Neil Olshey doens't sound too hot on this draft clss

[RoyToy]

Listening to his interview on 1080 right now and the draft was brought up.

I think he pretty much indirectly said he wasn't too hot on this draft, and that losing the draft pick this year would change the salary cap room from 11.8 to 13.1.

Good interview.

 

[HailBlazers]

Very Interesting. Thx.

 

[BlazerWookee]

DINGDINGDINGDINGDINGDINGDING!!

 

[RoyToy]

Also sounded like J.J. is gone

Not surprising

 

[Boob-No-More]

Listening to his interview on 1080 right now and the draft was brought up.

I think he pretty much indirectly said he wasn't too hot on this draft, and that losing the draft pick this year would change the salary cap room from 11.8 to 13.1.

Good interview.

Rather than lose the pick, maybe we should try to trade it - specifically use it, combined with our cap space, in a lopsided trade. Perhaps a sign-and-trade for one of the RFAs we have our sights set on. Not sure who that would be. I'll leave that to Neil.

BNM

 

[magnifier661]

Rather than lose the pick, maybe we should try to trade it - specifically use it, combined with our cap space, in a lopsided trade. Perhaps a sign-and-trade for one of the RFAs we have our sights set on. Not sure who that would be. I'll leave that to Neil.

BNM

But if he doesn't think the pick is not worth it; then why would anyone else think it has value.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

But if he doesn't think the pick is not worth it; then why would anyone else think it has value.

There only needs to be one other GM who's sold on a guy's "potential" for the draftee to have value. One man's trash is another man's treasure, and all that...

 

[RR7]

But if he doesn't think the pick is not worth it; then why would anyone else think it has value.

Teams are in different places, so needs are different.

 

[BBert]

Probably doesn't think much of what's going to be left where we end up drafting, if we do. I think he'd be pleased with a top 6 pick. We ain't getting one unless we trade up for it.

To say he doesn't like picks after 11, let's say, is not the same as saying it doesn't have value. It could certainly be used in a trade.

That extra $1.3mil if we don't get our pick doesn't sound like much, but it could make a difference. I feel very confident that we will be in the playoffs next season, so it's now or never for a "high" pick. OTOH: I can't disagree at this point that more free agent / trade money may be more valuable than the no. 12 pick. Because we just don't know.

 

[LuckyShot]

The way I see it, if LaMarcus is our centerpiece, then our moves have to revolve around building a team to win in the next couple of years while Aldridge is in his prime. We already have like 5 rookies this year, do we need more newbies next year? Unless we can get a guy that's ready to contribute right away, I personally couldn't care less if we keep the pick or not. We could use some proven veterans to go with our youth.

 

[BigGameDamian]

Well one thing is certain the Blazers already have there core in place so really the rebuilding stage is over.

 

[Sinobas]

I keep telling you guys, the draft class sucks, and our pick is going to Charlotte anyway.....so who cared about the draft?

 

[KeepOnRollin]

I keep telling you guys, the draft class sucks, and our pick is going to Charlotte anyway.....so who cared about the draft?

Not going to be hard to keep our pick if we give away too many games like tonight.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Part of me doubts a huckster like Olshey is really going to reveal his true thoughts about an upcoming draft. Maybe he's trying to be clever and wants other GMs to think he's down on it, which might make dealing more advantageous.

If you go to a used car dealer you don't rave about how awesome their cars are out loud in earshot of the salesman, you slag the hell out them and give the impression you don't care for their stock.

 

[Sinobas]

Yeah, actually, we are very close to Dallas for the 12th spot...so we may keep our pick. Still don't think that pick will help us much.

 

[RoyToy]

Part of me doubts a huckster like Olshey is really going to reveal his true thoughts about an upcoming draft. Maybe he's trying to be clever and wants other GMs to think he's down on it, which might make dealing more advantageous.

If you go to a used car dealer you don't rave about how awesome their cars are out loud in earshot of the salesman, you slag the hell out them and give the impression you don't care for their stock.

Neil Olshey is a pretty straight shooter actually imo

 

[Charcoal Filtered]

He said at the meet and greet we would still have the pick. Not for sure what changed from when he said it before the Boston game.

While there is not top talent, value at the 12 can still be had. It is his job to find that talent. This same mentality is what led to bad moves by Minnesota when they drafted Wesley Johnson and to Brooklyn when they traded their pick for Gerald Wallace.

 

[PapaG]

Listening to his interview on 1080 right now and the draft was brought up.

I think he pretty much indirectly said he wasn't too hot on this draft, and that losing the draft pick this year would change the salary cap room from 11.8 to 13.1.

Good interview.

It's an interesting question. I'm not sure either way, but the cap space would be nice.

http://sportstwo.com/threads/230081-Should-the-Blazers-Even-Want-Their-First-round-Pick

 

[BrianFromWA]

Listening to his interview on 1080 right now and the draft was brought up.

I think he pretty much indirectly said he wasn't too hot on this draft, and that losing the draft pick this year would change the salary cap room from 11.8 to 13.1.

Good interview.

That's kinda bullshit, since just about everyone believes that the cap's going up from 58.044M to at least 60. It's one thing for him to say "the draft pick will give us an extra 1.5M in cap room", it's another for him to say "OMG we'll be down to 11.8!!11!".

I mean, if you listen to Stern earlier this year, there's going to be a huge revenue bump this year will will cause a proportionally large salary cap line bump.

EDIT: And for the record, I think there's a lot more space on this roster for a 12th-pick talent to make roughly 8M over the next 4 years than paying an extra 1.4M to JJ Redick or Pekovic or something. Much more than I'd rather pay one of those guys an extra 1.4M and get the 20th or so pick next year.

 

[magnifier661]

That's kinda bullshit, since just about everyone believes that the cap's going up from 58.044M to at least 60. It's one thing for him to say "the draft pick will give us an extra 1.5M in cap room", it's another for him to say "OMG we'll be down to 11.8!!11!".

I mean, if you listen to Stern earlier this year, there's going to be a huge revenue bump this year will will cause a proportionally large salary cap line bump.

It's bullshit; but oshley can't just assume publicly. Until its a reality; he's gotta say what is the historical figure.

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

Great interview.

http://www.1080thefan.com/topic/play_window.php?audioType=Episode&audioId=6269931

Sounds to me like Olshey would rather we lose the pick the to Charlotte. More cap space and increases our chances at getting someone to help us sooner rather than later.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Great interview.

http://www.1080thefan.com/topic/play_window.php?audioType=Episode&audioId=6269931

Sounds to me like Olshey would rather we lose the pick the to Charlotte. More cap space and increases our chances at getting someone to help us sooner rather than later.

It's so cute that Neil feels we can get FA's to come here

 

[PtldPlatypus]

It's so cute that Neil feels we can get FA's to come here

He still hasn't gotten the LA out of his system yet. Give him time--the small-market cynicism will overtake him eventually.

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

It's so cute that Neil feels we can get FA's to come here

It's gonna be cute when he proves you wrong.

 

[magnifier661]

It's so cute that Neil feels we can get FA's to come here

Dude Portland has been able to get free agents to sign in Portland. This statement is absurd. We've never had the opportunity to toss max at a player. And FYI, hibbert was going to agree to our max offer; but I guess that doesn't count since Indiana was going to match?

 

[BrianFromWA]

Out of curiosity, BoBo, who would you say would be someone who, IF they signed this summer, would prove MM wrong?

 

[magnifier661]

It's gonna be cute when he proves you wrong.

Right?!?! I hate the statement that no free agents will want to come here. It's been already proven wrong. Okay so we can't have the Howard's or superstar talents; but how many other teams can?

 

[illmatic99]

The last near max offer we threw at a UFA was to freakin Greedo Turkeyglue (nearly a HUGE blunder by KP if it went through), and even he chose to go elsewhere.

I don't buy that we can get top level FAs to sign here.

 

[magnifier661]

The last near max offer we threw at a UFA was to freakin Greedo Turkeyglue (nearly a HUGE blunder by KP if it went through), and even he chose to go elsewhere.

I don't buy that we can get top level FAs to sign here.

That was when we had incompetent gms. I rember millsap signed an offer sheet with us too. Sorry but I look at other free agent signings here and just don't agree. And we aren't in search of a top flight free agent. We want pieces that solidify our starting 5 and bench. Doesn't have to be max free agents.

Also how many players have the blazers lost to free agency? Seems like if we want to keep them; they stay.

 

[BBert]

Hibbert was ready to come here. That would have absolutely completed our starting five and put us in the playoffs this year. Plus, Olshey would have had incentive to go out and find better bench players. And like Mags said, it isn't just about 'max' players.

Thank god Olshey doesn't have a defeatist attitude about it and is going to work his tail off to try and make the best use of whatever our cap space is this summer. The story has yet to be written. Stay tuned.