Over/Under: Portland Trail Blazers 2023-24

PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS: 28.5 WINS – UNDER Key Additions Scoot Henderson (draft) Kris Murray (draft) Rayan Rupert (draft) Robert…

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 LillardJusef NurkicNassir Little

Rotation

GuardsScoot Henderson, Anfernee Simons, Malcolm BrogdonWingsShaedon Sharpe, Matisse Thybulle, ForwardsJeremi Grant, Kris Murray, Jabari WalkerBigsDeandre 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 AytonRobert WilliamsMalcolm BrogdonToumani Camara2024 GSW 1st Round Pick (protected 1-4)2028 MIL 1st Round Pick swap2029 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 3118.8 Defensive Rating ranked 27th28th in rebounding29th in defending the 3Jeremy 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 yearsShaedon Sharpe will be the starting SG by the end of the seasonJeremi Grant, Robert Williams, and Anfernee Simons will be traded at the deadlineChauncey Billups will be fired (or “mutual decision to part ways”) next summerScoot Henderson will average 20ppg as a rookieAyton averages 23 and 12

STANDINGS PREDICTION: 15TH IN THE WEST