Blazer Rumors Roundup 2022

[DusterBuster]

* Look for the Portland Trail Blazers to make moves to get under the NBA's $136.6 million luxury tax threshold. The team is currently near $140 million in salary.

Players potentially on the move could include Robert Covington, Jusuf Nurkic and Larry Nance Jr. Given the team gave up a first-rounder (to the Chicago Bulls in a three-team deal with the Cavaliers) to get Nance, the team is naturally looking for greater compensation. Several teams have large enough trade exceptions to absorb Covington's salary outright, including the New Orleans Pelicans and Boston Celtics.

Eric Pincus today.

This tracks imo. Seems like Portland will once again get shut out of any big deals and just punt with another salary tax trade.

If that plays, I think RoCo is as good as gone already. He should be packing right now. Nurk is too important still, I think talk of his time ending in Portland may be a bit premature. Nance is injured and I think at best Portland could only get a 2nd rounder back for him at this point... not even sure a team would give up an expiring deal for him... So I don't think Portland is able to recoup what they lost in that awful trade.

In the end, RoCo definitely seems the most likely candidate here. I think Boston does make sense, they have a ton of TPE's to absorb his contract. They don't really have any 1st rounders to trade other than their own right now, which is technically in the lottery. Maybe they move it with full lotto protection - maybe higher (top 20)? Not sure how motivated they are for a move there. That said, even if not Boston, I'm sure some playoff team would like RoCo to help defense going into the playoffs this year. With so much parity, a team thinking they're in the mix with one more defensive piece should be willing to get him. I think he will be the backup prize to whatever team loses out on Jerami Grant.

So not worried about the Blazers finding a taker for him, I think he's as good as gone. Which is fine by me, I'd be plenty happy with Little taking all of his minutes at this point and I don't see any reason why the Blazers would be interested in resigning him.

[JasonStern]

Is Covington really more than a mini-MLE player at this point? He's 31 and, while he was a lot better last season than people will give him credit for, his play has clearly declined. Portland would probably have to pay like $1M/season more to retain him versus him joining a contender. But unless a team is desperate, I just can't see him getting full MLE or more.

If the Blazers are tanking this year, then sure. Trade him for what you can get. Play Little more minutes to hopefully continue his growth. But long term, trading Covington without getting a replacement player just makes this flawed roster that much more flawed.

To be fair, I loved the trade at the time. But it looks like it really didn't work out. So ugh. Two 1st round picks for a guy the team might be trying to unload for salary cap reasons.

[DusterBuster]

Is Covington really more than a mini-MLE player at this point? He's 31 and, while he was a lot better last season than people will give him credit for, his play has clearly declined. Portland would probably have to pay like $1M/season more to retain him versus him joining a contender. But unless a team is desperate, I just can't see him getting full MLE or more.

If the Blazers are tanking this year, then sure. Trade him for what you can get. Play Little more minutes to hopefully continue his growth. But long term, trading Covington without getting a replacement player just makes this flawed roster that much more flawed.

To be fair, I loved the trade at the time. But it looks like it really didn't work out. So ugh. Two 1st round picks for a guy the team might be trying to unload for salary cap reasons.

I bet Covington still gets a full MLE from someone. We on RealGM (myself included) have a history of under-estimating what players will get in FA. Guys who don't deserve full MLE deals routinely get them. I think someone will still be willing to give RoCo a 2 or 3 year full MLE deal.

I have no interest in the Blazers looking to retain RoCo at full MLE price. If you get lucky enough to bring him back cheap, sure, but I think someone will be willing to go above that in the offseason for him. Yeah, it ended up being a bust of a trade for the Blazers for sure - he never lived up to what he did on other teams here. But I'd rather cut bait on it and look to someone new vs replaying what we've seen from Covington here... he's just not a good fit imo.

[Norm2953]

That's the rub for would Portland offer him the mini-MLE deal if no team is willing to offer him a full MLE deal?

[GEE]

I love ROCO!!! He has been the ultimate warrior for this team, playing his a$$ off for every night undersized at PF. Hilarious to see the debate unfold whether our starting PF that largely anchors our defense, deserves the full MLE, a Mini-MLE, or just needs to be dumped for little to nothing... while there will be absolutely Zero question from most, whether Dame should get his' MONSTER extension.

And screw the tax for now. We'll can get under it when we move Dame and/or CJ.

[DusterBuster]

I love ROCO!!! He has been the ultimate warrior for this team, playing his a$$ off for every night undersized at PF. Hilarious to see the debate unfold whether our starting PF that largely anchors our defense, deserves the full MLE, a Mini-MLE, or just needs to be dumped for little to nothing... while there will be absolutely Zero question from most, whether Dame should get his' MONSTER extension.

And screw the tax for now. We'll can get under it when we move Dame and/or CJ.

He played C for the Rockets... he's used to playing undersized for a couple of stops now in the NBA.

Also, I don't think it's too much to write home about when the guy who "anchors our defense" is currently doing that for a team that's near dead-last in defense. Switch to decafe my guy.

[bstein14]

What's up with Anfernee Simons? He's a FA this summer the Pistons might have interest in to pair as a starter next to Cade in the backcourt. It seems like he could get $10 to $15 million per year depending on how his next few months go. Is he someone in the long term plans for Portland or is he someone that you trade now to get value out if you're keeping Dame/CJ/Powell/Little.

[Norm2953]

What's up with Anfernee Simons? He's a FA this summer the Pistons might have interest in to pair as a starter next to Cade in the backcourt. It seems like he could get $10 to $15 million per year depending on how his next few months go. Is he someone in the long term plans for Portland or is he someone that you trade now to get value out if you're keeping Dame/CJ/Powell/Little.

I've always cautioned against paying guys in the last year of their deals but its highly unlikely Portland would not match
any offer he gets as a RFA. Portland will likely pull off a trade deadline deal that dips them under the tax line, which
will free them to match any offer for Simons.

I think their trade deadline deal will involve CJ assuming he shows teams he is back and is physically sound enough
to help another team make a playoff run. Hopefully Portland will get something that will help them moving forward.

[BlazersBroncos]

What's up with Anfernee Simons? He's a FA this summer the Pistons might have interest in to pair as a starter next to Cade in the backcourt. It seems like he could get $10 to $15 million per year depending on how his next few months go. Is he someone in the long term plans for Portland or is he someone that you trade now to get value out if you're keeping Dame/CJ/Powell/Little.

I've always cautioned against paying guys in the last year of their deals but its highly unlikely Portland would not match
any offer he gets as a RFA. Portland will likely pull off a trade deadline deal that dips them under the tax line, which
will free them to match any offer for Simons.

I think their trade deadline deal will involve CJ assuming he shows teams he is back and is physically sound enough
to help another team make a playoff run. Hopefully Portland will get something that will help them moving forward.

But who even wants CJ? I was hoping to flip him for Love but CLE apparently is intent on keeping Kevin. I just see no market, but who knows.

As for Simons, its a no brainer to match a deal in the 10-15M range. I think he could get 20 from a team that drinks the recent streaks cool aid.

[DusterBuster]

What's up with Anfernee Simons? He's a FA this summer the Pistons might have interest in to pair as a starter next to Cade in the backcourt. It seems like he could get $10 to $15 million per year depending on how his next few months go. Is he someone in the long term plans for Portland or is he someone that you trade now to get value out if you're keeping Dame/CJ/Powell/Little.

10-15 is a really low estimate, some team will pay him a lot more than that. I bet he gets close to 20per year at this rate.

[DusterBuster]

What's up with Anfernee Simons? He's a FA this summer the Pistons might have interest in to pair as a starter next to Cade in the backcourt. It seems like he could get $10 to $15 million per year depending on how his next few months go. Is he someone in the long term plans for Portland or is he someone that you trade now to get value out if you're keeping Dame/CJ/Powell/Little.

I've always cautioned against paying guys in the last year of their deals but its highly unlikely Portland would not match
any offer he gets as a RFA. Portland will likely pull off a trade deadline deal that dips them under the tax line, which
will free them to match any offer for Simons.

I think their trade deadline deal will involve CJ assuming he shows teams he is back and is physically sound enough
to help another team make a playoff run. Hopefully Portland will get something that will help them moving forward.

Likely true. And unlike the Crabbe deal, I think this is a much smarter match. Crabbe was a pretty limited player, just a sharpshooter for the most part. Simons is a much more multifaceted player with a much higher upside.

If Simons doesn't get traded in some deal, I have a hard time seeing how they let him walk to a team that tries to outbid the Blazers this summer. He's just too skilled and his age makes him valuable as a replacement should Dame get injured, fall off a cliff, demand a trade, etc. They'll want that insurance Simons brings should the team need to do a full rebuild sooner than later.

[Norm2953]

Ant plays the most important position in the modern NBA (PG). No question they would match for being young, Chauncey can shape his game to the vision he has in mind.

I do think Portland will find a CJ trade they can live with. Return might be underwhelming but it will get done.

[DusterBuster]

Morey bringing his asking price for Simmons down to “Top 40” player, but also said he thinks it’s unlikely any trade gets done. While that top 40 gets CJ in the mix, probably still asking for an insane amount and he likely has eyes on Harden now.

[BNM]

What's up with Anfernee Simons? He's a FA this summer the Pistons might have interest in to pair as a starter next to Cade in the backcourt. It seems like he could get $10 to $15 million per year depending on how his next few months go. Is he someone in the long term plans for Portland or is he someone that you trade now to get value out if you're keeping Dame/CJ/Powell/Little.

I've always cautioned against paying guys in the last year of their deals but its highly unlikely Portland would not match
any offer he gets as a RFA. Portland will likely pull off a trade deadline deal that dips them under the tax line, which
will free them to match any offer for Simons.

I think their trade deadline deal will involve CJ assuming he shows teams he is back and is physically sound enough
to help another team make a playoff run. Hopefully Portland will get something that will help them moving forward.

Likely true. And unlike the Crabbe deal, I think this is a much smarter match. Crabbe was a pretty limited player, just a sharpshooter for the most part. Simons is a much more multifaceted player with a much higher upside.

If Simons doesn't get traded in some deal, I have a hard time seeing how they let him walk to a team that tries to outbid the Blazers this summer. He's just too skilled and his age makes him valuable as a replacement should Dame get injured, fall off a cliff, demand a trade, etc. They'll want that insurance Simons brings should the team need to do a full rebuild sooner than later.

Yeah, that Crabbe offer from BRK was insane, and very stupid of Olshey to match. Crabbe was a very 1-dimensional player. The only thing he was good at was knocking down wide open catch and shoot 3-pointers when the defense ignored him to focus on Dame and CJ. He was absolutely terrible at everything else. He couldn't create for himself, or anyone else, he was a terrible defender, worst rebounder in the league for a player his size and really had zero upside.

The summer he was an RFA, he was a year and a half older than Simons, with 3 years of college experience coming off a season where he averaged 10.3ppg. His only selling point was his .393 3FG% where he was assisted on 96.4% of his 3-point FGs. By comparison, Simons is averaging 14.9 ppg with 3FG% = .392, but only assisted on 64.3% of his 3FGs (i.e. he can create his own 3-point shot off the dribble). Of course, Simons can also beat his man off the dribble and finish in traffic and also create for others. Things Crabbe never learned how to do. I think it's petty telling that a guy who is 6'5" and can shoot the three was out of the league at 27 and never got another contract after that ridiculous BRK deal.

[DusterBuster]

I've always cautioned against paying guys in the last year of their deals but its highly unlikely Portland would not match
any offer he gets as a RFA. Portland will likely pull off a trade deadline deal that dips them under the tax line, which
will free them to match any offer for Simons.

I think their trade deadline deal will involve CJ assuming he shows teams he is back and is physically sound enough
to help another team make a playoff run. Hopefully Portland will get something that will help them moving forward.

Likely true. And unlike the Crabbe deal, I think this is a much smarter match. Crabbe was a pretty limited player, just a sharpshooter for the most part. Simons is a much more multifaceted player with a much higher upside.

If Simons doesn't get traded in some deal, I have a hard time seeing how they let him walk to a team that tries to outbid the Blazers this summer. He's just too skilled and his age makes him valuable as a replacement should Dame get injured, fall off a cliff, demand a trade, etc. They'll want that insurance Simons brings should the team need to do a full rebuild sooner than later.

Yeah, that Crabbe offer from BRK was insane, and very stupid of Olshey to match. Crabbe was a very 1-dimensional player. The only thing he was good at was knocking down wide open catch and shoot 3-pointers when the defense ignored him to focus on Dame and CJ. He was absolutely terrible at everything else. He couldn't create for himself, or anyone else, he was a terrible defender, worst rebounder in the league for a player his size and really had zero upside.

The summer he was an RFA, he was a year and a half older than Simons, with 3 years of college experience coming off a season where he averaged 10.3ppg. His only selling point was his .393 3FG% where he was assisted on 96.4% of his 3-point FGs. By comparison, Simons is averaging 14.9 ppg with 3FG% = .392, but only assisted on 64.3% of his 3FGs (i.e. he can create his own 3-point shot off the dribble). Of course, Simons can also beat his man off the dribble and finish in traffic and also create for others. Things Crabbe never learned how to do. I think it's petty telling that a guy who is 6'5" and can shoot the three was out of the league at 27 and never got another contract after that ridiculous BRK deal.

Yep, I think he had some foot injuries too that ushered him out of the league faster. Overall though, yeah, Crabbe was a terrible match and was super one-dimensional as a player. That was such a stupid move for Olshey to match that contract - if Paul Allen pressured him into doing it (as was Olshey's narrative), Neil should have pushed back harder on why that was a bad idea.

Matching Simons is a bit of a different beast considering he's a far superior talent with much better upside. The upside on Crabbe was limited and it was pretty clear to see that early on, at best he figured to be a poor-mans Kyle Korver.

As for Simons, if the Blazers don't trade him at this deadline in a big trade, I think they've locked themselves into matching whatever deal comes his way. In that respect, the 3 teams with cap (Pistons, Spurs, Magic) are all teams to keep an eye on... Orlando in particular I think will be motivated to try and get him as a FA considering it's their home-town kid.

Speaking of how impressive Simons' has been, he's also a pretty skilled defender...

Read on Twitter

[DusterBuster]

Quick had a Q&A article answering stuff from Blazer fans on the Athletic, here's the TL/E(expensive):DR;

*Portland has an easy stretch over the next 11, for the pro-tankers, this could be bad news. Blazers are playing better and could scrap together a lot of wins over that stretch to really get back into a playoff hunt.
*Team seems content to compete every game and just let chips fall where they may, no real sense that this team or coaches are just packing it in and don't care.
*Blazers fine with either outcome... if they get into PO's, it'll be a valuable exp for Simons, if not, it's a strong draft in the lottery with guys who can play Day 1.
*No insight into Turner to Portland, but it is the type of deal Quick thinks the Blazers should do... a guy who doesn't need to play much this year but is skilled and can contribute next year when they are healthy.
*Simons is defensively pretty impressive, 2nd best on the team next to Nurkic in terms of efficiency and the Blazers are better defensively when he's on the floor. Long story short, if he's not dealt at the deadline, the Blazers are going to keep him regardless of FA.
*Quick still confident Covington and Nurkic will be traded, their value is peaking with how good they're playing and Portland wants to get younger and more athletic moving forward.
*Also wouldn't be surprised if Powell could be dealt as well, but also potential he moves to bench as a 6th man so he can play at his natural SG position vs out of position at SF.
*New assistant GM is highly touted, Nance Jr spoke highly of him from their time in CLE. Will be the bridge between team, coaching staff and FO. He'll have a big say in moves.

[GOBlazers]

Rumor: Jazz interested in RoCo. Regardless of where he's traded too, do you think we can get a late first round pick for him? Or is the best we can hope for ducking the luxury tax?

[DusterBuster]

Rumor: Jazz interested in RoCo. Regardless of where he's traded too, do you think we can get a late first round pick for him? Or is the best we can hope for ducking the luxury tax?

I think the Blazers can get a first for him. It’ll be locked into 20 or below though and heavily protected, but he’s playing good enough right now to warrant a first round pick from a contender who’s got eyes on more important things than a project player late in the first round.

I’ve said for a bit now I think Covington is going to be someone’s consolation prize for whatever team doesn’t get Jeremi Grant, so keep an eye on the teams interested in him as possible RoCo landing spots.

[DusterBuster]

What happened to Joe Ingles? I thought he was solid but his numbers are trash this year.

[GOBlazers]

What happened to Joe Ingals? I thought he was solid but his numbers are trash this year.

Your right, his numbers are down. Maybe he got old?