Cap Space Plan

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This is exactly my worry about the cap space plan. Given other or similar options, players will go to bigger markets. Neil and Terry were down there first thing making him the #1 priority and he signs a contract that Portland could have offered.....with someone else.

:matrix:
 
Seeing how FA has gone this year teams are going apeshit.

I expect Wes Matthews to bolt. He's going to get PAID.
 
The Blazers shouldn't operate based on the hope that they snag a premium free agent. Hope isn't a plan and Portland has no proven ability to reel in top free agents. However, it's not a terrible idea to build a good team with some cap flexibility to open up room. While Portland shouldn't be expected to get a top free agent, it's also not an impossibility. A free agent like Marc Gasol deciding on a whim to sign with Portland because he likes the team he'd be joining or the city or whatever else is the kind of lightning that lead to a title.

You shouldn't pass up good opportunities in order to chase that less-likely scenario, but if you can keep that scenario possible while still building a good team, it's worthwhile.
 
Next offseason is going to be fun when it starts in June. :ghoti:
 
The Blazers shouldn't operate based on the hope that they snag a premium free agent. Hope isn't a plan and Portland has no proven ability to reel in top free agents. However, it's not a terrible idea to build a good team with some cap flexibility to open up room. While Portland shouldn't be expected to get a top free agent, it's also not an impossibility. A free agent like Marc Gasol deciding on a whim to sign with Portland because he likes the team he'd be joining or the city or whatever else is the kind of lightning that lead to a title.

You shouldn't pass up good opportunities in order to chase that less-likely scenario, but if you can keep that scenario possible while still building a good team, it's worthwhile.

Cap space works great being a third team. We got Lopez and t rob with cap space. Or you can use it in lopsided trades. Having solid cheap contracts work great with other teams in trades as well.
 
Any player that doesn't want to be here is welcome to bolt, I don't think Wes fits that mold by any stretch
 
Any player that doesn't want to be here is welcome to bolt, I don't think Wes fits that mold by any stretch

If some team offered him 10 million a year, I think he'd be crazy not to leave. I don't see how we could pay him that much.
 
If some team offered him 10 million a year, I think he'd be crazy not to leave. I don't see how we could pay him that much.

You may be correct but Wes is a loyal guy, maybe loyal to the point of crazy. If any player took a paycut to keep the core together, it's Wes. Just an opinion. Fact is very few of these players would ever have to work a day in their lives if they retired tomorrow. Wes wants to win and win big
 
You may be correct but Wes is a loyal guy, maybe loyal to the point of crazy. If any player took a paycut to keep the core together, it's Wes. Just an opinion. Fact is very few of these players would ever have to work a day in their lives if they retired tomorrow. Wes wants to win and win big

The Jazz took an undrafted Wesley Matthews and gave him a spot in their rotation. He immediately bolted to the Blazers for bigger money than the Jazz were willing to pony up.

I like Wes, but I think you're overstating his loyalty.
 
If some team offered him 10 million a year, I think he'd be crazy not to leave. I don't see how we could pay him that much.

You may be correct but Wes is a loyal guy, maybe loyal to the point of crazy. If any player took a paycut to keep the core together, it's Wes. Just an opinion. Fact is very few of these players would ever have to work a day in their lives if they retired tomorrow. Wes wants to win and win big

If the Blazers low ball him with $6mill he'll leave, if they offer him $8mill he'll stay.

Just guessing.
 
The Jazz took an undrafted Wesley Matthews and gave him a spot in their rotation. He immediately bolted to the Blazers for bigger money than the Jazz were willing to pony up.

I like Wes, but I think you're overstating his loyalty.

If I remember right the Jazz only offered him a 2 year deal after his rookie contract.
 
If I remember right the Jazz only offered him a 2 year deal after his rookie contract.

Riverman said Wes was loyal to the point of crazy, and I was merely pointing out that his loyalty only goes so far.
 
How about bringing in the other Lopez brother. Maybe see about having ROLO come off the bench. Entice him with playing with his brother.
 
The Jazz took an undrafted Wesley Matthews and gave him a spot in their rotation. He immediately bolted to the Blazers for bigger money than the Jazz were willing to pony up.

I like Wes, but I think you're overstating his loyalty.

Wes didn't bolt the Jazz, they told him to go find a contract and they'd match it. He was a restricted free agent and Utah declined to match. He expected to remain a Jazz.
 
If Wes has another year like last season he's probably going to get $10 million a year. I hope Neil can lock in Wes and Rolo to 3 year extensions this summer for slightly less. It gives us some extra salary flexibility and provides Wes/Rolo with insurance in case of a major injury.
 
How about bringing in the other Lopez brother. Maybe see about having ROLO come off the bench. Entice him with playing with his brother.

Brook Lopez has a $16.7 million player option for 2015-16. I'd expect him to exercise that option in which case he is not a free agent next summer or if he is a free agent he'll be looking for a near max contract. If the Blazers already have LaMarcus and Robin they won't have space for Brook. Maybe it could be an idea if LaMarcus left town but with Brook's injuries I don't think I'd want to sign him for a near max salary.
 
It's going to be really interesting to see if the Blazers can stack success from this year into next season. If they can then I assume retaining LMA is priority one, but if not, at least Olshey will have his options open, if he needs to retool, or entertain trading Aldridge.
 
You may be correct but Wes is a loyal guy, maybe loyal to the point of crazy. If any player took a paycut to keep the core together, it's Wes. Just an opinion. Fact is very few of these players would ever have to work a day in their lives if they retired tomorrow. Wes wants to win and win big

Agree with this. Wes is a throwback who values loyalty and winning more so than cash.
 
The Jazz took an undrafted Wesley Matthews and gave him a spot in their rotation. He immediately bolted to the Blazers for bigger money than the Jazz were willing to pony up.

I like Wes, but I think you're overstating his loyalty.
Mathews said he would have stayed with the Jazz but they didnt even try and offer him a contract
 
Not to be inflammatory but what good is all this money if you can't sell players on the landscape?
 
Not to be inflammatory but what good is all this money if you can't sell players on the landscape?

Didn't Lillard mention something about some all star players wanting to play with him, LA, and company in Portland?
 
Not to be inflammatory but what good is all this money if you can't sell players on the landscape?
Cap space isn't just for free agents. It also helps facilitate trades. It's an asset. We'll see.

I wouldn't assume we can't sell players on playing with our team. This year's meager MLE offering wasn't much to work with. Hawes picking the Clips over PDX doesn't prove there aren't other players who will come here if we have the money.
 
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Marc Gasol would be amazing. If we could get Gasol, and obviously that's a huge "if," I think he would be perfect next to Dame and Aldridge. Of course, our track record with free agents hasn't been stellar.
 
Marc Gasol would be amazing. If we could get Gasol, and obviously that's a huge "if," I think he would be perfect next to Dame and Aldridge. Of course, our track record with free agents hasn't been stellar.

Wait til we win the Blake lottery.
 
Exactly who were you expecting with the MLE and BAE? Please, tell me. Because all I hear is dripping sarcasm without reason.

u mad bro? cuz u seem mad

I was making a joke. I actually want Blake with the BAE and have said so in various threads. I've also said that I was fine with the Kaman signing.

Bring the righteous fury when the dots connect a little better, guy.
 
u mad bro? cuz u seem mad

I was making a joke. I actually want Blake with the BAE and have said so in various threads. I've also said that I was fine with the Kaman signing.

Bring the righteous fury when the dots connect a little better, guy.

I fail. Just researched it and you beat me to it.

Though the u mad bro was a nice touch. I commend you.
 

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