PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS: 28.5 WINS – UNDER
Key Additions
- Scoot Henderson (draft)
- Kris Murray (draft)
- Rayan Rupert (draft)
- Robert Williams (trade)
- Malcolm Brogdon (trade)
- Deandre Ayton (trade)
- Toumani Camara (trade)
Key Subtractions
- Damian Lillard
- Jusef Nurkic
- Nassir Little
Rotation
- Guards
- Scoot Henderson, Anfernee Simons, Malcolm Brogdon
- Wings
- Shaedon Sharpe, Matisse Thybulle,
- Forwards
- Jeremi Grant, Kris Murray, Jabari Walker
- Bigs
- Deandre Ayton, Robert Williams
Random thoughts, opinions, comments, declarations, queries, editorials, etc.
Love Dame, but he really did Portland dirty. He’s an easy Top 75 All Timer for me. If he played in New York or L.A., he’d be one of the most famous athletes in the world. He’s been the most underrated player for the last 10 seasons. He’s a dog, fearless, a leader, & respected throughout the league. But don’t cry for Dame, Argentina!
If he really loves the city of Portland so much, he would never have publicly declared he only wants to play in Miami, which, in theory, would have torpedoed his trade value, a’la Bradley Beal. Furthermore, though the front office failed to put a legitimate playoff contending team around Dame, the fact that they’re paying him so much money truly limits the types of moves they can make. Dame didn’t have to sign that contract. He knows every penny they pay him is a penny they can’t pay to surround him with more talent.
I tip my cap to Portland GM, Joe Cronin. He didn’t cave, didn’t make any rash decisions. He has a responsibility to his organization to get the most value for his team. He waited, Dame loosened up his stance, and wouldn’t you know it, they got a massive haul via the Bucks & Celts (per the corresponding Jrue trade). The final collection they received for Dame looks like this:
- Deandre Ayton
- Robert Williams
- Malcolm Brogdon
- Toumani Camara
- 2024 GSW 1st Round Pick (protected 1-4)
- 2028 MIL 1st Round Pick swap
- 2029 MIL 1st Round Pick (unprotected)
- 2029 BOS 1st Round Pick (unprotected)
- 2030 MIL 1st Round Pick swap
That’s a solid haul for a 33 year old 6’2” point guard making $50+million/year who publicly demanded a trade to only one team.
Last Year – Interesting Stats
- 5-19 post all-star break, which helped them land Scoot at 3
- 118.8 Defensive Rating ranked 27th
- 28th in rebounding
- 29th in defending the 3
- Jeremy Grant shot 40% from 3 on nearly six per game
Keys to Success
Depends on how we define Success here, as it probably doesn’t refer to Winning. Instead, Success means Scoot, Sharpe, & Murray develop their games, Scoot shows he’s a threat if his defender goes under the PnR, Ayton reestablishes his value around the league, they’re able to trade their vets for more draft compensation
Potential Obstacles
Hard to have obstacles when you have no real goals, impatience, not being able to trade Jeremi Grant when he has the most value
Hot takes
- Rayan Rupert will be the starting SF in a few years
- Shaedon Sharpe will be the starting SG by the end of the season
- Jeremi Grant, Robert Williams, and Anfernee Simons will be traded at the deadline
- Chauncey Billups will be fired (or “mutual decision to part ways”) next summer
- Scoot Henderson will average 20ppg as a rookie
- Ayton averages 23 and 12
STANDINGS PREDICTION: 15TH IN THE WEST
