Some would argue Ja was the original GTA6.

“if they need shooters I’m happy to help on or off the court”

Just squeaked it in there

He has always at least said this same thing when he was with the Grizz. That he would come off the bench if needed.

He didn’t see it in Memphis, he probably assumed he would be traded and get to be a star in another market and put it all behind him like others who get traded. He’s clearly come to understand his standing in the league is nothing compared to a few years ago. I remember not long ago people talking about the ja led grizz to be a staple in the west for the rest of the decade.

I agree, but I also understand the strategy of Acquire Talent, Figure out Fit. I can absolutely see the Blazers getting in a groove, Ja and Deni slashing, Dame and Jrue 3s go down, defense is legit…. I dno, like a weird 50 win 4 seed. It feels like they have all of the roles that good teams need, it’s just very compartmentalized across the roster

Tbf if he outperforms expectations and continues to stay humble, some teams might take the gamble and throw a decent trade package their way for him by the deadline. It’s a lot of “what ifs” but it’s not completely out of the realm of possibility.

Gave up nothing for him. Well worth it.

His money comes off the books the same time Grant’s did, so it was just a gamble with house money to try and turn around an asset. If it goes to hell, well…I don’t think Dundon has a lot of faith in the current roster anyway and 2028 onwards might be a reset with the Bucks picks and Dame, Jrue, Morant all off the books.

I mean if and it’s a big if he gets his attitude in check and plays like he did at his best for the Grizz he can be a top 3 PG in the league, he has the talent.

Nike

Mix a bunch of options for the start of the season, define who is staying and who is leaving by the deadline.

I guess they figured his chances of bouncing back were worth Jerami Grant and Kris Murray

i mean.. IF he has a good attitude and plays whatever role is needed it is a great pickup

Cheap owner wants marketable star with no expectations

Cheap owner wants to sell tickets but he pissed off fans so he got a cheap big name

They have like 8 guards

He plays the same position as a former top 3 pick they still have faith in, arguably the best player in franchise history & Jrue who is by far the best defender in that group. He may be the most talented currently but him being a starter on this team is not guaranteed

Yes

First 4 seasons: 19.7 Win Shares

Following 3 seasons: 4.7 Win Shares

Career 31% shooter from 3

Relied on incredible athleticism early in his career that is no longer there due to injuries and age

I do not think he is definitively washed, but at this point I need to actually see him being effective on the court for an extended period of time to become a believer.

It’s bait yea, but if u look at their guard situation it makes sense to start Jrue and either Dame OR Ja in the back court. Ja and Dame probably wouldn’t be the best duo offensively since they both want the ball, and they would be awful on D. So if the question is the greatest Trailblazer OAT or Ja, who wasn’t very good even when healthy last year… I’m not super optimistic about Ja’s odds

This all goes out the window if they just start all 3, but Deni and Camara also deserve to start

yes he is absolutely washed?

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same. we can always use a good redemption arc. and the nba is better as a whole when as many players are playing well as possible

Same. Unfortunately, we had him when he was learning hard lessons. I still believe in him to be become an all star level player.

If anything, “best 5” should be determined by who closes the game rather than starts. There are advantages to leaving certain players on the bench at first so they can lead the team while others are resting

one downside to going too hard into the matchup game night to night is that players seem to like having a consistent rotation for the most part, knowing which parts of the game they’ll play vs sit and who they’ll be out there with.

not that you can’t make adjustments at all of course, but the more you shuffle lineups between every game, the more you risk having players who are always out of rhythm and playing with groups they aren’t super familiar with.

i do agree though that it’s unhelpful for being a starter to be tied to some sense of honor or respect though. you might be one of the 5 best players on the team, but fit better with guys coming off the bench than the other starters. or the lineup that helps optimize you and/or the other major players might be one that is hard to sustain for the entire game (like iguodala in the warriors’ “death lineup”)

there are plenty of players who don’t start but regularly close games. shouldn’t that be more of an honor than the guy who starts but doesn’t close, if anything?

Yea it’s treated kinda like a popularity contest in the nba instead of being viewed as the arsenal you have to work with against other teams. Tho I do think the lack of meaningful depth many teams suffer from plays a part

I had to scroll too far to finally see a comment like this. Completely agree

Ja threads will be filled with jokes for awhile and rightfully so, he brought this all on himself.

But I thought people were fully developed by 24 and couldn’t change after that?

He might be, but I could def see a world w jrue and dame starting instead

Ja imploded the team the first month of the season. Home game against the Lakers after halftime. Buddy it’s gotta be shorter than that.

Our roster is weirdly constructed but no shortage of talent at all.

Portland has the most strip clubs per capita, so at least Ja won’t be bored.

Jrue and Dame

nothing disrespectful about this question

So you can talk about it

yes that’s the point