Blazers Looking To Move Into The Lottery?

[MAS RipCity]

Chad Ford's latest blog is up and there are some interesting tidbits in there regarding our Blazers ...

Nothing shocking here, but the Cavs could be looking to trade the No. 1 pick:

But I think the Cavs' preferred route would to be a trade that thins out their roster and adds a young veteran who could immediately lift the Cavs' long-term chances. The Minnesota Timberwolves' Kevin Love has been the most often mentioned pickup. But the Cavs also have their eye on several other bigs, including the Chicago Bulls' Joakim Noah, the Portland Trail Blazers' LaMarcus Aldridge and the Atlanta Hawks' Al Horford.

Blazers moving into the lottery:

While the Celtics, Lakers, Kings, Hornets, Wolves and Suns aren't likely to get an All-Star for their picks, they should be able to score players or multiple assets that help their teams right now. Look for the Bucks, Hawks, Mavs, Blazers and Raptors to be especially busy trying to move up or acquire a second pick.

Read the rest of the article here >>>

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Ha! Shows what he knows. We don't even have a first pick so we can't move up or acquire a second pick.

 

[HailBlazers]

Neil doesn't know the meaning of stand pat.

 

[MAS RipCity]

Paul loves the draft too much. I'd be stunned if we didn't end up with at least one draft pick on June 26th.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

If they could deal for him without giving up their #1 this year, Horford would be a great get for Cleveland.

 

[BigGameDamian]

Get ready for Wiggins guys!

 

[BigGameDamian]

Get ready to be all wigged out out the draft!

 

[3RA1N1AC]

Paul loves the draft too much. I'd be stunned if we didn't end up with at least one draft pick on June 26th.

pretty much, maybe a late #1 or early 2nd to wet his whistle

 

[cmeese47]

LA trade maybe? This place would certainly go crazy if it happens

 

[Mediocre Man]

For entertainment purposes, let's say this is true. What spots 5-14 should we target, and what would it realistically take to get there?

Some of those teams have multiple firsts, so that may be intriguing.

 

[BigGameDamian]

For entertainment purposes, let's say this is true. What spots 5-14 should we target, and what would it realistically take to get there?

Some of those teams have multiple firsts, so that may be intriguing.

I know everyone gets a little leery with the Blazers drafting centers but IF the Blazers where to get the #1 pick by trading Aldridge to the Cavs, Joel Embiid would be tough to pass up.

 

[RR7]

I know everyone gets a little leery with the Blazers drafting centers but IF the Blazers where to get the #1 pick by trading Aldridge to the Cavs, Joel Embiid would be tough to pass up.

Nothing like passing on a hyped wing talent for a big man with an injury issue. Fool me three times...

 

[RR7]

For entertainment purposes, let's say this is true. What spots 5-14 should we target, and what would it realistically take to get there?

Some of those teams have multiple firsts, so that may be intriguing.

All of them?

No, seriously, just looking at who would be selling in that area, first...
Article mentioned Utah holding onto their pick and while that's likely, I dunno what they're going to do with it. Burke, Burk, Hayward, Favors, Kanter, they have young pieces at every position. Now, not all 5 are guaranteed future staters for them, but you wonder about development of one if picking another. So maybe they'd move the pick. More so, though, as a 3rd big off the bench, I'd see if we could pry Kanter away. Favors at C, and at 5 a perfect spot to take one of Randle, Gordon or Vonleh. After the top 4, it's PFs as the next best options, and they don't really NEED one. Who knows.

I wouldn't move Aldridge for 6 to Boston, and I can't see them being interested in moving it NOT in a big deal like that, Love, Horford, etc.

Don't see 7 with Lakers happening for similar reasons.

8 from Sacramento a definite possibility. Again, anything below basically 1,2,3 I wouldn't move Aldridge, without a stud coming back with the pick, but at 8, if they're actually looking to trade the pick for a vet, can ssee them having interest in Wesley or Nic. Likely, with us having to take back salary of Thompson or Landry in the process.

Charlotte, Philly, Denver, Orlando, Minnesota, PHX can all very easily be sellers, I just don't like that portion of the draft as much. With a better top 5 or so, it reminds me of a recent draft, maybe the Lillard draft, or the one prior, can't remember, where it seemed like the top 5 there was good value, and then the better value after that was late 1st, not late lotto.
Chicago, with 16 and 19 can be a definite possibility, as I doubt they want to fill up 2 roster spots with rookies, and two salary slots if they're considering a push for Love or Melo. Phoenix at 14 and 18, same thing where, they have so many young guys, are they adding 2 more? I doubt it. Though I can see them maybe drafting with one, stashing with the other.

 

[Mediocre Man]

I know everyone gets a little leery with the Blazers drafting centers but IF the Blazers where to get the #1 pick by trading Aldridge to the Cavs, Joel Embiid would be tough to pass up.

Not in this draft. Wiggins is the guy, plus he has no history of back injuries like Embiid

 

[Mediocre Man]

All of them?

No, seriously, just looking at who would be selling in that area, first...
Article mentioned Utah holding onto their pick and while that's likely, I dunno what they're going to do with it. Burke, Burk, Hayward, Favors, Kanter, they have young pieces at every position. Now, not all 5 are guaranteed future staters for them, but you wonder about development of one if picking another. So maybe they'd move the pick. More so, though, as a 3rd big off the bench, I'd see if we could pry Kanter away. Favors at C, and at 5 a perfect spot to take one of Randle, Gordon or Vonleh. After the top 4, it's PFs as the next best options, and they don't really NEED one. Who knows.

I wouldn't move Aldridge for 6 to Boston, and I can't see them being interested in moving it NOT in a big deal like that, Love, Horford, etc.

Don't see 7 with Lakers happening for similar reasons.

8 from Sacramento a definite possibility. Again, anything below basically 1,2,3 I wouldn't move Aldridge, without a stud coming back with the pick, but at 8, if they're actually looking to trade the pick for a vet, can ssee them having interest in Wesley or Nic. Likely, with us having to take back salary of Thompson or Landry in the process.

Charlotte, Philly, Denver, Orlando, Minnesota, PHX can all very easily be sellers, I just don't like that portion of the draft as much. With a better top 5 or so, it reminds me of a recent draft, maybe the Lillard draft, or the one prior, can't remember, where it seemed like the top 5 there was good value, and then the better value after that was late 1st, not late lotto.
Chicago, with 16 and 19 can be a definite possibility, as I doubt they want to fill up 2 roster spots with rookies, and two salary slots if they're considering a push for Love or Melo. Phoenix at 14 and 18, same thing where, they have so many young guys, are they adding 2 more? I doubt it. Though I can see them maybe drafting with one, stashing with the other.

So you think Wes or Nic gets us 8 plus a player?

Not meant to be combative

 

[BlazerCaravan]

I think people forget it was Olshey who traded Camby, Eric Gordon, Bledsoe, et al to get the Clippers to where they are now. And every time he told them "You're part of the squad, totally special" and then swung the axe. He's ruthless, and this offseason should be fairly exciting because of it.

 

[RR7]

So you think Wes or Nic gets us 8 plus a player?

Not meant to be combative

Not a player they want, more a salary they want to dump. I think it could be close, issue is Sacramento's lineup. With McLemore and Gay there, maybe not. But they mentioned wanting to move 8 for a vet, and I dunno if it'd be at PG or C, realistically. But looking at their salary, they're at about 68 million next season, with Gay opting in. 38 million of that is at the PF and C position only. Thompson, Landry both make over 6 for the next 3 seasons. And both play basically the same position as their best player. Derrick Williams also up there with 6, and you got Outlaw kicking in for 3 also. If they were to move the remaining 17 million dollars off of Landry or THompson's deal, and land what woudl be their best defender in Nic or Wesley, and as an added benefit two very unselfish players, coming from a good team, I think they very well might.
Now, is it the best offer they get for 8? I dunno. But I've seen their fans elsewhere suggest trades similar to 8 and Outlaw/Evans(not the longer deals of thompson and Landry) for Afflalo. I like Afflalo, and would actually love for us to target him. But he doesn't do anything significantly better than Wesley does. A year older, and if it was a deal like that versus us moving Wesley and being willing to take on their longer, less desired salary, then maybe so.

 

[Sheldon Shape]

So you think Wes or Nic gets us 8 plus a player?

Not meant to be combative

Without looking at the order of the teams, I think Nic can fetch as early as 6 or 7 and on. Wes? No.

Maybe the Blazers want to shed salary and see Will Barton as a possible replacement for an expensive Nic? I don't think I see it, but who knows. I can understand the notion that paying a role player 11+ million per season is too much, but he is fairly productive and still has room to grow. I don't ever see him being more than a role player however. A very good one, but a role player none the less.

 

[RR7]

So you think Wes or Nic gets us 8 plus a player?

Not meant to be combative

I think my bigger issue is not being enamored with what's there at 8, potentially, as someone who can contribute to us this season. Also, that I think Robinson could be a solid role player for us this year, but the available players at 8 are likely PF types.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Top4 I think Neil goes Embiid or Exum.

5/6ish I think he goes Vonleh.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

I think people forget it was Olshey who traded Camby, Eric Gordon, Bledsoe, et al to get the Clippers to where they are now. And every time he told them "You're part of the squad, totally special" and then swung the axe. He's ruthless, and this offseason should be fairly exciting because of it.

You're part of the forum, totally special.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Without looking at the order of the teams, I think Nic can fetch as early as 6 or 7 and on. Wes? No.

Maybe the Blazers want to shed salary and see Will Barton as a possible replacement for an expensive Nic? I don't think I see it, but who knows. I can understand the notion that paying a role player 11+ million per season is too much, but he is fairly productive and still has room to grow. I don't ever see him being more than a role player however. A very good one, but a role player none the less.

Oh. I completely agree with you on Batum. Our team probably improves with a FA from the money from Batum and the 8th pick

 

[RoyToy]

I think people forget it was Olshey who traded Camby, Eric Gordon, Bledsoe, et al to get the Clippers to where they are now. And every time he told them "You're part of the squad, totally special" and then swung the axe. He's ruthless, and this offseason should be fairly exciting because of it.

If it's not better than last offseason... Aldridge may bolt for Chicago

Time for Neil to step up

 

[Mediocre Man]

If it's not better than last offseason... Aldridge may bolt for Chicago

Time for Neil to step up

I disagree. I think that very well could happen, but Aldridge's people will see the maneuvering and they know that the following summer is hen we have cash to spend

 

[RR7]

Oh. I completely agree with you on Batum. Our team probably improves with a FA from the money from Batum and the 8th pick

But Sacramento has no cap space, so they'd have to send back at least 7.5 million to trade for Batum. With the salary for the 8th pick, we're still only looking at MLE-ish money. It's not like we can send him there with no $$$ coming back, to open up that full 11 million.

 

[Mediocre Man]

But Sacramento has no cap space, so they'd have to send back at least 7.5 million to trade for Batum. With the salary for the 8th pick, we're still only looking at MLE-ish money. It's not like we can send him there with no $$$ coming back, to open up that full 11 million.

Then that wouldn't work unless another team is involved

 

[santeesioux]

Let's unload Batum for a lotto pick and sign this guy to a toxic offer sheet, lol

Adrian Wojnarowski ‏@WojYahooNBA 1m
Yahoo Sources: Rockets plan to decline Chandler Parsons' option, freeing him to become a restricted free agent. http://yhoo.it/1kIxtpk

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

It's clear what they're doing here: Carmelo Anthony.

.....but I don't see what assets they have to get anywhere close.

 

[santeesioux]

It's clear what they're doing here: Carmelo Anthony.

.....but I don't see what assets they have to get anywhere close.

How do you figure that? Clearing enough cap to sign him outright?

 

[RoyToy]

What is Olshey going to do to improve this team?