Simons steps into the starting lineup bc Lonzo sounds like he’s never going to be able to run again. The Bulls get a top 8 protected pick when Lilliard and DeRozan are long in the tooth (potentially retired) - protections would drop by 2 spots each year until it conveys. In the meantime they get some likely top 31-40 draft picks by way of the second round. I was debating whether DeRozan warrants a pick swap in ‘28, but he regressed last year after a stellar first season in Chicago.

The Blazers get one or 2 more cracks at it in all likelihood before Demar falls off a cliff athletically. Best of all, they retain Scoot and win the second unit minutes. Maybe he’s even good enough to close this year.

The Blazers lineup likely has: Dame, Sharpe, DeRozan, Grant, Nurk With subs: Scoot, Thybulle, Little, Plumlee, Powell.

Chicago is one LaVine knee scope from being a bottom 3 team so I don’t really care about their lineup. Is this enough equity for an aging DeMar? Do you think this gives Portland a shot at the 3 or 4 seed? Who says no first?