If CJ could somehow play within himself and become the player we talked about on draft day last summer, do you think he can earn a starting spot? Maybe not this season, but it could be the plan of Olshey. I mean it seems Matthews will probably get a pay raise if he continues to play at the level he had the last 2 years. Maybe Olshey is aware that the Blazers may not be able to fiscally keep Matthews to avoid luxury tax, so he's hedging on CJ and Barton to play 2. Thoughts???
My thoughts are for CJ to become an evolved Jamal Crawford. Super sixth man than can play with the starters down the stretch. Don't think he'll ever be able to match the defensive physicality of Wes.
That would obviously be the plan. We can't give LMA a max contract and re-sign Wes and Lopez for $10mill a season each unless... this team makes the WCF or NBA finals. If the Blazers do that I can see PA green lighting a dip into the luxury tax.
And I am a huge Wesley Matthews fan. He does not get enough credit for what he means to this team. He is a warrior, his attitude and toughness is something that this team lacks at times. I think he did a fantastic job in the playoffs against Harden.
CJ will never be the single vision ball hog Crawchuck is nor will he ever be as strong as Wes. CJ is a very well-rounded player. We hope he develops enough all around NBA-level skills to replace Wes in the starting lineup -- that's why we drafted him -- so yeah, 'hedging our bets' is a good way to put it. CJ isn't there right now though, that's for sure.
The cap is supposed to go up $20 million with the new TV deal so even with Aldride on a max deal we could sign Wes and rolo at $10 million each and maybe stay just under the luxury tax.
It would be really tough to see Wes go. But I wont be able to blame him if he can get a lot more money somewhere. In fact someone is probably going to overpay him quite a bit I bet
Is it? I've seen this said by many but don't recall hearing any corroboration of this vision from the organization. IMHO, if anybody is going to take a resemblance of a pay-cut to stay with the Blazers its Wes. We made him the highest paid player in his class at the time and he's really become the heart/soul of the team. If we are contending, I think he'll really want to stay.
I just don't see a Lillard / CJ back court working. It would be like Curry / Ellis. And that's if CJ develops into a better-than-decent player.
My favorite CJ quote was the last interview with him dissing Jaynes and Haynes especially Jaynes. Just shows what happens when you diss a journalism major and assume he's not listening or reading sports media. I like CJ a whole lot more after that interview. Defensively, the SL team is way better than I anticipated
Wes is a whole lot bigger than CJ and a much much better defender. CJs defense looks good in summer league but Wes looks good against the best the NBA has to offer.
True, but salaries will rise as the cap and luxury tax line rise. If Chandler Parsons is making $15 million a year now, $15 million per year is likely to be par for the course for a talented non-star wing at that point and the "are they crazy?" deal may be $18-20 million.
Wes Rolo and Aldridge will sign long term deals next summer under the old cap, then the new cap will go up when Lillard extension kicks in. There might be one year we edge into luxury tax. Eventually yes contracts will go up as well but that might not effect the core of the Blazers for 5 years.
The Blazers I value the most on this team and in this order: Lillard Aldridge Lopez Batum Matthews Robinson Barton McCollum Freeland Meyers Claver Crabbe I don't know where Blake and Kaman fit yet. But I think all of the pieces are tradeable assists given the right return. But the value needs to be improving to send them away.
Wesley just works better as a starter. His strengths fit the starting unit, where LaMarcus and Damian are the main scorers and you need somebody to fill in the gaps (notably defense). CJ, on the other hand, is somebody who can come in and create his own offense. That's the point of the Jamal Crawford comparison (I assume). Now, maybe, if Wesley would net us something good, or his next contract is too expensive, then CJ could slot in. But even then, I'd prefer to start someone like Crabbe (if he ever found his shot) and have CJ off the bench. You know, like San Antonio always had Ginobili coming off the bench behind a more limited starter.
Huh. I'd go: Aldridge Batum Lillard Lopez Matthews Thrilla CJ kinda lose interest -----the bottom---- Meyers However, if we're talking my fave players, it's probably Batum, Lopez and Will. Mad props to Lillard and Aldridge, but this is pure sentiment.
Remember all the fuss over Wesley's deal? Then all the fuss over Aldridge? Then Batum? Simpler times.
