FINDING A PF: Number 1 offseason priority

[Blazinaway]

With the arrival of Nurk the time table of improving this team NOW moves up considerably and the priority is finding a PF who fits well with him and the team. The draft picks are fine for drafting a PF or C or PF/C for the future and bench rotation, but also could be used to trade for a PF we need. IMO we don't need an all-star but a solid starter who fits, and since this draft has a lot of guys at PF/C with potential perhaps we then draft a few for development. Note that while I like Aminu he is not the answer nor is Davis or Vonleh IMO - they are bench rotation guys or trade bait. I frankly don't have anyone in mind at this time but will start looking, others thoughts?

 

[B-Roy]

A not stupid Aminu would be a great fit.

 

[Trackjack]

Swanigan from Purdue would be great fit beside Nurk. Great passer and rebounder and spread the floor. He is a tough kid to bad they lost to Michigan today. He subject to go late 1st or early 2nd. Reminds a little of Draymond Green with his skill set.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

Some (somewhat realistic) options I would look at (outside of also drafting a young PF):
Marvin Williams - Trade
Darrell Arthur - Free Agent
JaMychal Green - Trade
Kenneth Faried - Trade

I picked a pretty cheap Free Agent as we would only have the MLE unless we do some big trades.

There are no Free Agents that look like good fits outside of close to MAX guys so almost has to be a trade.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

A not stupid Aminu would be a great fit.

Yes. He shows up in my low bar of 8 pts, 7rbs a game yet he has the worst Wins Share of all players because mentally he screws up. http://bkref.com/tiny/Romp3

Good D guy. Just no O to save his life.

 

[Natebishop3]

Ibaka would be great.... but he's going to be a free agent and I think he's going to be grossly overpaid.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

After last night if we could swing Crabbe and 2 firsts for Saric and Covington, id be estatic.

 

[Mediocre Man]

After last night if we could swing Crabbe and 2 firsts for Saric and Covington, id be estatic.

Do we need more offense?

 

[Blazinaway]

Yes. He shows up in my low bar of 8 pts, 7rbs a game yet he has the worst Wins Share of all players because mentally he screws up. http://bkref.com/tiny/Romp3

Good D guy. Just no O to save his life.

he just makes too many bonehead plays and offense very streaky, I think we can and need to do better. Drafting for the future is good but need a guy who is solid for a few years at least. Illyasova really played well at Philly, don't know his game well enough (decent 3 ball), he'll turn 30 in May and will be a UFA, do we get an MLE given our high cap? would obviously need to move a few guys to make room

 

[Blazinaway]

Do we need more offense?

Covngtom is a very good defender but also is an SF, bot really the kind of PF I was thinking of

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

Do we need more offense?

Saric seems like a decent two way player to me. He'd be crazy good next to Nurk.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

he just makes too many bonehead plays and offense very streaky, I think we can and need to do better. Drafting for the future is good but need a guy who is solid for a few years at least. Illyasova really played well at Philly, don't know his game well enough (decent 3 ball), he'll turn 30 in May and will be a UFA, do we get an MLE given our high cap? would obviously need to move a few guys to make room

I think we get mini-MLE. I thought about Illyasova but figured he could get at least a little more money that that elsewhere.

It is looking like it almost has to be a trade to get our PF. Listed 3 guys who might be available in trade for the right price above.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

Covngtom is a very good defender

And can hit threes in bunches, he'd replace Crabbe's production potentially. Although Crabbe is a superior shooter.

 

[Blazinaway]

And can hit threes in bunches, he'd replace Crabbe's production potentially. Although Crabbe is a superior shooter.

his percentage at 3 is only 33% and he is VERY streaky

 

[Blazinaway]

I actually thought Richaun Holmes looked interesting and is bigger at PF (6'10, 245) and has shown some decent range this yr

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Amir Johnson and James Johnson are both free agents this offseason, good defensive players, solid rebounders, and passable 3-point shooters. Either one could be a relatively inexpensive good fit at PF.

 

[illmatic99]

I actually thought Richaun Holmes looked interesting and is bigger at PF (6'10, 245) and has shown some decent range this yr

Or RoCo

 

[PtldPlatypus]

After last night if we could swing Crabbe and 2 firsts for Saric and Covington, id be estatic.

We'd be lucky if they'd take that for Saric alone, let alone both of them.

 

[Blazinaway]

Amir Johnson and James Johnson are both free agents this offseason, good defensive players, solid rebounders, and passable 3-point shooters. Either one could be a relatively inexpensive good fit at PF.

problem for us is we are very limited in acquiring and UFA's given or cap status, so trading appears much more likely as "Rollin" said unless we make some major cap freeing moves

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

his percentage at 3 is only 33% and he is VERY streaky

Yep, but he's been on a tear lately, like his game.

Amir Johnson and James Johnson are both free agents this offseason, good defensive players, solid rebounders, and passable 3-point shooters. Either one could be a relatively inexpensive good fit at PF.

Amir would be a good mini-MLE get. As long as we move Davis.

 

[Blazinaway]

Amir Johnson and James Johnson are both free agents this offseason, good defensive players, solid rebounders, and passable 3-point shooters. Either one could be a relatively inexpensive good fit at PF.

Philly could have some roster/positional issues when all there guys come back healthy next yr and there high draft picks as well

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

We'd be lucky if they'd take that for Saric alone, let alone both of them.

Probably, but we also do have a third first. And Saric may be worth that.

 

[Blazinaway]

Probably, but we also do have a third first. And Saric may be worth that.

honestly don't think Philly would want that many picks as they will have enough and have enough young guys

 

[Hobbesarable]

Minny probably won't trade him, but I would like to have Gorgui Dieng in the frontcourt with Nurkic.

And possibly trade for Montrezl Harrell as a backup PF/C.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

honestly don't think Philly would want that many picks as they will have enough and have enough young guys

Agreed, and you'd think that between Saric, Covington, and Holmes, they'll have to let one of them go. Saric is clearly the best, but considering their relative costs and skillsets, Holmes would be the one I'd target.

 

[PDXFonz]

What if LA wanted to come back to where it all started in 2019. Would you be on board assuming he is still producing and that he was willing to sign at an amount that allowed us to keep our core and be able to afford solid rotational vets? My money is on him retiring with the Spurs, and probably for more money than he might be worth at that point... So, I don't think this would ever be a reality, and since it's fantasy then why not assume the Blazers have been to the finals the current year.

Would you say a seasoned s5 consisting of
Dame
CJ
Moe
LA
Nurk

Is better or worse than

Dame
Wes
Batum
LA
Rolo

Prime Dame > Young Dame
Prime CJ > Wes
Prime Moe =< Prime Batum
LA < Prime LA
Nurk > Rolo

- Overall the 2019 lineup is stronger than the previous LA roster
- Aldridge is asked to do much less than previous time here, but does what is asked with efficiency.
- Nurk plays a bigger role on the offensive end than Aldridge.
- Don't think CJ has the tools to become the defender Matthews was at his peak for us, but he's an improvement in every other category.
- Moe would play that Nic roll of do everything player. Assuming the time for development I figure Moe would be comparable to what we had with Nic.
- Aldridge on the outside of his prime at this point but at that sweet spot where they are still reliable yet not always demanding a max contract.
- Nurk already has his own TV station in Bosnia where they play his highlights 24/7. If we had a player like him instead of Rolo we are having serious discussions about who advances out of the Spurs/Grizzlies series.

 

[tester551]

Swanigan from Purdue would be great fit beside Nurk. Great passer and rebounder and spread the floor. He is a tough kid to bad they lost to Michigan today. He subject to go late 1st or early 2nd. Reminds a little of Draymond Green with his skill set.

He's my #1 target for a draft pick after 20. I don't understand why so many aren't higher on him. Instead of Draymond, I think a better comp would be a Memphis version of ZBo (from 2-3 years ago).

I actually thought Richaun Holmes looked interesting and is bigger at PF (6'10, 245) and has shown some decent range this yr

Holmes would be a great target. I don't think Philly will trade Saric. He's off the table... but a Crabbe trade for Holmes might be very good for both teams.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

What if LA wanted to come back to where it all started in 2019. Would you be on board assuming he is still producing and that he was willing to sign at an amount that allowed us to keep our core and be able to afford solid rotational vets? My money is on him retiring with the Spurs, so I don't think this would ever be a reality.

Would you say a seasoned s5 consisting of
Dame
CJ
Moe
LA
Nurk

Is better or worse than

Dame
Wes
Batum
LA
Rolo

Prime Dame > Young Dame
Prime CJ > Wes
Prime Moe =< Prime Batum
LA < Prime LA
Nurk > Rolo

- Overall the 2019 lineup is stronger than the previous LA roster
- Aldridge is asked to do less, but does what is asked with efficiency.
- Nurk plays a bigger role on the offensive end than Aldridge.
- Don't think CJ has the tools to become the defender Matthews was at his peak for us, but he's an improvement in every other category.
- Moe would play that Nic roll of do everything player. Assuming the time for development I figure Moe would be comparable to what we had with Nic.
- Aldridge on the outside of his prime at this point but at that sweet spot where they are still reliable yet not always demanding a max contract.
- Nurk already has his own TV station in Bosnia where they play his highlights 24/7. If we had a player like him instead of Rolo we are having serious discussions about who advances out of the Spurs/Grizzlies series.

Rather try to sign Z-Bo this summer than ever see LA in a Portland uniform.

 

[Schilly]

I think this draft is loaded, in the range we will be drafting, with guys that would fit nicely. I know it's a bit of a gamble to rely on draft picks. We should be looking at draft picks to come in and make our current backups more expendable to use in a trade for a PF that will fit.

 

[PDXFonz]

Rather try to sign Z-Bo this summer than ever see LA in a Portland uniform.

ZBO on a vet contract would be nice. Spot minutes off the bench, he would bring a great veteran presence to our team as well.

All that age and experience in Memphis right now, lot of smart vets. Shame all the knowledge is being wasted on the Chandler Parsons Project.