Last domino: Layman

[Reep]

injury insurance. we are covered at every other position. If even one of Dame/CJ/Simons goes down, we are screwed.

I don’t think it is that bad as Bazemore and Hezonja both are probably better at running an offense than Ant is. Bazemore brought the ball up and initiated for Atlanta quite a lot.

 

[Scalma]

We have Zach. Nurk will be back by 2020, and even Tolliver can play stretch 5.

Zach? The starting power forward? Tolliver can play stretch five the same way Kent Bazemore can play point guard.

 

[oldmangrouch]

Another big would be nice. So would another playmaker. (doesn't need to be a PG)

Layman seems like the odd man out. Too bad, as he has shown spurts of NBA caliber production - but he either can't keep it going, or the coaches just don't trust him. Either way, it looks to me as if the team has higher priorities.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

Skal averaged 8.8 reb per 36 min, which is better than Collins. He isn’t Nurkic or Whiteside, but he isn’t terrible.

Better than Anthony Tolliver, who averages about 6.

 

[Scalma]

Better than Anthony Tolliver, who averages about 6.

Tolliver is truly an awful rebounder lol. Don’t even look at his contested percentages. He’s strictly a floor spacer. I think Skal will beat him out for a rotation spot. His true value will come in the locker room. He’s got a great rep as a team guy/leader and is very successful in businesses outside of the NBA. I think Dame will really bond with him, just a gut feeling.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

I think we should rescind Layman and let him go tbh. I know they offered him the QO but that was before Hood committed and Hezonja signed. Now we’re absolutely loaded on the wing and I don’t see Layman as an option at the four. I’d much rather use his roster spot on another big, which would also allow us to leave the 15th spot open, possibly for a buyout guy later in the season.

I hadn't considered this action before, you make a good point.

However I would still take him back on the qualifying offer. We have a large number of wings but none of them are reliable rotational players, they all have question marks. Think of Udoka or Batum unexpectedly being key wing role players, maybe Jake could be the same. Hell he had productive starts for stretches of last year.

I'd rather keep him and see how the first few months of the season play out, at only the qualifying offer it wouldn't be a disaster if we had to cut him and sign someone else mid season.

Now if he gets a multi year offer I agree let him go.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

if Portland has any inkling Layman is going to accept his QO, they should immediately offer a 1 year deal for 2-3M and if Layman hesitates or wavers, Portland should withdraw the QO

Layman on a 3m expiring contract with full-Bird rights is a trade asset, if only as filler. Layman on a QO is a poor trade asset by comparison

I don't see the benefit to this, if the CBA even allows it, never seen a team do this.

With luxury tax this $3 million costs the team something like $4 million extra of tax. If he accepts the qualifying his salary is under $2 million. His bird rights in a trade is not going to be worth anything close to a second round pick.

 

[hoopsjock]

I don't see the benefit to this, if the CBA even allows it, never seen a team do this.

With luxury tax this $3 million costs the team something like $4 million extra of tax. If he accepts the qualifying his salary is under $2 million. His bird rights in a trade is not going to be worth anything close to a second round pick.

That depends on how good he plays next year.

 

[kjironman1]

I personally would go as high as $4 million a year on Jake. But i don't do it unless it has a team option worked into it.

Of course you sit and see what offer he might get. If no one matches then give him the QO and roll with it. I don't mind giving Jake another year or two to see what we end up with?

 

[SharpesTriumph]

I personally would go as high as $4 million a year on Jake. But i don't do it unless it has a team option worked into it.

Of course you sit and see what offer he might get. If no one matches then give him the QO and roll with it. I don't mind giving Jake another year or two to see what we end up with?

I believe offer sheets have to be 3 years guaranteed? I'm not sure they can do team options.

 

[kjironman1]

I believe offer sheets have to be 3 years guaranteed? I'm not sure they can do team options.

I believe they can do a team option on the third year?
The QO is as binding as a one year offer. But they can still offer a multi year offer.

 

[kjironman1]

I believe offer sheets have to be 3 years guaranteed? I'm not sure they can do team options.

The other option would to just not guarantee the third year? That is probably a little more realistic?

 

[Wizard Mentor]

I personally would go as high as $4 million a year on Jake. But i don't do it unless it has a team option worked into it.

Of course you sit and see what offer he might get. If no one matches then give him the QO and roll with it. I don't mind giving Jake another year or two to see what we end up with?

???
I'd literally rather play Bazemore, Hood, Mario, Little, or Trent before I played Jake at the 3 - That's 6th on my depth chart.

 

[Reep]

???
I'd literally rather play Bazemore, Hood, Mario, Little, or Trent before I played Jake at the 3 - That's 6th on my depth chart.

I think that is a bit harsh. The tools might pass him
Up at some point, but Little and Trent are not ahead of him yet. I would rank him tied for third, maybe fourth, with Jake being a better shooter and Mario better at almost everything else.

 

[wizenheimer]

I believe offer sheets have to be 3 years guaranteed? I'm not sure they can do team options.

I believe an offer sheet would come from another team. Portland would just be re-signing their full-Bird free agent. Anywhere from 1 year to 4 years

 

[Wizard Mentor]

I think that is a bit harsh. The tools might pass him
Up at some point, but Little and Trent are not ahead of him yet. I would rank him tied for third, maybe fourth, with Jake being a better shooter and Mario better at almost everything else.

You're making my point. We shouldn't spend $$$ on a 4th string SF when the 5th string SF is the SFotF.

 

[LayneStaley]

Cut him loose, sign a PF who can rebound.

 

[mook]

Interesting to see how close Layman and Hezonja are statistically. I guess the major difference to look at is that Hezonja came up in Orlando and the Knicks--not a great place to learn the game.

Also, Layman was 47th in the draft, while Hezonja was the 5th pick.

I don't know if Jake really ticks the boxes for what we need right now.

However, I kind of want to hold onto him because young athletic wings are pretty valuable in this league, and if he busts out there's a lot more value there than we'd get in, say, filling his spot with a journeyman back PF or C or PG.

 

[Scalma]

Interesting to see how close Layman and Hezonja are statistically. I guess the major difference to look at is that Hezonja came up in Orlando and the Knicks--not a great place to learn the game.

Also, Layman was 47th in the draft, while Hezonja was the 5th pick.

I don't know if Jake really ticks the boxes for what we need right now.

However, I kind of want to hold onto him because young athletic wings are pretty valuable in this league, and if he busts out there's a lot more value there than we'd get in, say, filling his spot with a journeyman back PF or C or PG.

Yeah but the problem I see is Stotts. He doesn’t trust Layman. And now he’s got extra alternatives.

 

[mook]

Yeah but the problem I see is Stotts. He doesn’t trust Layman. And now he’s got extra alternatives.

I would correct that to say he hasn't trusted Layman. He also didn't trust Crabbe or Connaughton in their first few years, but they developed and opportunities arose.

The Blazers got rid of all the incumbent starters at SF and PF. It's up for grabs now. I think Hood probably has the inside track for minutes, but it's not guaranteed. Hard to know what Layman has shown in practice.

 

[Scalma]

I would correct that to say he hasn't trusted Layman. He also didn't trust Crabbe or Connaughton in their first few years, but they developed and opportunities arose.

The Blazers got rid of all the incumbent starters at SF and PF. It's up for grabs now. I think Hood probably has the inside track for minutes, but it's not guaranteed. Hard to know what Layman has shown in practice.

Layman had his opportunity this season just like Crabbe and Connaughton. But unlike the other two, he got benched at the end. There’s no competition with Hood imo, his minutes are a lock. Same with Bazemore. If Layman is on the roster, I doubt he plays. Portland should let him go and make better use of the roster spot.

 

[Reep]

You're making my point. We shouldn't spend $$$ on a 4th string SF when the 5th string SF is the SFotF.

We aren’t far apart. I just think at the start of the season, Jake is more ready. But, I think the ceilings of Mario and Nassir are much higher, so I wouldn’t be opposed to tossing them in to get experience.

 

[Scalma]

We aren’t far apart. I just think at the start of the season, Jake is more ready. But, I think the ceilings of Mario and Nassir are much higher, so I wouldn’t be opposed to tossing them in to get experience.

Mario has more experience than Layman, unless you’re just talking about the system.

 

[Reep]

Mario has more experience than Layman, unless you’re just talking about the system.

Yes, in Stotts system.

 

[LayneStaley]

Layman is very redundant at this point, Neil has done a better job at balancing the roster and should continue that trend with Layman’s roster spot.

 

[Cugel]

Saw that Minnesota is kicking Jake's tires.

 

[Scalma]

Saw that Minnesota is kicking Jake's tires.

Take him

 

[GDiama]

Way better to sign a backup PG and a PF than keeping Layman. Many bodies that can play his position.

 

[LayneStaley]

Minny with Vonleh and Layman, nice.

If this happens how do people feel about Rondo(if he took the min and would come here)? I think we could use a little more attitude and the playoff experience wouldn’t hurt either.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

Minny still after our retreads!