Free Agent Thread

[Ripcity4life77]

What is NeO supposed to do when there looks to be NO trades out there that make sense to make or that are out there in general -- is he supposed to pull a trade out of his ass or something and the same goes for FA's left. I mean really only Millsap and who else and maybe he is asking too much atm Full Mid lvl aka 9m range or maybe Portland wants to see what it has from Summer league guys or just see what plays out and then around training camp sign someone there is just SO many reasons.

I understand fans are worried Dame is going to say screw this and demands a trade at some point and that would be a disaster but everyone just assumes NeO is sitting in his office jerking off to porn and doing nothing and I kind of doubt this is the case. Would i love to see the Blazers make a move ? --- YES but I do not want them to make a move just for making a moves sake like some of you seem to want cause your impatient and/or worried about the future with Dame. The Blazers offseason has not been as bad as some media IDIOTS aka B-Edge thinks now it has not been great but if i was to give them a grade to this point NOT factoring in the Dame thing hanging over the team's head it would be a B to B minus cause I will agree having a tool in FA and not using it makes the team look a little cheap but like I said that could change but for right now it is a wasted tool that prolly should be used. I would advice use more patience even though i will admit it can be tough at times knowing what next summer might hold but what else can we do cause whining and bitching at NeO is not going to get a deal done and quicker will it ? -- NOPE so enjoy the rest of the offseason and maybe when you least expect it it something with happen.

 

[julius]

this isn't about money.

it's about competition and a new owner, looking at a team with no chance at contention, will not want to start out by sending money to the other owners, IMO

They're already sending billions to someone. Being a pro sports owner is among the elitist groups in the world. There are only 30 NBA owners, there would be zero problem selling the Blazers, as is, even if they went into the lux tax.

I mean, why the fuck did Portland do everything they could to stay under the tax line last year? paying 30M in repeater tax compared to the estate JA inherited is a much smaller nothing-burger than your example.

Because maybe they want to make it easier to make other trades in the future?

 

[SlyPokerCat]

What is NeO supposed to do when there looks to be NO trades out there that make sense to make or that are out there in general -- is he supposed to pull a trade out of his ass or something and the same goes for FA's left. I mean really only Millsap and who else and maybe he is asking too much atm Full Mid lvl aka 9m range or maybe Portland wants to see what it has from Summer league guys or just see what plays out and then around training camp sign someone there is just SO many reasons.

I understand fans are worried Dame is going to say screw this and demands a trade at some point and that would be a disaster but everyone just assumes NeO is sitting in his office jerking off to porn and doing nothing and I kind of doubt this is the case. Would i love to see the Blazers make a move ? --- YES but I do not want them to make a move just for making a moves sake like some of you seem to want cause your impatient and/or worried about the future with Dame. The Blazers offseason has not been as bad as some media IDIOTS aka B-Edge thinks now it has not been great but if i was to give them a grade to this point NOT factoring in the Dame thing hanging over the team's head it would be a B to B minus cause I will agree having a tool in FA and not using it makes the team look a little cheap but like I said that could change but for right now it is a wasted tool that prolly should be used. I would advice use more patience even though i will admit it can be tough at times knowing what next summer might hold but what else can we do cause whining and bitching at NeO is not going to get a deal done and quicker will it ? -- NOPE so enjoy the rest of the offseason and maybe when you least expect it it something with happen.

Stop defending Neil.

Also we don't think he is jerking off to porn. He is jerking off while looking at himself in the mirror saying he is a pretty pretty princess and arrogantly thinking he is the prettiest GM in all the NBA.

 

[julius]

i agree. i don't think ownership's reluctance to pay tax has anything to do with a potential sale. I think it's just more sticker shock and them not realizing that every winner/contender pays tax because of naivety.

It's stupid to pay it if you're going to suck. It took Paul Allen a while to learn that lesson, but he did.

Have to be smart, and just signing a player because he's out there (and doesn't fit with the team/jive with Damian, etc) is dumb.

Plus, I'm convinced they're angling towards a trade anyways (not of Damian).

 

[tykendo]

Do we really know what's going on behind closed doors? Y'all act like they are pounding the pudd right now. Maybe they're in talks with many teams, but want to make the right deal. Plus it takes two to Tango. We've become such a gratification right now society . Patience. There are moves to be made, and quality players out there still. I enjoy target shooting, but had to sell my gun to make ends meet in 2019. Doing better now, but will wait to buy a replacement when i have the money saved up to do so. I'm not going to go against my plan. It takes patience.

 

[Natebishop3]

If we stand pat and Dame asks out, I'm not going to follow this team until we have new ownership. I have zero faith that this "brain trust" could build a winner from scratch.

 

[julius]

Do we really know what's going on behind closed doors? Y'all act like they are pounding the pudd right now. Maybe they're in talks with many teams, but want to make the right deal. Plus it takes two to Tango. We've become such a gratification right now society . Patience. There are moves to be made, and quality players out there still. I enjoy target shooting, but had to sell my gun to make ends meet in 2019. Doing better now, but will wait to buy a replacement when i have the money saved up to do so. I'm not going to go against my plan. It takes patience.

It's easier to go with the negative mindset of "Damian is going to be traded".

 

[tykendo]

Stop defending Neil.

Also we don't think he is jerking off to porn. He is jerking off while looking at himself in the mirror saying he is a pretty pretty princess and arrogantly thinking he is the prettiest GM in all the NBA.

Deep inside Puddy, you think he's sexy. Puuurrrrrrrrrrrr.

 

[tykendo]

It's easier to go with the negative mindset of "Damian is going to be traded".

Sad

 

[illmatic99]

Do we really know what's going on behind closed doors? Y'all act like they are pounding the pudd right now. Maybe they're in talks with many teams, but want to make the right deal. Plus it takes two to Tango. We've become such a gratification right now society . Patience. There are moves to be made, and quality players out there still. I enjoy target shooting, but had to sell my gun to make ends meet in 2019. Doing better now, but will wait to buy a replacement when i have the money saved up to do so. I'm not going to go against my plan. It takes patience.

nearly every account from both the team (players/coach) and media (local and national) has us "running it back." are we to not take these comments at face value. Even if there is a trade, it won't involve starters.

That much is clear.

Is that not grounds for concern to you?

 

[julius]

nearly every account from both the team (players/coach) and media (local and national) has us "running it back." are we to not take these comments at face value. Even if there is a trade, it won't involve starters.

That much is clear.

Is that not grounds for concern to you?

Because we've always heard what the team is going to do from players, coaches and media?

like we knew well ahead of time they were trading for Powell? Or Nurk/picks? Or signing that gawd awful contract with Turner?

 

[illmatic99]

Because we've always heard what the team is going to do from players, coaches and media?

like we knew well ahead of time they were trading for Powell? Or Nurk/picks? Or signing that gawd awful contract with Turner?

When was it ever this explicit? These aren't tea leaves. These are literal quotes. Take a look at Powell's interview with Brooke and try to glean any hints of a potential change in the starting lineup from last year.

 

[e_blazer]

If we stand pat and Dame asks out, I'm not going to follow this team until we have new ownership. I have zero faith that this "brain trust" could build a winner from scratch.

Just curious, if Dame gets traded it's going to be for Simmons or someone else of that caliber, plus picks & who knows what else. Let's say Neil does his old buddy Morey a solid and gets Simmons. How is a lineup of Nurk, Simmons, RoCo, Norm, & CJ "plus some decent young players and likely a couple first round picks, "starting from scratch"? I'm not arguing that Olshey should still be in the GM spot, but whoever is has a pretty good bunch of assets to start from.

 

[e_blazer]

nearly every account from both the team (players/coach) and media (local and national) has us "running it back." are we to not take these comments at face value. Even if there is a trade, it won't involve starters.

That much is clear.

Is that not grounds for concern to you?

I think that's a fair assessment as far as what the situation will be at the start of the season. I think there's a pretty good chance Olshey picks up another big, but that's about it. I think what happens before the deadline is entirely dependent upon how the team is playing by that point. It could range from standing pat, to trading CJ for a better fit, to trading Dame and then picking up the pieces. I don't remember a situation remotely like this for the Blazers since Clyde demanded a trade.

 

[illmatic99]

Just curious, if Dame gets traded it's going to be for Simmons or someone else of that caliber, plus picks & who knows what else. Let's say Neil does his old buddy Morey a solid and gets Simmons. How is a lineup of Nurk, Simmons, RoCo, Norm, & CJ "plus some decent young players and likely a couple first round picks, "starting from scratch"? I'm not arguing that Olshey should still be in the GM spot, but whoever is has a pretty good bunch of assets to start from.

I don't think it's that rosy if Dame were to be traded for Simmons midseason. You're gonna be left with Nurk/Roco on expiring contracts who could potentially walk for nothing in the summer,a 31 yr old CJ on a 70 mil deal for 2 yrs and Powell with 4 yrs, 70+ mil left, and a supposedly unhappy Ben who would be angling to get out.

The picks from Philly with Dame/Embiid on the team are of no interest to me, even 4-5yrs down the line.

 

[Scalma]

ugh. Jody needs to go.

https://theathletic.com/2768636/202...ing-offseasons-for-raptors-pelicans-and-more/

Portland
When the Blazers weren’t bewildering their best player with tire-fire news conferences, they weren’t doing much at all. Damian Lillard’s increasing non-subtle critiques of the roster around him might have spurred the Blazers to action, especially on the trade market. Thus far, they’ve purchased a second-round pick and signed three players to minimum contracts.

Maybe the Blazers are biding their time and waiting to pounce later, but it sure looks like Portland is focused on staying below the tax line and running it back with last year’s group; the Blazers haven’t even used their taxpayer MLE.

Given that this is what Lillard’s entire beef with the organization is about, it feels like a dangerous game to play. The entire league will be watching Portland over the next year for smoke signals about Lillard’s intentions; the Blazers’ offseason to date has only fanned the flames.

non sense. They offered the MLE to both Batum and Oubre. That doesn’t mean they should just spend it though, and I’m glad they’re not blowing it on some washed up player like Millsap. When the best argument to sign someone is “we can use him in a trade later” it’s not a good idea to begin with.

 

[e_blazer]

I don't think it's that rosy if Dame were to be traded for Simmons midseason. You're gonna be left with Nurk/Roco on expiring contracts who could potentially walk for nothing in the summer,a 31 yr old CJ on a 70 mil deal for 2 yrs and Powell with 4 yrs, 70+ mil left, and a supposedly unhappy Ben who would be angling to get out.

The picks from Philly with Dame/Embiid on the team are of no interest to me, even 4-5yrs down the line.

I'm not saying that the rebuild should necessarily be about just adding players to that group, just saying that the GM, hopefully NEW GM, will have some pieces with considerable value to use in trades or keep.

 

[Natebishop3]

I think that's a fair assessment as far as what the situation will be at the start of the season. I think there's a pretty good chance Olshey picks up another big, but that's about it. I think what happens before the deadline is entirely dependent upon how the team is playing by that point. It could range from standing pat, to trading CJ for a better fit, to trading Dame and then picking up the pieces. I don't remember a situation remotely like this for the Blazers since Clyde demanded a trade.

Nurk has already said that he won't stay if Dame goes. Frankly, the logical move if Dame asks to be traded is to completely blow it up, and that's where my complete lack of faith in this organization comes into play.

 

[blazerkor]

What is NeO supposed to do when there looks to be NO trades out there that make sense to make or that are out there in general -- is he supposed to pull a trade out of his ass or something and the same goes for FA's left. I mean really only Millsap and who else and maybe he is asking too much atm Full Mid lvl aka 9m range or maybe Portland wants to see what it has from Summer league guys or just see what plays out and then around training camp sign someone there is just SO many reasons.

I understand fans are worried Dame is going to say screw this and demands a trade at some point and that would be a disaster but everyone just assumes NeO is sitting in his office jerking off to porn and doing nothing and I kind of doubt this is the case. Would i love to see the Blazers make a move ? --- YES but I do not want them to make a move just for making a moves sake like some of you seem to want cause your impatient and/or worried about the future with Dame. The Blazers offseason has not been as bad as some media IDIOTS aka B-Edge thinks now it has not been great but if i was to give them a grade to this point NOT factoring in the Dame thing hanging over the team's head it would be a B to B minus cause I will agree having a tool in FA and not using it makes the team look a little cheap but like I said that could change but for right now it is a wasted tool that prolly should be used. I would advice use more patience even though i will admit it can be tough at times knowing what next summer might hold but what else can we do cause whining and bitching at NeO is not going to get a deal done and quicker will it ? -- NOPE so enjoy the rest of the offseason and maybe when you least expect it it something with happen.

I think Neil is at summer league trying to make shit happen. The problem is that you've bought into the narrative that there are no trades to make. There have to be a lot of trades to make that would make our team better right now. I would guarantee that if Neil lowered his valuation of CJ to the leagues and therefore was willing to add more picks and swaps in a trade that sent CJ and possibly DJ out for a legit second option, we'd already have the trade done. The fact is we know from listening to Neil that he wants to feel like he has won every trade and we for damn sure know he overvalues CJ.

This shit is what is holding up the process. I'm hoping it's a tactic that works enough to get Neil past himself and allows for a deal that would improve this roster or at least give the roster the potential to be better.

 

[e_blazer]

Nurk has already said that he won't stay if Dame goes. Frankly, the logical move if Dame asks to be traded is to completely blow it up, and that's where my complete lack of faith in this organization comes into play.

"Completely blowing it up" still leaves a GM with some pretty good assets as he moves guys who are under contract for other pieces or picks. Whatever the new GM chooses to do, the team won't be starting from scratch.

 

[wizenheimer]

T
Because maybe they want to make it easier to make other trades in the future?

more or less tax doesn't change that. The hard cap does but that's easy to avoid

 

[Natebishop3]

"Completely blowing it up" still leaves a GM with some pretty good assets as he moves guys who are under contract for other pieces or picks. Whatever the new GM chooses to do, the team won't be starting from scratch.

To me, trading Dame/CJ/Nurk is starting from scratch. That's the foundation of the team. Even in a firesale, teams don't clear out every single player off the roster.

 

[e_blazer]

To me, trading Dame/CJ/Nurk is starting from scratch. That's the foundation of the team. Even in a firesale, teams don't clear out every single player off the roster.

Whatever you want to call it is up to you. I'd be willing to bet that trading Dame is going to net some pretty good players in return. Even if it's an OKC total teardown, you have to admit that Presti has the larder pretty well stocked with draft picks and goodies that are going to result in the Thunder looking pretty good in a year or two. Personally, I don't think that it would be that complete of a total makeover. I think that there are some keepers here and that the Blazers would be likely to get an additional star-quality player in the deal. This isn't the case of a guy at the end of his contract forcing his way out early. This is a top-10 player on a max contract with three years left on it. That would bring a huge package in return.

 

[Natebishop3]

Whatever you want to call it is up to you. I'd be willing to bet that trading Dame is going to net some pretty good players in return. Even if it's an OKC total teardown, you have to admit that Presti has the larder pretty well stocked with draft picks and goodies that are going to result in the Thunder looking pretty good in a year or two. Personally, I don't think that it would be that complete of a total makeover. I think that there are some keepers here and that the Blazers would be likely to get an additional star-quality player in the deal. This isn't the case of a guy at the end of his contract forcing his way out early. This is a top-10 player on a max contract with three years left on it. That would bring a huge package in return.

And that's the problem. I don't trust our front office and ownership to handle trading Dame and setting this franchise up for success in the future.

 

[e_blazer]

And that's the problem. I don't trust our front office and ownership to handle trading Dame and setting this franchise up for success in the future.

I got that. Not sure what we can do about it.

 

[Ripcity4life77]

I am not defending NeO I am just trying NOT to overreact to the situation like 90% of this forum is cause I will admit a few things about NeO right now.

1) He prolly should have tried to trade CJ One to 2 Offseason's ago or at least explored it and it is possible he did but my guess not very likely.
2) The pick of what FA's he goes after are very hit and miss ... see Evan Turner and even failed attempts like Chandler Parsons
3) I think he falls in love with draft prospects and makes promises that have hamstrings the team -- Collins ( trading 2 - 1sts ) -- Swanigan and i am sure i have missed at least one more

Let's take out the whole Dame ready to leave thing out of the picture and I will say this about Neo and his future. I think very much like Stotts I do believe it's put up or shut up time and at some point it is time to move on IF you have not succeeded similar to Stotts. I do think if the Blazers do not make it past the 1st maybe even 2nd round then I believe the Blazers will FIRE Neo within a week or 2 of being eliminated and I would support that decision 100%.


- One more thing i am sorry for being so combative at times but sometimes i let my passion for this team out and it can come off the wrong way just wanted to clear the air with a couple of you who I think i have come off a little heavy handed with in the past week or so.

 

[SlyPokerCat]

I am not defending NeO I am just trying NOT to overreact to the situation like 90% of this forum is cause I will admit a few things about NeO right now.

1) He prolly should have tried to trade CJ One to 2 Offseason's ago or at least explored it and it is possible he did but my guess not very likely.
2) The pick of what FA's he goes after are very hit and miss ... see Evan Turner and even failed attempts like Chandler Parsons
3) I think he falls in love with draft prospects and makes promises that have hamstrings the team -- Collins ( trading 2 - 1sts ) -- Swanigan and i am sure i have missed at least one more

Let's take out the whole Dame ready to leave thing out of the picture and I will say this about Neo and his future. I think very much like Stotts I do believe it's put up or shut up time and at some point it is time to move on IF you have not succeeded similar to Stotts. I do think if the Blazers do not make it past the 1st maybe even 2nd round then I believe the Blazers will FIRE Neo within a week or 2 of being eliminated and I would support that decision 100%.


- One more thing i am sorry for being so combative at times but sometimes i let my passion for this team out and it can come off the wrong way just wanted to clear the air with a couple of you who I think i have come off a little heavy handed with in the past week or so.

It's all good bruh. Just don't tell Neil he is the prettiest princess in all of GM land. He might make you put the lotion on his skin if you do.

 

[Natebishop3]

I got that. Not sure what we can do about it.

The only thing we can do is tune out. Which was the point of my post. If we trade Dame, I'm probably going to check out until we have new people leading this team.

 

[illmatic99]

https://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/...d-will-be-with-trail-blazers-next-season.html

But none move the needle in the direction Lillard had hoped. The Blazers for decades have struggled to land marquee free agents or major stars in trades. Portland made efforts to seek a major trade this summer, but to no avail. Lillard has talked to players about coming to Portland, but those efforts have not produced results.

 

[Chris Craig]

https://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/...d-will-be-with-trail-blazers-next-season.html

But none move the needle in the direction Lillard had hoped. The Blazers for decades have struggled to land marquee free agents or major stars in trades. Portland made efforts to seek a major trade this summer, but to no avail. Lillard has talked to players about coming to Portland, but those efforts have not produced results.

Depressing.