I just don't see the Blazers going over the salary cap

[BrianFromWA]

Jermaine.

O'Neal.

Paul won't want to let his young guys leave because he's still terrified of another Jermaine happening.

Mo wasn't his young guy.
Crabbe can stay at whatever contract we match.
Cliff and Luis can be re-signed for vet min contracts and retain Bird Rights.
He should've thought of that in the Afflalo trade ( )

Basically, if it comes down to it we will have traded away Meyers Legend (and if you want to count it, Henderson) and our cap space for Pau Gasol and Evan Turner. I don't think that's horrible.

 

[Natebishop3]

Mo wasn't his young guy.
Crabbe can stay at whatever contract we match.
Cliff and Luis can be re-signed for vet min contracts and retain Bird Rights.
He should've thought of that in the Afflalo trade ( )

Basically, if it comes down to it we will have traded away Meyers Legend (and if you want to count it, Henderson) and our cap space for Pau Gasol and Evan Turner. I don't think that's horrible.

Pau ain't coming here man. If it was gonna happen, it would have happened.

 

[BrianFromWA]

Pau ain't coming here man. If it was gonna happen, it would have happened.

Not saying he will. Stoked if he does. Can't believe those who want the likes of Ian Mahinmi or Cole Aldrich instead, or are lamenting renouncing Leonard and Harkness if he does.

 

[UncleCliffy'sDaddy]

my last post might have gone over the line alittle but OMG -- go back and read the BS over ONE friggin signing and the offseason is not even over yet. I thought Blazers fans for the most part had good heads on there shoulders but i might be wrong if last 48 hours is what happens when he tries to make the team better.

I just wanted to say thanks to all who posted. I literally had tears running down my cheeks laughing at some of the comments. I truly love how creative and descriptive passionate fans can be when they are well and truly pissed off. Some seriously funny shit. But everyone keeps coming back for more. So we've got that going for us......Last summer started out a huge, steaming pile of shit and ended up with us scrapping our way into the second round of the playoffs. I've only seen one actual move made yet so far this summer. The rest is all still conjecture at the moment. I'll withhold final judgement until we at least know what the roster is at the start of the season.......

 

[Chris Craig]

There's a few different levels of interesting going on here.

1) I understand wanting flexibility for attaining future assets Varejao/Miller-style (it's kind of my schtick).
2) I understand not letting assets go away for nothing in return (again, something I'm known for advocating)
3) I tend to look for the things in young players that are projectible with patience, and generally have higher tolerance for keeping a young player around to get him coached up.
4) I have no idea what some of you are thinking when you say that you don't want a Hall of Fame, championship-winning center with some serious gas left in the tank (all-star last 2 yrs, 2nd-team all-NBA in 2015,5th in blocks last year, 6th in rebounding) and whose only history of injuries was plantar fasciitis a few years back, because, in large part, it will stunt the minutes of someone like Mason Plumlee and require the team to renounce a guy that many of you didn't want to offer a 4th year option to, and a guy we literally picked up for free last year and who played 18mpg on a less-stacked roster than the one we're about to go forward with.

I'll put it this way: EVEN IF you think Gasol's not worth 4 years...EVEN IF you don't think he's worth 20M/yr...how many All-Stars/All-NBA players of ANY age do you think are even open to coming here as FAs?

How do you know Pau is open to coming here?

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

I just wanted to say thanks to all who posted. I literally had tears running down my cheeks laughing at some of the comments. I truly love how creative and descriptive passionate fans can be when they are well and truly pissed off. Some seriously funny shit. But everyone keeps coming back for more. So we've got that going for us......Last summer started out a huge, steaming pile of shit and ended up with us scrapping our way into the second round of the playoffs. I've only seen one actual move made yet so far this summer. The rest is all still conjecture at the moment. I'll withhold final judgement until we at least know what the roster is at the start of the season.......

Ha. Well that makes me feel a little better at least. It is pretty funny to go back and read.

 

[bodyman5000 and 1]

Jermaine.

O'Neal.

Paul won't want to let his young guys leave because he's still terrified of another Jermaine happening.

Meyers is so damn frustrating that I almost want him to go to Indiana and become an all star.

If I was Meyers I would dunk on everything and everyone.

Does Shaq want a part time job coaching?

 

[BrianFromWA]

How do you know Pau is open to coming here?

I have no idea other than the same tweets and reports you're reading. But that wasn't the point. The point was that, IF he is interested in coming here, even if it's only b/c Uncle Paul is backing up a Brink's truck for him, it's interesting to me that so many people on here are stating that they don't want an "old guy", especially if he's so expensive that we have to renounce Harkless and Leonard for him. There was a ribbon of thought floating around on Cole Damn Aldrich (unrelated to Harrison F'ing Barnes) being a good fit. And my contention is (and has been) that, IF a Hall of Fame, championship-winning center with some serious gas left in the tank (all-star last 2 yrs, 2nd-team all-NBA in 2015,5th in blocks last year, 6th in rebounding) and whose only history of injuries was plantar fasciitis a few years back IS interested, and it just so happens to be at our biggest position of need, opportunities like that don't come along often and it's interesting to me that anyone would be anything but stoked that that's happening, especially if it's for the price of our cap space and renouncing Leonard and Harkless.

If he chooses to go somewhere else, forget about him. But go ahead and (the collective you) bring up a name of a recent All-Star or All-NBA player (center or otherwise) who we're rumored to be able to get through free agency or a price lower than Leonard+Harkless. I'll wait.

 

[Natebishop3]

Not saying he will. Stoked if he does. Can't believe those who want the likes of Ian Mahinmi or Cole Aldrich instead, or are lamenting renouncing Leonard and Harkness if he does.

Personally, I don't give a shit about Leonard. I think he's a scrub. I would hate to lose Harkless though. I see a ton of growth possibility in him. He was damn good in the playoffs, and he's still young.

I'd love to sign-and-trade Leonard though...

 

[Sinobas]

Pay harkless

Starting line up lillard cj turner harkless aminu. Turner posts up and passes and everyone else sinks swish3s. Sometimes we could just line up everyone behind the 3 and weave till dame gets open 40foot swish3s.

It's a bit ironic how many players Olshey has been bringing in that are below average at swish3s. Henderson, Aminu, Harkless, Turner...and now Crabbe may be leaving. That would leave us with only 2 players that are good at shooting swish3.

 

[Chris Craig]

I have no idea other than the same tweets and reports you're reading. But that wasn't the point. The point was that, IF he is interested in coming here, even if it's only b/c Uncle Paul is backing up a Brink's truck for him, it's interesting to me that so many people on here are stating that they don't want an "old guy", especially if he's so expensive that we have to renounce Harkless and Leonard for him. There was a ribbon of thought floating around on Cole Damn Aldrich (unrelated to Harrison F'ing Barnes) being a good fit. And my contention is (and has been) that, IF a Hall of Fame, championship-winning center with some serious gas left in the tank (all-star last 2 yrs, 2nd-team all-NBA in 2015,5th in blocks last year, 6th in rebounding) and whose only history of injuries was plantar fasciitis a few years back IS interested, and it just so happens to be at our biggest position of need, opportunities like that don't come along often and it's interesting to me that anyone would be anything but stoked that that's happening, especially if it's for the price of our cap space and renouncing Leonard and Harkless.

If he chooses to go somewhere else, forget about him. But go ahead and (the collective you) bring up a name of a recent All-Star or All-NBA player (center or otherwise) who we're rumored to be able to get through free agency or a price lower than Leonard+Harkless. I'll wait.

@BrianFromWA,

While it would be nice for once for an all star...or in Gasol's case an ex all star...to sign with Portland and break the "curse", Gasol is not only old, a few years from retirement, but he doesn't fit the Blazers. You could argue that offensively he could help the Blazers in the front court. Which is an argument I could understand. Still, he would be awkward here, coming only because the money, not because he likes our city, our fans, or the tenacious scrappy way we play basketball. Not only will he will destroy the fast tempo identity , the Blazers reinvented themselves with last season, far worse he will disrupt the chemistry. You advocate signing him for the sake of signing a high level free agent (which he really isn't anymore anyway) as long as he wants to come here, even if it's for the money, and even if he doesn't fit. I am sorry but that seems very naive and ignorant. I don't think Neil should sign him either for the sake of "saving" what's so far been a less then successful free agency.

 

[BrianFromWA]

@BrianFromWA,

While it would be nice for once for an all star...or in Gasol's case an ex all star...to sign with Portland and break the "curse", Gasol is not only old, a few years from retirement, but he doesn't fit the Blazers. You could argue that offensively he could help the Blazers in the front court. Which is an argument I could understand. Still, he would be awkward here, coming only because the money, not because he likes our city, our fans, or the tenacious scrappy way we play basketball. Not only will he will destroy the fast tempo identity , the Blazers reinvented themselves with last season, far worse he will disrupt the chemistry. You advocate signing him for the sake of signing a high level free agent (which he really isn't anymore anyway) as long as he wants to come here, even if it's for the money, and even if he doesn't fit. I am sorry but that seems very naive and ignorant. I don't think Neil should sign him either for the sake of "saving" what's so far been a less then successful free agency.

I'm not pining for nostalgia, like a 2010 Ken Griffey Jr., but for a good player. Pau isn't an "ex-All Star". He made it the last two years. Now, Kabul TV reception being what it is, I didn't see a whole lot of Pau last year, so maybe he's garbage. I readily admit the possibility.

However, I advocate signing a low-post option/3rd option on offense with off-the-charts BBIQ, who's a great defensive rebounder and passable low-post defender. No matter the age, he put up 16/11/4 last year against real-life NBA players. He played more minutes than Whiteside, Biyombo, Mahinmi, Noah, Aldrich, Howard. He was 5th in the league in blocks and 6th in rebounding. He had the 5th-most defensive win shares and 6th in Defensive Plus/Minus. Again, I readily admit that having Jimmy Butler and Taj Gibson help you out on D makes you look better, but explain exactly how you think he doesn't fit, but Mahinmi/Aldrich/Biyombo/Howard/Whiteside would? After seeing what the playoffs did to Dame and CJ, you want to play 4-on-5 on offense? And for all his faults, he's (at least my all metrics) a better interior defender than anyone on our roster.

Has Pau ever been a disruption? Has he, other than when D'Antoni benched him for Earl Clark (?!), ever said anything to make you think "Damn, maybe not"?

I'm looking for my team to get better. Pau would instantly make it so.

 

[Chris Craig]

I'm not pining for nostalgia, like a 2010 Ken Griffey Jr., but for a good player. Pau isn't an "ex-All Star". He made it the last two years. Now, Kabul TV reception being what it is, I didn't see a whole lot of Pau last year, so maybe he's garbage. I readily admit the possibility.

However, I advocate signing a low-post option/3rd option on offense with off-the-charts BBIQ, who's a great defensive rebounder and passable low-post defender. No matter the age, he put up 16/11/4 last year against real-life NBA players. He played more minutes than Whiteside, Biyombo, Mahinmi, Noah, Aldrich, Howard. He was 5th in the league in blocks and 6th in rebounding. He had the 5th-most defensive win shares and 6th in Defensive Plus/Minus. Again, I readily admit that having Jimmy Butler and Taj Gibson help you out on D makes you look better, but explain exactly how you think he doesn't fit, but Mahinmi/Aldrich/Biyombo/Howard/Whiteside would? After seeing what the playoffs did to Dame and CJ, you want to play 4-on-5 on offense? And for all his faults, he's (at least my all metrics) a better interior defender than anyone on our roster.

Has Pau ever been a disruption? Has he, other than when D'Antoni benched him for Earl Clark (?!), ever said anything to make you think "Damn, maybe not"?

I'm looking for my team to get better. Pau would instantly make it so.

I appreciate your opinion

P.s.

If he signs with Portland he will not be an all star next season

 

[Chris Craig]

Is it worth giving up at least two of our restricteds(Crabbe, Meyers, and Hark) plus trading away Aminu to get Gasol. With Henderson already gone that is far too much to loose.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Why would PA want to spend money on a team that fans are already bailing on after ONE -- let me repeat -- ONE DAMN MOVE -- Well maybe not the team but if someone said lets make Olshey walk naked out of town throwing shit at him ala game of thrones i think 80% of this board would show up with stuff to throw at him. I do not understand why you cannot give the man some slack and see how things play out instead its fans acting like whiny BITCHES.

Friendly word of advice. A lot of us have been talking at each other for years (a decade plus in some cases). Maybe lurk a little more and post a little less.






















In short, STFU.

 

[BrianFromWA]

Is it worth giving up at least two of our restricteds(Crabbe, Meyers, and Hark) plus trading away Aminu to get Gasol. With Henderson already gone that is far too much to loose.

What do you mean, trading Aminu? It's likely Meyers and Hark joining Hendo, Kaman and Roberts on the Renounced List. And that's only if it goes over 16M/yr (which it likely will do)

 

[Chris Craig]

What do you mean, trading Aminu? It's likely Meyers and Hark joining Hendo, Kaman and Roberts on the Renounced List. And that's only if it goes over 16M/yr (which it likely will do)

I guess it depends on what we pay him, I hear at least 20, but Neil and the Blazers might go North of there to get him here, I hope not

 

[BrianFromWA]

If we sign Turner at 16.4M starting, and Pau at 19.6M starting, we would have to renounce Mo, Meyers, Kaman and Henderson. Crabbe stays put. We actually could keep Roberts, also.

 

[BBert]

Some people thought we were getting Durant and Whiteside. You can't blame them for being a little disappointed. I'm not because I know Lebron is going to sign here.

This is really it.

We worked our collective selves into a frenzy fantasizing about a top 5 free agent signing with Portland. When that didn't happen, cue the nine stages of grief.

Expectations.

 

[BBert]

Pau ain't coming here man. If it was gonna happen, it would have happened.

I don't know if we are his bargaining chip or his last resort. Probably both, as per usual.

 

[Nikolokolus]

This is really it.

We worked our collective selves into a frenzy fantasizing about a top 5 free agent signing with Portland. When that didn't happen, cue the nine stages of grief.

Expectations.

You really believed that?

 

[Strenuus]

This is really it.

We worked our collective selves into a frenzy fantasizing about a top 5 free agent signing with Portland. When that didn't happen, cue the nine stages of grief.

Expectations.

This is why I never get involved in those talks.

It's self-induced frenzy.

Expectations are a resentment waiting to happen. This is a prime example.

 

[Hobbesarable]

This is why I never get involved in those talks.

It's self-induced frenzy.

Expectations are a resentment waiting to happen. This is a prime example.

Agree. I'm enjoying the process as I went into this free agency with zero expectations.

 

[Schilly]

The reality of matters is this all the other 29 teams have to still do their best to be as good as possible. Injuries happen chemistry fails, bring overloaded isn't a guarantee to a title etc... Etc... The Heat didn't win in 2 of the seasons together. The Clippers and Lob City haven't even sniffed it. You can go down the list of "Big X" teams and find examples of them coming up short. Yes this team will be damn good but everyone has to be ready for those variables that can pop up.

 

[BBert]

You really believed that?

Well, not me personally. And not every poster. I was speaking to what I saw as the prevailing expectations. Followed by the overall disappointment.

 

[Natebishop3]

I thought we could get Howard..... maybe not a top 5, but still a difference maker.... I was wrong.