Next Forward Up

[Fez Hammersticks]

My prediction: Stanley Johnson.

 

[riverman]

Which would be fine if we wouldn't have, on more than one occasion this offseason, promised an "impact veteran."

promised? nobody promised me anything ….I think they said they were looking to find one but promise is a stretch

 

[BBert]

i put Love because I think he'd be the most affordable. Butler is the best player, Middleton would help as far as position/shooting. But I think CLE has to consider someone for Love since they are building around Sexton. And I would like the story of Love back in OR.

Exactly. Giving up CJ+ for Butler probably doesn't make us better than getting Love without giving up CJ. The goal isn't to get back the best player, but to end up with a better team when the dust settles.

 

[RR7]

I voted Butler, but also feel like the price for him has roughly been set by the Kawhi deal. I'd take Love if he was cheap, I think he would help us a ton on offense, but would hurt us a bunch on defense, where we lose Aminu's versatility when Love is out there.
I'd love Middleton, but it seems from what I read, the saying he is available came across as sure, the same way everyone else is available. Lead with a huge offer.

Zach Lowe added: “My understanding of it, what I’ve heard is to the degree he is available, he is available to the level that almost everyone in the league is wherein you give me a killer package and we’ll talk.

Logically, Milwaukee wants to win this season. What are we offering them to help them improve, while losing Middleton?

 

[Reep]

Exactly. Giving up CJ+ for Butler probably doesn't make us better than getting Love without giving up CJ. The goal isn't to get back the best player, but to end up with a better team when the dust settles.

You might be right, and on offense I like adding Love to our lineup. On defense it scares me. On defense I would rather swap CJ for the best two-way wing we could get.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

promised? nobody promised me anything ….I think they said they were looking to find one but promise is a stretch

I remember promises, implied at least.

 

[BBert]

I'm waiting for the trade gurus to weigh in. It would be interesting to compare best case trade scenarios for each player. Like what could be our opening hard ball offer for each of them?

 

[riverman]

I remember promises, implied at least.

I don't...I remember Olshey saying we're looking to bring in a playoff ready vet...and Paul Allen saying ...get better...that's not a promise in my view..it's a goal

 

[oldmangrouch]

I voted Butler, but also feel like the price for him has roughly been set by the Kawhi deal. I'd take Love if he was cheap, I think he would help us a ton on offense, but would hurt us a bunch on defense, where we lose Aminu's versatility when Love is out there.
I'd love Middleton, but it seems from what I read, the saying he is available came across as sure, the same way everyone else is available. Lead with a huge offer.

Logically, Milwaukee wants to win this season. What are we offering them to help them improve, while losing Middleton?

Good point.

 

[BigGameDamian]

Mr. Belvedere.

 

[Cheese22]

As long as we're talking forwards, I hope they bring KJ into camp to give him a longer look. The guy is a very good defender and rebounder and he provides pretty good rim protection with his leaping/shot blocking ability. It's pretty obvious he has spent a lot of time working on his outside shot, which was very inconsistent in when he entered the league. But the one thing I noticed was when he has time to shoot, he was a good shooter. It was when he tried to create off the dribble that he got erratic. With Dame, CJ, Curry and ET, they really don't need anyone else to create offense. Stand and shoot guys will succeed here. Throw in a highlight reel alley-oop once in a while and I don't think it takes long before he's a fan favorite.
It's been a while since this team has had a dynamic athlete who could match up with the athletic forwards or a guy who could have that wow factor that KJ has.
Maybe there's something about his attitude, maybe it's just his skillset, I'd just like to see more of him before he's gone. Plus, who doesn't want to see a high flyer in a pinwheel again. (When Layman offers one skill and he's proven to not be very good at it, I'd love to see them somehow give his spot to KJ) I like what KJ could provide over the inconsistencies of Jake or Mo.

 

[riverman]

(When Layman offers one skill and he's proven to not be very good at it

enjoyed your post up until you said this.....couldn't disagree more about Jake....he's got an all around game

 

[blue9]

I'm waiting for the trade gurus to weigh in. It would be interesting to compare best case trade scenarios for each player. Like what could be our opening hard ball offer for each of them?

We include a draft pick:

 

[oldmangrouch]

enjoyed your post up until you said this.....couldn't disagree more about Jake....he's got an all around game

Meh. Keep Layman, dump Steaksauce if you prefer. Neither of those guys will be part of the regular rotation, so what's the harm in taking a flier on KJ?

 

[Jon]

while i like Butler in this scenario, i know nothing is going to happen. might as well get used to our current roster.

 

[Pinwheel1]

We include a draft pick:
View attachment 21634

I would throw in a first round pick. Or maybe take Kyle Kover's contract off their hands with the TPE. (If they want him off their books not because I want him) I think a Harkless-Love duo at forwards would work with Nurk, CJ, and Dame) Collins first one off the bench

 

[dviss1]

Love only makes sense if we're not giving up anything of value.
If we're trading CJ, then we better get Butler.
As to whether I'd prefer a CJ/Butler trade or an Aminu+Turner/Love trade, that's a bit tougher. I suppose the Love one. But in the poll I voted Butler.

This.

 

[Chris Craig]

I chose Butler of course. He is not only the best of the three, but would improve the Blazers most. Chances of getting him are slim to none of course. The Blazers would have to fork over CJ which Neil will not do. If Neil does contact the Twolves regarding Butler, he will offer Turner who Thibodeau is for some reason smitten too along with draft pick(s) and other pieces. The Timberwolves probably won't budge. They'd ask for CJ straight up, probably a pick. Either way the Blazers would have a 1 year rental in Butler...he'd probably leave next summer. Wolves couldnt really offer a good package deal, as the other players they are willing to give up don't impress me. I'm not against trading CJ, but not for a rental.

Love is the most likely, with still slim odds of being traded here. The Cavs would likely want CJ or Collins in return. The Blazers won't do that. Neil will offer Turner, and pieces...maybe Aminu, maybe. It seems if a deal like that was good enough for the Cavs it would have happened already. Portland is Love's hometown. He probably wouldn't mind coming to play for his home team. Fans would welcome him. He'd help solidify the frontcourt and provide help on offense. It may happen, probably not. If I were Neil I'd try to get Korver too in a package deal. Something like Turner, Aminu, Swanigan, a future 1st and 2nd.

Middleton is probably the least likely of the three to be traded here. The Blazers don't have a killer deal to give Milwaukee while keeping their core. I don't see it happening.

The roster as it is, is most likely what you will see come the season. Blazers may waive Swanigan and go after a more reliable big. They will certainly guarantee Baldwin.

It would be nice to get one of these guys, but this is Portland

 

[Schilly]

My gut feeling is a few teams, Portland included if you believe Woj, were kind of on hold pending interest in KLeonard. I think Love is the epitome of a stretch 4 that Stotts apparently covets and likely can be had without giving up Dame, CJ, Nurk or Collins.

 

[illmatic99]

My gut feeling is a few teams, Portland included if you believe Woj, were kind of on hold pending interest in KLeonard. I think Love is the epitome of a stretch 4 that Stotts apparently covets and likely can be had without giving up Dame, CJ, Nurk or Collins.

How exactly are you getting Love without giving up anybody? Why would CLE do that? I'd throw Collins in there with assurance of Love staying past one year.

 

[TBpup]

A defense of Dame, Butler, Harkless, Aminu, Nurkic would be fun to watch. Swap in Collins and Baldwin off the bench.

IMO, Stotts is NOT the right coach for that team.

 

[Reep]

IMO, Stotts is NOT the right coach for that team.

I think Stotts could do quite well with that team, but agree there are probably others who could get more out of the defensive end. I was sure impressed with Moran's coaching on defense this summer. They were tight.