Neil Olshi**y's Summer

[Hoopguru]

Sources: As he becomes eligible for five-year maximum rookie extension, Phoenix Suns' Devin Booker is upset with the front office over release of best friend Tyler Ulis, who started 43 games last season.

Hey Booker, you have Ariza to replace Ulis. Look at us, we released our energy guy and Dame’s friend Davis for Staukus.

Dame has more than one friend in the NBA.
He had to give the nod on Davis leaving...jmo

 

[hoopsjock]

Neil was already on most people’s shit list with the team getting swept, followed by his condescending exit interview with animosity towards fans... now he follows that with complete lies in follow up interviews... says we need vets and drafts 19 years olds... says he is willing to go over cap for this team, let’s Ed walk for only 4.4 mil and signs Nik Stauskas to minimums deal... this guy truely is a used car salesman... unbelievable he still wants to kee Dame and CJ together with no plan or realistic path forward to improve team... but why try when most fans will still buy tickets if they are just good enough to squeak into playoffs

If this was truly his moves I'll be right there with you but can't we at least see what the roster is in a few weeks?

 

[hoopsjock]

The moves thus far haven't made sense. There has to be other dominoes to fall still. Assuming Davis gave Portland a chance to offer the same deal (who knows if that happened or not), there has to be a reason why Olshey would let him walk for that low of an amount.

One thing I will say though is that the Stauskas signing and Davis leaving are completely unrelated. Getting Stauskas for the minimum was simply a cheap end of the bench filler who can shoot the rock. It's the type of value move the "good" Olshey makes instead of the "bad" Olshey who gives Turner $70 million for 4 years. I'd rather have Stauskas at the minimum than spending a ton on guys like McDermott and Joe Harris who each got $7-$8 million last night. Stauskas is two years younger than those two as well.

Now if Davis walks and we make moves simply to avoid the tax again this summer I am going to be livid because the team will be worse and they should've just blown it up.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

If this was truly his moves I'll be right there with you but can't we at least see what the roster is in a few weeks?

Well unless one of us has PA’s number there isn’t anything we can do.
I just don’t get it though, how many times are we supposed to just wait for him to do something? Especially when we can’t do much because he screwed the Blazers out of any flexibility giving guys way to much money over way too many years. There’s not a single player out there we can get with the TPE that makes them a contender with GS or Houston.
I respect you a ton and your knowledge on this stuff is absolutely insane, but what possibly is his plan to make the short term future be at least interesting? I don’t see it.
This isn’t just Ed, or Stauskus, or 2016, or letting AC go for nothing, or whatever it’s just this sense of the team really isn’t going anywhere fast, and there doesn’t seem to be much hope...
Neil doesn’t inspire confidence for me at all.

I know we’ve all been over this way too many times, but if you were the GM I’d have more hope that the team has a realistic plan. Is there anyway we can vote you in...?

 

[Labinot41]

Neil right now

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

The moves thus far haven't made sense. There has to be other dominoes to fall still. Assuming Davis gave Portland a chance to offer the same deal (who knows if that happened or not), there has to be a reason why Olshey would let him walk for that low of an amount.

One thing I will say though is that the Stauskas signing and Davis leaving are completely unrelated. Getting Stauskas for the minimum was simply a cheap end of the bench filler who can shoot the rock. It's the type of value move the "good" Olshey makes instead of the "bad" Olshey who gives Turner $70 million for 4 years. I'd rather have Stauskas at the minimum than spending a ton on guys like McDermott and Joe Harris who each got $7-$8 million last night. Stauskas is two years younger than those two as well.

Now if Davis walks and we make moves simply to avoid the tax again this summer I am going to be livid because the team will be worse and they should've just blown it up.

I agree about Stauskus but the appearance there being that it happened so fast on free agency was that the focus of the team was getting end of the bench filler... That’s not what teams are supposed to be looking for on July 1st...

 

[FlashWad]

There was a point in time I would listen to Neil’s press conferences and feel reassured. Now all I see is a smooth talker who doesn’t know what he’s doing . I’m not sure who we could get to replace him, but I think it’s time he moves to a city that cares more about valet parking that a Portland.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

There was a point in time I would listen to Neil’s press conferences and feel reassured. Now all I see is a smooth talker who doesn’t know what he’s doing . I’m not sure who we could get to replace him, but I think it’s time he moves to a city that cares more about valet parking that a Portland.

There are people on this forum I think could do a better job given time to create relationships with other GM’s and agents...

 

[LayneStaley]

So we have replaced 3 crucial rotation spots with Nik Stauskas, Caleb Swanigan, and Wade Baldwin as of today.

That’s how you end up in the lottery.

Looks like Neil is taking my advice, rip it down and start over...with a high lottery pick.

 

[Scalma]

The moves thus far haven't made sense. There has to be other dominoes to fall still. Assuming Davis gave Portland a chance to offer the same deal (who knows if that happened or not), there has to be a reason why Olshey would let him walk for that low of an amount.

One thing I will say though is that the Stauskas signing and Davis leaving are completely unrelated. Getting Stauskas for the minimum was simply a cheap end of the bench filler who can shoot the rock. It's the type of value move the "good" Olshey makes instead of the "bad" Olshey who gives Turner $70 million for 4 years. I'd rather have Stauskas at the minimum than spending a ton on guys like McDermott and Joe Harris who each got $7-$8 million last night. Stauskas is two years younger than those two as well.

Now if Davis walks and we make moves simply to avoid the tax again this summer I am going to be livid because the team will be worse and they should've just blown it up.

There HAS to be other moves lined up, look at the roster imbalance

PG: Lillard and an unproven Baldwin

SG: How many of these do we need? CJ, Turner, Simons, Trent, Stauskus. Turner and Trent can play SF, so that’s good , I guess.

SF: We pretty much have one, plus Evan and Trent.

PF: Aminu, Collins, Swanigan

C: Nurk and uhh Papagiannis and Meyers. No matter where Collins plays we’ll need to add another big, unless they’re ready to roll with Biggie, which would go against everything Olshey has been selling this offseason.

 

[FlashWad]

For some reason I believe Neil might be making a play to acquire Kevin Love after Lebron leaves for the Lakers. Cavs would likely want to blow it up. It’s a long shot and I’m not sure what Kevin Love can bring us at this point but I’m trying my best to give Neil the benefit of the doubt with not keeping Ed Davis.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

I'm torn with other fans between the denial of realizing this is our opening day roster and the hope Neil has some magic rabbit in the hat....

Starting to accept reality that this is what it is. We don't let Davis walk, who wanted to be here above any other city, for $4.4 million if we are going into the tax.

Neil is trying to avoid luxury tax.

Perhaps Paul Allen has had enough of him, told him to cut tax and draft players (Neil is good drafter). Then Paul will fire Neil next month and move on to a long search for GM. Paul can save a boat load of money and also appease fans who want some type of change.

Doesn't make us better for 2018-19. I suppose I much prefer this than paying even more stupid long term contracts as we did in 2016. Thats what many GM's do at the end of their tenure when they are desperate, or give away 1st round picks.

 

[riverman]

. We don't let Davis walk, who wanted to be here above any other city, for $4.4 million if we are going into the tax.

It's possible we're signing someone at his position and not worried about the tax at all...one who can score with range..this is my take...we opened three roster spots and replaced Pat C with Nik Stauskas..probably an upgrade...seems to me we're looking at shooters almost exclusively..and the real trade deadline for expiring contracts will be Feb....if we sign Beasley and a wing like Gerald Wallace, we'll have upgraded three rotation spots for offense....Davis walking is clearly sacrificing defense and leadership for offense....and I love Ed Davis...

 

[SharpesTriumph]

It's possible we're signing someone at his position and not worried about the tax at all...one who can score with range..this is my take...we opened three roster spots and replaced Pat C with Nik Stauskas..probably an upgrade...seems to me we're looking at shooters almost exclusively..and the real trade deadline for expiring contracts will be Feb....if we sign Beasley and a wing like Gerald Wallace, we'll have upgraded three rotation spots for offense....Davis walking is clearly sacrificing defense and leadership for offense....and I love Ed Davis...

We can acquire all those players along with keeping Davis.

I disagree, Davis at $4.4 million is an asset, he would have trade value during the season. Even if we see other players replacing him long term as a GM you grab that asset and figure out the rest later.

The rational I can see right now is luxury tax concerns outweighing acquiring talent, and that is very sad.

 

[hoopsjock]

I agree about Stauskus but the appearance there being that it happened so fast on free agency was that the focus of the team was getting end of the bench filler... That’s not what teams are supposed to be looking for on July 1st...

See I don't get what people were expecting. This is free agency, which no Blazer GM has had much success with and the team is over the cap. Signing guys like Stauskas for the minimum is literally the only thing he can do at the moment outside of using the tax-MLE. Sure he let Davis walk but there has to be a reason for doing so.

You're making it sound like you know for a fact they were pounding on Nik Stauskas' door at 12:01. We don't know who they called or are attempting to sign. Stauskas is represented by an agent that Olshey has several current players of and has a long history with. He could have simply told him they'd be interested in Stauskas at the minimum and they agreed. It doesn't mean their whole free agency plan was based around him. In fact Olshey could have known for several days by now that Stauskas at the minimum was a possibility and thus why Connaughton was not tendered a QO.

 

[riverman]

We can acquire all those players along with keeping Davis.

I disagree, Davis at $4.4 million is an asset, he would have trade value during the season. Even if we see other players replacing him long term as a GM you grab that asset and figure out the rest later.

The rational I can see right now is luxury tax concerns outweighing acquiring talent, and that is very sad.

I love Ed....listed him as my favorite Blazer...really disappointed he's gone..just trying to understand why they did it and I can see why ..Ed signed a year contract with the Nets.....he's a player I'd welcome back anytime.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

I love Ed....listed him as my favorite Blazer...really disappointed he's gone..just trying to understand why they did it and I can see why ..Ed signed a year contract with the Nets.....he's a player I'd welcome back anytime.

It just doesn’t make sense, Olshey backed himself into a corner. He needs to own up to his mistakes and stop being such an asshole to fans and local media.

 

[riverman]

See I don't get what people were expecting. This is free agency, which no Blazer GM has had much success with and the team is over the cap. Signing guys like Stauskas for the minimum is literally the only thing he can do at the moment outside of using the tax-MLE. Sure he let Davis walk but there has to be a reason for doing so.

You're making it sound like you know for a fact they were pounding on Nik Stauskas' door at 12:01. We don't know who they called or are attempting to sign. Stauskas is represented by an agent that Olshey has several current players of and has a long history with. He could have simply told him they'd be interested in Stauskas at the minimum and they agreed. It doesn't mean their whole free agency plan was based around him. In fact Olshey could have known for several days by now that Stauskas at the minimum was a possibility and thus why Connaughton was not tendered a QO.

Cheap upgrade from Patty C....more scoring though..and much cheaper...we'd have paid Pat more than we signed Nik for.

 

[riverman]

He needs to own up to his mistakes and stop being such an asshole to fans and local media.

Why? I don't have a problem with the guy at all...all GMs take risks and sometimes they don't work out...just don't get the angst against his demeanor...also feel like he's not close to done yet.

 

[riverman]

I know if we start blowing it up like Philly did, I'm going to lose interest in the team. Just give me a solid core and 2nd unit I can root for! Dame is that guy right now...lose him and it's going to look ugly for a long time

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

Why? I don't have a problem with the guy at all...all GMs take risks and sometimes they don't work out...just don't get the angst against his demeanor...also feel like he's not close to done yet.

He’s just so condescending, he financially ruined this team and gets upset when he is questioned about it.

 

[TBpup]

Why? I don't have a problem with the guy at all...all GMs take risks and sometimes they don't work out...just don't get the angst against his demeanor...also feel like he's not close to done yet.

Enough employees and people associated with the Blazers have spoken to his demeanor to more than validate what many here don't care for.

 

[JoshuaHall]

I hate being a treadmill but I don’t think being in the lottery helps us with Dame... we are in a really shitty catch 22. Basketball hell, and Satan is Mike Rice tweets..

You were advocating the treadmill, imo. Keeping Patty and Napier is 100% treadmill. Ed Davis, to a lesser extent... as Scalma notes here’s why:

This has probably been mentioned before but does anyone think maybe the reason they let Davis walk was because of how much of a liability his lack of shooting (and passing) is for the offense? Teams could just hedge the shit out of dame/CJ when Davis came to set a pick, because he was a complete non threat to pop and shoot, and a limited threat to roll. This was illuminated further in the playoffs.

This is what I touched on. Some dude tweeted that he was the perfect fit for Dame and CJ, which is an absolute joke. He has ONE offensive move and he’s not great it, but he knows his limitations. Unfortunately, as outlined in the playoffs, we can’t afford to have non-threats in the PnR with Dame and acJ because they’ll immediately get double or triple teamed.

Even with this reason, it’s not a good enough reason to just let Ed go for nothing, though, so there HAS to be something else lined up.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

You were advocating the treadmill, imo. Keeping Patty and Napier is 100% treadmill. Ed Davis, to a lesser extent... as Scalma notes here’s why:



This is what I touched on. Some dude tweeted that he was the perfect fit for Dame and CJ, which is an absolute joke. He has ONE offensive move and he’s not great it, but he knows his limitations. Unfortunately, as outlined in the playoffs, we can’t afford to have non-threats in the PnR with Dame and acJ because they’ll immediately get double or triple teamed.

Even with this reason, it’s not a good enough reason to just let Ed go for nothing, though, so there HAS to be something else lined up.

I wasn’t advocating keeping Shabazz or Pat, my point is we replaced them with worse players.

 

[hoopsjock]

Well unless one of us has PA’s number there isn’t anything we can do.
I just don’t get it though, how many times are we supposed to just wait for him to do something? Especially when we can’t do much because he screwed the Blazers out of any flexibility giving guys way to much money over way too many years. There’s not a single player out there we can get with the TPE that makes them a contender with GS or Houston.
I respect you a ton and your knowledge on this stuff is absolutely insane, but what possibly is his plan to make the short term future be at least interesting? I don’t see it.
This isn’t just Ed, or Stauskus, or 2016, or letting AC go for nothing, or whatever it’s just this sense of the team really isn’t going anywhere fast, and there doesn’t seem to be much hope...
Neil doesn’t inspire confidence for me at all.

I know we’ve all been over this way too many times, but if you were the GM I’d have more hope that the team has a realistic plan. Is there anyway we can vote you in...?

There is no realistic plan to beat GS no matter who the GM is.

You're taking an unfinished product after a few hours of free agency. Olshey literally has to do something better this summer or he's likely done. We have 3.5 weeks until the TPE expires.

Honestly I'd be thrilled with Wilson Chandler and a 2019 1st with the TPE. Denver, along with several other teams, is about to get really desperate to cut money. We'd then have a vet SF and another trade chip with the extra pick. Then we could use that extra pick as sweetener in a big trade as throwing two 2019 1st rounders and our 2021 1st rounder starts to look a lot better than what other teams can offer for certain players on rebuilding teams.

I said this before free agency, the right move this summer is to be patient. No one wants to give Olshey the benefit of the doubt right now, probably deservedly so, but it is the right move to wait for other teams to blow all their money. There will be good players left without teams and we can swoop in and get value deals.

 

[JoshuaHall]

Enough employees and people associated with the Blazers have spoken to his demeanor to more than validate what many here don't care for.

Danny Ainge is a monstrous prick, I’m sure you wouldn’t mind his as gm though, right?

Most GMs are condescending assholes who think they know best... not unique to Olshey

 

[hoopsjock]

We can acquire all those players along with keeping Davis.

I disagree, Davis at $4.4 million is an asset, he would have trade value during the season. Even if we see other players replacing him long term as a GM you grab that asset and figure out the rest later.

The rational I can see right now is luxury tax concerns outweighing acquiring talent, and that is very sad.

It could come down to roster spots and rotation minutes as well. Davis wouldn't have been happy re-signing here for cheap and then not playing much.

 

[riverman]

Enough employees and people associated with the Blazers have spoken to his demeanor to more than validate what many here don't care for.

I can only speak as a fan...sorry to hear that if that's the case

 

[hoopsjock]

It just doesn’t make sense, Olshey backed himself into a corner. He needs to own up to his mistakes and stop being such an asshole to fans and local media.

Honestly, if I was to guess this is what happened:

Olshey probably thought Davis was looking for an MLE type offer. He knew it would be tough for Davis to get much more than the tax-MLE so he probably thought that was a fall back option after the dust of the first few days cleared. I'm guessing Olshey was just as shocked as we were when he signed almost immediately. Being how the bigger domino of Nurk hadn't fallen yet or had time to fall, he had probably decided that the finances were better off if he passed on Davis given he hadn't had time to account for Davis taking such a weak offer.

I'm also guessing that the same offer wasn't given the Blazers even though Davis says he wanted to be back I believe he only took the one year deal because he wants a long term contract next summer but wanted that stability from the Blazers, not just a one year deal.

 

[JoshuaHall]

I wasn’t advocating keeping Shabazz or Pat, my point is we replaced them with worse players.

No matter what we did we were going to replace Napier with a worse player in theory given we aren’t offering backup PGs 4+ mill a season. - there is very little data to back up that we have replaced him with inferior talent anyway, mostly opinion, and Napier is pretty overrated and a terrible defender. You don’t know what Baldwin brings, especially with more time in the system, or Simons or Trent Jr.

The only loss here that hurts is Ed Davis and we don’t know what the plan is.

So far, we replaced Patty and Bazz with Simons, Stauskas, Trent Jr., Baldwin to a lesser extent. I like our odds to improve those positions between those 4 players. Hell, Simons could take Napiers role from day 1 - score and get lit up on defense.

For me the offseason looks like this - bunch of lateral, higher potential moves that could make us better, most likely won’t make us worse.

A really, really stupid move that makes us unequivocally worse. (Davis)

I’ll wait to see on the second one before judging this off-season, but it definitely needs to be rectified.