Afflalo?

[Rastapopoulos]

Is it really true that Afflalo has opted out of his deal, freeing up over $7 million in cap space??? Surely this is too good to be true!

 

[magnifier661]

Yes he plans on opting out of his contract to get a multiyear deal. Maybe seeing Matthews get that serious injury made him seek a multi-year deal?

 

[blue9]

Both good & bad. Good to not have him, but bad because now we can't trade him. It's always nice to have a couple mid-tier guys on moderate contracts to aid with trades. With him opting out, Gee done, Rolo done, Wright done and Blake being Blake we don't have much to make trades. And trades are much more likely to improve the team than Free Agency.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

But is it true?

If it is, the good far outweighs the bad, because after his season, I don't think anybody would trade for him. Remember that we got him essentially for a song - the team that got him waived two of the players immediately.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

This is the closest confirmation I could get, and it seems pretty flimsy.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Considering the level of reporting accuracy throughout that post of Stein's, I wouldn't put a whole lot of stock in what he's hearing.

 

[santeesioux]

Stein should stick to talking about the Buffalo Sabres on Twitter.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

it would have been way better on an expiring deal, this would kinda suck

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Maybe Afflalo is opting out just to pre-empt being traded as an expiring. (Because otherwise he's being pretty wildly irresponsible turning down $7 + mil.) In which case, fair play to him. I still say it's nice to have the cap room.

 

[Strenuus]

Ya'll. if AA was here and used as intended with the trade, he's money.

I love AA. Wish he would stay.

 

[BBert]

Backups as of now:

PG Frazier
SG CJ
SF Afflalo
PF Meyers
C Kaman

Plus or instead whoever we sign this summer, probably a PG or SF.

That's a LOT better bench than we've had in a LONG time.

 

[Orion Bailey]

Backups as of now:

PG Frazier
SG CJ
SF Afflalo
PF Meyers
C Kaman

Plus or instead whoever we sign this summer, probably a PG or SF.

That's a LOT better bench than we've had in a LONG time.

I would add Freeland on there. He has some value because he is bigger. He can back up either center or PF.

 

[BBert]

I would add Freeland on there. He has some value because he is bigger. He can back up either center or PF.

I agree for sure. A lot of posters are sure Freeland won't be back. I was surprised he got no run in the playoffs (injured?). I would keep him if possible.

LaMarcus/Meyers/Rolo/Kaman/Freeland still looks pretty good to me. Of course, upgrades are always the goal, but barring that, I'm cool bringing back that lineup.

 

[Schilly]

How about that our Starting lineup has more question marks than our bench.

 

[Draco]

He won't do it officially until the deadline on June 30th. There is no benefit for him to do it earlier but if he got in a car wreck or some other unlikely event he could cancel and decide to keep the $7.5 million.

We won't be able to use any of his cap space until he signs a new contract or we renounce his rights.

This is bad news for the Blazers in that he has value on a $7.5 million expiring contract. Sure there is a chance we could resign him or find a better use of that salary but from what we know now the Blazers are going to lose an asset when he opts out.

 

[Draco]

Backups as of now:

PG Frazier
SG CJ
SF Afflalo
PF Meyers
C Kaman

Plus or instead whoever we sign this summer, probably a PG or SF.

That's a LOT better bench than we've had in a LONG time.

Frazier got cut by the worst team in the league but you think he's ready to be a rotational player? I expect him to be cut before training camp.

I doubt Afflalo comes back if we resign Wes. The rest of our bench looks better than in years past but its still very unproven. Rolo has never looked worse as a Blazer starter. Lillard ended the year poorly and for the season was the 10th most accurate Blazer 3 point shooter. Wes is dealing with a career altering injury. So while I think the bench has more promise than in years past our starters now have more questions.

I still like a lot with our team and want to see them give it another go but there could be some big challenges.

 

[Draco]

I agree for sure. A lot of posters are sure Freeland won't be back. I was surprised he got no run in the playoffs (injured?). I would keep him if possible.

LaMarcus/Meyers/Rolo/Kaman/Freeland still looks pretty good to me. Of course, upgrades are always the goal, but barring that, I'm cool bringing back that lineup.

Freeland has value at the end of the bench for sure but Neil needs to focus elsewhere first. Once he's locked up the starters, got our draft pick, and used the MLE we can think about retaining Freeland. But will we have another big after those moves? Will we need to use the roster spots on wings or the back court? Will another team offer Freeland a raise from the $3 million he earned? There are scenarios where we could keep him but overall I'd guess odds are the Blazers go in a different direction.

 

[Schilly]

Frazier got cut by the worst team in the league but you think he's ready to be a rotational player? I expect him to be cut before training camp.

Not disagreeing 100%, but that's a little incomplete way of looking at it IMO. He was cut from his 2nd 10 day contract to make room for them picking up Thomas Robinson. IIRC if a player is signed beyond their 2nd 10 day they become a remainder of the year player, so in reality they cut the cheapest guy they could to make room for adding salary. Frazier did average 5.7points, 3.2reb and 7.2ast in 6 games. He also won D-League ROY and MVP. I know it's d-League, but he has game... Regular rotation game? Not sure yet, but it is nice IMO to have him locked up for now.

 

[Draco]

Not disagreeing 100%, but that's a little incomplete way of looking at it IMO. He was cut from his 2nd 10 day contract to make room for them picking up Thomas Robinson. IIRC if a player is signed beyond their 2nd 10 day they become a remainder of the year player, so in reality they cut the cheapest guy they could to make room for adding salary. Frazier did average 5.7points, 3.2reb and 7.2ast in 6 games. He also won D-League ROY and MVP. I know it's d-League, but he has game... Regular rotation game? Not sure yet, but it is nice IMO to have him locked up for now.

He was cut to bring in a few months rental of Thomas Robinson; that tells you all you need to know. Does anyone here want to bring Thomas Robinson back? Frazier is a player with less value than him.

The main reason we locked Frzier up is so we can have an unguaranteed contract to throw into a trade that our trading partner can use to cut salary. Its basically a way of getting a trade exception. Blazer fans love to overrate the 15th man on the roster.

 

[Draco]

Maybe Afflalo is opting out just to pre-empt being traded as an expiring. (Because otherwise he's being pretty wildly irresponsible turning down $7 + mil.) In which case, fair play to him. I still say it's nice to have the cap room.

He has a chance of getting a $40+ million multi year contract; and at the least will resign a one year deal with a team for $4-5 million. So he earns $30+ million or losses $2 million a damn smart gamble. Yes I get your not a fan of his but your statements are delusional.

 

[BBert]

Frazier got cut by the worst team in the league but you think he's ready to be a rotational player? I expect him to be cut before training camp.

Actually I think Frazier is about a third string point guard, but that with a full training camp he may be able to compete with Steve Blake for the no. 2 point guard position. Steve Blake. We talkin' 'bout Steve Blake. That's why I think there is a good chance we bring in another PG.

 

[BBert]

Yeah, Afflalo may be better off getting a long term contract, even for a smaller yearly amount, now, while he can. Pity, because we gave up assets to get him.

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

Yeah, Afflalo may be better off getting a long term contract, even for a smaller yearly amount, now, while he can. Pity, because we gave up assets to get him.

It wouldn't surprise me if that team was us.

Wes seems to think teams are waiting to offer him big deals. IF they still do even with his achilles messed up, Afflalo still could be back.

 

[Strenuus]

It wouldn't surprise me if that team was us.

Wes seems to think teams are waiting to offer him big deals. IF they still do even with his achilles messed up, Afflalo still could be back.

Where have you seen that?

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

Where have you seen that?

During his exit interview he said he thought his stock had gone up even though he had the achilles injury and is currently hurt.



Open to interpretation I suppose, but that quote doesn't sound like someone who thinks he isn't gonna get PAID this offseason

 

[Strenuus]

During his exit interview he said he thought his stock had gone up even though he had the achilles injury and is currently hurt.



Open to interpretation I suppose, but that quote doesn't sound like someone who thinks he isn't gonna get PAID this offseason

It is. Wes isnt going to say it went down. he has a HUGE belief in himself. i mean, i suppose a more "pc" answer would be "We'll see" but wes isn't the most... he wears his heart on his sleeve Wes does... so, it doesn't surprise me he'd say that.

i can see where you came to that conclusion absolutely, though.

 

[noknobs]

There's no doubt the stock of a healthy Wes Matthews went up, based on how the team played once he left. Unfortunately for Wes, once free agency starts he's still not going to be healthy enough to prove to everyone that he can come back and play at the level he was at. Does a GM want to risk his job by signing a guy who's health is that up in the air? Sucks for Wes. Hopefully we can resign him and hopefully the contract is fair to WM.

 

[Kaydow]

I guess if he really is opting out then AA's "Letter to Portland" was kind of prophetic. Reading this again makes me bitter at how this season ended . . . and what could have been.

Dear Portland,

My bags are packed. I’m taking that two-hour flight from Denver to a city that is home to an amazing fan base and a true championship contender. I’m pretty excited; I’d bike out there if we didn’t have a game on Friday night. It’s an opportunity that I’m extremely appreciative of. I can’t say how many minutes I’ll play or shots I’ll take per game, but I’m ready. I know I’m not going there as a starter, although I am a proven starter in the NBA, but if it’s the depth that I can bring to take this team to the next level then dub me an “overqualified backup” — as some have already started doing. I’m ready for any role if it means bringing the Larry O’Brien trophy to your city.

This is my fourth time being involved in a trade but it’s the first time I’ve made the move in-season. Joining and adding value to a team on the fly like this without offseason preparation or a preseason is a different dynamic. That being said, when a team trades for you in-season, it means they’re expecting you to come in and be the player that you’ve always been. In my case, that means being a quality shooter, facilitator and defender. I’m here to give you those qualities. I want to come in and do what I do best on both ends of the court for the time allotted to me.

I’m now surrounded by high-caliber players like Damian, LaMarcus, Nicolas and Wes.

I’ve played on five playoff teams but my impact on those teams was minimal. Back in 2008, when the Detroit Pistons made their run to the Eastern Conference Finals, I was only a rookie. My playoff experience in Denver gave me another taste but each of those years — 2010, 2011, 2012 — ended in first-round exits. The player I am today — one that can give you 15 PPG and play shutdown defense — is ready for this new journey. I’m looking forward to growing and building with this team. I’m looking forward to experiencing a deeper playoff run together.

As excited as I am about this opportunity, I want to make this clear: I’m here to help this team reach its goal of winning a title. It’s been 38 years since the Trail Blazers last won an NBA championship. It isn’t just enough to be a contender — it’s time for us to show the media, fans and most importantly, ourselves, why we’re a championship-caliber team.

 

[HailBlazers]

Yeah, Afflalo may be better off getting a long term contract, even for a smaller yearly amount, now, while he can. Pity, because we gave up assets to get him.

fwiw, we showed him we wanted him, and in IMO he wants to be here as well.

 

[riverman]

Olshey has known Afflalo since he was a kid. They are close. All these guys are going to do what's best for them offseason and none of us knows shit about Neil's contingency plans. I expect to see some needle moving changes The vets have been around and seen disfunctional locker rooms and played for coaches they hate. Afflalo would be a good fit here. I wouldn't be surprised to see Olshey make him a decent offer to return. We can only really trade guys we probably want to keep. I think the front office seems excited about the draft which is a hint. They've either targeted talent there or have someone lined up for a trade. I just don't see Paul Allen taking a step backwards next season. I'm going to say Afflalo is a 50/50 chance of returning. He didn't raise his stock in the playoffs which helps us in a small way.