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

[Fez Hammersticks]

If Neil believes Vonleh is the future ar PF I'd target a veteran big.

Joakim Noah would be my choice.

 

[ripcityboy]

If Neil believes Vonleh is the future ar PF I'd target a veteran big.

Joakim Noah would be my choice.

Now your talkin! Noah on this team would be epic. Just wonder if he can stay healthy.

 

[42N8Bounce]

Perfect!!! Even better!!! Glad to see my comparison is coming around.

Funny. Antonio Harvey just compared Harkless to Green on the Blazer pre game radio show. They were discussing combo multi position players. Nice call Orion Bailey!

 

[Draco]

Now your talkin! Noah on this team would be epic. Just wonder if he can stay healthy.

I don't see Neil targeting a 30+ year old player in free agency.

 

[Natebishop3]

I don't see Neil targeting a 30+ year old player in free agency.

I think the right 30+ year old player could make this team a legit contender.

 

[Orion Bailey]

Funny. Antonio Harvey just compared Harkless to Green on the Blazer pre game radio show. They were discussing combo multi position players. Nice call Orion Bailey!

But It's dilusional!!!

I think the right 30+ year old player could make this team a legit contender.

Do you think Noah is that though? We already have an aging big with injury tendencies.

Noah has never played 82 games. He played 67 two years ago and 29 so far this year. His pts per game and minutes per game has been cut and he still cant play consistently.
Every time this young team would start to get something going it would turn on them because Noah is out for 5 games...

No thanks. IF we are going to bring someone on who is older, he at least has to be able to be a consistent contributor. Noah is no longer this.

 

[Orion Bailey]

I will say this though . It was pretty glaring tonight how we need that solid big in the paint. Not sure why Aminu was on Towns at the end of the game. Why not Plums or Davis?
Is this where we miss Meyers? Would he have been able to block the shot or alter it or something?

 

[WillG]

Definitely need some rim protection. Though it'd do no good sitting on the bench. . .
so it was strange Stotts had Aminu on Towns when they only needed a two to win.

For defense I'd have rolled with:
Crabbe Hendo Harkless Aminu Davis

 

[dviss1]

They could do that and Ed would still be smaller than Rudy Gobert.

The guy our Point Guard has dunked on 2x?

 

[dviss1]

so whats our FA hitlist in the middle?

Whiteside
then......
Jefferson?
Noah?
Zaza?
Hibbert?
Mahinmi
Mozgov?
Speights?

Assuming we let MEyers walk, most of these surely would be an improvement.

Larry Sanders is not on your list.

 

[dviss1]

How about Aminu? He defend big men and can play the 4 like Draymond. He rebounds great. He can shoot the three. He's basically our version of Draymond!

What about Plumlee? He can pass the ball like Draymond. He dribbles like Draymond. He takes the ball to the rim like Draymond. He's basically our version of Draymond!

What about Henderson? He can play tough physical defense. He's deceptively strong. He overpowers opponents much taller than him. He's improved his 3 point shooting. He's basically our version of Draymond!

Then of course as has been stated Harkless is our version of Draymond!

We basically have four Draymond Green's on this team. We'll be a powerhouse for years to come!

Haha! Classic post.

 

[tester551]

If Neil believes Vonleh is the future ar PF I'd target a veteran big.

Joakim Noah would be my choice.

I can't stand that dude! If he became a Blazer, I would have to find another team to cheer for.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

One more name to consider (although it would require a trade): Bismack Biyombo. It would be like having a more athletic Przybilla/Dudley, or Theo Ratliff without the offense. He's a shotblocking machine.

 

[Blazinaway]

One more name to consider (although it would require a trade): Bismack Biyombo. It would be like having a more athletic Przybilla/Dudley, or Theo Ratliff without the offense. He's a shotblocking machine.

Uhm no trade required, The Bismack has a player option that he will exercise this summer so he will be a UFA

 

[42N8Bounce]

One more name to consider (although it would require a trade): Bismack Biyombo. It would be like having a more athletic Przybilla/Dudley, or Theo Ratliff without the offense. He's a shotblocking machine.

Agree (except the trade part as @Blazinaway pointed out.). My preferred 'realistic' targets are: Biyombo (age 23), Turner (age 27), Ezeli (age 26), and Fournier (age 23).

 

[Draco]

Yeah if we get a one dimensional center I'd rather he be defensive than offensive. Offense is not this teams problem; we will likely be top5 next year. We need some defense.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Defense? Rim protection?

Festus.

Ezeli.

FG% allowed: 43.8%
Ranks #1 Points saved per36: 4.49

You look deeper into his numbers and he has more of an actual impact than Whiteside.

 

[SirReznor]

Really no Whiteside?? I think realistically he's the best available center that be willing to come join the Blazers. He's basically everything that Greg Oden was suppose to be. He'd give us an established anchor down low and allow us to delegate the us of our free cap for some combo guard who excels at defending the perimeter. I know hes not ideal for our system but we can't really be selective here either. If the Blazers offered Roy Hibbert a max, I can't seem them not doing the same with Whiteside whos tiers better than Hibbert ever was. Hassan does so many things well that the blazers lack or and need. All my votes are for him.

 

[Blazinaway]

Defense? Rim protection?

Festus.

Ezeli.

FG% allowed: 43.8%
Ranks #1 Points saved per36: 4.49

You look deeper into his numbers and he has more of an actual impact than Whiteside.

I like him too, however injury history is big problem and if gets paid around 15 mil per which is possible that is a big risk IMO

 

[Draco]

Really no Whiteside?? I think realistically he's the best available center that be willing to come join the Blazers. He's basically everything that Greg Oden was suppose to be. He'd give us an established anchor down low and allow us to delegate the us of our free cap for some combo guard who excels at defending the perimeter. I know hes not ideal for our system but we can't really be selective here either. If the Blazers offered Roy Hibbert a max, I can't seem them not doing the same with Whiteside whos tiers better than Hibbert ever was. Hassan does so many things well that the blazers lack or and need. All my votes are for him.

Yeah he has played much better the second half of the season. Just put up empty defensive stats at first; doing it in a useful team concept now. Still can't pass worth crap. He is averaging less than half an assist. He has 2 or more assists five times the entire season. Has that ever happened with a player averaging 14/11?

Still he has legit talent that few players posses and a max deal for him is "only" a little over $90 million. Sounds ridiculous but remember Batum is eligible for $150 million from Charlotte.

The talent is there with Whiteside; it all comes down to character evaluation. Will he be a guy who slacks off after getting a massive contract? I could certainly see that happening. There's a ton of risk. If it ends up being a bad deal thats the type of move that haunts a GM for a decade.

 

[BonesJones]

Agree (except the trade part as @Blazinaway pointed out.). My preferred 'realistic' targets are: Biyombo (age 23), Turner (age 27), Ezeli (age 26), and Fournier (age 23).

No to Turner. He doesn't make teams better. Fournier is one dimensional (shooter) who is a horrendous defender and will likely get a contract between $15-$20M

 

[BonesJones]

Under the Radar Targets:
Jared Sullinger
- Solid defender, decent low-post scorer with potential there, his shooting touch and a nice stroke.
Marvin Williams
- Good Defender and great shooter at the power forward position. This feels like an Olshey signing
Ian Mahinmi or Festus Ezeli
- Both are great rim protectors with limited offensive games. Ezeli's injury prone though and will be much more expensive.
Pau Gasol
- I know he's old, but he's shown no signs of decline and is having a great year. He's the low post scorer/passer we need and has turned into a good rim protector. He can also stretch the floor so you can play him with Davis or Plumlee. If we strike out on big free agents I could see us signing him for a 1 year contract for $15M-$20M. He'd give us a chance to try to contend for a 2/3 seed without hampering our flexibility in the future.

 

[dviss1]

Defense? Rim protection?

Festus.

Ezeli.

FG% allowed: 43.8%
Ranks #1 Points saved per36: 4.49

You look deeper into his numbers and he has more of an actual impact than Whiteside.

The Warriors will retain him.

 

[kjironman1]

I might take a beating for this one but something tells me Roy Hibbert might come into play again.

 

[Draco]

I might take a beating for this one but something tells me Roy Hibbert might come into play again.

No I agree; was thinking of him earlier. Obviously it'd be a value signing for a cheaper deal; but as a bench big to help when we need a rim protector or to bang with big centers? He could be useful. I'd have rather seen him defend Towns with 3 seconds left than Aminu.

It worked good grabbing a Lakers big man the last two summers. Lets get a third one.

 

[STOMP]

No I agree; was thinking of him earlier. Obviously it'd be a value signing for a cheaper deal; but as a bench big to help when we need a rim protector or to bang with big centers? He could be useful. I'd have rather seen him defend Towns with 3 seconds left than Aminu.

With 3.5 left the Wolves pulled everyone away from the basket iso-ing Towns on Aminu. He didn't try to power up, he made a quick turn, stretched out and did a hook. I doubt there are many defenders in the league that could effect that shot and that list certainly wouldn't include slow Roy Hibbert.

As far as going after Roy in FA, doesn't he have some character questions? Is he injured or whats the deal? At 29 he should be at the top of his game, instead he's having the worst statistical year of his career.

STOMP

 

[selloutking]

well he IS playing for the lakers this year...

 

[blue9]

I would consider Hibbert at around $5M or less (and I'm sure he'll get double that from someone else), but I'm still far more interested in Larry Sanders. To me Hibbert isn't any more of a "safe bet" than Sanders, and doesn't have the potential upside.

 

[B-Roy]

I would consider Hibbert at around $5M or less (and I'm sure he'll get double that from someone else), but I'm still far more interested in Larry Sanders. To me Hibbert isn't any more of a "safe bet" than Sanders, and doesn't have the potential upside.

You have to convince Sanders to come back to basketball first. Then hope he hasn't lost a step in the 2 years or so it will be since he's played professional ball.

 

[blue9]

You have to convince Sanders to come back to basketball first. Then hope he hasn't lost a step in the 2 years or so it will be since he's played professional ball.

There were reports that he was interested in giving it another try. With a full summer to work out - at his age - I don't think he'd be any worse off in training camp than anyone else...and would still be quicker than Hibbert ever has been!