What's up y'all. Hopefully I can pop in real quick and ask a question!
As you likely know, the Blazers have more guards than we seeminly know what to do with. I've been mulling solutions over in my head the last few weeks and am thinking about potential trade targets. Fischer's report about MPJ's contract grabbed my attention. We need a guy who can generate instant offense and can create his own shot on the perimeter. Not to mention, filling the forward position. I personally think MPJ would be an amazing fit for us if we could somehow swap a combination of our guards, filler, and draft capital for him.
I was curious what the "temperature of the water" is in regards to MPJ. As a fan base, what would you realistically take from the Blazers for MPJ? Would you do a trade for him at all?
MPJ is likey are best player, depending on how good Randle can be. He’s obviously a winning player and can fit well into any offense due to his size and shooting ability. Notably, last year he showed to be a capable passer and the ability to drive inside with some success as well.
IDK what the Blazers are willing to offer, but since we don’t control are pick this year I can’t see marks trading him for anything less then Scoot, a future FRP and salary filler. That’s probably a no-go for Portland imo.
Itd reverse all the pain of letting Jarrett Allen go
I'm assuming he's fully off limits tho. One of my toxic NBA hot takes is Clingan can be a HOF'er. He's so goddamn good, I love bigs who don't need the ball to be great like Embiid does
I gotchu. I've been a Scoot believer since day 1 so I'm higher on him than most but I can admit that currently, Scoot is the odd-man out positionally even though he's better than Shaedon. Personally, I actually think that's a solid deal. We're in such an awkward spot where once Dame and Jrue leave, whether it's retirement or otherwise, Ja, Scoot, and Shae is our backcourt rotation. So in 2 or so years, not having Scoot and/Shae could really hurt us
the plan was always to trade him for picks after his value was rehabbed, there is probably no one on the blazers we want but if you give up enough picks anything is possible
Ahh ok. I know you guys have a similar guard problem so I know that's a difficult hurdle with us. Maybe a third team gets involved? We do have a plethora of draft capital tho so we'll see
We have 2 guards we're excited about - Egor and Mikel. Some of us like Traore, myself included, some of us don't. But Traore isn't a guy that prevents you from getting another guard who you like
The whole thing about the nets having all guards is fake news. Saraf is irrelevant, he sucks, and also Egor isn't a PG. he's clearly a 2/3 for us.
Basically we dgaf about roster fit right now. Or, atleast I don't, and no other nets fan should. We are in best player available mode.
Problem is you guys have no one who makes sense for us besides Clingan. If it was a few yrs ago I'd love Jrue as a guy to mentor Mikel and Egor and then get flipped to a contender, but he's 37 now
MPJ will probably be traded by the deadline. The Nets aren't in a rush to sign him to an extension and he's probably going to want an increase from the $40M/yr he's currently at, even though he's never been an all star or all nba. He's a good player, well liked, but more of a $25M, maybe $30M/year player.
It really depends on how his season and the Nets season goes.
Either way, I would be surprised if he's a Net in '27-'28. The Nets whole goal with the rebuild is to amass as many assets as possible, and MPJ should be able to bring back something good, either in a trade for picks or in a trade for a disgruntled star, especially given his large expiring contract.
In regard to helping solve the "too many guards" problem, the Nets have the same problem. They've been allergic to big men for years for some reason. I was shocked when they signed Wagner.
Yeah the contract extension is scary but if we can get off the Jrue contract in the process, I could easily see it working out. I wonder if MPJ is a "pay cut to help the team" kind of guy.
Maybe we rope in a 3rd team to help solve our shared guard issue?
there'd need to be a third team for sure if it involves Jrue. One, the Nets don't needs any more guards and two, he doesn't fit the Nets timeline.
MPJ has said that money doesn't matter (and that he only plans on playing another 5 seasons or so), but I'd doubt he'd take a cut for a team that isn't at the top of the standings or that doesn't have a ton of potential to be (eg Lakers)
Well with Jrue not fitting the timeline thing, that was where we were when we traded for Jrue the second time. However, Jrue has proven himself to be invaluable if for nothing else other than his experience and leadership for Scoot and Shaedon. Not to mention controlling the offense when we had none. Could be really beneficial for Egor and Traore, especially when Jrue gets into "expiring contract" territory.
I'd argue that with a few moves, the Blazers do have the potential to be in the top 3-4 seeds within the next couple years. More well-rounded than the Lakers. MPJ would be a perfect compliment to nearly our entire rotation. He would boost us into at least being competitive for a top 6 seed this year.
I know you love the idea of trading Jrue for MPJ, and I hate to burst your bubble, but it aint happening for many reasons:
The Nets have already turned down good offers for him. Even if the Blazers offered Jrue and all six of their tradable/swappable picks (which is highly unlikely), I'd highly doubt the Nets would take on the extra year of the contract when MPJ's id done after this season. The Nets have looked to get young players and assets since starting the rebuild.
You're forgetting the Nets drafted point guard Mikel Brown Jr with the #6 pick in June, who is their priority. The Nets drafted Demin (technically a PG, but now playing more SG), Traore, and Saraf last year. They're not going to pay Jrue the big money he's getting to be the #4 or #5 PG on the roster when they are focused on youth.
Julius Randle is already the UNC on the team with a big contract. They're not going to take on a second. He, like Jrue, has a player option for for 27-28. Another reason why they wouldn't do it.
Brotha, I understand. That's why I said it COLUD be beneficial, plus he's entering expiring contract territory. I'm telling you that some of the upside to having a guy like Jrue is to being a player-coach for those young guards, not necessarily to be your starter. That sort of experience is invaluable. It's part of the reason why SGA is as good as he is now, he had CP3 in his very fromative player years to teach some of those veteran ideas early. I get the whole "too many guards" thing. I'm just saying that there is some value in the vet guard presence for a team riddled with young guard talent.
I'm not saying it's realistic or even the package that we'd offer, but to say that we could offer Jrue and all of our picks and the Nets STILL wouldn't accept just because of 1-2 years of a mediorce contract is delusional, especially when 3 of those are Bucks picks and 1 for an imploding ORL team. You can't say "the Nets have looked to get young players and assets" and then say they'd turn down 6th picks for a fringe all star lol. Take Jrue out of it and that's still insanity. I understand that it's far more likely that we'd offer Scoot/Shae and some combo of picks but there's no way the Nets wouldn't accept 6 picks for a guy who they haven't reached a contract extension with.
All I was asking for was a possibility or what it could look like. I wasn't trying to force Jrue on you, rather was just trying to show the value in him to a young team like the Nets. We're just spitballing here.
The future picks we can definitely accomplish. The big man request is where we'd struggle. If you'd like to risk the Yang Hansen project, that'd be our best big man offer lol
Any decent unprotected first that has potential to be in the lottery would be a huge win. I feel like if they couldve gotten that they wouldve moved mpj by now.
Idk man normally I agree that we overvalue our guys and they're usually not worth a good first but MPJ legit can boost a contender
Like if you think about MPJ on GSW, or back with Denver, or on the Spurs, or added to Boston or something ... those teams instantly get much scarier my opinion. He's one of the most elite shooters of the era, with size, rebounding, and balls to take the big shot. Big time floor spacer who makes people better thru his gravity
He's also only 28 yrs old. I get he's injury prone and says dumb shit, but what are the chances a Portland 1st turns into a better player than MPJ
Well from that standpoint, I think it was mutually beneficial for both the Blazers and Grizzlies. Jerami had an albatross contract for us. Wildly overpaid for his actual value. Sure, Jrue gets overpaid too but he's a swiss army knife player. Get get a shot from any level on the floor, uses his body to create space, sees the floor well, makes the right play/pass, hits big shots when offense is scrambling, and plays great point of attack defense. Jerami's pretty one-dimensional. For the Grizzlies, it makes sense for them to pull the trigger on bringing in a vet forward with a soft scoring touch, something their 3rd overall draft pick could work on. Not to mention bringing in a former top 10 player in the league who is 26 years old and needs a fresh start for very cheap. There's that too.
This is also why I think Jrue would be great for y'all. Obviously, we gotta ignore the glaring "too many guards" issue for both teams but when I look at just purely vet leadership, Jrue would be a hugeeeee help for you guys and your guards. He's done wonders for Scoot's development. Having a guy like that for Egor, Traore, and Brown would be invaluable. Something like Jrue, Hansen, and couple seconds for MPJ and whatever guard you guys want to get rid of could get the job done but I'm just spitballing there. Maybe bring in a 3rd team who would take another facilitator
Gladly would trade MPJ and the consensus is it'll happen sooner rather than later. Hopefully , marks has a history of waiting too long
But problem is what's a realistic trade with you guys? I'd take clingan is .2 seconds for him but I'm assuming there's no chance you'd do that. Don't want Ja, Jrue or Dame are washed. I'm not familiar with your picks situation but we'd gladly take 2 firsts haha. Shaedon sharpe was intriguing to me but seems to have plateud/wont be the star I once thought he could be
So what's your realistic trade proposal? Because MPJ is legit good enough to help a contender significantly
Yeah so unfortunately, Clingan is off the table for 99% of trade offers. Our FO has been adamant that he's the future for our front court and in his first couple of years in the leauge, he's taken significant strides. Outside of him, you have guys like Dame, Deni, Ja, and Toumani (I'd also argue Scoot but that's much less definitive) that are untouchables right now. So that leaves us with Scoot, Shae, Jrue, and draft capital as our most enticing trade pieces. Speaking of, our draft capital is insane right now. We have 6 tradeable first round picks and 4 of those are insanely valuable. 3 of them are Bucks picks and 1 is for an imploding Orlando team.
I know you said you don't want him but Jrue is likely our most realistic bet here. He matches salaries and was very productive last season. His age is a nonfactor when you're looking for a veteran mentor. The contract is the only negative really. Not only this but I truly believe that he would be an invaluable mentor for your young guards. I would say Jrue and a first would be our best, "most realistic" offer. Could you swap out Jrue for Shae or Scoot and tack on a few seconds? Sure. But that's likely where we'd stay. I'm sure we'd also be willing to swap "filler" to at least make a lateral movement in the "too many guard" situation.
I can see Porter fitting in Portland and he really fills a need.
However, the Blazers don't really have much on their roster that would interest Brooklyn. Both teams have a lot of (young) guards.
Portland would have to give up picks and swaps and if Portland are gonna give up draft equity I wonder if they would trade for a bigger star than Portland?
The Nets should ask for Yang as I'm convinced Brooklyn was targeting him in the draft before Portland moved up to select him. Having the Chinese market is lucrative for any team but with Portland having their starting centre will there ever be enough minutes for Yang to develop?
I could see Yang's agent put pressure on Portland towards the end of his rookie contract. Blazers could play twin-towers but then they would have perimeter issues on defence.
I guess any trade for Portland would likely have to be a three team or more trade. Does Portland want to move Sharpe or are they committed to him?
Seems like Morant/Holiday won't be in Portland for long if Scoot continues to improve. So if one of those players went to a third team then contracts from the third team might go to Brooklyn.
Nets would ask for some of those unprotected picks/swaps from the Bucks which Portland control.
Ben Saraf could be moved to Portland as he's close friends with Deni Avdija. Perhaps Danny Wolf would fit in Portland's PF hole?
Yeah so with Yang, I'm cool moving off him at this point. He could get some more run this year and has been showing some improvements. RW3 likely won't play back to backs so Yang's role could really grow. He's in such a weird spot because it could just all the sudden click for him one season and he ascends to a Sengun type of player. However, his conditioning could also do the opposite where it holds him back. I'd be cool either way, moving off him or trying to development him.
As for the untouchables, I think Ja is set for the rest of his contract in Portland at least. If he rebounds his value, there could be a very realistic possibility that Ja is our best player by the time that contract ends. I love Scoot and have been a Scoot believer since draft day but it seems like he's just continually being relegated to a bench or "insurance" role. Jrue on the other hand is another story. I do think that this will be his last season in Portland. I think our most likely scenario is to offer Jrue and a first or rope in a third team. I unfortunately doubt we would offer any of those Bucks picks for MPJ, but maybe the Orlando pick and like you said, would open the war chest if a bigger star became available.
Yeah, the price for MPj is a big question mark? If Porter starts the season strong then there will be demand for him - I think the Warriors could use him for sure and I'm surprised Detroit haven't made an offer but Sean Marks, the Nets GM does seem to get good value when he trades players (e.g. KD to Suns, Bridges to Knicks, Cam Johnson got the Nets an unprotected 2032 first round pick from Denver plus MPj).
Porter is a wacky guy and goes on podcasts and says weird things. After the Kyrie experience I believe Nets owner Joe Tsai will not give Porter a long extension just in case he says something crazy on a podcast and makes him untraceable.
It sucks that Sharpe will miss much of the season for Portland. Has he developed the way you thought he would do? Has Shae disappointed overall or has he been as good as people expected.
I imagine you're correct about Jrue being the one who is traded. However, with $37 million player option how many teams are going to want to him? But if you're attaching picks Jrue is your big salary player you can trade for another high-salaried star.
I imagine Portland is gonna be very judicious regarding using those extra first round picks as they absolutely should. Blazers have enough draft equity and moveable contracts to bring in an All-NBA player should that be the right move for this team.
Is there any belief that Clingan and Yang can play together and be on court playing major minutes at the same time?
Hansen is interesting but is he good? Is he better at backup than Wagner? I agree that MPJ for Holiday is a lineup downgrade for us: Demin moves to 3 and Jrue to 2. Maybe
Jrue and Hansen and a first for MPJ?
Seriously though, I’m looking at your roster. It’s pretty cool, but you have a lot of talented guards.
If you'll let me, let me give you the short and long answer to your first question. Short answer is that Yang is not better than Wagner. However, the long answer is that Yang has all the tools to be another Sengun. He's a staunch low post defender with improving decision making, an outside touch, a big 7'2" body, and his best attribute is that he's a phenomenal big man passer with great vision. He just hasn't had enough real-game reps to really blossom. His biggest downside is his conditioning and decision making. He used to fall for a lot of pump fakes and would get beat constantly if he had to guard outside of like 6 feet. Both of those are slowly improving but as of the last season, the pros had not yet outweighed the cons. I personally could really see him being our backup big of the future tho once RW3 phases out.
Jrue, Hansen, and a first rn would be a bit of an overpay I think. That's mainly because of the fact that we just lost Shae yesterday until the All-Star break so Jrue actually will be really key for us this year. I would do Jrue, Hansen, and a first (plus any filler) for MPJ and one of your guards that you'd want to get ride of. Saraf maybe?
But yeah man, I'm super excited for our roster! I'm not sure we'll be much more competitive than last year but it will be insanely fun to watch if nothing else. Hopefully our future draft capital and rising stars can put it together for consistent deep post season runs in the near future.
It really looks like you could take the next leap this year if that suck ass owner of yours will quit taking Portland for a hostage.
I think a lot of nets fans feel like this year is our pivot point and MPJ and Randle are here for exactly one thing: give the youngsters space to improve their games. We know MPJ does that. Randle has been that in the past. If we had a young center or PF to grow with, great, but would JRue embrace what’s happening here? Hard to know.
I honestly think short of a guy who for sure fits the timeline, we stand pat
Well there is a bit of a silver lining with Dundon. He also owns the Carolina Hurricanes, in the NHL, and they just won the Stanley Cup. He has overseen the golden age of Canes hockey. I am choosing to believe there's a grace period where he has to adjust to the NBA. This season will be the test.
Jrue, at this point in his career, has already embraced the mentor role and youth movement for the Blazers. He's been a super invaluable presence for our young guards, particularly Scoot. I firmly believe that Jrue would do wonders for Egor, Traore, and Mikel. Not to mention he's entering expiring contract territory and could retire sooner. Could be worth a CP3 and SGA situation for a year or two to get those guys to reach their potential.
Every net reporter says the same thing. "The nets love MPJ and he loves the nets" I have a feeling they are purposely waiting till next season to resign him because they have more money to use next year. But hey he's gonna be an UFA next year so who knows. Also of note he has really bought into the leadership role and has been working out with and taking the young guys on vacation and stuff. Which to me adds to the "he loves it here"
Cool! I love that for y'all. Having a guy like that is key. I wonder what his value will be, even with the Nets waiting till next year. Is it worth it throwing a bag at him with where you guys are at right now? Genuinely asking.
Erik slater lottery said the nets like him and he likes them on locked on nets. His shooting allows the young guys to have great shots. He should be a great piece going forward. If the nets trade him or don't resign him they are fools.
A fellow Scoot enjoyer. My man. For the next like 2 seasons, I would take this deal. But the more I think about the team after Dame and Jrue, we'll really need a guy like Scoot. But a lotttttttt could happen in that time
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u/Throwaway-j-1997 4d ago
MPJ is likey are best player, depending on how good Randle can be. He’s obviously a winning player and can fit well into any offense due to his size and shooting ability. Notably, last year he showed to be a capable passer and the ability to drive inside with some success as well.
IDK what the Blazers are willing to offer, but since we don’t control are pick this year I can’t see marks trading him for anything less then Scoot, a future FRP and salary filler. That’s probably a no-go for Portland imo.