2020 Free Agency Thread

[e_blazer]

Joe Freeman’s thoughts on who the Blazers should go after. Put me down for Crowder.

https://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/...the-portland-trail-blazers-should-target.html

 

[blazerkor]

It seems like we still need another big and someone who can actually play PG beside Dame, and isn't just a smaller player in that spot.
All of this is assuming Hood comes back as he said he would.

Point Guard
Jeff Teague - Career 11/5 shooting .356 from '3'. 32 years old
Dellavedova - Career 5.6/3.7 in 20 mpg. .368 from '3'. 30 years old.
Elfrid Payton - Career 11/6.6. Not good from '3'. Solid defensively. 26 years old.
Kris Dunn - Career 8/4. Only .306 from '3' Very good defensively. 26 years old.
Rajon Rondo - 7/5 in 20 mpg last year. From terrible to ~35% from '3' the last 5 seasons. Good defense. 34 years old. (2 rings)
Shabazz 2.0 - 11.6/3.8 in 24 mpg. .358 from '3'. 29 years old and tight with Dame.

Left players like Clarkson/Bradley off because they're not really PG's. Dragic and VanVleet, unattainable.

Power Forward / Center
Ibaka - Dream fit. Rumored that Brookly and the Lakers are interested. Same money, better chance at a ring.
Favors - 9/10 last season with good defense. 29 years old.
JaMychal - 7/6 in 20 mpg and a career .374 from '3'. 30 years old. 6'8", 7'2+" wingspan
Millsap - 11.6/5.7 last season in 24 mpg. Steadily declining the last 4 years.Career .343 from '3'. 35 years old.
Ch Wood - 13/6 in 21 mpg last year. Career .368 from '3'. 25 years old.
Tr Thompson - 12/10 in 30 mpg. N '3's until last year where in minimal attempts, hit .391%. 29 years old.
Meyers 2.0 - Career .390% from '3'. That's about all there is to say.
RoLo - Crowd favorite and mascot nightmare. 5/2 in 15 mpg playing behind his brother. 32 years old.
Maker - 5/3 in 13 mpg. .344 from '3' last year. IIRC, Blazers had interest back when he was Drafted. 23 years old.
C-Stein - 5/5 in 12 mpg. Strictly a Center. 27 years old.

Rondo seems like he would be perfect as he has chapionship pedigree but isn't a starter anymore.
Ibaka seems far-fetched and Wood probably over-priced. Would take Favors and Green before Millsap.

I know you've been watching, so you have to know that CJ can definitely play point guard when Dame's not on the floor, in fact CJ is much better at point guard than he is at shooting guard. So until the day my dreams come true and CJ is traded away for a better fit, it would be crazy of Neil to spend real money on a backup PG that would never see significant playing time.

 

[TBpup]

I know you've been watching, so you have to know that CJ can definitely play point guard when Dame's not on the floor, in fact CJ is much better at point guard than he is at shooting guard. So until the day my dreams come true and CJ is traded away for a better fit, it would be crazy of Neil to spend real money on a backup PG that would never see significant playing time.

I would say CJ is a better PG when Dame is out of the game completely. When CJ just plays backup PG when Dame is resting on the bench, it doesn't seem to be the same. I don't doubt his ability....just his willingness when Dame is in uniform.

 

[Buffalo Custard]

Crowder and Noel?

 

[Natebishop3]

I would say CJ is a better PG when Dame is out of the game completely. When CJ just plays backup PG when Dame is resting on the bench, it doesn't seem to be the same. I don't doubt his ability....just his willingness when Dame is in uniform.

It's like when Dame is out and CJ is running the point, he thinks it's MeJ time. His time to shine. Gotta put up those stats!

 

[BonesJones]

LaMarcus said he'd be a Blazer too.

We secondly don't know Neil wants him back, he is averse to more talented players with Achilles injuries.

Now your saying we will sign Gallinari so backup PF is the most critical position and RoCo can play SF? Im all for that hypothetical.... I'm not writing in Hood or Gallinari until Woj tweets it.

If you think Hood = Aldridge you're sorely mistaken.

 

[BigGameDamian]

Crowder and Noel?

Solid!

 

[Chris Craig]

LaMarcus said he'd be a Blazer too.

We secondly don't know Neil wants him back, he is averse to more talented players with Achilles injuries.

Now your saying we will sign Gallinari so backup PF is the most critical position and RoCo can play SF? Im all for that hypothetical.... I'm not writing in Hood or Gallinari until Woj tweets it.

Isn't Galinari going to Dallas?

 

[Pinwheel1]

in fact CJ is much better at point guard than he is at shooting guard.

I can not possibly disagree with anything more than this. CJ is a great scorer. That is his strength. He is a master at numerous types of shots. His versatility in shooting the ball is amazing.....top 5 in the 50 years of this franchise at doing so.

As a point guard on the other hand he is below average. And that is fine, he should not be playing there.

 

[Scalma]

When is the last time a non woj source broke any blazers news?

quick and Ezeli, I remember because he was so proud of himself.

 

[LayneStaley]

Sign Crowder and I think we are the 2 or 3 seed worst case. Roco and Crowder are D Forwards that also hit the 3 and don’t take shit. Would be the best Frontcourt we have had in 2 decades.

 

[blazerkor]

I can not possibly disagree with anything more than this. CJ is a great scorer. That is his strength. He is a master at numerous types of shots. His versatility in shooting the ball is amazing.....top 5 in the 50 years of this franchise at doing so.

As a point guard on the other hand he is below average. And that is fine, he should not be playing there.

I'll make it easier, CJ's ball dominance and lack of size make him a better fit at the 1 than at the 2... remember because CJ does like to forget, there are two ends of the floor but even on offense, CJ is better when he is relied on to be the primary play maker.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Tr Thompson - 12/10 in 30 mpg. N '3's until last year where in minimal attempts, hit .391%. 29 years old.

Thompson is only 29!?!?

I doubt we can afford him, but he's a player I'd be pleased to get.

 

[TBpup]

quick and Ezeli, I remember because he was so proud of himself.

Since Ezeli never played, does it count?

 

[TBpup]

Thompson is only 29!?!?

I doubt we can afford him, but he's a player I'd be pleased to get.

Doesn't it seem like he should be older? Been in the league forever....

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

It seems like we still need another big and someone who can actually play PG beside Dame, and isn't just a smaller player in that spot.
All of this is assuming Hood comes back as he said he would.

Point Guard
Jeff Teague - Career 11/5 shooting .356 from '3'. 32 years old
Dellavedova - Career 5.6/3.7 in 20 mpg. .368 from '3'. 30 years old.
Elfrid Payton - Career 11/6.6. Not good from '3'. Solid defensively. 26 years old.
Kris Dunn - Career 8/4. Only .306 from '3' Very good defensively. 26 years old.
Rajon Rondo - 7/5 in 20 mpg last year. From terrible to ~35% from '3' the last 5 seasons. Good defense. 34 years old. (2 rings)
Shabazz 2.0 - 11.6/3.8 in 24 mpg. .358 from '3'. 29 years old and tight with Dame.

Left players like Clarkson/Bradley off because they're not really PG's. Dragic and VanVleet, unattainable.

Power Forward / Center
Ibaka - Dream fit. Rumored that Brookly and the Lakers are interested. Same money, better chance at a ring.
Favors - 9/10 last season with good defense. 29 years old.
JaMychal - 7/6 in 20 mpg and a career .374 from '3'. 30 years old. 6'8", 7'2+" wingspan
Millsap - 11.6/5.7 last season in 24 mpg. Steadily declining the last 4 years.Career .343 from '3'. 35 years old.
Ch Wood - 13/6 in 21 mpg last year. Career .368 from '3'. 25 years old.
Tr Thompson - 12/10 in 30 mpg. N '3's until last year where in minimal attempts, hit .391%. 29 years old.
Meyers 2.0 - Career .390% from '3'. That's about all there is to say.
RoLo - Crowd favorite and mascot nightmare. 5/2 in 15 mpg playing behind his brother. 32 years old.
Maker - 5/3 in 13 mpg. .344 from '3' last year. IIRC, Blazers had interest back when he was Drafted. 23 years old.
C-Stein - 5/5 in 12 mpg. Strictly a Center. 27 years old.

Rondo seems like he would be perfect as he has chapionship pedigree but isn't a starter anymore.
Ibaka seems far-fetched and Wood probably over-priced. Would take Favors and Green before Millsap.

I guess I would go for JaMychal and either Dunn or Payton. Doesn't seem like any PGs have it all and Stotts may not want to use a second PG anyway, so might as well go with a guy who could be used in certain spots on defense. Maybe put him out there if an opposing player gets too hot.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

Crowder and Noel?

I don't think either will be available; I think Crowder really wants to stay with Miami and Noel really wants to go to Philly.

 

[e_blazer]

It's like when Dame is out and CJ is running the point, he thinks it's MeJ time. His time to shine. Gotta put up those stats!

Given the available roster that the Blazers had most of last year, I'd say that it's more like, "Dame is out, who the hell else but me can put the ball in the hole?"

 

[TBpup]

Given the available roster that the Blazers had most of last year, I'd say that it's more like, "Dame is out, who the hell else but me can put the ball in the hole?"

CJ was tied for 10th....10TH in eFG% last year with Zach Collins. It seems like there were a number of options that had a better chance of making a bucket. CJ just doesn't seem to realize that. eFG might not be the best way to measure, but CJ wasn't overly proficient either.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

An interesting depth chart if Neil decided to do this;

Sign and trade Whiteside for LaMarcus
Sign Millsap for tax MLE
Resign Hood
Resign Melo
Sign Austin Rivers for BAE
Trade for Kanter with trade exception

Dame Rivers Simons
CJ Trent
Roco Melo Hood
LMA Millsap Little
Nurk Kanter Collins

Would be an offseason trader Bob could appreciate. Don't have to worry about hard cap if the team uses tax MLE instead of full nontax MLE.

Of course this exact depth chart isn't likely... but shows that Neil has a lot of options to add players. Hopefully he can do better than our normal free agent offseasons.

 

[Labinot41]

Would you guys offer Crowder the full MLE over 4 years?

 

[GoBlazersGo]

Would you guys offer Crowder the full MLE over 4 years?

Fuck yes... in less than one heartbeat!

 

[Pinwheel1]

I'll make it easier, CJ's ball dominance and lack of size make him a better fit at the 1 than at the 2... remember because CJ does like to forget, there are two ends of the floor but even on offense, CJ is better when he is relied on to be the primary play maker.

No that is completely wrong as well. For one thing, you are too hung up on size. Think Chris Paul. The dude is about 5'11". He can guard almost anyone. Hell, he did better against Durant one year than his teammates. “It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog.”

Lightning-quick PGs are a nightmare to cover. You think because CJ is short he can guard quicker players better than he can guard taller players? Granted CJ is not a willing defender until late in the game. A lot of scorers do not turn up the D until the 4th. Stotts needs to make sure now that with more depth behind him, that he does.

As for being better on offense when he is the primary playmaker, sure he scores more when he plays with the 2nd team. That is his role and why Terry plays him with the bench. But when he is surrounded by multiple shooters like Trent/ Hood/Melo (And of course Dame) he is not the black hole others complain about. Personally, I have no problem with him coming off the bench behind Trent at SG, because I know he will be out there when the game is on the line. And that is more important.

 

[Sheldon Shape]

Would you guys offer Crowder the full MLE over 4 years?

No. I like him but I think we need a true 4. Also we have Nassir who can play some minutes. Millsap makes more sense to me. Or Christian Woods.

 

[TBpup]

Would you guys offer Crowder the full MLE over 4 years?

I'd feel better about giving it to him then when Olshey gave so much to Beibs, Harkless, Aminu, etc.

 

[TBpup]

"Completely wrong'?

 

[James lamphear]

Who ever Neil goes after with the full MLE today he needs be aggressive about it. If he can't get his guy then he needs to break it between usable players.

 

[blazerkor]

An interesting depth chart if Neil decided to do this;

Sign and trade Whiteside for LaMarcus
Sign Millsap for tax MLE
Resign Hood
Resign Melo
Sign Austin Rivers for BAE
Trade for Kanter with trade exception

Dame Rivers Simons
CJ Trent
Roco Melo Hood
LMA Millsap Little
Nurk Kanter Collins

Would be an offseason trader Bob could appreciate. Don't have to worry about hard cap if the team uses tax MLE instead of full nontax MLE.

Of course this exact depth chart isn't likely... but shows that Neil has a lot of options to add players. Hopefully he can do better than our normal free agent offseasons.

I really think LMA's days at the 4 are far behind him. I've watched him pretty closely the last two seasons and his mobility has gone to shit. So it's probably not good for our team to plan on starting him and Nurk together. I realize that on offense he can stretch the floor but our perimeter D with him at the 4 would be even more disastrous than it is already looking like it will be without him.

 

[e_blazer]

CJ was tied for 10th....10TH in eFG% last year with Zach Collins. It seems like there were a number of options that had a better chance of making a bucket. CJ just doesn't seem to realize that. eFG might not be the best way to measure, but CJ wasn't overly proficient either.

I'm not going to argue that CJ is an efficient shooter. He forces way too many bad shots. I do think that you have to acknowledge that some of that is a result of him not having a lot of good options when Dame isn't playing. Here's a box score from the Boston game last season, when Dame was out with the groin injury:



There are decent options with the starting unit, but not much with the second unit. When Dame isn't injured, the only time CJ runs the point is when Dame takes a break, so that's mostly with the second unit.

But, yeah, CJ would be a lot more palatable as a player if he was a bit less of a black hole on offense.

 

[B-Roy]

Jae Crowder is not a good shooter. His shooting splits with Miami look like an aberration if you look at the rest of his career.