Looking Ahead

[oldmangrouch]

Whiteside, Melo, Ariza.

Who do you want back next season?

Realistically, who do you think will be back?

There's no doubt in my mind Whiteside is out the door. Given his recent behavior - I say good riddance! I am ambivalent about Melo, but I don't think there is any chance we can re-sign him. His former agent is now GM of the Knicks, they can offer him more money, and earlier in his career he forced a trade out of Denver because he wanted to be the big worm in the big apple.

Ariza is a tough call for me. He helped the team during his brief audition (and would have really helped here in the bubble), but he is getting up there in years and I frankly question his commitment to the Blazers. If he wanted to be here, he could be here. Could his absence be a subtle way of pressuring the team to trade him?

Thoughts?

 

[Pinwheel1]

I missed Whitesides's bad behavior. What did he do?

 

[SharpesTriumph]

I'd rather see Melo gone. He was good this year when the alternative was Tolliver. I think we should target rotational players with higher defensive upside. I dont think Melo would be happy in an end of the bench role.

I'm fine keeping Ariza if there is little opportunity cost, which appears the case unless the final CBA agreement has additional restrictions.

Whiteside I'd say move on, he will want the chance of a larger role. C is the easiest position to fill in the NBA. Wow the league has sure changed from 15 years ago.

We need more defense from our rotational players. A backup forward who can give us what we used to get from Aminu or Harkless would be perfect. Then see if our youth improves. If this is a below .500 team next season tear it down at the deadline by exploring trades for everyone outside Dame.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

I'm fine with Ariza sitting out. His play as a Blazer proved to me his commitment as a Blazer. He's earned enough millions to be set for life so he needs to prioritize his children over work.

Maybe he loses another step athletically. As long as there isnt opportunity cost on his contract then give it to him. If his play suffers next year he'd be easy to buy out or include in another trade, so there's little downside.

 

[oldmangrouch]

I missed Whitesides's bad behavior. What did he do?

He was loafing on the court when he played, and now he is AWOL with a phantom injury.

 

[LayneStaley]

Whiteside will cost too much. Melo may try to turn his good play in PDX into a spot on a contender but id take him back on a 1 year deal. Ariza we keep, hes our best wing defender and would make a huge difference in the Bubble right now.

Also, I don’t see Hood being very effective next season with a year off and coming off an Achilles injury. This would be a good time to actually shop CJ for a wing or CJ/Zach for a star SF or PF. I feel comfortable that with Dame, Nurk, and a star at one of the F positions that Trent/Simmons could handle the minutes at the 2.

Just my thoughts.

 

[GriLtCheeZ]

My guess is Whiteside and Melo leave, and Ariza stays and finishes the last year on his contract.

 

[Pinwheel1]

5 guys could get minutes at the 3 if Ariza, Little, Trent, Melo, and Hood all came back. Ariza would be a great example for Little to learn from next year. I would want him back.

My guess is Melo goes to Brooklyn, Little plays a lot at the 4, and Whiteside will be offered more money than from us. But I hope he stays. We need his depth

 

[James lamphear]

The rumor is Melo wants finish his career in New York. Whiteside I believe he thinks he a starter so I think he looked somewhere else but he might not to many offers. Ariza I would keep due we don't know when Hood comes back. I believe that Zach and Nurk going need a training camp together to so they can cohese especially on defense they both look out sync together at time's. I wouldn't mind they look for a trade for CJ to find player's to make us deeper on the bench.

 

[damianlillard]

As much as I appreciated Whiteside and Melo helping us out this year, I don’t think they’re coming back. We need more perimeter defender which is why I think we will end up bringing back Ariza. With Ariza back our wing become solid with Trent, Ariza, and Hood all on the wing. Plus we got that MLE that we can use to go get another wing defender. We could get Marcus Morris, Mo Harkless, JaMychal green, James Johnson, or Jae crowder. With the signing of any of these guys, we would be deep at the wing

 

[JDC]

I'd only bring back Ariza.

Bring in a cheap 3rd center / 10th guy. My top choice would be Alex Len, but he played well for Sacramento and offer a better opportunity for him to play decent minutes.

There will be a lot of other options though.

 

[Magic's Johnson]

Those who know salary cap rules and such, would this be a possible trade?

Portland gets Gallinari

OKC gets Hardaway Jr, Hezonja, Portland 2020 1st round pick or future Portland 2022 protected 1st round pick, future Dallas 2nd round pick

Dallas gets Whiteside

I don’t know what sign-and-trades are feasible, but I would see this as a win on all sides. If OKC could lose Gallinari for nothing, why not receive a future 1st and 2nd for taking an expiring when they (probably) won’t have expectations again next year. Dallas also doesn’t have a consistently healthy big to put next to Porzingis all season. Adding a 2nd to get off of Hardaway’s expiring and have Whiteside will still save them significant money next season. I wouldn’t mind giving up a 1st for Gallinari and signing him to a 4yr/$80m with only $5m guaranteed in year 4? Would this draw enough interest on all three sides?

If this trade was possible, would be still have the full MLE? Walking into next season with Dame/CJ/Ariza/Gallinari/Nurkic with Gary/Collins/MLE/Simons/Hood would be great. Augustine would be good if he came for a vet min.

In 2021, if Giannis doesn’t sign the supermax and the Heat feel like they have a chance at him, would they trade Olynyk or Dragic (I’ve heard he will most likely stay with the Heat) for Ariza’s expiring?

Aldridge also probably a buyout option by next trade deadline or available in FA 2021.

Alot of possibilities if this sign-and-trade would work out.

 

[damianlillard]

Those who know salary cap rules and such, would this be a possible trade?

Portland gets Gallinari

OKC gets Hardaway Jr, Hezonja, Portland 2020 1st round pick or future Portland 2022 protected 1st round pick, future Dallas 2nd round pick

Dallas gets Whiteside

I don’t know what sign-and-trades are feasible, but I would see this as a win on all sides. If OKC could lose Gallinari for nothing, why not receive a future 1st and 2nd for taking an expiring when they (probably) won’t have expectations again next year. Dallas also doesn’t have a consistently healthy big to put next to Porzingis all season. Adding a 2nd to get off of Hardaway’s expiring and have Whiteside will still save them significant money next season. I wouldn’t mind giving up a 1st for Gallinari and signing him to a 4yr/$80m with only $5m guaranteed in year 4? Would this draw enough interest on all three sides?

If this trade was possible, would be still have the full MLE? Walking into next season with Dame/CJ/Ariza/Gallinari/Nurkic with Gary/Collins/MLE/Simons/Hood would be great. Augustine would be good if he came for a vet min.

In 2021, if Giannis doesn’t sign the supermax and the Heat feel like they have a chance at him, would they trade Olynyk or Dragic (I’ve heard he will most likely stay with the Heat) for Ariza’s expiring?

Aldridge also probably a buyout option by next trade deadline or available in FA 2021.

Alot of possibilities if this sign-and-trade would work out.

I believe that would work, but I could be wrong. I can see OKC being interested in that, but I don’t know about Dallas though. I guess Cuban did go after him hard in 2016 so there’s a decent shot. I would love Gallinari though. He would be a perfect stretch 4 especially next to Nurkic. Collins would be great coming off of the bench for Nurk and Gallinari. Overall I love your idea

 

[Scalma]

Let whiteside leave, go after someone like Nerlens Noel or possibly Cousins. Collins can play next to either one.

I want Melo back. He’s been a great fit, albeit playing too many minutes.

Ariza isn’t a free agent and should be back as the starting SF. I don’t blame him at all for choosing time with his son, that’s crazy. And according to Chris Haynes, he evidently wanted to return to the bubble once his month visitation was up, the players reached out to him, but the league wouldn’t allow it.

 

[HailBlazers]

Dame/CJ
Trent/Simons
Ariza/Little
Melo/Collins/Gabriel
Nurk/Collins

Really wish CJ would come off the bench.

 

[e_blazer]

These last two games show that the three point shot rules the NBA today. It seems like every decent team is stocked with wings who can fill it up if the opponent can’t close on the shooters. That’s why it’s almost been worse for the Blazers that the stars have been out and the guys off the bench that you haven’t game-planned for are just itching for some of those open looks. Melo tries, but it’s never been his long suit and at his age he’s lost a step. Dame and CJ are shorter guards, which puts them at a disadvantage. Dame has improved to be a decent defender, but CJ is still a liability.

My thoughts are that Melo shouldn’t be back. Ariza still is a good defender, so I’m fine with him finishing out his contract next season. Hood is a wild card because who knows how he’s going to be after the Achilles rehab. Little and Trent need enough minutes to grow, but there’s no rush on Little. Mario is totally expendable. Hassan is probably going to look for more money and a starting spot somewhere else. I’m fine with that. I like Gabriel, but I think we’re going to need another backup true center. I don’t see the Dame/CJ marriage being broken up for at least one more year so I expect to see the same basic guard rotation next year.

 

[boredinsalem]

I wish we could find a way to get Jrue Holiday. He'd be perfect next to Dame. Not the shooter that CJ is, but you more than make up for it with enhanced playmaking and best defense in the league. I'm not sure what New Orleans will be looking to do next year. It seems like they have to build around Zion but he's also such a question mark long term. I wonder if the following would be any kind of draw for them?

CJ/Ariza/pick
for
Holiday/Redick

They get some cap relief if they decide not to pick up Ariza, and a vet presence/defense if they decide too. They could use an additional playmaker in CJ, who may be a decent fit next to a pure guard in Lonzo given that Lonzo is best guarding 2s.

Holiday shores up our backcourt defense and Redick would be a great player for Trent to learn from.

Lillard/Trent/Holiday/Melo/Nurkic

with Simons/Redick/Hood/Collins rounding out the rotation. I actually think that's a much better team than this year's squad. We'd still have a few defensive sieves but Holiday could help out Simons quite a bit as well being an extra facilitator.

Dame/Redick/Hood/Melo/Nurk
and
Simons/Holiday/Hezonja/Little/Collins

Both look nice as five man units.

 

[tiredhunter]

It is all cost/benefit.

Ariza there is a cost to waiving him - And I'm not sure what is out there that fits the needs of the Blazer at 12 mil, and he was certainly effective enough that I can't see dropping him. So I expect him to be back.

I expect someone to treat Whiteside as a starter, pay him between 15-25 mil, and if that happens, I will wish him nothing but success. If the market is dry for him, it'ld be reasonable to sign him for a 1 year contract on his bird rights, though I can't imagine justifying paying him more than 10 mil for that year. Also, Gabriel is looking to be a competent enough backup, that there is minimal harm to let him walk.

Melo is going to ring chase, and probably on a MLE or vet min deal. I'd like that to be with the Blazers, so that there is minimal pressure on Hoods rehab. If he is out there looking for dollar figures as a sign of respect, without his bird rights, the blazers won't be able to show him that particular brand of love. Otherwise, I'd have to see someone make the case someone that could be brought in on the MLE and fills a position of need.

Once you factor in bigger trades, all bets are off, but seeing everyone healthy, I'd run this team back unless there was something that brought in another superstar in their prime.

 

[KSF-ERIC]

Bring back Whiteside if he'll come off the bench. Bring back Melo. It has been a perfect fit for him. He's appreciated by his teammates. He's counted on for big moments. It's the best situation he's been in since 2013 and I don't know why he'd want to give that up. I guess bring back Ariza too. I don't think there will be major changes in the offseason. The Dame/CJ/Nurk/GT2/Stotts core will stay intact.

 

[Scalma]

Get this guy to Portland already. He can run the second unit.