Portland has a raft of young wings. Dallas probably has at least one big too many, and one wing too few.

Normally I'd say their promising stud 7'1 20 year old is never going to be on the auction block, but we just saw what Dallas did.

Is he a viable target for the trade deadline? They'd want Toumani, who I would think is untouchable, or Deni who is my current favourite Blazer, but tbh probably isn't as critical for our future the way Scoot sets people up. JG is obviously the guy we want to send, but....fuck maybe they are dumb enough to double down on older vets over the future?

I know y'all value Deni a lot, but if Luka got traded, anyone theoretically can get traded too.

Lifelong Blazers fan here. Arvydas Sabonis is my all-time favorite Blazer. I have a gently-used XL Sabonis jersey I'd like to swap with someone for their LG Sabonis jersey (different version/year OK), as I've lost a bunch of weight.

https://preview.redd.it/p90096ua9wge1.jpg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=908717fb4d32a9dab7cae012f483ca6d16474ee5

https://preview.redd.it/otntx7ua9wge1.jpg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0e9f60877b002d63226f8813406de0fe8695bcce

https://preview.redd.it/04chm6ua9wge1.jpg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cf36a1577c046a919656d800bed2cd7b114b80b8

https://preview.redd.it/s6u6g7ua9wge1.jpg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b6777938ed33eb857fe2ed5d8ed26b817caf9467

I suck at Photoshop but we neeed one for JG sending KD to mat like Bald Bull last night!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSBikNURjgk

*content creator

https://www.rosegardenreport.com/p/how-active-will-the-trail-blazers?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

They’re open to moving any of their veterans—particularly Jerami Grant, Anfernee Simons and Deandre Ayton, although it’s tough to see Ayton having much of a market right now.

if the Blazers are going to trade Simons or Grant in the next four days, and their options are deals to get back draft picks or a player they like and feel they can add to their long-term core, the smart money is usually on them opting for the player.

As for Williams, the Blazers are open to trading him for the right return, but that bar is higher than most people would think. Various reports in recent weeks that Williams could be had for a handful of second-round picks scan mostly as wishcasting by other front offices. Williams’ injury history is something that would understandably give teams pause about giving up a lot for him, but he’s been good and impactful enough for the Blazers this season that they’re happy to keep him if they don’t get an offer that meets where they value him.

https://www.reddit.com/r/nba/s/XbbaoQWjmv

With the recent news between the Lakers and Mavericks there's certainly been more chatter than usual regarding trading players on the Blazer's roster.

I figure this is as good a time as any to consider the less glamorous option of keeping our current roster as it is. Unless a trade that makes sense is offered, we should take a look at what we currently have and what we feel may be missing from a "long term" point of view (as we aren't currently there yet to be playoff competitive).

My view will be biased based on our last 10 games. But I see something very strong in what we have and I'm reluctant to mess with it

One thing I value is being deep at the center position. I really did not enjoy the many years where our bigs got injured and it seemed like we just could not maintain a strong, complete roster mainly because of our lack of depth at the center position. Having DA, DC, and Timelord (don't forget The Great Barrier too) is a luxury that I'm hard pressed to relinquish. Of these players, I see Duop as 1. my first option to trade and 2. Someone who deserves more playing time on a team that needs a (backup) center and I believe it would be better for his career.

I'm seeing stronger efforts on defense this year from the top to bottom. My main gripe has been our defense on the perimeter (teams shot very well from 3 for a while on us for years). This year it's been a delight to see this statistic change for the better. While a lot can be attributed to Toumani's effort, I'm seeing strong defensive efforts from Grant and even better defenses from up and down the roster, yes, even from Simons.

Defense, in my opinion wins games over scoring (not a wild take) and I'm seeing a team buy into this mindset. I really don't want to mess with the chemistry now of what I'm seeing recently. Keeping Grant as a veteran who is actually leading by example is someone I like on a team. He's willing to swallow his ego (let's face it, he's not going to get the accolades he'd normally receive by scoring 20 plus a night and the guy is chill AF). I can't see how a teammate doesn't love that in a player that they look up to, it's gotta be contagious and I bet the locker room and social dynamic is very strong right now.

That being said, if Grant has to go, we are in a privileged position where we don't need to trade him. This gives us an advantage we should not disregard. This goes for any player that we've been gossiping about. We are not desperate to "make it this year" there is zero expectation from us. Thus we should only trade when it benifits "The Team" long term.

Our team is improving without a doubt in my mind. What is the ceiling? That remains to be seen, but with such a young team we should feel very optimistic about things. Like an investment growing in your portfolio, there's a lot of reasons (in my opinion) to see how things develop before FOMOing away an investment just because you can. At least in my experience, buying and holding an investment has been rather rewarding and the ones I traded away were my regrets (to keep with the analogy).

Lastly, Thybulle. I really see him as interesting wild card. I'm surprised his injury has sidelined him this long. When he rejoins the team (gotta be soon, right?). I believe our defensive depth will be further strengthened. I've been a Thybulle Stan since he joined the team and I have high hopes that when he returns his steals and defense will be the next chapter of success in the "Story that is the Trailblazers." Also with him being out for so long, in a way, when he's back in the court, it'll feel like we won a trade where zero assets had to exchanged.

I'm optimistic, are you?

#Box Score

#Next Game

Use this thread as a place to share your thoughts on the previous game as well as a place to discuss the upcoming match-up.

Per Evan Sidery on X

I can’t find this shit anywhere, even with reverse Google image search. It’s like it got erased from the internet haha.

PG:Anfernee Simons

SG:Deni Avdija

SF:Jerami Grant

PF:Toumani Camara

C:Deandre Ayton

6th:Scoot Henderson

7th:Shaeden Sharpe

8th:Donovan Clingan

9th:Jarred Vanderbilt

10th:Gabe Vincent

End of Bench guys

Duop Reath

Ryan Rupert

Delano Banton

Kris Murray

Deadline Acquisitions

Jarred Vanderbilt

Gabe Vincent

2025 second (From Lakers)

2027 second (From Lakers)

Deadline losses

Robert Williams (To lakers)

Matisse Thybulle (To Lakers)

One thing I have noticed is that Deni has really helped keep Ayton accountable. They are constantly talking and Deni is also supportive of DA. I think more broadly, we have a good blend of guys.

Deni, Scoot, Camara, Timelord are the energy / heart of the team. Clingan is kind of this category as well, but still a rook.

Sharpe and Ayton need a bit of push, but are also extremely talented. The guys above are pushing them to be their best and holding them accountable.

Murray, Thybulle, Grant, Duop bring a general calm and maturity to the mix.

I don't quite know where Simons fits.

Overall I think the org has done a good job of character assessment. Ayton is the most volatile, but if the overall culture can keep him motivated he is an elite player. Scoot being the long term leader and ultimate connector will be such a huge boon to building a winning culture.

When you use my link it should take you to gametime and when you get an account for the first time or haven’t bought tickets before it should give you the credit. For all the sites i’ve tried gametime is cheapest and right now has 9 dollar tickets and with credit 4 dollars. lmk if either of the links works:

Join me on Gametime. Get $5 when you sign up with my code: BIGWIN1025218 - score the app at https://gametime.co/s/BIGWIN1025218

Join me on Gametime. Get $5 when you sign up with my code: GAMETIME977146 - score the app at https://gametime.co/s/GAMETIME977146

Scrolling through the in games photos from yesterday’s game (via Blazers Instagram) and came across this! Ayton hanging on the rim after slamming it in. Love seeing the reactions on the opposing players faces lol. Credit to whoever was able to capture this in real time last night. Side note he’s been playing really well as of late, so I just wanted to show some DominAyton appreciation!!

I would just like to extend a warm welcome to any Dallas Mavericks fans who are so disgusted with your front office that you no longer want to root for the Mavs. This sub is also a safe space if you want to hate the Lakers because we hate them more than you guys hate the Eagles.

Here's what you need to know:

-Chauncey is bad at coaching

-NBA media thinks that Scoot sucks but actually he's good

-Deni Avdija is better than LeBron

-Toumani is the best defender in the history of the NBA

-Shaedon Sharpe not being picked for the dunk contest is a travesty

-We miss Dame

Fuck Nico Harrison and their ownership.

Luka got traded to the Lakers Blazers suddenly unbeatable Ayton looks like the best center on the roster

and... Scoot look like the best player on the team

I don’t get to watch many games because I’m from Dallas so I’m just curious what yall have seen