Woj: Blazers plan is to pursue high end talent “now”.

[DusterBuster]

With our current roster I would move Dame for Simmons and 3 future picks. I don't believe it is going to happen but I would be all about it.

Morey has shown no interest in trading additional assets with Simons to get a guy like Beal or Dame... don't see that changing.

[mojomarc]

I don't see it, that is a lot of chips being put on "build a contender overnight" which rarely works.

Unless you're Danny Ainge...

[JasonStern]

Well, if the plan does backfire, at least Evan Turner is a free agent this off-season.

[RoyceDa59]

With the terrible assets they acquired?

They’ve received officially zero great draft picks from gutting their team.

What could they offer that will net another star?

[Sinobas]

If they strike out in the offseason, I could see Dame asking for a trade.

[wco81]

These are the free agents or potential free agents.

https://www.spotrac.com/nba/free-agents/
The ones earning the most are the ones with player options, so Harden, Beal, Irving, Wall, Westbrook.

Are those the "high end" talents the Blazers would target?

I believe all of them are over 30 except Beal who's almost 29 and Kyrie, who's almost 30.

All backcourt players so kind of duplicative with Lillard. None of them known for defense. Harden can play make so potentially Dame could play more off ball then? He will rebound too. But these are all offense-first scoring guards.

Jeremi Grant plays defense, can score a little. But he's said to be seeking $30 million a year for his next extension.

But which positions are greatest needs for Blazers? SF, PF and C if they trade Nurkic?

[Norm2953]

It does seem like an offer to Ayton is in the offering. With Sarver, that might work

[Waynearchetype]

These are the free agents or potential free agents.

https://www.spotrac.com/nba/free-agents/
The ones earning the most are the ones with player options, so Harden, Beal, Irving, Wall, Westbrook.

Are those the "high end" talents the Blazers would target?

I believe all of them are over 30 except Beal who's almost 29 and Kyrie, who's almost 30.

All backcourt players so kind of duplicative with Lillard. None of them known for defense. Harden can play make so potentially Dame could play more off ball then? He will rebound too. But these are all offense-first scoring guards.

Jeremi Grant plays defense, can score a little. But he's said to be seeking $30 million a year for his next extension.

But which positions are greatest needs for Blazers? SF, PF and C if they trade Nurkic?

For FA targets, I feel like its gotta be Ayton. Let Nurk walk if he isn't traded, get a little younger. Doubt PHO matches an overpay on Ayton.

[wjun15]

really hoping we trade nurk so we end up having no center which guarantees we will lose every game here on out and secure top 5 pick

[Wizenheimer]

I remember reading, last summer, that Dame and Zach LaVine became pretty close while playing for Team USA. Maybe he's a target

I have little faith in Portland's cap-space/free-agent mojo. But maybe Dame knows something we don't and the Blazer FO knows what Dame knows

[The Sebastian Express]

I remember reading, last summer, that Dame and Zach LaVine became pretty close while playing for Team USA. Maybe he's a target

I have little faith in Portland's cap-space/free-agent mojo. But maybe Dame knows something we don't and the Blazer FO knows what Dame knows

It'd be really hard for me to see LaVine leaving the Bulls. They've got a great team built once Lonzo and Caruso are healthy again. Just so good on both sides of the floor.

[wco81]

These are the free agents or potential free agents.

https://www.spotrac.com/nba/free-agents/
The ones earning the most are the ones with player options, so Harden, Beal, Irving, Wall, Westbrook.

Are those the "high end" talents the Blazers would target?

I believe all of them are over 30 except Beal who's almost 29 and Kyrie, who's almost 30.

All backcourt players so kind of duplicative with Lillard. None of them known for defense. Harden can play make so potentially Dame could play more off ball then? He will rebound too. But these are all offense-first scoring guards.

Jeremi Grant plays defense, can score a little. But he's said to be seeking $30 million a year for his next extension.

But which positions are greatest needs for Blazers? SF, PF and C if they trade Nurkic?

For FA targets, I feel like its gotta be Ayton. Let Nurk walk if he isn't traded, get a little younger. Doubt PHO matches an overpay on Ayton.

Interesting but if Suns match, what is Blazers' plan B for all that cap space?

Are they going to overpay for the Evan Turners again?

[wco81]

I remember reading, last summer, that Dame and Zach LaVine became pretty close while playing for Team USA. Maybe he's a target

I have little faith in Portland's cap-space/free-agent mojo. But maybe Dame knows something we don't and the Blazer FO knows what Dame knows

It'd be really hard for me to see LaVine leaving the Bulls. They've got a great team built once Lonzo and Caruso are healthy again. Just so good on both sides of the floor.

A younger and more athletic CJ but he's not a defender.

[Norm2953]

Likely Portland will offer Ayton a 3+1 deal for the max with an opt out in his fourth season for $127.9 Million.
Any other owner but Sarver would of course match immediately.

[The Sebastian Express]

I remember reading, last summer, that Dame and Zach LaVine became pretty close while playing for Team USA. Maybe he's a target

I have little faith in Portland's cap-space/free-agent mojo. But maybe Dame knows something we don't and the Blazer FO knows what Dame knows

It'd be really hard for me to see LaVine leaving the Bulls. They've got a great team built once Lonzo and Caruso are healthy again. Just so good on both sides of the floor.

A younger and more athletic CJ but he's not a defender.

I meant that the Bulls are so good on both sides of the floor, not Lavine.

[DusterBuster]

We'll see what Portland ends up within a few days from now and months after FA, but I will say one thing, I do appreciate the Blazers being in a position flexibility-wise to talk about the type of players who are being mentioned. How realistic it is they end up with any of the names we're mentioning is a whole different beast, but it's fun to see the team not be so handcuffed to a roster that they can't make any major changes.

[BlazersBroncos]

With the terrible assets they acquired?

They’ve received officially zero great draft picks from gutting their team.

What could they offer that will net another star?

What?

The LAC deal sucked, but it cleared money which was the goal.

I was of mind that CJ could maybe return just Hart, maybe a super late FRP too. Getting the Pels pick as well is much more than I thought we could get, and much more than most on T&T board thought we could get.

No player we moved was worth a great draft pick. I would argue a single lotto pick (which is likely what we get) is a great return for both Norm and CJ taking into account the money CJ is owed.

[BlazersBroncos]

Nurk for Dragic, 23 LP FRP

Draft Chet + Duren R1, Dieng R2, sign Harden, resign Simons, TPE Steven Adams, Vet Min Zeller

G - Damian Lillard / Anfernee Simons / NAW
G - James Harden / Anfernee Simons / Keon Johnson
F - Josh Hart / Nassir Little / Greg Brown
F - Chet Holmgren / Justice Winslow / Osumane Dieng
C - Steven Adams / Jalen Duren / Cody Zeller

See, its that easy.

[wco81]

Steven Adams was in that trade?

[Jsun947]

Bleacher Report saying we’re engaged with Pistons for Grant.