06-03-2021, 08:09 PM
(This post was last modified: 06-03-2021, 08:59 PM by HanspardsShowerVoice.)
(06-03-2021, 06:23 PM)SleepingHero Wrote: I don't think POR makes a trade for Norman Powell just for him to walk in the offseason. They're most likely going to retain him just for asset management sakes. CJ vs. Powell, they overlap in a LOT of a the same skills.
Analyzing just how POR performed with CJ and Dame, they have had 5 first round exits in 8 years. The window is closing on Dame and they've been pining for a stretch big for years.
KP fits the bill for what they're theortically looking for. From the Blazers standpoint they get that stretch big they've wanted and still retain the CJ role with Powell (even on a discount!).
Makes a LOT of sense for POR to trade CJ if you look at it that way. The only question is, is KP the best they can do for CJ?
Right. Like, maybe they could swing a trade for Myles Turner and they would prefer that over KP, but there is no question that a scoring stretch big is the biggest hole on their roster. Even though they were guard heavy they traded for Powell to play as an undersized wing for some more offensive firepower because they were getting absolutely zero offense out of their starting frontcourt of Nurk, RoCo and Jones Jr. CJ is the most likely (only??) trade piece they have. They already traded their 2021 first round pick for RoCo. CJ at a max contract isn't going to be easy to match for a lot of teams without having to give up significant high level talent, which contenders will be hesitant to do and non-contending teams aren't going to be in the market for a 30 year old small combo guard at a max deal. They're also already over the tax and flirting with repeater penalties, so free agent signings aren't in the cards for them. They're going to have to remake the roster in the offseason with limited available avenues. Most logical move for them is to l ship off CJ for an offensive big and resign Powell and move him back to his natural 2 guard. I wouldn't be surprised if they just outright cut Nurk for luxury tax relief. They can get a big stiff for a lot less than $12 million.