The Trail Blazers Will Face Challenges in the Trade Market + Why Duop Reath Has Trade Appeal

[@brendandunbarr]

Mike Richman is untouchable! Jody, Cronin, Ayton, Ant, Grant, Merengue, Rip City Wrap-Up need to go!!!!! Mike stays

[@MojoMan007]

No! Not Danny Merengue! 😅

[@michaelanderson4198]

Mike is the man! Spot on! Danny “know it all but never played” Marang needs to go!

[@metal--babble346]

Let's pretend we're an opposing GM. There's only 2 Blazers on my inquiry list: ---> We like Avdija & what do you want for Camara ?? .... everyone else is kinda "meh". Unless there is financial incentive. Expiring contract, 2nd rounders, a sneaky way to dump salary on Portland. (aka Eric Bledsoe retirement buyout for Norman Powell)

[@vincentrose577]

tou is untouchable, i can see deni getting moved down the line if the shooting never turns the corner consistently. the contract will always make him valuable i think

[@catanace1741]

@@vincentrose577 Deni is currently shooting 35% for 3 for the season. Realistically, this is probably what you can expect of him in the long run. His shooting from 2 is still a little low compared to his career numbers, but that's probably due to the fact that the Blazers are not creating enough space to penetrate into the paint and get easy points. Everyone on the team (perhaps with the exception of Delano) is shooting below their career numbers.

[@kobiiboksireficul]

​@@catanace1741 *36%, yeh is shooting came already i think. If you don't factor in the Is first games where he was just getting comfortable , hes shooting very well, we just need to trade Grant to get him back in the starting lineup and at least 30 min a game imo.

[@docu2105]

at what point do u think the Blazers will Bench the 3 vets (if they wont be able to move them this trade deadline) to open up spots for Scoot, Deni And Clingan? is it even possible to bench those guys? I just think there are more important things than showcase them, like developing the young guys and build a new culture in Portland.

[@catanace1741]

I don't see this happening. The upside is that you'll be developing the young players, but the downside is that you bring down the value of players you're hoping to trade in the future. Bringing down the value of a player while his contract remain high is a great way to make sure you'll have to hold on to said player to the end of said contract.

[@Isaiah187Nilote]

Jerami’s struggles are really down to Ant and DA, everyone's feeling it. He was starting to build some standalone value, but with those two causing disruptions, it’s been tough for anyone to get into a consistent flow. That’s why I’ve been leaning towards bundling them up, as they’ve shown time and again that they’re problematic for the system and the vision we’re trying to build. I’ve put Tisse on the backburner for now until he strings a few solid games together. As for Ant and DA, play them with the view of building trade value without disrupting the team. They must be relegated to the bench in the next team meeting, if those are as 'real' as claimed. Joe must be there. Another overlooked factor is the impact Ant and DA have when they’re part of the leadership group. Their inconsistencies both in performance and attitude, affects the morale of the team. It muddies the messages coming from Rob, JG, and the coaches. Those two (Rob and JG), can be trusted in a contending team, but DA and Ant just aren’t there yet and imo won't get there. It’s time to move forward without them. The focus should be on JG and Rob running with the young core. They’ve got the potential to lead these guys, while helping them develop their respective market values. Whether that means they eventually get bundled with Tisse or stand alone, they’re much more reliable at this point (pre Ant/DA) and are the only possible tradees that still benefit both parties.

[@Isaiah187Nilote]

Tisse should’ve never been matched at that price, but that’s what happens when you try to merge franchise rookies with guys in or entering their prime, without any clear progress towards All-NBA level. It’s like trying to build something long-term when you’ve priced out those unproven, average, mid-tier guys in the process. It just doesn’t make sense. We need to focus on building a core around Scoot, Shae, Toumani, Deni, and Donovan. Those guys are the foundation! Surround them with affordable players like DB and Duop, those who fit the timeline and can contribute in meaningful ways. Add in players like Murray and Rupert, who align with where we want to go, and you’ve got a solid foundation. From there, it’s about creating a culture that’s fun, competitive, and focused on growth. Let these guys develop, build synergy through reps, and give them the chance to boost their value. And most importantly, because we’ve seen they can win and they'll compete! The rookie and low tier phase/market is the most volatile. The draft picks we’ll get as a result of developing these guys, combined with the natural outcomes of a rebuild, will set us up for the next phase. We need to be honest with ourselves, we’re not in that next phase yet, so we need to frame our thinking around that. It’s not about pushing for playoffs or making trades just for the sake of being involved. Take Duop, for example, he’s a much better fit in a bundle with Rob, JG, and Tisse (as I’m suggesting) because he’s cheap, effective, and can show consistency with more reps. The way we’re playing team basketball, without DA and ANT bogging things down, is exactly the kind of environment where Duop thrives. We need to be patient and build the right way, focusing on player development and long-term goals. Patience, without well calculated planning and decision-making, is why we deplore that exact thing that we need.

[@MitchellJohnsonInBend]

Thanks @trailblazers for putting Mike into a deep depression.

[@LockedOnBlazers]

I am fine. The Blazers have been bad for several seasons and yet I am here by choice. I like doing the show lol.

[@Stasis_lmao]

The GM just gotta turn on Trade Override, trust me it works every time 😂

[@JSPRKL]

I know that Grant's contract is not great, but it is definitely tradeable. I think that Thybulle is on a worse contract! He is making 11 mil per year for a guy that cannot and will never start and on top of that has a lot of injuries. They should never have matched on that Dallas offer sheet!!!

[@Isaiah187Nilote]

Tisse should’ve never been matched at that price, but that’s what happens when you try to merge franchise rookies with guys in or entering their prime, without any clear progress towards All-NBA level. It’s like trying to build something long-term when you’ve priced out those unproven, average, mid-tier guys in the process. It just doesn’t make sense. We need to focus on building a core around Scoot, Shae, Toumani, Deni, and Donovan. Those guys are the foundation! Surround them with affordable players like DB and Duop, those who fit the timeline and can contribute in meaningful ways. Add in players like Murray and Rupert, who align with where we want to go, and you’ve got a solid foundation. From there, it’s about creating a culture that’s fun, competitive, and focused on growth. Let these guys develop, build synergy through reps, and give them the chance to boost their value. And most importantly, because we’ve seen they can win and they'll compete! The rookie and low tier phase/market is the most volatile. The draft picks we’ll get as a result of developing these guys, combined with the natural outcomes of a rebuild, will set us up for the next phase. We need to be honest with ourselves, we’re not in that next phase yet, so we need to frame our thinking around that. It’s not about pushing for playoffs or making trades just for the sake of being involved. Take Duop, for example, he’s a much better fit in a bundle with Rob, JG, and Tisse (as I’m suggesting) because he’s cheap, effective, and can show consistency with more reps. The way we’re playing team basketball, without DA and ANT bogging things down, is exactly the kind of environment where Duop thrives. We need to be patient and build the right way, focusing on player development and long-term goals. Patience, without well calculated planning and decision-making, is why we deplore that exact thing that we need. Reply

[@kneelpdx1]

So, does this mean you are thinking the Blazers might be wise to trade Ayton for expiring money, like BI or “gasp” Ben Simmons?

[@Alchemae]

That might be the play. Setting oneself up for free agency when most of the teams will be capped.

[@vincentrose577]

i’ve been mocking ben simmons so much it just makes sense. 2 tank teams neither get better

[@YowzaBowzaWowza]

How many years is it going to take to undo all the stupid contracts the Blazers are saddled with?

[@friskyfixedit]

Well we just gave Jerami a stupid contract. 5 years is ridiculous.

[@vincentrose577]

@@friskyfixeditit will only get more reasonable with time as the salary goes up. jerami is less of a concern than DA and ant. wouldn’t be the worst thing for ayton to walk but we can’t let it happen with both of them

[@alonelhanati3864]

no team will be interested in any of these trio with large contracts. just need to play along with them, and use them from the bench.

[@MojoMan007]

So, we get deload week. Eat, hydrate, and breathe.

[@feralrollypolly96]

duop is untouchable

[@Port_N-B-Ball]

lol

[@rileymcphee9429]

Untouchable for trades or minutes? 😂

[@CheeseWiz84]

Simons for Ball

[@RipCity-j5c]

Sucks I'm watching all these other young teams with vets on roster Portland known for get rid of Allstars for what headaches GM. Sucks trade season we already know it's going to be a Sholda Woulda Coulda again..

[@rileymcphee9429]

This was almost unreadable

[@yonihalevi2017]

I’m sorry sir, Ant has value as an off the bench striker. Worth 2 seconds and an expiring contract. JG ain’t getting a first. DA at best is worth a first. For a REALLY good shooting team.

[@israteeg752]

Mike Richman, you've described how modifications to the CBA that will motivate contenders to search for value on the minimum type of players, then mentioned Doup Reath as the top possible trading option for the Blazers. In my mind, then, my first thought is: What about Toumani Camara, a lockdown defender who can shoot threes and is on a second-round rookie contract? Under such conditions, shouldn't he be in very high demand, allowing the Blazes to at least consider getting a king's ransom in future picks for him?