then, with both players over 30, they were in the finals 2 of the following 3 seasons ending at ages 34 and 35. The 3rd season they got to WC finals. This was only possible because Jazz management had the patience and discipline to keep their core players together and allow incremental development.

[d-train]

it appears Nurkic and Collins could very well be done in Portland

Why? I would say it's extremely likely Nurk and Collins are back for next season. Collins will be signed and Nurk isn't going to be traded, unless a real awesome player is coming to Portland in exchange.

[wjun15]

Nurkic is just pissed. He was missed so many times on rolls to the bucket, held the team together on defense and is fuming from the ticky-tacky fouls that doomed him. Give him time to chill. His passion to win games is only eclipsed by Dame. We need to keep players like that around.

I also wouldnt be surprised if Dame and Nurkic made a coordinated effort to sound the alarm after the loss. They are the only two guys on this team that have the competitive drive to lose sleep over this type of embarrassment.

Nah Nurk needs to go. He never shows up in big stage (and half the time its cuz hes injured). Hes an average finisher.

[BlazersBroncos]

Dame and CJ are not complimentary in the way Stockton and Malone were. They are allowed to play your-turn-my-turn where Stockton / Malone consistently created easy buckets for each other in the PNR.

No one will be talking about Dame / CJ pairing in anywhere near the same breath as the epic Stockton / Malone combo once the duo has run its course. Its closer to Ray Allen / Glen Robinson in their MIL days if anything.

Nah Nurk needs to go. He never shows up in big stage (and half the time its cuz hes injured). Hes an average finisher.

Have you looked into any defensive metrics lately? Nurkic might not be the offensive threat we thought he would become, but his defense is literally game changing. He shows up on defense consistently, its just not as measurable as offensive raw stats.

[d-train]

Dame and CJ are not complimentary in the way Stockton and Malone were. They are allowed to play your-turn-my-turn where Stockton / Malone consistently created easy buckets for each other in the PNR.

No one will be talking about Dame / CJ pairing in anywhere near the same breath as the epic Stockton / Malone combo once the duo has run its course. Its closer to Ray Allen / Glen Robinson in their MIL days if anything.

Malone, Stockton, and Hornacek complemented each other very similar to how Lillard, CJ, and Nurk complement each other. The primary deference is Stockton dominated the ball until he passed to a shooter and Lillard dominates the ball until he shoots. Otherwise, the 2 trios are very similar.

[red_power]

Some Heat fans want to know what you guys think of a package built around Herro & Bam for Lillard.

There is no point in contemplating trade scenarios including Lillard. Blazers won't be able to get an equal value in exchange for our superstar, plain and simple.
So Blazers won't even think about trading Dame unless HE requests to be traded. Then we'll have no option left but trade him and console ourselves that at least he didn't go for free.

[Waynearchetype]

Dame and CJ are not complimentary in the way Stockton and Malone were. They are allowed to play your-turn-my-turn where Stockton / Malone consistently created easy buckets for each other in the PNR.

No one will be talking about Dame / CJ pairing in anywhere near the same breath as the epic Stockton / Malone combo once the duo has run its course. Its closer to Ray Allen / Glen Robinson in their MIL days if anything.

Malone, Stockton, and Hornacek complemented each other very similar to how Lillard, CJ, and Nurk complement each other. The primary deference is Stockton dominated the ball until he passed to a shooter and Lillard dominates the ball until he shoots. Otherwise, the 2 trios are very similar.

I disagree vehemently with your takes but damn do I appreciate your dedication lol. If a stranger went through your post history on various appraisals of the Blazers talent I'm sure they'd walk away thinking we had several championships in the last decade.

For the comparison, Hornacek is actually similar to CJ offensively, but Hornacek always played decent defense (footage at this point is a bit hard to find but you can scan basketballreference or something for defense stats, its not very close.). Malone is infinitely better than Nurkic, that one isn't close both offensively and defensively. Damian is probably better than Stockton, but they are very different players with Stockton being much more of a distributor and involving his team mates, and again Stockton was much better on defense..

So no, this team isn't going to pull a 90s Jazz. That is the rosiest of rosy glasses you got on there.