CJ TRADE IDEAS

[DeBlazerRiddem]

He would be a good fit, but I don't think it is realistic from both sides. Why would Toronto want CJ? And why would Portland want a guy who cant play for 1-2 months to start the season? Portland needs a good season and that really wouldn't help.

Because Damian Lillard cares much more about the playoffs than the first month, or two, of the regular season. Last year, we saw Dame absolutely carry a team of scrubs on his back for two months while both CJ and Nurk were out. Even with Siakam out, you start the season with a healthy Nurk and Norm. Add RoCo at the 4 and run the 3 by committee with DJJ, Little and Snell until Siakam is healthy. Then start Siakam at the 4 and move RoCo to starting 3.

That would easily be the best pair of starting forwards POR would have had since Aldridge and Batum - and against some match ups, it would be better. Just look at who will be making the playoffs in the West. If you hope to compete. you need big forwards that can defend. Siakam and RoCo would give POR that.

Throughout his career, Dame has shown the ability to carry a weak roster to the playoffs. Even with Siakam missing the first month, or two, this team would be way better than the post Aldridge team and the Hezonja/Tolliver/Bazemore squad. (i.e. way more than good enough to win plenty of regular season games until Siakam is fully health). Plus, sitting out a month or two will mean less wear and tear on Siakam entering the playoffs

And ultimately, it comes down to the playoffs. I don't think winning it all is the only way to placate Dame. I just think he wants to be competitive in the playoffs - at the very least get past the first round and be highly competitive, perhaps even win, the 2nd round. I think losing badly in the 1st round to a very undermanned DEN team was very hard for him to take. He played insanely well in that series (34.3 ppg, 10.2 apg, PER = 30.4, TS% = .660, AST% = 41.3, WS/48 = .286, BPM = +12.2), but didn't have enough talent around him to avoid losing to a injury depleted DEN squad. Anything close to that again, and he's gone (and I wouldn't blame him).

A starting 5 of:

Dame
Norm
RoCo
Siakam
Nurk

Is very balanced and offers a good blend of offense and defense. Plus, POR would no longer be undersized against every other team in the league.

Why would TOR want CJ? I don't think they would. I think there would need to be a third team involved.

Spot on, Siakam is my top realistic choice as well. He is the kind of hard nosed, fight against the odds type competitor that would work well with Dame (compared to Simmons), plus he already has played quite a bit with Norm.

I frankly love that lineup and would give multiple future picks to bet on it being very successful the next 3 years.

[BNM]

I do wonder how he would fit with the GSW for he would play the same role as Draymond Green. Could a 3 way be crafted where Dray ends up in Portland, Simmons in GSW and CJ in Philly?

That would give Dame a former all star with championship experience, but honestly, at this point, I'd rather have Wiggins than Draymond. Draymond has been pretty meh the last three season - nowhere close to the player he used to be. Wiggins is a better scorer and has developed into a very good perimeter defender. I'd rather have RoCo at the 4 and Wiggins at the 3, that Draymond at the 4 and RoCo at the 3.

Of course, that leaves GSW with both Simmons and Draymond, which seems redundant. Maybe get another team involved, or just a second trade to move Draymond.

[BlazersBroncos]

He would be a good fit, but I don't think it is realistic from both sides. Why would Toronto want CJ? And why would Portland want a guy who cant play for 1-2 months to start the season? Portland needs a good season and that really wouldn't help.

Because Damian Lillard cares much more about the playoffs than the first month, or two, of the regular season. Last year, we saw Dame absolutely carry a team of scrubs on his back for two months while both CJ and Nurk were out. Even with Siakam out, you start the season with a healthy Nurk and Norm. Add RoCo at the 4 and run the 3 by committee with DJJ, Little and Snell until Siakam is healthy. Then start Siakam at the 4 and move RoCo to starting 3.

That would easily be the best pair of starting forwards POR would have had since Aldridge and Batum - and against some match ups, it would be better. Just look at who will be making the playoffs in the West. If you hope to compete. you need big forwards that can defend. Siakam and RoCo would give POR that.

Throughout his career, Dame has shown the ability to carry a weak roster to the playoffs. Even with Siakam missing the first month, or two, this team would be way better than the post Aldridge team and the Hezonja/Tolliver/Bazemore squad. (i.e. way more than good enough to win plenty of regular season games until Siakam is fully health). Plus, sitting out a month or two will mean less wear and tear on Siakam entering the playoffs

And ultimately, it comes down to the playoffs. I don't think winning it all is the only way to placate Dame. I just think he wants to be competitive in the playoffs - at the very least get past the first round and be highly competitive, perhaps even win, the 2nd round. I think losing badly in the 1st round to a very undermanned DEN team was very hard for him to take. He played insanely well in that series (34.3 ppg, 10.2 apg, PER = 30.4, TS% = .660, AST% = 41.3, WS/48 = .286, BPM = +12.2), but didn't have enough talent around him to avoid losing to a injury depleted DEN squad. Anything close to that again, and he's gone (and I wouldn't blame him).

A starting 5 of:

Dame
Norm
RoCo
Siakam
Nurk

Is very balanced and offers a good blend of offense and defense. Plus, POR would no longer be undersized against every other team in the league.

Why would TOR want CJ? I don't think they would. I think there would need to be a third team involved.

I mean, that would be amazing. Pascal has been my #1 for ages. But I absolutley dont see TOR having interest in CJ, and I also find it hard to see a 3rd team who would want CJ. I just have exhausted all brainpower in terms of figuring out who could be interested in McCollum.

[BNM]

He would be a good fit, but I don't think it is realistic from both sides. Why would Toronto want CJ? And why would Portland want a guy who cant play for 1-2 months to start the season? Portland needs a good season and that really wouldn't help.

Because Damian Lillard cares much more about the playoffs than the first month, or two, of the regular season. Last year, we saw Dame absolutely carry a team of scrubs on his back for two months while both CJ and Nurk were out. Even with Siakam out, you start the season with a healthy Nurk and Norm. Add RoCo at the 4 and run the 3 by committee with DJJ, Little and Snell until Siakam is healthy. Then start Siakam at the 4 and move RoCo to starting 3.

That would easily be the best pair of starting forwards POR would have had since Aldridge and Batum - and against some match ups, it would be better. Just look at who will be making the playoffs in the West. If you hope to compete. you need big forwards that can defend. Siakam and RoCo would give POR that.

Throughout his career, Dame has shown the ability to carry a weak roster to the playoffs. Even with Siakam missing the first month, or two, this team would be way better than the post Aldridge team and the Hezonja/Tolliver/Bazemore squad. (i.e. way more than good enough to win plenty of regular season games until Siakam is fully health). Plus, sitting out a month or two will mean less wear and tear on Siakam entering the playoffs

And ultimately, it comes down to the playoffs. I don't think winning it all is the only way to placate Dame. I just think he wants to be competitive in the playoffs - at the very least get past the first round and be highly competitive, perhaps even win, the 2nd round. I think losing badly in the 1st round to a very undermanned DEN team was very hard for him to take. He played insanely well in that series (34.3 ppg, 10.2 apg, PER = 30.4, TS% = .660, AST% = 41.3, WS/48 = .286, BPM = +12.2), but didn't have enough talent around him to avoid losing to a injury depleted DEN squad. Anything close to that again, and he's gone (and I wouldn't blame him).

A starting 5 of:

Dame
Norm
RoCo
Siakam
Nurk

Is very balanced and offers a good blend of offense and defense. Plus, POR would no longer be undersized against every other team in the league.

Why would TOR want CJ? I don't think they would. I think there would need to be a third team involved.

I mean, that would be amazing. Pascal has been my #1 for ages. But I absolutley dont see TOR having interest in CJ, and I also find it hard to see a 3rd team who would want CJ. I just have exhausted all brainpower in terms of figuring out who could be interested in McCollum.

Maybe PHI? Ben to TOR (they are rebuilding), Siakam to POR (playoff proven vet) and CJ to PHI (they need spacing and someone who can create his own shot late in the game). Throw in draft picks and young players as needed to balance things out.

Or, maybe OKC. They are way under the min salary, so CJ would get them there and then he potentially becomes a moveable asset at the trade deadline to a contender for an expiring and more future draft picks. They have taken on other big contracts that they eventually flipped for future assets. Seems to be their MO for rebuilding.

[Matt800]

He would be a good fit, but I don't think it is realistic from both sides. Why would Toronto want CJ? And why would Portland want a guy who cant play for 1-2 months to start the season? Portland needs a good season and that really wouldn't help.

Because Damian Lillard cares much more about the playoffs than the first month, or two, of the regular season. Last year, we saw Dame absolutely carry a team of scrubs on his back for two months while both CJ and Nurk were out. Even with Siakam out, you start the season with a healthy Nurk and Norm. Add RoCo at the 4 and run the 3 by committee with DJJ, Little and Snell until Siakam is healthy. Then start Siakam at the 4 and move RoCo to starting 3.

Spoiler:

That would easily be the best pair of starting forwards POR would have had since Aldridge and Batum - and against some match ups, it would be better. Just look at who will be making the playoffs in the West. If you hope to compete. you need big forwards that can defend. Siakam and RoCo would give POR that.

Throughout his career, Dame has shown the ability to carry a weak roster to the playoffs. Even with Siakam missing the first month, or two, this team would be way better than the post Aldridge team and the Hezonja/Tolliver/Bazemore squad. (i.e. way more than good enough to win plenty of regular season games until Siakam is fully health). Plus, sitting out a month or two will mean less wear and tear on Siakam entering the playoffs

And ultimately, it comes down to the playoffs. I don't think winning it all is the only way to placate Dame. I just think he wants to be competitive in the playoffs - at the very least get past the first round and be highly competitive, perhaps even win, the 2nd round. I think losing badly in the 1st round to a very undermanned DEN team was very hard for him to take. He played insanely well in that series (34.3 ppg, 10.2 apg, PER = 30.4, TS% = .660, AST% = 41.3, WS/48 = .286, BPM = +12.2), but didn't have enough talent around him to avoid losing to a injury depleted DEN squad. Anything close to that again, and he's gone (and I wouldn't blame him).

A starting 5 of:

Dame
Norm
RoCo
Siakam
Nurk

Is very balanced and offers a good blend of offense and defense. Plus, POR would no longer be undersized against every other team in the league.

Why would TOR want CJ? I don't think they would. I think there would need to be a third team involved.

I don't think it works that way though. If Siakam is signed and cant be in training camp, and can't play the first 1-2 months, the ability for the team to build chemistry and work on schemes is limited. Especially if the pandemic continues and the ability to have practices is drastically limited like it was last season. Last season one of the bigger issues with their defense was that they had a couple days to try and develop it in training camp and then had almost no practices to continue adding new things so they were stuck with what they had.

To go beyond that if the pandemic continues, Siakam's ability to get back in shape will be limited. Last season CJ cited that as an issue for why he wasn't able to get back to his pre-injury form. The amount of rehab and working out he was allowed to do was significantly less due to covid restrictions on when/where he could practice.

Hopefully that will not be a problem for this season, but if I were a GM I'd be looking at how the last season went and understanding that the limitations for injured player's rehab and lack of practices could easily happen again.

So in short I think Siakam is great, but if he misses the first 1-2 months, it has a greater effect on what the team can accomplish in that season from him missing training camp and possibly not being in shape.

But also it is rare for teams with major changes to be good in their first year anyways so it might not matter. If the blazers get siakam and lillard is happy to think of it as building toward a good team in a year or two then it could make a lot of sense. I don't know of a realistic way that the trade happens though.

[BNM]

He would be a good fit, but I don't think it is realistic from both sides. Why would Toronto want CJ? And why would Portland want a guy who cant play for 1-2 months to start the season? Portland needs a good season and that really wouldn't help.

Because Damian Lillard cares much more about the playoffs than the first month, or two, of the regular season. Last year, we saw Dame absolutely carry a team of scrubs on his back for two months while both CJ and Nurk were out. Even with Siakam out, you start the season with a healthy Nurk and Norm. Add RoCo at the 4 and run the 3 by committee with DJJ, Little and Snell until Siakam is healthy. Then start Siakam at the 4 and move RoCo to starting 3.

Spoiler:

That would easily be the best pair of starting forwards POR would have had since Aldridge and Batum - and against some match ups, it would be better. Just look at who will be making the playoffs in the West. If you hope to compete. you need big forwards that can defend. Siakam and RoCo would give POR that.n
Throughout his career, Dame has shown the ability to carry a weak roster to the playoffs. Even with Siakam missing the first month, or two, this team would be way better than the post Aldridge team and the Hezonja/Tolliver/Bazemore squad. (i.e. way more than good enough to win plenty of regular season games until Siakam is fully health). Plus, sitting out a month or two will mean less wear and tear on Siakam entering the playoffs

And ultimately, it comes down to the playoffs. I don't think winning it all is the only way to placate Dame. I just think he wants to be competitive in the playoffs - at the very least get past the first round and be highly competitive, perhaps even win, the 2nd round. I think losing badly in the 1st round to a very undermanned DEN team was very hard for him to take. He played insanely well in that series (34.3 ppg, 10.2 apg, PER = 30.4, TS% = .660, AST% = 41.3, WS/48 = .286, BPM = +12.2), but didn't have enough talent around him to avoid losing to a injury depleted DEN squad. Anything close to that again, and he's gone (and I wouldn't blame him).

A starting 5 of:

Dame
Norm
RoCo
Siakam
Nurk

Is very balanced and offers a good blend of offense and defense. Plus, POR would no longer be undersized against every other team in the league.

Why would TOR want CJ? I don't think they would. I think there would need to be a third team involved.

I don't think it works that way though. If Siakam is signed and cant be in training camp, and can't play the first 1-2 months, the ability for the team to build chemistry and work on schemes is limited. Especially if the pandemic continues and the ability to have practices is drastically limited like it was last season. Last season one of the bigger issues with their defense was that they had a couple days to try and develop it in training camp and then had almost no practices to continue adding new things so they were stuck with what they had.

To go beyond that if the pandemic continues, Siakam's ability to get back in shape will be limited. Last season CJ cited that as an issue for why he wasn't able to get back to his pre-injury form. The amount of rehab and working out he was allowed to do was significantly less due to covid restrictions on when/where he could practice.

Hopefully that will not be a problem for this season, but if I were a GM I'd be looking at how the last season went and understanding that the limitations for injured player's rehab and lack of practices could easily happen again.

So in short I think Siakam is great, but if he misses the first 1-2 months, it has a greater effect on what the team can accomplish in that season from him missing training camp and possibly not being in shape.

But also it is rare for teams with major changes to be good in their first year anyways so it might not matter. If the blazers get siakam and lillard is happy to think of it as building toward a good team in a year or two then it could make a lot of sense. I don't know of a realistic way that the trade happens though.

You seem to be trying really, REALLY hard to be overly pessimistic.

You do realize that the last three NBA champions made major offseason moves before winning the title, right? As did the last two teams to come in second. So, five of the last six teams to make the NBA Finals made major offseason moves. The idea that "it is rare for teams with major changes to be good in their first year" is not supported by the evidence. For one of those teams, Pascal Siakam and Norman Powell were key pieces to their championship. They are veteran players with proven track records of adapting to new teammates.

Damian Lillard is also the kind of leader that immediately makes new players feel comfortable. Remember Nurk Fever? Nurk was a young player with a reputation for being a disgruntled head case. He came in right before the trade deadline, no training camp, limited opportunities to practice with the team. Dame immediately took him under his wing and it completely turned the Blazers season around.

I have zero doubt that Siakam would be similarly welcomed and easily adapt to his new teammates. Even while he is rehabbing, he will be able to watch film, study the playbook, work with the coaches and observe the players run their offensive and defensive sets during training camp, the preseason and early regular season. He won't be coming in totally unprepared like Nurk (and other trade deadline acquisitions).

Comparing Siakam's injury to CJs is apples:oranges. Siakam has a shoulder injury. He will have plenty of options for intense cardio (stationary bike, running in the pool, treadmill/elliptical, etc.) to get in shape during his rehab. CJ had a broken foot, which severely limited his options for any kind of intensive cardio during his rehab.

[GEE]

I'm fairly certain now that CJ's not moving, as the market for him has dried up like grandma's ovaries. I strongly believe Olshey could have gotten solid value for CJ too, considering all of the big name Guard movement that occurred throughout the league. But Olshey never wanted to trade him anyway, because remember... the roster wasn't the problem. Convinced? I'm not either, and neither will Dame.

Dame, I almost guarantee is pissed right now, but focused on the Gold. I imagine he will show us his displeasure in a few days, when he returns from Tokyo. I also have a sneeking suspicion that Olshey wants this to happen, with a hidden desire to trade Dame. Anything else seems totally illogical to me.

Could Simmons be a target for GS to play the 5 next Draymond? I could see that. If so, Dame for Wiseman, both rookies picked, and some good filler would work for me. Our team would also be watchable again.

Guess we'll see in a few days, but I'd prepare yourselves people. Sadly... Changing the name in this thread title may be necessary soon.

[Norm2953]

Very possible we could see a Dame trade prior to training camp after he comes back from the Olympics.

Portland however is setup to wait out Philly as long as Dame holds off on a trade demand. They did what
they had to in retaining Powell but I can't see Simmons and Green playing together for both would play
the same role. Apparently Dame/Green are really good friends and have gotten closer with their Olympics
experience and one can the GSW draft package along with Wiseman and Wiggins would really fill a lot
of roster holes for Portland. Presumably there would be some picks and pick swaps but none of these
would play for Portland in 2021.

Moody, Kuminga, Wiseman and Wiggins would yield a lineup for Portland of

SF Wiggins, Kuminga
PF Covington, Little
C Nurkic, Wiseman
SG Powell, Moody
PG CJ, Simons

[soobias]

Very possible we could see a Dame trade prior to training camp after he comes back from the Olympics.

Portland however is setup to wait out Philly as long as Dame holds off on a trade demand. They did what
they had to in retaining Powell but I can't see Simmons and Green playing together for both would play
the same role. Apparently Dame/Green are really good friends and have gotten closer with their Olympics
experience and one can the GSW draft package along with Wiseman and Wiggins would really fill a lot
of roster holes for Portland. Presumably there would be some picks and pick swaps but none of these
would play for Portland in 2021.

Moody, Kuminga, Wiseman and Wiggins would yield a lineup for Portland of

SF Wiggins, Kuminga
PF Covington, Little
C Nurkic, Wiseman
SG Powell, Moody
PG CJ, Simons

who plays point ?

[PDXKnight]

Very possible we could see a Dame trade prior to training camp after he comes back from the Olympics.

Portland however is setup to wait out Philly as long as Dame holds off on a trade demand. They did what
they had to in retaining Powell but I can't see Simmons and Green playing together for both would play
the same role. Apparently Dame/Green are really good friends and have gotten closer with their Olympics
experience and one can the GSW draft package along with Wiseman and Wiggins would really fill a lot
of roster holes for Portland. Presumably there would be some picks and pick swaps but none of these
would play for Portland in 2021.

Moody, Kuminga, Wiseman and Wiggins would yield a lineup for Portland of

SF Wiggins, Kuminga
PF Covington, Little
C Nurkic, Wiseman
SG Powell, Moody
PG CJ, Simons

I’m not under any circumstance for trading dame to gs or la. I’d even take a smaller return to avoid such scenarios and preferably he goes east if he’s dealt

[BNM]

Very possible we could see a Dame trade prior to training camp after he comes back from the Olympics.

Portland however is setup to wait out Philly as long as Dame holds off on a trade demand. They did what
they had to in retaining Powell but I can't see Simmons and Green playing together for both would play
the same role. Apparently Dame/Green are really good friends and have gotten closer with their Olympics
experience and one can the GSW draft package along with Wiseman and Wiggins would really fill a lot
of roster holes for Portland. Presumably there would be some picks and pick swaps but none of these
would play for Portland in 2021.

Moody, Kuminga, Wiseman and Wiggins would yield a lineup for Portland of

SF Wiggins, Kuminga
PF Covington, Little
C Nurkic, Wiseman
SG Powell, Moody
PG CJ, Simons

who plays point ?

More like, what's the point? That roster doesn't have a single all star, let along a superstar. Their absolute ceiling is 1st round sweep. More likely years of picking between 10th and 14th where Neil can hope to find his next CJ, but will much more likely find his next Meyers Leonard/Zach Collins.

[The Sebastian Express]

Very possible we could see a Dame trade prior to training camp after he comes back from the Olympics.

Portland however is setup to wait out Philly as long as Dame holds off on a trade demand. They did what
they had to in retaining Powell but I can't see Simmons and Green playing together for both would play
the same role. Apparently Dame/Green are really good friends and have gotten closer with their Olympics
experience and one can the GSW draft package along with Wiseman and Wiggins would really fill a lot
of roster holes for Portland. Presumably there would be some picks and pick swaps but none of these
would play for Portland in 2021.

Moody, Kuminga, Wiseman and Wiggins would yield a lineup for Portland of

SF Wiggins, Kuminga
PF Covington, Little
C Nurkic, Wiseman
SG Powell, Moody
PG CJ, Simons

Why is it very possible?

[Matt800]

Spoiler:

Because Damian Lillard cares much more about the playoffs than the first month, or two, of the regular season. Last year, we saw Dame absolutely carry a team of scrubs on his back for two months while both CJ and Nurk were out. Even with Siakam out, you start the season with a healthy Nurk and Norm. Add RoCo at the 4 and run the 3 by committee with DJJ, Little and Snell until Siakam is healthy. Then start Siakam at the 4 and move RoCo to starting 3.

That would easily be the best pair of starting forwards POR would have had since Aldridge and Batum - and against some match ups, it would be better. Just look at who will be making the playoffs in the West. If you hope to compete. you need big forwards that can defend. Siakam and RoCo would give POR that.n
Throughout his career, Dame has shown the ability to carry a weak roster to the playoffs. Even with Siakam missing the first month, or two, this team would be way better than the post Aldridge team and the Hezonja/Tolliver/Bazemore squad. (i.e. way more than good enough to win plenty of regular season games until Siakam is fully health). Plus, sitting out a month or two will mean less wear and tear on Siakam entering the playoffs

And ultimately, it comes down to the playoffs. I don't think winning it all is the only way to placate Dame. I just think he wants to be competitive in the playoffs - at the very least get past the first round and be highly competitive, perhaps even win, the 2nd round. I think losing badly in the 1st round to a very undermanned DEN team was very hard for him to take. He played insanely well in that series (34.3 ppg, 10.2 apg, PER = 30.4, TS% = .660, AST% = 41.3, WS/48 = .286, BPM = +12.2), but didn't have enough talent around him to avoid losing to a injury depleted DEN squad. Anything close to that again, and he's gone (and I wouldn't blame him).

A starting 5 of:

Dame
Norm
RoCo
Siakam
Nurk

Is very balanced and offers a good blend of offense and defense. Plus, POR would no longer be undersized against every other team in the league.

Why would TOR want CJ? I don't think they would. I think there would need to be a third team involved.

I don't think it works that way though. If Siakam is signed and cant be in training camp, and can't play the first 1-2 months, the ability for the team to build chemistry and work on schemes is limited. Especially if the pandemic continues and the ability to have practices is drastically limited like it was last season. Last season one of the bigger issues with their defense was that they had a couple days to try and develop it in training camp and then had almost no practices to continue adding new things so they were stuck with what they had.

To go beyond that if the pandemic continues, Siakam's ability to get back in shape will be limited. Last season CJ cited that as an issue for why he wasn't able to get back to his pre-injury form. The amount of rehab and working out he was allowed to do was significantly less due to covid restrictions on when/where he could practice.

Hopefully that will not be a problem for this season, but if I were a GM I'd be looking at how the last season went and understanding that the limitations for injured player's rehab and lack of practices could easily happen again.

So in short I think Siakam is great, but if he misses the first 1-2 months, it has a greater effect on what the team can accomplish in that season from him missing training camp and possibly not being in shape.

But also it is rare for teams with major changes to be good in their first year anyways so it might not matter. If the blazers get siakam and lillard is happy to think of it as building toward a good team in a year or two then it could make a lot of sense. I don't know of a realistic way that the trade happens though.

You seem to be trying really, REALLY hard to be overly pessimistic.

You do realize that the last three NBA champions made major offseason moves before winning the title, right? As did the last two teams to come in second. So, five of the last six teams to make the NBA Finals made major offseason moves. The idea that "it is rare for teams with major changes to be good in their first year" is not supported by the evidence. For one of those teams, Pascal Siakam and Norman Powell were key pieces to their championship. They are veteran players with proven track records of adapting to new teammates.

Damian Lillard is also the kind of leader that immediately makes new players feel comfortable. Remember Nurk Fever? Nurk was a young player with a reputation for being a disgruntled head case. He came in right before the trade deadline, no training camp, limited opportunities to practice with the team. Dame immediately took him under his wing and it completely turned the Blazers season around.

I have zero doubt that Siakam would be similarly welcomed and easily adapt to his new teammates. Even while he is rehabbing, he will be able to watch film, study the playbook, work with the coaches and observe the players run their offensive and defensive sets during training camp, the preseason and early regular season. He won't be coming in totally unprepared like Nurk (and other trade deadline acquisitions).

Comparing Siakam's injury to CJs is apples:oranges. Siakam has a shoulder injury. He will have plenty of options for intense cardio (stationary bike, running in the pool, treadmill/elliptical, etc.) to get in shape during his rehab. CJ had a broken foot, which severely limited his options for any kind of intensive cardio during his rehab.

I don't think I am being pessimistic, I just don't think getting Siakam is at all realistic. I was trying to say that there are a variety of indicators of why an injured Siakam would complicate this coming season. If Toronto is up for it and Lillard is fine with it then that's great. I just don't think Toronto does it or that Lillard would want to intentionally go into a season with a key guy out. Or that the Blazers organization would feel currently stable enough to gamble on an injured guy.

I do think if they could get Siakam for CJ and a couple year commitment from Lillard to see what that team could do, then that would be way better than keeping CJ. I just dont think it will happen.

[Village Idiot]

He would be a good fit, but I don't think it is realistic from both sides. Why would Toronto want CJ? And why would Portland want a guy who cant play for 1-2 months to start the season? Portland needs a good season and that really wouldn't help.

Why would TOR want CJ? I don't think they would. I think there would need to be a third team involved.

Toronto's had some big shortcomings which CJ addresses:

Isolation scoring:

If we look at a list of the leagues best isolation scorers from last season, using 2 isolation possesions per game as a threshold, they only had 1 player, Pascal Siakam, on the list. Nobody else was good enough at isolation scoring to even attempt it. Siakam managed .94 PPP which put him in the 62.5 percentile of all players, not just those who met my filtering criteria. CJ, on the other hand, was 5th on that list with 1.09 PPP and 88.7 percentile.

Pick-and-roll ball handling

The pick-and-roll is the staple of modern NBA sets. Its prevalence has been increasing every year. The Raptors are lacking in this area. If we look at the NBA leaders for this playtype, again using 2 possessions as pick and roll ballhandler as the minimum threshold, we see all of the Blazers guards at the top of the list. Norm Powell (when he was with the Raptors) and Dame are both top 5 with 1.12 and 1.07 PPP. CJ isn't too far down at 1.02 PPG and Ant at .99. Siakam is right below him at .98. FVV is a ways down at .92 and Dragic (whom they probably won't keep) and Flynn are quite a ways down the list.

Spot-up shooting:

CJ is 5th on the list behind both Snell and Ant. The first current Raptor, OG Anunoby, doesn't even appear until the 2nd page. FVV and GTJ appear further down on that page.

In general FVV is not all that good. He's a really likeable guy but should be coming off the bench as the third guard and not starting.

One thing that is clear though is that Siakam is by far the Raptors best player and he does a lot of the same things well that CJ does. If they want to win now and not later they should want to add CJ to Siakam.

I would instead suggest that two Raptors roll players, OG and Boucher, would be both more attainable and better complimentary fits for our team. They are both efficient role players who don't require a lot of touches whereas Siakam is a guy who needs to be in focus.

CJ for OG and Dragic is a deal that makes both teams better and works fine under the CBA. OG slots in starting at SF for us and Dragic gives us a fantastic 3rd guard and insurance in case Dame is out for any extended period of time.

[BlazersBroncos]

The issue with the CJ to TOR thesis is that none of it matters. Toronto is rebuilding. They are not moving OG for CJ. Thats just really wishful thinking on Portland's part. Also, not a single rumor this offseason has involved OG, they have all been Pascal.

I think OG has more value than Pascal, so if the general consensus is it takes numerous picks to bridge CJ for Pascal, it takes even more to get OG.

[Wizenheimer]

People keep talking bout Tobias Harris or something and I think that is a lateral move for CJ that doesn't make us better or worse. ****, Siakam might only be gettable right now due to injury concerns, if Siakam was fully healthy he would likely be outside of the CJ+pick price.

first, I think CJ for Harris makes Portland a better team

Dame-CJ-Powell-RoCo-Nurkic vs Dame-Powell-RoCo-Harris-Nurkic. Yeah, the 2nd team is much better balanced and nobody is playing out of position. But, it doesn't likely make Portland a contender. Neither would plugging in Siakam. But the thing is, Portland is so far away from contending that one realistic move wouldn't get them there. Will have to be a process

as for Siakam, I would not hold my breath. There was news yesterday from a Toronto insider that PDX/TOR were discussing a CJ for Siakam trade, but that Portland (Olshey) was overvaluing CJ, by a lot (what a surprise), and that because of that, Portland stopped the discussions. Now, that was before the draft so maybe with Powell signed those talks would rekindle. And we don't know if/what Toronto was asking in addition to CJ

but, Olshey held CJ untouchable in the Paul George trade talks, and after 4 more years of definite proof that the Dame/CJ back court was taking Portland nowhere, Olshey doesn't appear to have budged off of his complete infatuation with CJ. And that infatuation is by far the biggest roadblock Portland has in building a contender

Olshey would rather trade Dame than trade CJ. Every day that clown is the GM, the hole he is digging gets deeper, and Seattle doesn't give a shiz

[BlazersBroncos]

People keep talking bout Tobias Harris or something and I think that is a lateral move for CJ that doesn't make us better or worse. ****, Siakam might only be gettable right now due to injury concerns, if Siakam was fully healthy he would likely be outside of the CJ+pick price.

first, I think CJ for Harris makes Portland a better team

Dame-CJ-Powell-RoCo-Nurkic vs Dame-Powell-RoCo-Harris-Nurkic. Yeah, the 2nd team is much better balanced and nobody is playing out of position. But, it doesn't likely make Portland a contender. Neither would plugging in Siakam. But the thing is, Portland is so far away from contending that one realistic move wouldn't get them there. Will have to be a process

as for Siakam, I would not hold my breath. There was news yesterday from a Toronto insider that PDX/TOR were discussing a CJ for Siakam trade, but that Portland (Olshey) was overvaluing CJ, by a lot (what a surprise), and that because of that, Portland stopped the discussions. Now, that was before the draft so maybe with Powell signed those talks would rekindle. And we don't know if/what Toronto was asking in addition to CJ

but, Olshey held CJ untouchable in the Paul George trade talks, and after 4 more years of definite proof that the Dame/CJ back court was taking Portland nowhere, Olshey doesn't appear to have budged off of his complete infatuation with CJ. And that infatuation is by far the biggest roadblock Portland has in building a contender

Olshey would rather trade Dame than trade CJ. Every day that clown is the GM, the hole he is digging gets deeper, and Seattle doesn't give a shiz

I dont disagree, but I also think Dame may be a part of the reason CJ isnt really being shopped. I think its high time to point out that Dame seemingly wants to keep all his buddies on the team while improving the roster to a champ caliber, two things that are absolutely mutually exclusive.

[Wizenheimer]

People keep talking bout Tobias Harris or something and I think that is a lateral move for CJ that doesn't make us better or worse. ****, Siakam might only be gettable right now due to injury concerns, if Siakam was fully healthy he would likely be outside of the CJ+pick price.

first, I think CJ for Harris makes Portland a better team

Dame-CJ-Powell-RoCo-Nurkic vs Dame-Powell-RoCo-Harris-Nurkic. Yeah, the 2nd team is much better balanced and nobody is playing out of position. But, it doesn't likely make Portland a contender. Neither would plugging in Siakam. But the thing is, Portland is so far away from contending that one realistic move wouldn't get them there. Will have to be a process

as for Siakam, I would not hold my breath. There was news yesterday from a Toronto insider that PDX/TOR were discussing a CJ for Siakam trade, but that Portland (Olshey) was overvaluing CJ, by a lot (what a surprise), and that because of that, Portland stopped the discussions. Now, that was before the draft so maybe with Powell signed those talks would rekindle. And we don't know if/what Toronto was asking in addition to CJ

but, Olshey held CJ untouchable in the Paul George trade talks, and after 4 more years of definite proof that the Dame/CJ back court was taking Portland nowhere, Olshey doesn't appear to have budged off of his complete infatuation with CJ. And that infatuation is by far the biggest roadblock Portland has in building a contender

Olshey would rather trade Dame than trade CJ. Every day that clown is the GM, the hole he is digging gets deeper, and Seattle doesn't give a shiz

I dont disagree, but I also think Dame may be a part of the reason CJ isnt really being shopped. I think its high time to point out that Dame seemingly wants to keep all his buddies on the team while improving the roster to a champ caliber, two things that are absolutely mutually exclusive.

yeah...I don't buy that excuse. Dame has been good friends with several players who have been traded...and he was ok with it.

this is just another excuse for Olshey not doing his job. Although, when I factor in Seattle & the Vulcans, maybe Olshey is doing the job they want because it's quite possible they have determined that mediocrity pays off just as well as contending

[Norm2953]

The issue with the CJ to TOR thesis is that none of it matters. Toronto is rebuilding. They are not moving OG for CJ. Thats just really wishful thinking on Portland's part. Also, not a single rumor this offseason has involved OG, they have all been Pascal.

I think OG has more value than Pascal, so if the general consensus is it takes numerous picks to bridge CJ for Pascal, it takes even more to get OG.

Imagine if we had just simply not traded 15 +20 for 10 in the 2017 draft.

John Collins at 15 and Og at 20 would do wonders for Portland to go with Dame/CJ and Nurk

[BlazersBroncos]

The issue with the CJ to TOR thesis is that none of it matters. Toronto is rebuilding. They are not moving OG for CJ. Thats just really wishful thinking on Portland's part. Also, not a single rumor this offseason has involved OG, they have all been Pascal.

I think OG has more value than Pascal, so if the general consensus is it takes numerous picks to bridge CJ for Pascal, it takes even more to get OG.

Imagine if we had just simply not traded 15 +20 for 10 in the 2017 draft.

John Collins at 15 and Og at 20 would do wonders for Portland to go with Dame/CJ and Nurk

We would almost certainly be a top 5 team in the league if that was the case.

Back to reality.

What about getting Milton involved in the ever discussed CJ for Harris deal? That gives us a cheap rotation guy for 2 seasons and opens Simons for a trade, while avoiding the crunch of having to pay him, RoCo and Nurkic in the same offseason. That extra cheap year Milton offers is pretty huge.

CJ + CJ for Harris + Milton
DJJ + Simons for Thad

G - Damian Lillard / Shake Milton / VM
G - Norman Powell / Shake Milton / Ben Mclemore
F - Robert Covington / Tony Snell / Nassir Little
F - Tobias Harris / Thad Young / Greg Brown
C - Jusuf Nurkic / Cody Zeller / VM

IDK, just trying to find something. Certainly better defense and size. Many wont like moving Simons for someone of Young's age and low ceiling, but I dont think we have a chance in hell of retaining all 3 of Simons / RoCo / Nurkic in 2022.