Neil Olshey trade deadline thoughts

[Hoopguru]

What is this "good book" you're referring to?

You know, The Infallible Word oF God! according to King James

 

[hoopsjock]

I don't see the value in having the MLE for our team. Neil is absolutely terrible in free agency. He's somewhat adequate in drafts. And given his penchant to overpay for mediocrity, I'd rather let Neil hunt for value in the bargain bin as he has done in the past than let him play around with full MLE.

And besides, we'd pretty much get to your ideal financial situation in just one more year. No need to throw away one of the few liquid assets we have for that.

See my post above regarding free agency this summer.

I can certainly see the argument for not wanting to attach a pick for a salary dump. I've said many times I usually feel the same way. I just don't know if I can handle another whole season after this one of this team playing the same way.

 

[James lamphear]

If olshey trade it probably be minor one. The person my eyes on is possible Aminu to be traded due to his contract is up. But again if we are in the playoffs picture I don't see that even happening.

 

[Scalma]

If you trust Olsheys ability to draft then you’d have no problem with giving up a late first, because if Neil wanted to he could trade for someone in the second.

And I don’t care who’s selected in the 20s, he’s not playing for at least a year under Stotts. Lillards free agency isn’t that far off, so I’d rather focus on putting the best possible team around him than developing some rookie who may (but most likely not) contribute within that timeframe.

 

[tlongII]

You know, The Infallible Word oF God! according to King James

So fiction? Nice.

 

[illmatic99]

If you trust Olsheys ability to draft then you’d have no problem with giving up a late first, because if Neil wanted to he could trade for someone in the second.

And I don’t care who’s selected in the 20s, he’s not playing for at least a year under Stotts. Lillards free agency isn’t that far off, so I’d rather focus on putting the best possible team around him than developing some rookie who may (but most likely not) contribute within that timeframe.

I don't want us to pick someone in the 20s either. Picking Simons a year after wasting three picks to get projects in Collins/Swan was idiotic. But it's a much more valuable trade chip closer to the draft than in a salary dump in February. Hold it for a trade then.

 

[hoopsjock]

I don't want us to pick someone in the 20s either. Picking Simons a year after wasting three picks to get projects in Collins/Swan was idiotic. But it's a much more valuable trade chip closer to the draft than in a salary dump in February. Hold it for a trade then.

Just like last summer right?

 

[illmatic99]

Just like last summer right?

Just because Neil is an idiot who doesn't know how to build a team doesn't mean we throw around assets willy nilly

 

[Scalma]

Just like last summer right?

“Look, Brooke, teams were just more focused on keeping their cores together.”

 

[hoopsjock]

Just because Neil is an idiot who doesn't know how to build a team doesn't mean we throw around assets willy nilly

It's one asset and it's not willy nilly.

 

[Scalma]

Just because Neil is an idiot who doesn't know how to build a team doesn't mean we throw around assets willy nilly

But it’s not just throwing assets around. It’s using an asset to dump money so they can sign more reliable players. Now whether you think Olshey can actually sign that player is another story.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

So fiction? Nice.

Well its not. This isnt really the place for that conversation though.

 

[tlongII]

Well its not. This isnt really the place for that conversation though.

It has been proven to be fiction. But you're right this isn't the place for that conversation.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

But it’s not just throwing assets around. It’s using an asset to dump money so they can sign more reliable players. Now whether you think Olshey can actually sign that player is another story.

It does inform the value of the goal of that trade, though. If I trust Neil with the draft but don't trust him with free agency, it would make sense to not want him to reduce his opportunities where he excels in order to increase his opportunities where he is deficient.

It'd be like telling Nurkic to get out of the post and just shoot more shish3s. Sure, swish3s can get you more points (just like free agency can get you players who can contribute immediately), but it's not his strong suit, and it's not likely to be successful. Better--both for Nurk and Olshey--to focus more on what they do best.

 

[Scalma]

It does inform the value of the goal of that trade, though. If I trust Neil with the draft but don't trust him with free agency, it would make sense to not want him to reduce his opportunities where he excels in order to increase his opportunities where he is deficient.

It'd be like telling Nurkic to get out of the post and just shoot more shish3s. Sure, swish3s can get you more points (just like free agency can get you players who can contribute immediately), but it's not his strong suit, and it's not likely to be successful. Better--both for Nurk and Olshey--to focus more on what they do best.

We’re not talking about handing out a max contract here, nor are we sacrificing a lottery pick. Even if you believed Olshey was hopeless in free agency, one guy making $9m isn’t going to hamstring the organization. And like I said, im much more concerned about surrounding Lillard with a team that may actually do something in the playoffs than I am taking a swing on a rookie selected in the 20s. For every Kyle Kuzma there are three Biggie Swanigans.

 

[kjironman1]

You know, The Infallible Word oF God! according to King James

So LeBron is taking up writing?

 

[illmatic99]

It's one asset and it's not willy nilly.

And as i mentioned earlier, it's one of the only ones we have.

 

[oldmangrouch]

If he’s not looking for an upgrade at SF he should be canned.

Do you want to hold the door, or start throwing his clothes into the street?

 

[blue9]

But it’s not just throwing assets around. It’s using an asset to dump money so they can sign more reliable players. Now whether you think Olshey can actually sign that player is another story.

Actually, it's a different chapter of the same story.
I have ZERO faith in Neil's ability to do something good in free agency. I'm at least 50/50 on his draft ability, and 25/75 on his trade ability, but I'm 0/100 on his free agency decisions.
Trade the pick is my first choice. Use the pick is my second choice. I do not have a third choice for salary-dumping our pick.

 

[blue9]

... one guy making $9m isn’t going to hamstring the organization.

Said the guy trying to throw away a draft pick to shed $10M.

 

[Scalma]

Said the guy trying to throw away a draft pick to shed $10M.

Is Leonard the only bad contract on Portland’s payroll?

 

[Pinwheel1]

For every Kyle Kuzma there are three Biggie Swanigans.

So you are saying we have a 25% chance.......

 

[blue9]

Is Leonard the only bad contract on Portland’s payroll?

Are the Blazers the only team with more than one bad contract? Bad contracts are part of sports (or at least the NBA). Some of them are awful and prevent a team from getting better (like Turner's); some of them are just small "oopsies" that eventually go away (like Meyers'). Meyers' contract was worse earlier, but as we near the final year of it it's nearly inconsequential.

As I've already stated, I'm not concerned with Meyers' (or Moe's) contract. Getting rid of them won't make us better. I'd probably dump Meyers if we could get rid of him without attaching any assets - but it'd be purely for financial reasons, not because it'd make us better. At this point - despite how much I dislike Turner - I probably wouldn't even include a pick to dump him.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

Here’s the actual quote referenced, just for context

“It’s going to have to be a playoff team in a non-destination market,” one of the execs said. “A team that has a couple of stars that isn’t going to get anybody in free agency because they don’t have the room or nobody’s going to go play there.”

Said another Western Conference exec: “It’s most definitely going to have to be a good team that feels they’re one player away. It’s not going to be a team like Atlanta or Phoenix.”
——-

I don’t know what to think of Love. As a player, he fits. His contract sucks. He’s at least got to prove he’s healthy first. Is he expected back before the deadline?

Have to get rid of Turner, Leonard and Harkless (if it looks as if he is finished) and also get at least one first round draft pick from them to make it worth it. I still don't think I would do it.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Queries for those wanting to play GM:
1) Do you think Collins will be our starting PF next year?
2) Do you think it's time to trade CJ?

Personally, I say yes on both.... and I'm an Olshey fan.

 

[hoopsjock]

Queries for those wanting to play GM:
1) Do you think Collins will be our starting PF next year?
2) Do you think it's time to trade CJ?

Personally, I say yes on both.... and I'm an Olshey fan.

1) I think this depends on what other moves are made. Obviously if we trade for Blake Griffin, Kevin Love, or someone like that then he wouldn't be. If we have a similar roster to now, I sure hope Collins is our starting PF.

2) As a long time CJ supporter, yes it's time to move him.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

CJ + Swanigan for Beal

 

[hoopsjock]

CJ + Swanigan for Beal

Obviously that would be great.

 

[Hobbesarable]

Neil's thought: "I better do what I can to make Jody Allen happy so I can keep my job (at least until she sells the team)."

 

[wizenheimer]

Yeah it’s weird.

This is from Woj:
Free-agent guard Seth Curry has agreed to a two-year, $5.6 million deal with the Portland Trail Blazers, league sources told ESPN.
http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/23980041/seth-curry-portland-trail-blazers-agree-2-year-deal

Don’t know why it isn’t listed anywhere, but I also don’t think it was an honest mistake by Woj since I don’t believe those numbers were accidentally put in the article.

my guess is that was the first report and wasn't accurate about the 2nd year. Likely Portland wanting a team option and Curry wanting a player option or none...so they just agreed on a 1 year deal