How Jazz Forward Jarred Vanderbilt Could Help the Trail Blazers

Damian Lillard has since taken to Twitter portland trailblazerswin over utah jazz Last Saturday, he quoted a tweet and immediately removed an emoji referring to Jarred Vanderbilt.

A subtle social media moment responded to Nate Jones asking what it would take to pry Vanderbilt out of Utah. Not hit 4.

(I was able to get a screenshot before it was deleted)

Lillard’s quote-tweet response was a two-eyed emoji. And while it wasn’t a particularly obvious statement, it’s relatively compelling given the six-time All-Star interviews earlier this year.

In September, Lillard was asked which player he’d like to add to the current Blazers roster. Arizona Cardinals Play-by-play announcer Dave Pash.Lillard replied 23 years old and Vanderbilt and toronto raptors When Phoenix Suns Wings OG Anunoby and Michal Bridge.

As you can see, Portland’s six-time All-Star is clearly a Vanderbilt fan. But how will he improve the Blazers’ roster and how much will it cost?

Jared Vanderbilt

Photographer orlando magic The 41st pick in the 2018 draft — 17th behind Anfernie Simmons — Vanderbilt instantly Denver Nuggets where he spent his first two seasons.He Minnesota Timberwolves With a four-team deal at the 2020 trade deadline.

In July of this year, it was again given to Jazz in a huge package in exchange for Rudy Gobert. As soon as the deal closed, Utah’s Danny Ainge was questioned as to whether he would keep Vanderbilt or move him again for more assets.

Those questions were temporarily answered when he appeared on Opening Night for the Jazz, playing near elite defense with 8.6 points, 8.3 boards, 2.8 assists and 1.2 steals in 25 games this season. Did.

Vanderbilt also won’t become a free agent until the summer of 2024 with one more year left on his contract.

what he brings

The current incarnation of the Blazers is anything but perfect. If Yusuf Nurkic isn’t in the franchise’s long-term plans, they need an even bigger one, potentially two. I need it badly.

Josh Hart, Justise Winslow and Nassir Little are very strong on this roster, but all three are under 6’6 tall. Playing behind or next to Jerami Grant, Vanderbilt could very well be that big wing if he were to improve his shot split.

Most of Vanderbilt’s work is done at power forward, but I wouldn’t hesitate to stretch him at center. It doesn’t solve its problems, but it does offer defensive versatility with its 7’1 wingspan.

Because he is not good at shooting, he is at a disadvantage when attacking with threes, but he can completely guard small forwards.

His rebounding is elite and his above-average athleticism allows him to pass the ball, hustle, pick up the pace and finish with confidence at the rim. He also has a key ability that this current Blazers his team needs more. He can put the ball on the floor and facilitate it from a larger position.

Honestly, if he can improve his 3-point shooting (he’s done 46% on 26 attempts this season), there’s very little he can’t do on the basketball court. But even if he doesn’t, as long as he’s surrounded by gunmen, I’m not too concerned.

The former Kentucky standout has a career average of 5.8 points on 32% 3-point shooting, 6.4 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1 steal in 19.7 minutes.

what are you doing jazz

Danny Ainge traded three starters — Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert and Royce O’Neal — one offseason in a determined start to a rebuild that could quickly lead to a rebuild. In return, he got back a tremendous amount of picks and a laundry list of young and talented players.

Before the season started, Utah seemed intent on bottoming out and playing Victor Wenbanyama’s game. And despite a strong start, they may still do so.

But regardless of what position the Jazz finish in, Vanderbilt is capable and young enough to participate in either bottoming out or racing to the top. Prying him out of the City can be even more difficult, and we need to see what Ainge is cooking.

How much does the Blazers cost?

Now let’s try to answer Nate Jones’ question. Based on what we’ve seen over the last few decades, Danny Ainge isn’t the easiest person to negotiate. We can only assume that they are willing to do so.

The Blazers will have to give up their first-round pick, especially given Vanderbilt’s age. chicago bulls to remove the protection of the Blazers’ picking right now owed to the Illinois franchise.

If both Cronin and the Bulls can agree on terms, the Blazers should be able to offer the first round of 2025 in a deal with Vanderbilt. As far as players are concerned, I don’t know what Jazz wants. An easy one-on-one is Justise Winslow’s expiring contract, where he is now only $300,000 less than Vanderbilt.

The Blazers have several options if Ainge wants a younger player. Keon Johnson seems to be the frontrunner, trade eligible on December 15th, and when combined with Drew Eubanks, he’s about a $150,000 difference. Instead of Eubanks, either Trendon Watford or Greg Brown III could pull it off with Johnson.

Conclusion

It’s really interesting to see Lillard using social media to express his opinions and interest in the player. I mean, who doesn’t want to play with a 6’9″ athlete who is so versatile and versatile?

Despite his lack of knowledge of the inner workings within the Blazers organization, Cronin finds himself much more receptive to ideas and suggestions from Lillard than his previous front office head. Let’s look at another 6’9 athlete who moved to the Blazers.

If Vanderbilt was that plan, I’d feel better about getting the deal done if Cronin didn’t have to deal with Danny Ainge, Oregon’s own master negotiator. Even if Vanderbilt becomes an option in , there are other parts that need to be moved as well. That means the Bulls need to change the terms of his future first-round picks. We also need young and talented works that Einge is actually interested in.

Either Vanderbilt, Anunoby, or Bridges would take seriously this team’s need for bigger wings. may be the easiest.

Ultimately, if Damien Lillard is in Portland for the next four years, you can also make him happy and get the players he actually wants around the court.