2017 Offseason: The Schilly Edition

[Schilly]

Reading all the threads and different topics within aspects of the offseason I decided to kind of create my own perceived summary of how I see it and what I think we should do. Feel free to add your own overall summary as well.

Where the team stands
The Blazers are currently the youngest team in the NBA. What set's them apart is they have scraped into the playoffs the last 2 seasons while other young teams are sitting waiting for lottery balls to pop up... And again Portland is the youngest. As things stand right now today we could roll this same team out next year and in all likelihood this team would move up in the standings from where they finished this season. In other words no significant changes are necessary.

Luxury Tax
The Blazers will be over the Luxury Tax threshold if they don't shed some salary by the last game of the regular season in 2018. They also won't have to worry about repeat offender implications until the last game of the regular season in 2020. So while they will be paying Luxury tax rates, Paul Allen is the only person who really should care about that, aka it's not my problem.

The Bigger issue with salaries
The bigger issue with salaries is some of the players likely are going to be hard to move this summer due to the size of their salaries. Crabbe coming off a sub-par season and foot surgery will be tough. Turner again sub-par season and nagging injuries for the season are the big 2. Harkless and Leonard from a pure financial aspect aren't the killers.

How does the team move forward?
If Olshey tries to make changes to fix all the issues in one offseason there is a huge risk of losing the momentum the team already has going. Smaller tweaks, as well as setting things up to address the Luxury Tax can be put in motion, I'm going to bank on the idea that Paul Allen is fully aware of the Luxury Tax issue and was willing to write the checks. IMO we should be setting the table for when those contracts become easier to move, when they are on shorter deals. Right now with our team salary so front loaded in Dame and CJ and likely Nurk after next season we need to be looking at economical solutions for the bench. Talent for $ that in my eyes equates to players on rookie deals and/or Players signed for MLE.

My strategy if I were GM
#1 goal, don't screw up whats already going well. The 1st step is using my draft picks wisely to fortify what we already have. We are pretty well covered in the back court (Dame, CJ, Crabbe, Napier, Turner, Pat) and we have a pretty decent collection of SF by committee (Hark, Turner, Aminu, Layman even Crabbe). Front court has some serious depth issues and needs a boost (Nurk, Vonleh, Davis, Leonard). The draft needs to be used to boost PF/C position off the bench, and also to potentially add players that can relieve the stress of eventually unloading Crabbe/Turner etc... Next would be try to find a smallish move to trim a little extra salary by 2020.

Draft
Between #15 and #20 I believe the team needs to walk away with a C and a tall (6'10"+) PF/C these 2 pieces will be the guys that back up Nurkic and possible push Vonleh to start eventually. Of course BPA should always be the game plan and luckily for the Blazers BPA from 15-20 in most mocks is all posts that would meet our needs.

#15 Justin Patton (next 2 options John Collins, Jarrett Allen)
#20 Ivan Rabb (next 2 options Isaiah Hartenstein, TJ Leaf)

#26 is an interesting spot, we can easily make room for 2 draft picks by letting go of Ezeli and Quarterman. To make room for another we would need to either let go of Pat or make a consolidation trade. Best move here is simply BPA regardless of position. But if going by need for future I want a tall combo guard so...

#26 Derek White (next 2 Jordan Bell, Bam Adebayo)

Trades
Let's face it Trades are the sexy NBA transaction we all love, but a GM can only make trades as a Plan A while banking on Plan B or even Plan C as the realistic approach. Essentially, NO can't stake his offseason on making a trade. But here are a couple salary relieving trades one of which clears a roster spot for #26.

Option A
Meyers Leonard to Minnesota for Pekovic (Waive Pek)
Pekovic is done but still on the books for 2017/2018, so an expiring deal.

Option B
Meyers Leonard to New Orleans for Omer Asik and future 2nd round pick(s)
Asik's contrack is non-guaranteed for 2019/2020 if waived by June 30 2019

Those are just a couple quick ideas to help nudge us to a better salary place before that Repeat Offender kicks in. Other trades to consider would be combining Davis and Aminu to consolidate a bit.

Projected Camp Roster
PG Lillard - Napier - White
SG McCollum - Crabbe - Pat
SF Turner - Harkless - Layman
PF Vonleh - *Aminu - Rabb
C Nurkic - *Davis - Patton

 

[TBpup]

Using three 1st round Draft picks to get three 3rd string guys seems quite underwhelming. That doesn't really help the team at all. If that is the best we could do, trade them all.

 

[Schilly]

Using three 1st round Draft picks to get three 3rd string guys seems quite underwhelming. That doesn't really help the team at all. If that is the best we could do, trade them all.

I almost added a *note to indicate that 3rd string is really only this season, mostly due to the presence of other guys (Davis/Aminu) that should be gone after this upcoming season. It allows us to ease them into the system without the added pressure of having to contribute right away. Also Note I called it camp roster, not end of season playoff roster.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

Feel free to add your own overall summary as well.

And should each of us start his own thread also?

 

[Boob-No-More]

#26 is an interesting spot, we can easily make room for 2 draft picks by letting go of Ezeli and Quarterman. To make room for another we would need to either let go of Pat or make a consolidation trade.

No need to cut anyone else. Rosters are expanding to 17. So, just declining the final year of Ezeli's contract gives us enough roster spots to add all three draft picks.

Let's face it Trades are the sexy NBA transaction we all love, but a GM can only make trades as a Plan A while banking on Plan B or even Plan C as the realistic approach. Essentially, NO can't stake his offseason on making a trade.

I don't follow this line of reasoning. We are a small market team that can't attract top free agents, even when we have the cap space to offer a max contract, which we won't have for several years. We also won't suck bad enough any time soon to land a top 5 pick in the draft. So, trades are the best way to improve our team.

If I was Neil, I would absolutely go all in on trying to pry Paul George away from IND. I'd offer them all three draft picks and an additional lottery protected pick in 2019 (if necessary) and well as anyone on the roster besides Dame, C.J. and Nurk (but I'd really try to keep Vonleh, if possible). How else are we going to add a 4-time all star, who fits in with our timeline, to this roster? I'd absolutely swing for the fences and do everything I could to add Paul George to our current Big 3 of Dame, Nurk and C.J.

If that fails, Plan B would be to keep the picks and draft the three best players we can get in this very deep draft. If we can't get PG13, that's a damn solid fall back plan. Especially, as this draft seems to be very deep in big men that will be available where we are picking. If we can't get Paul George, at least we would find ourselves in the fortuitous position where drafting BPA would also address a need. No need to chose one over the other.

I'm curious why you didn't even mention the possibility of a Paul George trade, as it's been the hot topic around here the last few days. Do you not want to trade our picks for George, or do you not think we have a realistic chance of completing such a trade?

BNM

 

[Schilly]

No need to cut anyone else. Rosters are expanding to 17. So, just declining the final year of Ezeli's contract gives us enough roster spots to add all three draft picks.



I don't follow this line of reasoning. We are a small market team that can't attract top free agents, even when we have the cap space to offer a max contract, which we won't have for several years. We also won't suck bad enough any time soon to land a top 5 pick in the draft. So, trades are the best way to improve our team.

I'm curious why you didn't even mention the possibility of a Paul George trade, as it's been the hot topic around here the last few days. Do you not want to trade our picks for George, or do you not think we have a realistic chance of completing such a trade?

BNM

IMO a GM can't build their offseason plan by saying "I'm going to trade for Paul George". That doesn't mean that as a GM you don't try to do so. I don't think we will be able to trade for Paul George without giving up significant pieces that will make it feel like a reset again. If we could trade Crabbe, Harkless and the 3 picks then sure, but then we still haven't fixed our backup Post issues at all and we then don't have tangible assets to move for better posts.

You could call my summary the "Plan B" in the scenario I lined out, or basically the minimum, but safe plan.

 

[Schilly]

And should each of us start his own thread also?

No but my thoughts are more valuable than most so it's deserving of it's own thread.

Mostly I wanted to consolidate all the ideas off the offseason into a single thread instead of scattered all over.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

OK, my summary; start at the top and work down. Try to make a trade to get either Butler or George or any other difference-maker who is available. If that doesn't work, try to trade up in the draft, I would like to get far enough up to get a SF like Tatum or Josh Jackson, probably not possible so would be OK with getting far enough up to take Jonathan Isaac. If that's not possible try to trade up for Zack Collins.
If none of that is possible, draft for BPA, especially for potential, guys with lots of confidence, and either develop them or use in trades in the future.
Trade Leonard for anything but don't attach draft picks. Wait on the other guys until a better opportunity presents itself or until they play enough better to make themselves more valuable (and their contracts shorter).

 

[Boob-No-More]

IMO a GM can't build their offseason plan by saying "I'm going to trade for Paul George". That doesn't mean that as a GM you don't try to do so. I don't think we will be able to trade for Paul George without giving up significant pieces that will make it feel like a reset again. If we could trade Crabbe, Harkless and the 3 picks then sure, but then we still haven't fixed our backup Post issues at all and we then don't have tangible assets to move for better posts.

You could call my summary the "Plan B" in the scenario I lined out, or basically the minimum, but safe plan.

All off season plans require several contingency plans, but I think you make your dream scenario your Plan A. You can't ever achieve it if you don't at least try. If it becomes obvious that that one isn't happening, you immediately move to Plan B. IND has said they are willing to trade Paul George rather than risk losing him to free agency, without compensation, next summer. He will be traded and he will go to the highest bidder. Since trading him signals IND is in complete rebuild mode, draft picks are the most valuable trade commodity and we happen to have more 1st round picks in this draft than anyone else. It may seem like a pipe dream to some, but I don't think us getting Paul George is completely delusional.

So, you go all in for George, but if you don't get the deal made on, or before, draft day, your proceed with your Plan B.

You don't pass on a talent like Paul George because you still have other needs to address. If we add PG13 to Dame, C.J. and Nurk, we will become a destination for cheap vets who want to win. We can pick up one, or two of those guys, to help with the back up 4 and 5 spots. A guy like Kyle O'Quinn is cheap and rumored to be available. Hell, IND would gladly give us (more accurately force us to take) Al Jefferson as part of a Paul George trade. I'd be perfectly happy with Big Al backing up Nurk for the next season, or two (the second season would be at our discretion, since it's not fully guaranteed).

If we become a win now (or at least win soon) team by adding Paul George, there will ways, other than the draft, to address our bench needs (MLE, vet min, other minor trades. etc.). Getting a talent like Paul George is the hard part. Addressing the other needs is easy, by comparison. If Neil can pull a rabbit out of his hat (other the other end) and land us Paul George, I am 100% confident he will come up with a way to address our other needs.

BNM

 

[Boob-No-More]

You don't pass on a talent like Paul George because you still have other needs to address. If we add PG13 to Dame, C.J. and Nurk, we will become a destination for cheap vets who want to win. We can pick up one, or two of those guys, to help with the back up 4 and 5 spots. A guy like Kyle O'Quinn is cheap and rumored to be available. Hell, IND would gladly give us (more accurately force us to take) Al Jefferson as part of a Paul George trade. I'd be perfectly happy with Big Al backing up Nurk for the next season, or two (the second season would be at our discretion, since it's not fully guaranteed).

If we become a win now (or at least win soon) team by adding Paul George, there will ways, other than the draft, to address our bench needs (MLE, vet min, other minor trades. etc.). Getting a talent like Paul George is the hard part. Addressing the other needs is easy, by comparison. If Neil can pull a rabbit out of his hat (other the other end) and land us Paul George, I am 100% confident he will come up with a way to address our other needs.

BNM

Just to further emphasize this point. Last summer, GSW had to trade Andrew Bogut and let Maurice Speights and Festus Ezili walk in order to clear enough cap space to sign Kevin Durant. At that time of the Durant signing, their font court was severely depleted.

Then, they went out a signed Zaza Pachulia, JaVale McGee and David West for a LOT less money and the play of their front court did not suffer at all. If anything, it got better as the three replacements were healthier and more durable than the guys they replaced.

Outgoing:
Andrew Bogut: $12,000,000
Maurice Speights: $3,815,000
Festus Ezeli: $2,008,748
Total: $17,823,748

Incoming:
Zaza Pachulia: $2,898,000
David West: $1,551,659
JaVale McGee: $1,403,611
Total: $5,853,270

You don't pass on a star player like Kevin Durant or Paul George because you're worried about your role players. If you're lucky enough to add a star player, you'll be able to get the role players you need.

BNM

 

[tester551]

No need to cut anyone else. Rosters are expanding to 17. So, just declining the final year of Ezeli's contract gives us enough roster spots to add all three draft picks.

That is technically incorrect.
Rosters will still be maintained at 15 players. The new 'twist' is that there are now 2 flex-contract players. They are assigned to the DLeague and can only play/practice with the NBA for a maximum of 45-days. Also, the max salary is $275,000 on these contracts. If the NBA team wants them around longer, they have to be signed to an NBA contract and count against the 15-man roster.

No 1st round pick will be willing to sign this type of contract. It remains to be seen if a team like Portland (who doesn't have a DLeague team) will find much value in these flex contracts.

Also, it will be interesting to see how many of the DLeague players will sign these contracts. If they sign them, then only 1 team has their rights & only 1 NBA team can pull them up. I'm thinking this might effectively end the 10-day call-ups we've had in the past.

http://dleaguedigest.com/2017/01/19/d-league-two-way-contracts-change-nba-landscape/

 

[Schilly]

BNM I get what you are saying but one thing is missing. We already know how hard it is to draw FA's even low level ones here. We have to contend 1st before anyone else is willing to take that pay cut to be part of the Blazers. Look I'd love us to get Paul George but I have doubts it happens without giving up CJ.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

@Schilly great post. I was going to do something like this but never got around to it.

Thoughts:

What Will and Won't Happen: Trades

• When it comes to trades, N.O. is a classic "Buy Low, Sell High" kind of guy. This bars certain trades suggested on these forums.
  
• N.O. will not make trades that suggest he made an error in an earlier trade or signing. Biebs for cap space will not happen - that would be admitting that signing Biebs was a mistake. A Biebs + #26 for Kyle O'Quinn type trade is much more reasonable, as it would appear that we were trading for a player instead of trying to get rid of a player (though we all know that it would be a two-fer!)
  
• N.O. won't trade ET unless it's a slam dunk. As N.O. has lamented, it's hard to get FAs to sign with Portland, and he had to grossly overpay ET to come here. FAs are less likely to sign in the future if the plight of Portland FAs is to get shipped off immediately to random locations. So, forget about ET for cap space trades, they won't happen. ET + assets for a starter is more in the realm of possibility, though.
  
• N.O. won't look to reduce cap space first, he'll do that last...

1. Plan A is the Paul Georges/Jimmy Butlers of the world. In fact, he's been working on a bunch of these already - trades like these are often years in the making. Some say this can't happen while others have said that it's a solid 33% chance. The truth is that we as fans don't really know how the GMs around the league value our draft picks and players. In a conventional year, the picks wouldn't count for much, but this indeed appears to be a very deep draft.
   
2. Plan B is the opportunistic trade a la Plumlee/Rolo/Harkless trades. He'll find a player that he sees as a potential starter or significant rotation player who others haven't seen that way, and end up with a great value (see for example, the Kyle O'Quinn trade, above).
   
3. Plan C is a minor adjustment/salary cap trade, e.g. trade Crabbe for a $12 mil/year player or Biebs for a $5 mil/year player. He'll only look for these after Plan A's and B's have been exhausted.

My Brave prediction for free agency: The Plan A's doesn't work out, and neither do the Plan B's. It's a tough call though, as N.O. has run a VERY tight ship, so I'll randomly go with the above KOQ trade: KOQ for Biebs + #26. It makes some sense. KOQ is 27, Portzingis is 21, Biebs is 25. KOQ played only 15.6 mpg for them last year, so not a big loss for them. They get a draft pick in a deep draft, too. We get some space.


What Will and Won't Happen: Draft

• By all accounts, Olshey seems to be a Tier drafter. He'll draft for position only after considering which tier they're in. Tiering this draft would be an excellent subject for another thread.
  
• Because of the ages of Dame and CJ, look for him to continue to draft upperclassmen that have a shorter acclimation-to-the-league time.
  
• He has said that now that Beast is on board, he'll look for players to complement our Big 3. So, look for Olshey to place a higher value on 3 and D guys.
• Positionally, I don't expect N.O. will draft a PG. It's a deep PG draft, but the best should be snagged, and I think he likes Shabazz. I also don't expect him to draft a short SG.

My Brave prediction for the draft: Justin Jackson at #15. Jackson is an upperclassman who's likely ready to play right away. He can handle the ball pretty well, and is a skilled offensive player. More importantly, he can fit the 3 and D guy role better than Harkless or Aminu. His shooting gives him a long term better fit than E.T. nbadraft.net has him as available to us with #15, though they have become less credible in recent years. draftexpress.com has him going #14 to the Heat - a scenario I find extremely unlikely as they need youth at almost every position EXCEPT small forward where they have Justise Winslow. I think he'll fall to us at #15, and we'll nab him a la the CJ draft. Also, it is important to note that the draft comes before free agency, and that Jackson would retain a good trade value into the free agency period.

edit:
http://www.basketballinsiders.com/2017-nba-consensus-mock-draft-ver-4-0/
each has Jackson gone by #15. Og and Ike seem to be the biggest question marks of the mock drafts.

 

[BBert]

From some other threads, I see people kvetching about how would the Blazers pay for big new Paul George and Nurkic contracts in the future, especially considering some of our current bloated contracts. I say, cross that bridge when you come to it and set yourself up with the best players possible in the meantime. The Crabbe, Turner and Leonard contracts will be easier to move in each subsequent year. With a big 4 of Dame/CJ/PG/Nurk, we could easily fill out the roster with cheaper contracts. IOW: I'm all in for Paul George, if we can do it without giving up Dame/CJ/Nurk. Git 'er dun, Neil.

 

[riverman]

That is technically incorrect.
Rosters will still be maintained at 15 players. The new 'twist' is that there are now 2 flex-contract players. They are assigned to the DLeague and can only play/practice with the NBA for a maximum of 45-days. Also, the max salary is $275,000 on these contracts. If the NBA team wants them around longer, they have to be signed to an NBA contract and count against the 15-man roster.

No 1st round pick will be willing to sign this type of contract. It remains to be seen if a team like Portland (who doesn't have a DLeague team) will find much value in these flex contracts.

Also, it will be interesting to see how many of the DLeague players will sign these contracts. If they sign them, then only 1 team has their rights & only 1 NBA team can pull them up. I'm thinking this might effectively end the 10-day call-ups we've had in the past.

http://dleaguedigest.com/2017/01/19/d-league-two-way-contracts-change-nba-landscape/

I believe you can stash one of the 17 in Europe if I'm not mistaken, which is what I think we'll do with one pick

 

[riverman]

I say you have to try to get another allstar, needle mover with the picks if you can because even though we're young....our best players are entering prime time years in CJ and Dame....PG is the right age to fit into their demographic as opposed to a DWade type guy. That and I ain't getting any younger.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Schilly, you know I adore you, but I can't stand when people assume we'll be better if we stand pat. We basically rolled with the same team as the year before last, and got worse.

Plan A has to be Paul George, or another established all star level player via trade. That player HAS to be committed to playing both ends of the floor.

If that fails, plan B has to be moving at least 1-2 of the picks, and players if necessary, for either an established defensive player or to move up in the draft if there is a player the team believes can not only contribute next year, but for years to come, with growth to all star potential.

Plan C would be using the 3 picks. To me, you have to swing for tge fences on 2 of tgem, and must land Bell with the 3rd.

Status quo is not good enough to be taken seriously as a contender.

What ever happens, we HAVE to address the 4 and 5 spots. Back up center is a huge hole, and finding a long term answer at 4, or better depth there is key.

 

[BBert]

Perfect off season for me: Paul George, and a backup 4/5.

And Jordan Bell, just to make Mediocre Man happy.

 

[Boob-No-More]

BNM I get what you are saying but one thing is missing. We already know how hard it is to draw FA's even low level ones here. We have to contend 1st before anyone else is willing to take that pay cut to be part of the Blazers. Look I'd love us to get Paul George but I have doubts it happens without giving up CJ.

I disagree 100%. No way do we even offer C.J. for what could end up being a 1-year rental of Paul George, which is what it will be is we don't have a successful season, and by successful, I mean at least top 4 seed in the West.

A year ago, that may have made more sense, but IND's plans have changed. A year ago, they weren't really looking to trade Paul George. Now, they are, and in doing so, are doing a complete reset and going with a total rebuild based on youth. C.J. is only a year younger that Paul George and his $106 million extension starts with the coming season. It makes no sense for them to move a 27 year old for a 26 year old who makes $106 million. That wouldn't help their rebuilding effort, it would actually slow it down.

They were entertaining offers for PG13 at the trade deadline, but were not desperate at that time, as they still believed they still had the upper had at resigning him due to the assumption that they could offer him about $75 million more than anyone else using the DPE. When George did not make one of the three All NBA teams, they lost the ability to offer him a $210 extension this summer, and unless he makes one of the All NBA teams next summer, they would lose their advantage in resigning him, which means it would be very likely, pretty much guaranteed, they would lose him for nothing. This has caused IND's plans to change and PG13's trade value to go down.

It really is a bidding war. They will be in total tear down and rebuild mode. The best asset in that effort will be 1st round draft picks. Normally, that would mean at least one lottery pick, plus future first round picks and maybe a young player and/or an expiring contract in exchange for one of their bad contracts. This isn't a normal year, however. We don't have a lottery pick, but the 15th pick is the highest non-lottery pick, and we also have the 20th and 26th picks in a VERY deep draft. Three 1st round picks in those draft will REALLY help IND jump start their rebuilding effort. Throw in a youngish player, or two, to match PG13's outgoing salary, take back, one or more of their older guys and possibly throw in a protected 2019 1st round pick, and they will be hard pressed to get any better offers.

BOS is really the only team that can flat out assemble a better package and they have proven very reluctant to trade away any of their assets. They will go all in to sign Gordon Hayward using cap space. That will let them keep those BRK lottery picks that they covet so dearly, and means they won't be looking to add Paul George.

MIA is the other frequently mentioned trading partner. Sure they have a lottery pick, but it's #14, only one spot ahead of our non-lottery #15. Plus, it's the only 1st round pick they have in this draft. Our 15, 20 and 26 easily trumps their 14, and anything else they can offer.

SAC has two lottery picks, but they need them for their own rebuild and PG13 to SAC would be an obvious 1-year rental, which makes no sense for a team that would still be in the lottery even if they added Paul George.

We give George what he wants, a competitive team and we give IND what they want, the draft picks they need to jump star their rebuilding effort. No trade of C.J. McCollum necessary.

BNM

 

[BonesJones]

BNM I get what you are saying but one thing is missing. We already know how hard it is to draw FA's even low level ones here. We have to contend 1st before anyone else is willing to take that pay cut to be part of the Blazers.

We wouldn't have to contend 1st.

We've never had a team with 4 all-star level players. We'd definitely have a recognizable Big 3, and Nurk was an all-star level player for us last year.

The past wouldn't be comparable to the present if we landed George. Free agency would get flipped on its head.

 

[julius]

Schilly, you know I adore you, but I can't stand when people assume we'll be better if we stand pat. We basically rolled with the same team as the year before last, and got worse.

I think Nurk changes a lot of things. Doesn't mean they'll be a top 3 team next year, but he definitely makes a difference.

They could stand pat and improve (based on Nurk being healthy) but I'd much prefer them upgrading at at least the SF and PF starters.

 

[Boob-No-More]

We have to contend 1st before anyone else is willing to take that pay cut to be part of the Blazers.

I also disagree with this statement. We were 14-6 with Nurk. Sure that's only a quarter for a season, but that's a 57-win pace and our sudden turnaround after adding Nurk was one of the hottest stories after the all star break.

Add Paul George to that (without giving up Dame or C.J.) and it's easy to see that team as a contender, at least a top 4 team in the West, and I think think a full season of Nurk + Paul George would get us to the 2nd seed in the West.

That doesn't make us GSW or CLE when it comes to veteran ring chasers, but the dominance of those two teams could actually work in our favor. They only have so many roster spots available, and if we're next in line, we could have our pick of any cheap vets that don't hook up with GSW or CLE.

I think if we add PG13 to Dame, Nurk and C.J., we could easily be the 3rd best team in the league. SAS is on the way down. HOU had a good regular season but is not built for playoff success. The Clippers will either be a year older and a year more injury prone, or they will lose one, or more of CP3, BG and Redick. UTA may end up losing Hayward. None of the teams in the East really has a shot at getting past CLE.

So, if you were a vet, looking to play for a winner and willing to accept a vet min deal, other than GSW and CLE, who else would you consider ahead of POR + PG13?

BNM

 

[Boob-No-More]

We wouldn't have to contend 1st.

We've never had a team with 4 all-star level players. We'd definitely have a recognizable Big 3, and Nurk was an all-star level player for us last year.

The past wouldn't be comparable to the present if we landed George. Free agency would get flipped on its head.

You said what I wanted to say faster and with fewer words.

Adding PG13 to Dame, C.J. and Nurk puts us on the map for veteran ring chasers. We may not be their #1 or #2 destination, but GSW and CLE only have so many roster spots to go around.

BNM

 

[Wizard Mentor]

You said what I wanted to say faster and with fewer words.

Adding PG13 to Dame, C.J. and Nurk puts us on the map for veteran ring chasers. We may not be their #1 or #2 destination, but GSW and CLE only have so many roster spots to go around.

BNM

Not to mention that Olshey would almost instantly earn exec of the year, and Dame and PG become all stars.

 

[Mediocre Man]

I think Nurk changes a lot of things. Doesn't mean they'll be a top 3 team next year, but he definitely makes a difference.

They could stand pat and improve (based on Nurk being healthy) but I'd much prefer them upgrading at at least the SF and PF starters.

Maybe. I know most NBA scouting is based on film, and Portland, with Nurk last year, wasn't scouted like they will have been now. Teams will start forcing the ball block left a lot more next year. Unless we address a few issues, we will be 5-10 next season, and 1 and out in playoffs because of defense.

 

[Boob-No-More]

Outgoing:
Andrew Bogut: $12,000,000
Maurice Speights: $3,815,000
Festus Ezeli: $2,008,748
Total: $17,823,748

Incoming:
Zaza Pachulia: $2,898,000
David West: $1,551,659
JaVale McGee: $1,403,611
Total: $5,853,270

I would also like to point out that all six of those guys will likely be on the market this summer.

Of course, no on will want Ezeli until he can prove he can walk without a cane. Bogut is also coming off an injury, but broken bone aren't usually career ending (Joe Thiesman begs to differ) and Bogut never really relied on athleticism to be effective.

The point is, all of Zaza, JaVale and Davis West are unrestricted free agents this summer. That means one of two things, either all three re-sign with GSW, which fills up their quota of roster spots for ring chasing bigs, or one or more is available for the taking.

At the very least, the more cheap veteran bigs on the market the better for us (especially if we land Paul George). Other veteran bigs that will/may be available include Nene, Dewayne Dedmon, Taj Gibson, Greg Monroe, Roy Hibbert, Amir Johnson, James Johnson, Serge Ibaka, Blake Griffin, David Lee, Pau Gasol, Paul Millsap, Patrick Patterson, Zach Randolph and Tiago Splitter. Some of these guys might not opt out, and some will be out of our price range. But ultimately, the more bigs there are on the market this summer, the better for us.

And even beyond free agents, I would be targeting guys who are on reasonable contracts that are underutilized or don't fit into their current team's plans. I've been mentioning Kyle O'Quinn for several months, and I'll also throw Cole Aldridch out there as a potential target.

O'Quinn is a high energy elite shot blocker and rebounder who is stuck behind Porzingis and Hernangomez in NY. At 27, he doesn't fit in with the Knicks youth movement, but is the exact same age as Dame (and Paul George). He is capable of backing up both the PF and center positions.

After having a great season backing up DeAndre Jordan, Aldrich signed a very team friendly contract to play close to home for MIN, but he barely got to play. He racked up 20 DNP-CDs and when he did play, he only averaged 8.6 MPG. At 28, again he's too old for his current team, but perfect for ours. His stat's took a nose dive with his reduced role in MIN, but for the three season's before that he was pretty much the perfect back up center, an efficient scoring, rebounding, rim protecting stud.

MIN will be under the cap, and has been 29th or 30th in made 3-pointers for three straight years. They need outside shooting and they need it desperately. I'd offer them Meyers Leonard straight up for Cole Aldrich. Aldich would give us a real back up center and Leonard would give them some much needed spacing for KAT and Dieng down low and Wiggins slashing to the basket. We'd also save about $3 million a year in salary, that MIN can easily absorb.

If we do trade our picks, I'd be more than happy adding O'Quinn and Aldrich to our front court. Both are rebounding, shot blocking studs. They are also both efficient, opportunistic scorers.

There are bargains out their and Neil seems to specialize in those kind of trades.

A trade that lands us Paul George would be a grand slam. Adding O'Quinn and Aldrich would be a pair of ground rule doubles. Not nearly as exciting as landing Paul George, but much better than standing pat and taking strike three looking.

BNM

 

[damianlillard]

honestly i think the pacers would actually take a crabbe, #15 and #20, harkless, and meyers for pg13, jefferson, and glenn robinson. this trade is ideal for the blazers and the pacers. the blazers get an all star player meanwhile the pacers get 2 young players in crabbe and harkless that could transform into a perfect big 3 with myles turner for them. then with the 26th pick the blazers should get jonah bolden. that guy is gonna be a beast in this league.
dame/napier
cj/turner/pat
pg13/aminu/robinson
vonleh/bolden
nurkic/jefferson/davis
the blazers starting core get even better and in my opinion better than the warriors. the bench get simpler which is better because everyone would know what their role is every game and not expect that to change. the issues will be cure with winning and we will win 2018 championship

 

[Mediocre Man]

honestly i think the pacers would actually take a crabbe, #15 and #20, harkless, and meyers for pg13, jefferson, and glenn robinson. this trade is ideal for the blazers and the pacers. the blazers get an all star player meanwhile the pacers get 2 young players in crabbe and harkless that could transform into a perfect big 3 with myles turner for them. then with the 26th pick the blazers should get jonah bolden. that guy is gonna be a beast in this league.
dame/napier
cj/turner/pat
pg13/aminu/robinson
vonleh/bolden
nurkic/jefferson/davis
the blazers starting core get even better and in my opinion better than the warriors. the bench get simpler which is better because everyone would know what their role is every game and not expect that to change. the issues will be cure with winning and we will win 2018 championship

If Crabbe and Harkless will turn into Indys big 3, why not keep them? Is it because there is no way in hell they do?

Pacers better off keeping PG and taking cap space if he leaves

 

[1eyejack]

This won't be popular but Id trade CJ and draft/picks for George or Butler if they'd sign long term. Hate losing CJ but one of those two instantly make us better even with losing CJ and yes I love CJ's game but got to give to get. With two legit stars in Dame and George or Butler guys will want to come play with them.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

This won't be popular but Id trade CJ and draft/picks for George or Butler if they'd sign long term. Hate losing CJ but one of those two instantly make us better even with losing CJ and yes I love CJ's game but got to give to get. With two legit stars in Dame and George or Butler guys will want to come play with them.

Nothing wrong with that at all. The uncertainness attached to his future status is the only reason he's even theoretically available. If he had 3+ years remaining, he's easily worth CJ + more.