I'm concerned about next summer

[Natebishop3]

I feel like Neil is really rolling the dice here. The majority of our core is about to go onto the free agent market, completely unrestricted.

What is the end game? Add a third superstar? Make a "big three?"

This could blow up in our face. Who are we realistically going to get? Gasol? Hibbert? A lot of the RFA names like Thompson and Rubio are gone.

We could easily lose Wes, Lopez, and even Aldridge (although that's looking highly unlikely at this point.)

I wasn't thrilled with them picking up the option on Leonard but not Robinson. I thought TRob showed a lot of promise last year, and I thought he played really well in the summer league before the injury. It doesn't make sense to me. Someone is going to pay him.

if Neil rolls the dice and we lose Lopez and Wes without getting Gasol or Hibbert.... this could set us back significantly. If the end game is to try to get Hibbert, just do it now. Make the trade. The Pacers are horrible and I'm sure they'd be willing to blow it up to improve their draft position.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

What should Neil have done different? Matthews, Lopez and LMA's contracts were done and signed long before he got here. He's playing the hand he was dealt. I think your concerns should be put on the back burner until the season is over.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

The worst part about being a Blazers fan is constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop.

 

[Natebishop3]

Some of the better names available next summer:

Rondo
Greg Monroe
Roy Hibbert
Marc Gasol
DeAndre Jordan
Thad Young
Omer Asik
Goran Dragic
Rudy Gay

These guys are all UFA, but who would you go after with all our cap space? I'm assuming LA will get extended first.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

I think you lock up RoLo and choose between Wes and Nic.

Wes and Nic are very similar - shooters who can't create their own shot that well.

But I think Wes is turning into a dynamic SG - his post game is money.

Nic is passive, rarely aggressive and really pads his assist numbers. Game 6 he was a total no show against Houston. Really a frustrating player to watch. I'd much rather keep Wes/Lopez and deal Nic - Jimmy Butler anyone?

 

[Natebishop3]

What should Neil have done different? Matthews, Lopez and LMA's contracts were done and signed long before he got here. He's playing the hand he was dealt. I think your concerns should be put on the back burner until the season is over.

He could have extended those guys, no? Aldridge is the only one who, to my knowledge, was offered a deal and turned it down.

 

[Natebishop3]

I think you lock up RoLo and choose between Wes and Nic.

Wes and Nic are very similar - shooters who can't create their own shot that well.

But I think Wes is turning into a dynamic SG - his post game is money.

Nic is passive, rarely aggressive and really pads his assist numbers. Game 6 he was a total no show against Houston. Really a frustrating player to watch. I'd much rather keep Wes/Lopez and deal Nic - Jimmy Butler anyone?

I tend to agree. We need another scorer who can create his own shot. Wes and Nic are too much alike, but I tend to lean towards keeping Nic. There are very few guys who can do all the things he does. I like Wes a lot, but I would trade him for the right deal.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

He could have extended those guys, no? Aldridge is the only one who, to my knowledge, was offered a deal and turned it down.

Like I said in a different thread, if this team goes to the WCF or beyond you pay your players, go reasonably over the cap and keep the team intact. If this team loses in the 1st or 2nd round, while I love our starters, you have to look at making changes.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

He's more talented and younger but he doesn't have the motor of Wes.

His lack of grit has really held him back from being an All-Star level player - a 14/5/5 guy with a 15 PER. His numbers from his contract year to now are relatively the same.

 

[Natebishop3]

Like I said in a different thread, if this team goes to the WCF or beyond you pay your players, go reasonably over the cap and keep the team intact. If this team loses in the 1st or 2nd round, while I love our starters, you have to look at making changes.

They're unrestricted free agents. You can make them an offer, but that doesn't mean they're going to take it. If Neil goes after someone like Gasol, another team could pounce on Wes or Rolo and we would be shit out of luck. You're acting like they're restricted.

 

[illmatic99]

You've got 6 months left. And 3 until the trade deadline. Chill

 

[Natebishop3]

He's more talented and younger but he doesn't have the motor of Wes.

His lack of grit has really held him back from being an All-Star level player - a 14/5/5 guy with a 15 PER. His numbers from his contract year to now are relatively the same.

Well, who do you trade him for?

 

[Pinwheel1]

I wasn't thrilled with them picking up the option on Leonard but not Robinson. I thought TRob showed a lot of promise last year, and I thought he played really well in the summer league before the injury. It doesn't make sense to me. Someone is going to pay him.

I really think some of you are making a bigger deal out of the TRob vs. Leonard extensions than necessary. If TRob has that great of a year then we will pay him. I like him too, but I think it is debatable if he is starter material. And if it is debatable then I am not going to worry that much about it. Back up PF's can easily be found for 5 million. Probably more so than any other position.

 

[Natebishop3]

You've got 6 months left. And 3 until the trade deadline. Chill

If the goal is to bolster the lineup by acquiring someone like Hibbert, I would rather do it now. Not at the trade deadline. Give the team some time to gel.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

They're unrestricted free agents. You can make them an offer, but that doesn't mean they're going to take it. If Neil goes after someone like Gasol, another team could pounce on Wes or Rolo and we would be shit out of luck. You're acting like they're restricted.

Dude, relax. Enjoy the team we currently have. Worry about the offseason when the season is over.

 

[Natebishop3]

I really think some of you are making a bigger deal out of the TRob vs. Leonard extensions than necessary. If TRob has that great of a year then we will pay him. I like him too, but I think it is debatable if he is starter material. And if it is debatable then I am not going to worry that much about it. Back up PF's can easily be found for 5 million. Probably more so than any other position.

We lost his bird rights though, no?

 

[Natebishop3]

Dude, relax. Enjoy the team we currently have. Worry about the offseason when the season is over.

Oh, I forgot, we don't talk about the long term here... sorry, I forgot to set a timer on this thread to post in July.

My point is that we should take action NOW. Not in July.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Well, who do you trade him for?

That's tricky - the guy I want (Jimmy Butler) makes a fraction of what Nic makes and will be a RFA this summer.

 

[Schilly]

I was thinking about this yesterday in terms of logical upgrades. Upgrades usually cost more than just the player being upgraded, so I question the cost of upgrading Rolo or Wes would actually equate to a team upgrade. Gasol is an upgrade over Robin... But at the expense of having to let Wes walk? I don't think so.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Oh, I forgot, we don't talk about the long term here... sorry, I forgot to set a timer on this thread to post in July.

My point is that we should take action NOW. Not in July.

You mentioned Gasol, I doubt he's available.

The team is in a great position if we don't take that next step to make huge roster moves/changes. I think we should stick with that plan. Making a trade or trades that will take away our offseason cap flexibility doesn't make sense.

 

[Natebishop3]

You mentioned Gasol, I doubt he's available.

The team is in a great position if we don't take that next step to make huge roster moves/changes. I think we should stick with that plan. Making a trade or trades that will take away our offseason cap flexibility doesn't make sense.

Gasol will be a UFA, so he's available, but would he leave Memphis?

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

NY is going hard after Gasol this summer.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Oh, I forgot, we don't talk about the long term here... sorry, I forgot to set a timer on this thread to post in July.

My point is that we should take action NOW. Not in July.

Gasol will be a UFA, so he's available, but would he leave Memphis?

I'm confused. You're worried about next summer's cap flexibility so you want to make moves now for a player who won't be available until next summer (I don't see memphis trading their UFA center for our UFA center) and we'll need cap space to get him. I'm not trying to start shit with you but it seems like you're all over the place.

 

[blue9]

I think you lock up RoLo and choose between Wes and Nic.

Wes and Nic are very similar - shooters who can't create their own shot that well.

Worrying about our 3rd/4th options on offense being able to create their own shot is the problem. It's the guy who's making the most money who needs to be able to create offense. That's the fundamental flaw with our team - we're locking up the most money in a PF who doesn't create offense. Unless you're Dirk or Duncan, a PF should never be the highest paid player on a team. PFs are meant to be complimentary players, not center-pieces.

 

[Pinwheel1]

We lost his bird rights though, no?

Sure, but if the plan is to resign LA, how much are you willing to spend on your back up PF after next year? I would have liked to see him extended, but there are too many other scenarios out there for me to worry about this one. Neil seems to have a financial game plan for next summer. It will be interesting to see what it is.

 

[Blazinaway]

I think what happens next summer will in large part be determined by how this team performs this year, LMA is the key guy, if he stays that means we likely had a good season and we pay people, if he leaves we likely didn't and then we have huge decisions to make, we'd probably try for a modest blow/quick rebuild up and let a guy like Wes go because of the huge payday he will likely get. Not sure about Rolo if LMA leaves.

 

[magnifier661]

I think you lock up RoLo and choose between Wes and Nic.

Wes and Nic are very similar - shooters who can't create their own shot that well.

But I think Wes is turning into a dynamic SG - his post game is money.

Nic is passive, rarely aggressive and really pads his assist numbers. Game 6 he was a total no show against Houston. Really a frustrating player to watch. I'd much rather keep Wes/Lopez and deal Nic - Jimmy Butler anyone?

I disagree. I think Matthews has developed a nice post up game and Batum is a damn good facilitator. Both are our best defenders and there is alway something to be said about players that have been together for so long.

 

[tlongII]

I'm not worried at all. We have Bird rights on most of the guys. TRob isn't good enough or expensive enough to worry about not having his Bird rights. I think you go into the off season and look at maybe signing one FA and then match whatever is offered to our UFA's. Obviously timing will be important so we don't violate cap rules, but this is the right time to do this. I think the CBA is up after next season correct?

 

[magnifier661]

I'm not worried at all. We have Bird rights on most of the guys. TRob isn't good enough or expensive enough to worry about not having his Bird rights. I think you go into the off season and look at maybe signing one FA and then match whatever is offered to our UFA's. Obviously timing will be important so we don't violate cap rules, but this is the right time to do this. I think the CBA is up after next season correct?

Yes it's gonna go up and so will salaries

 

[Blazer Freak]

If anything Nate, Olshey has played this perfectly. We have bird rights on LA, Rolo, and Wes. Lillard's salary is still low, and Batum is locked in at a fair salary.

This next off-season is the one where we have the chance to make a big move and truly jump to a contender. If Olshey plays his cards right and our FA's buy in, we can use our cap space to snag a max or near max level player and then resign all of our players and go over the cap to do so. This summer will truly be one of the last times we can add a significant piece without giving up much, if anything.

Now if we were to get Gasol, we likely wouldn't be resigning Rolo so that improves our cap situation a bit. Should be interested and I'm excited for it. It's going to be a fun summer.