2021-22 Season Discussion and Speculation

[Mulhollanddrive]

Lakers are tracking pretty nicely for a 4-5 spot and wouldn't be the worst to have GSW at 1 and us on the opposite side.

[Saberestar]

The Detroit Pistons are fielding calls for forward Jerami Grant, according to league sources. While rivals wondered whether the Pistons would move Grant last season, during the best campaign of his career, it’s now believed that Detroit is focused on trading Grant before the final year of his contract in 2022-23.

The Phoenix Suns are attempting to move Jalen Smith, and the San Antonio Spurs have been frequently linked as a suitor. Phoenix is rumored to have strong interest in acquiring Thaddeus Young from the Spurs.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2951461-latest-nba-trade-buzz-sourced-intel-on-simmons-kyrie-lakers-and-more

This is from Jake Fischer who is a great insider.

I don't know if I want to move Saric + Jalen Smith now for Thad Young. It is too late for a trade and too early for a buyout...but obviously I would prefer to sign him after a buyout.

Jerami Grant would be a huge addition. I would make a nice offer for him.

Saric + Jalen Smith + 2 future first round picks (with some protections). If we can get him for that package we would be absolutely favorites to win it all.

[SunsRback4Good]

Lakers are tracking pretty nicely for a 4-5 spot and wouldn't be the 0worst to have GSW at 1 and us on the opposite side.

Why are we still afraid of facing the Lakers in the playoffs? This Suns team are not intimidated of last years Lakers or this years team. Heck, I would rather face the Jazz in the semis at least we know they will give us a hard fought series preparing our team before facing the Warriors. But nobody should be afraid of the Lakers we have proven we are the superior team last season even if AD was full healthy.

[King4Day]

Lakers are tracking pretty nicely for a 4-5 spot and wouldn't be the 0worst to have GSW at 1 and us on the opposite side.

Why are we still afraid of facing the Lakers in the playoffs? This Suns team are not intimidated of last years Lakers or this years team. Heck, I would rather face the Jazz in the semis at least we know they will give us a hard fought series preparing our team before facing the Warriors. But nobody should be afraid of the Lakers we have proven we are the superior team last season even if AD was full healthy.

I think the mindset is, LAL would still be a very tough out. Maybe the Warriors and Lakers can beat each other up instead.
Not to say teams like Dallas, Utah, or Denver would be a cakewalk, but we may matchup better with them

[bigfoot]

I fully agree with this statement! It may not be a popular consideration, and highly unlikely given his salary commitment too over the next couple of seasons. But recently, I've pondered a Shamet/ Saric OR Shamet/ Smith/ Payton swap for Eric Gordon. He's very costly! But a consummate leader somewhat like Paul. Is a proven offensive initiator and is still a good ballhandler and defensive 2/3. Again, I wouldn't at all like his salary commitment. But IF were legitimately looking to go " All in" for a title. Gordon would be considered a very serious statement towards that interest.

Eric Gordon would be another good addition. I don't believe his contract is guaranteed for 2023.

[Ghost of Kleine]

The Detroit Pistons are fielding calls for forward Jerami Grant, according to league sources. While rivals wondered whether the Pistons would move Grant last season, during the best campaign of his career, it’s now believed that Detroit is focused on trading Grant before the final year of his contract in 2022-23.

The Phoenix Suns are attempting to move Jalen Smith, and the San Antonio Spurs have been frequently linked as a suitor. Phoenix is rumored to have strong interest in acquiring Thaddeus Young from the Spurs.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2951461-latest-nba-trade-buzz-sourced-intel-on-simmons-kyrie-lakers-and-more

This is from Jake Fischer who is a great insider.

I don't know if I want to move Saric + Jalen Smith now for Thad Young. It is too late for a trade and too early for a buyout...but obviously I would prefer to sign him after a buyout.

Jerami Grant would be a huge addition. I would make a nice offer for him.

Saric + Jalen Smith + 2 future first round picks (with some protections). If we can get him for that package we would be absolutely favorites to win it all.

Great post!
And absolutely the kind of " all in" title or bust move we need to pursue. The other alternative would be to upgrade from Shamet with Saric and Shamet for Eric Gordon, And then add Young via buyout! I can't imagine a more absurdly good deep bench than to be able to add both Gordon and Young ( or Thompson) to our current bench.

** I also think that Grant would be awesome here in our system with Paul and Book and Bridges. Anyways, Great post for sure!!

[Mulhollanddrive]

Saric, Smith, Shamet for Young, Landale, Forbes

Get better for this season and shed some salary for next.

[Ghost of Kleine]

I saw this on the trade board ( obviously) and it seemed to track favorably:

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2147409

BlazersBroncos
Head Coach
Unread post #1 
» Today 12:57 am

2

This is based on Dame being more or less shut down and PDX rebuilding / retooling around him long term, aiming for a high draft pick in 2022 and gathering future FRP's to use, eventually, in a move for a malcontent star (Ideally, no guarantee)

TRADE 1

Portland Trades
CJ McCollum
Jusuf Nurkic

Portland Receives
Kevin Love
Mason Plumlee
2023 CLE LP FRP
2024 CHA LP FRP

Cleveland Trades
Kevin Love
2023 CLE LP FRP
2022 HOU SRP

Cleveland Receives
CJ McCollum

Charlotte Trades
Mason Plumlee
2024 CHA LP FRP

Charlotte Receives
Jusuf Nurkic
2022 HOU SRP

WHY FOR PORTLAND
They go for the tank, move the EC of Nurkic and shave a year of CJ while getting 2 future picks.

WHY FOR CLE
They are playing tremendous ball and Love has been good but they could use a closer and IMO making a win-now move for a hometown closer would be great for Mobley's development.

WHY FOR CHA
They get the final piece for a long term starting 5 in Nurkic while swapping a future FRP for a high 2022 SRP.

TRADE 2

Portland Trades
Robert Covington
CJ Elleby

Phoenix Trades
Dario Saric
Jalen Smith
2023 PHX SRP
2024 PHX SRP
2025 PHX SRP

WHY FOR PORTLAND
They move the EC of RoCo to take on Saric while kicking the tires on Jalen and getting 3 SRPs

WHY FOR PHOENIX
They shed a year of Dario and get another big 3/D F to throw at the jumbo stars in the West.


Basically the goal for PDX is 2 fold here. 1) Tank this season to secure a high lotto pick in the 2022 draft and cross their fingers to strike gold and 2) acquire future FRP's to ideally attach with the huge EC of Love and make a move for a disgruntled star during the 2022 offseason at earliest or during the 22/23 season.

Also, all the players they acquire expire summer 2023 adding potentially another dimension of adding talent via TPE or using cap space (Which never happens in PDX).

I like this idea as we get out of Sarics' 3rd yr, Get a proven player that can contribute now on both ends of the floor. Also, I'm really intrigued by having Covington off the bench at the backup 3 for perimeter defense and also as a defensive connector between Shamet and Johnson.

Payne/ Shamet/ Covington/ Johnson/ McGee.
Obviously this is a very solid and potent bench lineup. Perhaps has potential to be the best in the league?

[Mulhollanddrive]

Who's better for us Covington or Young?

[Qwigglez]

I'd prefer Covington over Young but the Blazers aren't going for a rebuild unless they trade Lillard. They should fire Billups before doing anything drastic with their roster.

[bwgood77]

We've focused on how much juice we've lacked on offense without Booker, but I think we're worse defensively as well. Shamet gets abused on switches and isn't that good on defense generally. I prefer him on defense to Wainwright as well - probably Elf as well. Payne has actually impressed me with his defense, so no complaint there.

Strange to find myself missing Booker's defense. Goes to show how much he's improved.

Landry Shamet has been disappointing on both ends. I applauded James Jones for getting a contract done, but man was I wrong. I think we pulled the trigger too soon. Good news is that I think it’s an easy contract to trade if we need to.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I don't know why you think it would be easy to move. Surprised you think so if you think it's an overpay.

Everything I saw showed people pretty shocked at the deal he got. I thought he might get like 3/$20.

I don't think that will be a particularly easy contract to move unless we are taking on big long lasting salary or an equal quality player in return.

538 valued him at a little less than $7 million a year.

[SunsRback4Good]

Eric Gordon would be another good addition. I don't believe his contract is guaranteed for 2023.

Love Eric Gordon but he's too undersized. Maybe if we didn't have Payne or Shamet he'd be perfect in our system. But sadly we need a stretch 4 which was Craig it's a shame we lost him.

[SunsRback4Good]

We've focused on how much juice we've lacked on offense without Booker, but I think we're worse defensively as well. Shamet gets abused on switches and isn't that good on defense generally. I prefer him on defense to Wainwright as well - probably Elf as well. Payne has actually impressed me with his defense, so no complaint there.

Strange to find myself missing Booker's defense. Goes to show how much he's improved.

Landry Shamet has been disappointing on both ends. I applauded James Jones for getting a contract done, but man was I wrong. I think we pulled the trigger too soon. Good news is that I think it’s an easy contract to trade if we need to.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I don't know why you think it would be easy to move. Surprised you think so if you think it's an overpay.

Everything I saw showed people pretty shocked at the deal he got. I thought he might get like 3/$20.

I don't think that will be a particularly easy contract to move unless we are taking on big long lasting salary or an equal quality player in return.

538 valued him at a little less than $7 million a year.

Yup, Landry Shamet was a steal for us so I'm pretty certain a majority of Suns fans are happy. We're only a third of the season in and once Shamet gets acclimated to our system he should flourish on the court. Just need to be patient with him. I'd rather Shamet launches bricks until he figures it out over one dimensional guys like Carter, Galloways etc..

[Revived]

Jerami Grant would be the perfect PF for this team. I like Crowder but I’d trade him and picks in a heartbeat. But still not sure a deal is possible money wise.

[spanishninja]

Jerami Grant would be the perfect PF for this team. I like Crowder but I’d trade him and picks in a heartbeat. But still not sure a deal is possible money wise.

Grant is on the shelf for several weeks. I don't know we want to lose Crowder and have nothing in his place for that time.

[Saberestar]

Who's better for us Covington or Young?

Young for me and it's not even close.

[King4Day]

All these trade ideas are great, but I really don't want to mess this team up until we see how the season plays out. If we don't win it all and learn what our weaknesses are that cost us this season, then I'm OK making a big move.

[Ghost of Kleine]

Who's better for us Covington or Young?

I guess it depends upon the price??
If were only surrendering an expiring or injured player and 2nds then I'd prefer Covington honestly as I see his defensive value/ potential being higher IF in a better situation, like with Paul. If Young gets bought out, Then you look at Young or Thompson ( preferably) if he gets bought out? BECAUSE without taking on significant additional salary, You can then trade for Gordon as an upgrade to Shamet??

Personally I'd try and trade Smith/ Nader/ Payton 3 2nds for Covington ( if possible)? And then trade Saric/ Shamet for Gordon ( if possible).
** Gordon's $20 million salary isn't guaranteed if he doesn't make the all star team that season and/ or plays in over 750+ games. So we'd only be on the Book next season. But could you imagine a bench of:

Payne/ Gordon/ Covington/ Johnson/ McGee?

Tha'd have to be the strongest bench in the league!!
And we just look to add vet minimums to our 3rd rotation to fill the gaps. Maybe Jeff Teague or matt Deladova to replace Payton, Paul Watson or Tyler Johnson or Iman Shumpert or Jalen Harris for 3rd string SG. James Ennis, Al Fariq Aminu, Sam Dekker or (Troy Baxter Jr or Josh Hall- ultimate upside options) as replacement for Nader?

Finally to replace Smith until Kaminsky returns, really any of:

Ersan Ilyasova, Jordan Bell, Henry Ellenson,
Mamadi Diakite, Troy Baxter Jr, Josh Hall, Freddie Gillsepi, Omari Spellman, Amir Simms, Johntay Porter.

[Qwigglez]

All these trade ideas are great, but I really don't want to mess this team up until we see how the season plays out. If we don't win it all and learn what our weaknesses are that cost us this season, then I'm OK making a big move.

Agreed. The only trade scenarios I'm okay with are trading Jalen Smith and Dario Saric since both are currently not playing. The idea of getting Sabonis long-term is intriguing, but I'd actually be interested in doing a smaller deal with the Pacers and possibly trading for Craig and Justin Holiday to really solidify the bench.

[BobbieL]

All these trade ideas are great, but I really don't want to mess this team up until we see how the season plays out. If we don't win it all and learn what our weaknesses are that cost us this season, then I'm OK making a big move.

I think the reason I am okay trading Saric and Smith now - is because they aren't going to play this year. Or add very much. So if you can get a player that contributes this year - that might be beneficial.

For young though, I still am not sure the Spurs take Saric when they can just be free of Young with a buyout.