1.) Will we see more veterans or superstars wanting to come to Portland? I really hope we go far in the playoffs, but this is a true test to see if a star would actually consider going to a small market to chase a ring. So far, the argument has been, "There is no chance a superstar will ever consider Portland". Doesn't matter if we win it all, they will not succumb to playing in a small market. I totally disagree with this and I hope this summer will explain why.
As for original question all depends on the player. Mentioned in another thread on a similar topic, but Chris Paul supposedly had Portland on his list of where he wanted to be traded to, but that was when we had Roy and a budding Aldridge. We could see the same with Aldridge and Lillard, who knows.
For a superstar, we most definitely need to do a sign and trade, or a trade. It would most likely involve Batum and filler to be the piece for contract matching
Taking cap space out of the equation, no. Portland simply isn't a desired location for superstars. Given another option like a major market, warm climate or tax beneficial location, no. Players want to win, but they want to do it on their terms
How many superstars came to San Antonio over the amazing career of Tim Duncan? I can't think of any. Robinson, Kawhi, Parker, Ginobili....all of them played as rookies for the Spurs. Hall of fame coach, top 10 all-time player, 17 seasons never dipping below .610, 4 titles, better state tax laws.....and never a major free agent destination. What can Portland offer that the Spurs couldn't? I guess we've got a richer owner, which does matter. But it's not much.
But did they need one? Who's to say that a superstar wanted Spurs as their destination and realized the spurs really weren't interested?
I can relate to that, but in some cases their terms may not be the desired result. Hopefully we will have the opportunity to see it come up if we can make it past the second round.
They aren’t superstars but guys like Michael Finley and Brent Barry were great veteran contributors on some of those Spurs contending teams. Boris Diaw isn’t great either but when you can sign guys like him for the minimum it really helps bolster bench depth.
Don't forget the Riverwalk, Seaworld and Six flags October through May, monthly average high temps (SA)82-72-64-62-67-74-81-87 (POR) 64-53-46-47-51-57-61-68 Avg precip October through May (SA) 4.11-2.28-1.91-1.76-1.86-2.31-2.10-4.01 (POR) 3.00-5.63-5.49-4.88-3.79-3.68-2.73-2.47 Clear days (SA) 105 (POR) 68
And we can already draw those types of players, as evidenced by Mo Williams and Dorell Wright - sure maybe they aren't as good as Finley/Barry, but I'd include all those players on the same tier. All teams have access to those sorts of players. It's all moot though, as we don't have (a) cap space to sign a star free agent or (b) a starting roster spot (other than C) where a star could be plugged in.
Quick. Name me one All-NBA caliber player in the last 30 years that chose a small market, bad-weather city to live in as a free agent. I've got all day.
I think the closest anyone will find is David West. Huge risk with the knee that paid off for Indiana
Is Boston a big market? the weather definitely sucks. Ice cold. KG was traded there but didn't he have to agree?
No. He was an all star in 08 and 09. That's why I said closest people would find. No all-nba guy signs in a small market with bad weather and a shitty tax structure.....Unless maybe if they were from there? I could see someone like Kevin Love coming to Portland if we had the cap space and Olshey did a bang up job on selling him as 6th man of the year playing 35 minutes a night
