My guess for Portland's center next year: Al Horford

[mook]

I know Whiteside looked good against us statistically, but the more I think about it and looking over this fantastic center stats comparison I bet we make a huge offer to Al Horford at the beginning of free agency.

Whiteside is a great shot blocker, but his lack of mobility on pick and rolls will get exposed, and he kills ball movement on the offensive end. The team that lures Whiteside will be committing themselves to 2001-style basketball, which in the modern NBA is losing basketball. He will not fit in a Stotts offense, and Portland has to know it.

Statistically, Horford is basically a rich man's Plumlee, with some three point range. So you can play him next to Ed Davis as a starter.

It's a classic NO move--nab the secondary name who seems a perfect fit (see Ed Davis and Aminu) by being aggressive out of the chute. It's not a typical move in that he's gone after youth a lot recently, but after fielding the 3rd youngest team in the league I'm guessing the youth movement is over and it's time to maximize the best years of Lillard's career. Horford will be 30 next year, which means on a max deal you get probably 2 years of good value, 1 year as a good backup, and an albatross in that final season that maybe you can unload as an expiring contract.

Will Atlanta let him walk if we throw the kitchen sink? I don't know. But they've got a lot of guys on the wrong side of 30.

 

[Scalma]

I think they'll pursue Horford too but Greg Monroe might be more realistic.

 

[Tunchi]

We can pursue anybody we want. That part is easy..

The question is would he pick us? I say probably hell no


My strategy is do what we always do and find hidden gems..

 

[Strenuus]

We can pursue anybody we want. That part is easy..

The question is would he pick us? I say probably hell no


My strategy is do what we always do and find hidden gems..

Agreed.

 

[Strenuus]

Of course you fucking say that

What did he say that was bad? I mean, I know I have my arguments with him, but what he said IS accurate this time... we do find the hidden gems. There may be a good chance he doesn't come here. I didn't think he was that far off.

 

[ripcityboy]

Usually I would agree with focusing on minor free agents but this year is different. We need to get a major talent upgrade at least at center position. Not doing that would stunt the great progress that team has gone through. Free agency is crucial to future success. You can't expect to win consistently in the NBA and not be a player.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

We can pursue anybody we want. That part is easy..

The question is would he pick us? I say probably hell no


My strategy is do what we always do and find hidden gems..

We could steal a big man from the Lakers for the third season in a row... Used to be a big name, Roy Hibbert. I don't think he will be very expensive and he is a rim protector..

 

[DaLong]

Dame/Cj/harkless/aminu/horford with Davis/plum/hend/crabbe(or derozan)...seems legit

 

[Strenuus]

Dame/Cj/harkless/aminu/horford with Davis/plum/hend/crabbe(or derozan)...seems legit

Derozen ain't coming off the bench lol.

 

[DaLong]

Derozen ain't coming off the bench lol.

All the better!

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

I don't think anyone would pass on Horford but I give us a 20% chance of landing him. HOWEVER, if he does leave ATL you have to believe they're blowing it up... There's a guy named Paul Millsap that would be a VERY good trade target. Maybe dealing Vonleh+Aminu+Future first for him could land him? Make a smallish signing for a guy like Sullinger and we could be in business... (Assuming we re-sign Hendo/Crabbe/Hark/Roberts)

Dame / Roberts
CJ / Hendo
Hark / Crabbe
Millsap / Sullinger
Davis / Plumlee

 

[BonesJones]

What did he say that was bad? I mean, I know I have my arguments with him, but what he said IS accurate this time... we do find the hidden gems. There may be a good chance he doesn't come here. I didn't think he was that far off.

I misinterpreted his post. Its late haha

 

[H.C.]

I don't think anyone would pass on Horford but I give us a 20% chance of landing him. HOWEVER, if he does leave ATL you have to believe they're blowing it up... There's a guy named Paul Millsap that would be a VERY good trade target. Maybe dealing Vonleh+Aminu+Future first for him could land him? Make a smallish signing for a guy like Sullinger and we could be in business... (Assuming we re-sign Hendo/Crabbe/Hark/Roberts)

Dame / Roberts
CJ / Hendo
Hark / Crabbe
Millsap / Sullinger
Davis / Plumlee

I don't think ATL would blow it up. I think they'll go after Howard.

 

[KingSpeed]

I'm fine with Plumlee/Davis as our center going forward. I think that if we brought this exact roster back next season, we'd win 50+ games and get home court advantage. Let's just grow from within.

 

[Draco]

Well I'm sure we'd love to sign Horford. Same as we'd love to sign Durant.

He grabs that fifth year and stays in Atlanta. His agent said that extra year was very important to him at the deadline. He can always request a trade later.

The more important question to me is do we even bother chasing the max free agents? Would it be better to sign another Ed Davis/Aminu first day of free agency than chase some long shot Allstar?

 

[Draco]

We could steal a big man from the Lakers for the third season in a row... Used to be a big name, Roy Hibbert. I don't think he will be very expensive and he is a rim protector..

Not a bad idea; he might be real cheap. Like $7 million for a year or two. I'd rather have him than Meyers as our third string big. We could bring him in to matchup with big centers that give us problems or if we need a shot blocker. Injury insurance. Cheap enough to leave on the bench for a string of games.

Bismack Biyombo is a center having a great year; only listed as 23. Evan Turner could be a cheap wing. Neil has shown he really values salary cap space and signing undervalued players. Horford is older than our core.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Horford is a good suggestion, and I agree entirely that Whiteside, while giving us a glaring need (which Horford doesn't) doesn't fit at all in the Stotts system.

If only we could combine Plumlee, Whiteside and Leonard. Leonard's shooting, Whiteside's shot blocking and Plumlee's passing. A young Sabas!

 

[Rastapopoulos]

(Not to belabor a point, but) here's a low-key name who I think would shore up our defense: Ian Mahinmi. Check out his DRPM.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

... this fantastic center stats comparison

Wow - Horford is amazing for ast% in the paint. (Whiteside is whatever the opposite of that is.)

 

[dviss1]

We can pursue anybody we want. That part is easy..

The question is would he pick us? I say probably hell no


My strategy is do what we always do and find hidden gems..

So you agree with NO's strategy.

 

[TBpup]

I think they'll pursue Horford too but Greg Monroe might be more realistic.

The thing is that Monroe will require assets going out and their starting ask would likely be CJ. Horford is just for $$$.

I'm fine with Plumlee/Davis as our center going forward. I think that if we brought this exact roster back next season, we'd win 50+ games and get home court advantage. Let's just grow from within.

I agree. Don't make any changes. 50 wins next year, 60 after that, 70 after that and maybe even 80 with this same group. Heck, we should have never added Buck Williams and Danny Ainge to the Drexler/Porter Blazers. That only slowed them down and they would have won multiple titles if they had just kept it the way it was.

I'm on board!

 

[Blazinaway]

The thing is that Monroe will require assets going out and their starting ask would likely be CJ. Horford is just for $$$.

Disagree on Monroe, I think Bucks would be happy with more capspace and perhaps a guy like Plumlee, CJ would be a huge overpay by us and no chance we'd do that. More I have thought on this and seeing how well Aminu and Hark play together the less I want Monroe.

 

[Chris Craig]

I can see us at least making a run at Horford then maybe Whiteside after that...while Whiteside is the easier target, landing Horford would be huge. Tunchi has a point that Al might not want to come here...but Olshey could swing a swing a dead guy....and really all O lshey has to do is remind Horford should he need reminding of the success we have had this year and what we may have achieved in the playoffs(Should a basketball themed movie of miracle happen starring the Blazers)

Though I'm sure with Duncan retiring the Spurs will make a run at him too...

 

[riverman]

Horford is the perfect fit for our frontcourt...and we could keep Plumlee and Davis letting Meyers and Kaman go. Either Plumlee, Vonleh or Davis could play the 4 when Horford plays the 5...Horford/Davis frontcourt would be awesome!

 

[Trackjack]

I believe Horford stays east due to his family. I really haven't check the Fa coming out but expect Olshey will go after 2 tier player that fits our system and age group. I believe right now Kaman Roberts and Alexander won't be back next year. I am not counting the UFA and the restrictive Fa. So they could more.

 

[B-Roy]

Horford is the 2nd biggest UFA in free agency (LeBron doesn't count). He's not an under the radar pick.

He's going to have teams throwing max offers left and right. Chances he comes here is slim to none.
'

 

[Tunchi]

Horford is the 2nd biggest UFA in free agency (LeBron doesn't count). He's not an under the radar pick.

He's going to have teams throwing max offers left and right. Chances he comes here is slim to none.
'

Exactly

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Quick said that Olshey "Loves Horford", and he's my 1st choice, too - but I think the chances are slim.

 

[KingSpeed]

Hibbert is awful.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Another guy I'd like us to look into: Jusuf Nurkic. The Nuggs are clearly invested in Jokic but Nurkic might be the better defender.