Offseason

[Sinobas]

Don't understand how any blazer fan could suggest trading Powell rather than CJ. Powell is exactly what we need at SG. We could actually be one of the best defensive teams in the league if we traded CJ for Simmons.

[BlazersBroncos]

Don't understand how any blazer fan could suggest trading Powell rather than CJ. Powell is exactly what we need at SG. We could actually be one of the best defensive teams in the league if we traded CJ for Simmons.

I would much rather move CJ, I just dont know if PHI would rather have CJ than Powell.

And while being 100% in on CJ and picks for Simmons, I do worry at times about shot creation going from CJ to Simmons and relying on Norman as the 2nd non-big shot creator. Its certainly worth the improvements in other areas of the team though.

[GEE]

Olshey must make CJ + whatever available for Simmons. If that isn't happening, I must ask why not? Maybe he is being tabled, but Morey has tabled a deal for Dame (likely). So, I'll assume the Blazers are a yes with CJ and a no with Dame, while Philly is a yes with Dame and a no with CJ. Will either side budge? Could Harris be a 3rd path, to a solution for both clubs? All I know is camp starts Monday, Simmons likely won't be there, and 25% of players salary gets paid at the end of this month.

Second thing, I was reminded of Dame's words months ago regarding any talk of trades, and how it would be between him and Olshey ONLY! Something to that tune anyway. This got me thinking... what if Super-agent Rich Paul, Olshey and Morey could quietly convince Dame and his camp, that a trade to Philly would be in his best interests? Main point being that we all likely would hear nothing about a move like this... until it happened already.

This move, I could actually support, as it would be good for Dame IF, winning a championship at the cost of needing to uproot and move to another city, is worth it to him. Might be. Loyalties can change, especially if the money is the same, or better. I know I'm in a solid minority here, but I can live with no Super-Star on this Blazer team... I'd sort of prefer it actually.

CJ / Simons
Powell / Little
ROCO
Simmons / Nance Jr.
Nurkic / Chriss

This would be really fun to watch, with a much greater chance at success than our current roster, imo.

[Wizenheimer]

Olshey must make CJ + whatever available for Simmons. If that isn't happening, I must ask why not? Maybe he is being tabled, but Morey has tabled a deal for Dame (likely). So, I'll assume the Blazers are a yes with CJ and a no with Dame, while Philly is a yes with Dame and a no with CJ. Will either side budge? Could Harris be a 3rd path, to a solution for both clubs? All I know is camp starts Monday, Simmons likely won't be there, and 25% of players salary gets paid at the end of this month.

Second thing, I was reminded of Dame's words months ago regarding any talk of trades, and how it would be between him and Olshey ONLY! Something to that tune anyway. This got me thinking... what if Super-agent Rich Paul, Olshey and Morey could quietly convince Dame and his camp, that a trade to Philly would be in his best interests? Main point being that we all likely would hear nothing about a move like this... until it happened already.

This move, I could actually support, as it would be good for Dame IF, winning a championship at the cost of needing to uproot and move to another city, is worth it to him. Might be. Loyalties can change, especially if the money is the same, or better. I know I'm in a solid minority here, but I can live with no Super-Star on this Blazer team... I'd sort of prefer it actually.

CJ / Simons
Powell / Little
ROCO
Simmons / Nance Jr.
Nurkic / Chriss

This would be really fun to watch, with a much greater chance at success than our current roster, imo.

if Dame is gone while Olshey and CJ remain, I'm thru being a Blazer fan

[PDXKnight]

Don't understand how any blazer fan could suggest trading Powell rather than CJ. Powell is exactly what we need at SG. We could actually be one of the best defensive teams in the league if we traded CJ for Simmons.

I agree with most of this post except the notion that powell is a good defender, assuming that’s what is being suggested? I think he’s very mediocre in that department, has been overrated on defense his entire career from the look of things, that said simmons would be a game changer for our defensive front.

I think the only reasonable logic for trading Norm over cj is if cj is if cj proves to be difficult to trade (making salaries match) or if cj’s value is exceptionally low around the nba to the point where it wouldn’t be worth dealing him. If, in other words, we are “stuck” with cj trading norm may make us a better team than dealing cj away for peanuts. But yes norm is certainly the preferable option at the 2 guard in my eyes

[PDXKnight]

Olshey must make CJ + whatever available for Simmons. If that isn't happening, I must ask why not? Maybe he is being tabled, but Morey has tabled a deal for Dame (likely). So, I'll assume the Blazers are a yes with CJ and a no with Dame, while Philly is a yes with Dame and a no with CJ. Will either side budge? Could Harris be a 3rd path, to a solution for both clubs? All I know is camp starts Monday, Simmons likely won't be there, and 25% of players salary gets paid at the end of this month.

Second thing, I was reminded of Dame's words months ago regarding any talk of trades, and how it would be between him and Olshey ONLY! Something to that tune anyway. This got me thinking... what if Super-agent Rich Paul, Olshey and Morey could quietly convince Dame and his camp, that a trade to Philly would be in his best interests? Main point being that we all likely would hear nothing about a move like this... until it happened already.

This move, I could actually support, as it would be good for Dame IF, winning a championship at the cost of needing to uproot and move to another city, is worth it to him. Might be. Loyalties can change, especially if the money is the same, or better. I know I'm in a solid minority here, but I can live with no Super-Star on this Blazer team... I'd sort of prefer it actually.

CJ / Simons

Powell / Little
ROCO
Simmons / Nance Jr.
Nurkic / Chriss

This would be really fun to watch, with a much greater chance at success than our current roster, imo.

if Dame is gone while Olshey and CJ remain, I'm thru being a Blazer fan

Right there with ya, though not literally just mentally “over it”

[BNM]

Olshey must make CJ + whatever available for Simmons. If that isn't happening, I must ask why not? Maybe he is being tabled, but Morey has tabled a deal for Dame (likely). So, I'll assume the Blazers are a yes with CJ and a no with Dame, while Philly is a yes with Dame and a no with CJ. Will either side budge? Could Harris be a 3rd path, to a solution for both clubs? All I know is camp starts Monday, Simmons likely won't be there, and 25% of players salary gets paid at the end of this month.

Second thing, I was reminded of Dame's words months ago regarding any talk of trades, and how it would be between him and Olshey ONLY! Something to that tune anyway. This got me thinking... what if Super-agent Rich Paul, Olshey and Morey could quietly convince Dame and his camp, that a trade to Philly would be in his best interests? Main point being that we all likely would hear nothing about a move like this... until it happened already.

This move, I could actually support, as it would be good for Dame IF, winning a championship at the cost of needing to uproot and move to another city, is worth it to him. Might be. Loyalties can change, especially if the money is the same, or better. I know I'm in a solid minority here, but I can live with no Super-Star on this Blazer team... I'd sort of prefer it actually.

CJ / Simons
Powell / Little
ROCO
Simmons / Nance Jr.
Nurkic / Chriss

This would be really fun to watch, with a much greater chance at success than our current roster, imo.

No, just no. I vehemently disagree with both of your conclusions. This would not be really fun to watch. Damian Lillard is one of the most exciting players to watch in the entire NBA. Other teams' fans refer to him as Must See TV. As far as Ben Simmons goes, ask PHI fans how much fun it is watching him in the playoffs. The NBA is a star driven league. Lose our star and we're not going to be more successful. I'm all for trading CJ as part of a package for Ben Simmons, but I am 100% against trading Damian Lillard PERIOD.

[BlazersBroncos]

I would rather get a young guy on a rookie deal and a 3/3 pick swap if we move Dame, while also blowing the entire roster up than move him for Simmons and some crap filler while creating the pinnacle of a treadmill team.

CJ/Powell/RoCo/Simmons/Nurkic is basically Pacers-West.

[zzaj]

Olshey must make CJ + whatever available for Simmons. If that isn't happening, I must ask why not? Maybe he is being tabled, but Morey has tabled a deal for Dame (likely). So, I'll assume the Blazers are a yes with CJ and a no with Dame, while Philly is a yes with Dame and a no with CJ. Will either side budge? Could Harris be a 3rd path, to a solution for both clubs? All I know is camp starts Monday, Simmons likely won't be there, and 25% of players salary gets paid at the end of this month.

Second thing, I was reminded of Dame's words months ago regarding any talk of trades, and how it would be between him and Olshey ONLY! Something to that tune anyway. This got me thinking... what if Super-agent Rich Paul, Olshey and Morey could quietly convince Dame and his camp, that a trade to Philly would be in his best interests? Main point being that we all likely would hear nothing about a move like this... until it happened already.

This move, I could actually support, as it would be good for Dame IF, winning a championship at the cost of needing to uproot and move to another city, is worth it to him. Might be. Loyalties can change, especially if the money is the same, or better. I know I'm in a solid minority here, but I can live with no Super-Star on this Blazer team... I'd sort of prefer it actually.

CJ / Simons
Powell / Little
ROCO
Simmons / Nance Jr.
Nurkic / Chriss

This would be really fun to watch, with a much greater chance at success than our current roster, imo.

No, just no. I vehemently disagree with both of your conclusions. This would not be really fun to watch. Damian Lillard is one of the most exciting players to watch in the entire NBA. Other teams' fans refer to him as Must See TV. As far as Ben Simmons goes, ask PHI fans how much fun it is watching him in the playoffs. The NBA is a star driven league. Lose our star and we're not going to be more successful. I'm all for trading CJ as part of a package for Ben Simmons, but I am 100% against trading Damian Lillard PERIOD.

I'd go as far as to say that there is basically nobody in the NBA that I'd trade Lillard for straight up, currently, if you factor in health and age. Maybe Luka and that's about it. Not Steph, not Lebron, not Zion...

[HoopsFanAZ]

BNM wrote: No, just no. I vehemently disagree with both of your conclusions. This would not be really fun to watch. Damian Lillard is one of the most exciting players to watch in the entire NBA. Other teams' fans refer to him as Must See TV. As far as Ben Simmons goes, ask PHI fans how much fun it is watching him in the playoffs. The NBA is a star driven league. Lose our star and we're not going to be more successful. I'm all for trading CJ as part of a package for Ben Simmons, but I am 100% against trading Damian Lillard PERIOD.

zzaj wrote: I'd go as far as to say that there is basically nobody in the NBA that I'd trade Lillard for straight up, currently, if you factor in health and age. Maybe Luka and that's about it. Not Steph, not Lebron, not Zion...

Lillard is UNTOUCHABLE? (Except Luka) In a one-for-one deal (forget salaries)? Okay.

By definition, IMHO, it’s all about maximizing who surrounds Lillard for RIGHT NOW. CJ to the 76ers in a 2 or 3 team trade to improve the team becomes an automatic yes, AND I don’t care who “wins” the trade. Mortgage a share of the future for now? The future is now for the Blazers.

[Case2012]

The wolves fired their GM because he wouldn’t trade for Simmons, they’re gonna get him. I wish Jody Allen would just sell the **************** team already.

[HoopsFanAZ]

The wolves fired their GM because he wouldn’t trade for Simmons, they’re gonna get him. I wish Jody Allen would just sell the **************** team already.

The return for the 76ers doesn’t look good without Edwards. That’s a must. Add Beverly and Prince on short contracts. And Minnesota is not a good franchise, so unprotected picks are valuable. Simmons gives them their best chance at becoming relevant … so it will not happen. I hope.

[Goldbum]

We absolutely need a off season success story headed into training camp.
IDK what it looks like 100%, but I do see some obvious opportunities.
1. Improve defense/Powell plays SG
a)No Kanter/No Melo
b)Nance + Snell + Zeller
c)Maybe trade CJ
d)Nurkic stays healthy
2. Improve ball movement and cutting
a)Nance + Zeller ?
b)2 black holes are gone
c)Billups?
d)Maybe trade CJ-Less dribbling the air out of the ball
3. Higher percentage looks
a)Ant + Little improvements
b)Billups?
c) Maybe trade CJ-Less dribbling more passing
4. A bench that is average at worst
a)Out with the ball hogs and inefficient chuckers
b) Nash + Zeller + Snell
c) The younger guys improve
d) Bench plays enough D not to sink us every game

Those are what I see as major priorities and honestly why a CJ for Ben makes so much sense even if we pay extra to make it happen

[zzaj]

BNM wrote: No, just no. I vehemently disagree with both of your conclusions. This would not be really fun to watch. Damian Lillard is one of the most exciting players to watch in the entire NBA. Other teams' fans refer to him as Must See TV. As far as Ben Simmons goes, ask PHI fans how much fun it is watching him in the playoffs. The NBA is a star driven league. Lose our star and we're not going to be more successful. I'm all for trading CJ as part of a package for Ben Simmons, but I am 100% against trading Damian Lillard PERIOD.

zzaj wrote: I'd go as far as to say that there is basically nobody in the NBA that I'd trade Lillard for straight up, currently, if you factor in health and age. Maybe Luka and that's about it. Not Steph, not Lebron, not Zion...

Lillard is UNTOUCHABLE? (Except Luka) In a one-for-one deal (forget salaries)? Okay.

By definition, IMHO, it’s all about maximizing who surrounds Lillard for RIGHT NOW. CJ to the 76ers in a 2 or 3 team trade to improve the team becomes an automatic yes, AND I don’t care who “wins” the trade. Mortgage a share of the future for now? The future is now for the Blazers.

Not really sure what you're getting at with this post. You're basically agreeing with both BNM and me...

In terms of assets, Lillard is one of the biggest in the league right now if you factor in health (or potential injury), age and I'll through "headache" in there too--just so somebody doesn't try and say Harden. I'd say he's squarely in front of Zion, Durant, LeBron, and just about every A lister if you factor in those things. Now, if I were starting a franchise tomorrow would I chose Lillard first? Probably not. I would probably go Luka, or a younger player...but for where the Blazers are right now, I don't think there is any head to head trade that makes sense.

[HoopsFanAZ]

I thought it was clear I was agreeing with the two of you.

The point is that Morey, or other GMs, can win a trade package including CJ in what may be viewed as an Olshey overpay and the Blazers are better. An overpay by Olshey, now, would both help the team AND still be less than what Morey wanted and what Simmons is worth to the Blazers. Since Lillard is essentially untouchable for the Blazers, it demands an all-in strategy of trading CJ.

[Norm2953]

There is talk from Philly's beat writer that the current trade of Simmons are some picks and pick swaps
and now a solid but non all-star level player.

Now if NO is willing to put CJ on the table, Portland is firmly in the mix to finally get it done.

[Goldbum]

There is talk from Philly's beat writer that the current trade of Simmons are some picks and pick swaps
and now a solid but non all-star level player.

Now if NO is willing to put CJ on the table, Portland is firmly in the mix to finally get it done.

CJ+2 picks and one pick swap. Blazers would have to agree to take the protections off the Nance pick. Probably "Lotto Protected" turns into if in the lotto PDX receives multiple future second round picks to off set the value lost.

[DeBlazerRiddem]

I would still be surprised if Morey trades Simmons for CJ (and picks or whatever). I just don't think CJ is the type of player that Morey values very much.


Also, if my best player was a big man, I would want someone better at feeding him in easy spots for my PG. For all of Simmons warts he is fantastic at that. CJ is not good at creating easy looks for bigs, CJ using his scoring ability to create and as a secondary option makes the simple dump-off type pass. What I mean is that Embiid could look worse if he loses a passing savant like Simmons replaced by a score first guard. (Ideally the extra spacing makes up for it but what I'm saying is it's possible it does not)

[Norm2953]

The sixer fans on the long running thread on the TB seem resigned to having to accept CJ + some
version of picks/pick swaps. Trade could be tweaked to include Maxey who has the agent as
Simmons but a trade needs to get done so the two teams that are involved can get ready for the
season.

It'll be interesting to see how Simmons would fit in Portland. Portland has Dame, Powell, Simons
McLemore and has signed guys like Quinn Cook, DSJ to compete for a guard spot and could play
Simmons at PG.

Up front Portland has Roco, Nance Jr, Little, Snell, with Simmons at the forwards with Nurkic
and Zeller at center with Simmons possibly getting some time at center.

It's not a bad team but still lacks an explosive scorer up front unless Nurk once again becomes
the Bosnian Beast. Likely this team when Dame isn't scoring would struggle to score but almost
certainly would be much stronger defensively with Powell, Roco, Simmons

[Goldbum]

Norm, I honestly think that team makes it to the WCF and has a real chance against anyone.