NBA/Blazers 2025-26 Thread

[Phalanx]

On another note, what does everyone think about the rumors that the Blazers are pursuing Jaylen Brown?

It makes sense that they're pursing him. Adding an All NBA player with 3 years on his contract would be a coup for this team. They've already missed their chance on building this team through the draft and with the lottery reform making the Bucks picks less valuable... Flipping them to pair a win now player with Deni would be ideal. If they can't add a major piece then the Blazers likely regress in Western standings and also risk landing in the regulation zone.

The Bucks picks are less valuable in terms of certainty, but still have a strong chance to be the same value if the balls fall right. I still believe the Blazers' best shot at becoming a contender is via the draft; they just need to wait a few years for those picks to arrive, and hire someone who can actually identify talent in the meantime. Brown is a good player, but not as good as he thinks he is, and he is starting to get long in the tooth. I'd rather try to draft a guy like Brown and get that level of talent for a whole career instead of the end of it. They will have several shots at it if they can wait a couple of seasons.

[pezsez1]

On another note, what does everyone think about the rumors that the Blazers are pursuing Jaylen Brown?

Love it, hope they land him. Agree that we kind of frittered away a true draft rebuild (for a "win now" window, anyway), so they've got to make trades if they want to improve. The Blazers have a lot of young talent but it's flawed enough that we should be able to trade several pieces and not lose sleep. They've got to do something, though. The status quo won't cut it.

[SuperDuck]

On another note, what does everyone think about the rumors that the Blazers are pursuing Jaylen Brown?

Love it, hope they land him. Agree that we kind of frittered away a true draft rebuild (for a "win now" window, anyway), so they've got to make trades if they want to improve. The Blazers have a lot of young talent but it's flawed enough that we should be able to trade several pieces and not lose sleep. They've got to do something, though. The status quo won't cut it.

I'm wondering how effective Dame Lillard is going to be once he returns. That may have an impact on their next move.

[squintsdd]

On another note, what does everyone think about the rumors that the Blazers are pursuing Jaylen Brown?

Love it, hope they land him. Agree that we kind of frittered away a true draft rebuild (for a "win now" window, anyway), so they've got to make trades if they want to improve. The Blazers have a lot of young talent but it's flawed enough that we should be able to trade several pieces and not lose sleep. They've got to do something, though. The status quo won't cut it.

I'm wondering how effective Dame Lillard is going to be once he returns. That may have an impact on their next move.

History has shown the players coming back from an achilles tear aren't nearly as effective as preinjury.

[pudgejeff]

On another note, what does everyone think about the rumors that the Blazers are pursuing Jaylen Brown?

Love it, hope they land him. Agree that we kind of frittered away a true draft rebuild (for a "win now" window, anyway), so they've got to make trades if they want to improve. The Blazers have a lot of young talent but it's flawed enough that we should be able to trade several pieces and not lose sleep. They've got to do something, though. The status quo won't cut it.

I'm wondering how effective Dame Lillard is going to be once he returns. That may have an impact on their next move.

History has shown the players coming back from an achilles tear aren't nearly as effective as preinjury.

Also, it’s not usually until the 2 years later until they get to their new “best”. So next year shouldn’t expect a lot. It’s way I hated the contract structure.

[squintsdd]

On another note, what does everyone think about the rumors that the Blazers are pursuing Jaylen Brown?

Love it, hope they land him. Agree that we kind of frittered away a true draft rebuild (for a "win now" window, anyway), so they've got to make trades if they want to improve. The Blazers have a lot of young talent but it's flawed enough that we should be able to trade several pieces and not lose sleep. They've got to do something, though. The status quo won't cut it.

I'm wondering how effective Dame Lillard is going to be once he returns. That may have an impact on their next move.

History has shown the players coming back from an achilles tear aren't nearly as effective as preinjury.

Also, it’s not usually until the 2 years later until they get to their new “best”. So next year shouldn’t expect a lot. It’s way I hated the contract structure.

I was on the fence, still am honestly. If he can make an adjustment to not being the primary ball handler i think he'll do okay, but if the offense is expected to run through him, it could be problematic. Also, his defense was already atrocious, it's only going to be worse now.

[pezsez1]

The offense will run through Deni next season just as it did this past year. He's our prime all-star. I imagine we'll see Jru and Toumani getting lots of open 3s as defenses key in on Deni driving and kicking out to Dame. I do think Dame will still bring it up the floor when not in transition, but he doesn't need to be the #1 option anymore.

That's going to be even more the case if we get Jalen Brown.

[pudgejeff]

On another note, what does everyone think about the rumors that the Blazers are pursuing Jaylen Brown?

Love it, hope they land him. Agree that we kind of frittered away a true draft rebuild (for a "win now" window, anyway), so they've got to make trades if they want to improve. The Blazers have a lot of young talent but it's flawed enough that we should be able to trade several pieces and not lose sleep. They've got to do something, though. The status quo won't cut it.

I'm wondering how effective Dame Lillard is going to be once he returns. That may have an impact on their next move.

History has shown the players coming back from an achilles tear aren't nearly as effective as preinjury.

Also, it’s not usually until the 2 years later until they get to their new “best”. So next year shouldn’t expect a lot. It’s way I hated the contract structure.

I was on the fence, still am honestly. If he can make an adjustment to not being the primary ball handler i think he'll do okay, but if the offense is expected to run through him, it could be problematic. Also, his defense was already atrocious, it's only going to be worse now.

It's just more about you pay him 1 year to rehab, 1 year to be at 60-70% so in my opinion year 3 should be the reward you get for fronting the bill on the first 2, instead he gets a player option for year 3? Feels like an awful decision to me.