I don't think RFAs are attractive at all, especially those that haven't shown any kind of promise. I suppose Vonleh will stay here and hit restricted free agency next summer.
If you want Collins or Swanigan to get minutes as back up 4. Play one the 1st half and the other the 2nd half. You tell them this is going to be your role. Do for 1st 20 or 25 games. Then you be able find out who will be your back up out of those games.
That is actually a nice thought. But lets look at things a different way just for a second. The Blazers are in what could be the toughest division in the NBA. They are also in the loaded western conference. They have a lighter schedule in the first half and need those wins badly to be in the conversation at the All-Star break. Meaning if they want to get a decent seed they better win early. Then power through the second half. I feel they should win now and play the best available at the beginning. That would be Vonleh just due to experience.
Due to Vonleh might be out for another 2 weeks then someone as to step up until then. If one these young players are playing good and we are winning then your going to change due to him coming back. Remember Olshey already think Swanigan is better then Vonleh. But come down to what Stotts think.
Not sure where the NO, PA and Stotts are, but we need to take a couple big steps forward to really be a team that competes in with the best in the league. And that means trades. We need to play Vonleh and MyLe with starters to put them in the best position possible to impress and up their trade value. We have plenty of time to bring the rooks along and get them some limited yet important minutes now and then towards the end of the season, we can look again at who should start. Zach very well may be my favorite long term, but long term ain't today
We just need to play better defense....especially on the perimeter. That will help us take a giant step forward. Oh, and keep Nurk healthy.
FREE ZACH COLLINS. (Or watch Aminu get backed down from the three point line to under the basket, whatever works better.)
I was hoping he'd play, at least when Nurk was in foul trouble. Instead, Terry played Aminu at C. That lineup sorta worked on offense, but he was getting destroyed on defense.
I don't understand why he didn't give Collins a chance. Aminu is a very good defender, but does Terry actually think Aminu is the better rim protector? The whole idea of Aminu at the four (and I guess now the five) is his "ability" to space the court. Collins can shoot too, and is bigger. Give him a look. I find it interesting that Swanigan gets opportunities but Collins doesn't. I haven't seen Collins overmatched in any of the preseason games.
Terry seems to give a lot of importance to practice and knowing plays. Perhaps Caleb is picking it up quicker than Zach?
Maybe but the narrative from the team going into training camp was that Collins was going to be brought along slowly, because 19 year olds are obviously not ready play in the NBA! So they won't play him unless they have to, which is crap obviously.
