Next summer is going to suck

[Nikolokolus]

You honestly think Aldridge will bolt?

Depends entirely on how well the season goes. If they backslide or get stuck in "neutral" then I think he's going to be very tempted (as anybody in his situation would be).

 

[magnifier661]

Depends entirely on how well the season goes. If they backslide or get stuck in "neutral" then I think he's going to be very tempted (as anybody in his situation would be).

I do agree with this 100%. I guess I don't think we will be "mediocre" this season. But of course, I'm a homer, so there's that...

 

[Nikolokolus]

I do agree with this 100%. I guess I don't think we will be "mediocre" this season. But of course, I'm a homer, so there's that...

I didn't say "mediocre" I said backslide, which could mean even a few less wins and a lower playoff seed, or neutral, which could mean getting out of the first round, but failing to be competitive in the second.

To be safe or relatively assured of his return, I think this team has to take another step forward and probably get to the WCF at the very least.

 

[Natebishop3]

Fez is right about one thing: LA is going to be the #1 free agent next summer.

This will be his one chance to be wined and dined and treated like a superstar. Even if he does ultimately re-sign with us, I think he's going to want to milk that and enjoy his one and only chance to be wooed. Trust me, I don't think it's going to be fun as a Blazer fan, watching him visit a handful of cities and hearing about how "this one went well" and "that one went well," etc etc etc.

Some of you might be right, and there's very little chance he leaves, but I still think he's going to enjoy himself while he can, and for that brief time it's going to be very stressful as a Blazer fan. Plus, on top of that, we have Rolo AND Wes as free agents next summer. There's a very real chance that this next season will be our only chance with this core together. Next summer we could potentially lose three of our starting five.

 

[magnifier661]

Fez is right about one thing: LA is going to be the #1 free agent next summer.

This will be his one chance to be wined and dined and treated like a superstar. Even if he does ultimately re-sign with us, I think he's going to want to milk that and enjoy his one and only chance to be wooed. Trust me, I don't think it's going to be fun as a Blazer fan, watching him visit a handful of cities and hearing about how "this one went well" and "that one went well," etc etc etc.

Some of you might be right, and there's very little chance he leaves, but I still think he's going to enjoy himself while he can, and for that brief time it's going to be very stressful as a Blazer fan. Plus, on top of that, we have Rolo AND Wes as free agents next summer. There's a very real chance that this next season will be our only chance with this core together. Next summer we could potentially lose three of our starting five.

I think Brian explained that Aldridge must wait before mid season before he resigns because it gives him more money. Maybe I read that wrong though. Something about losing a year signing this summer.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Im really not worried. Portland has shown it will overpay to keep players.

No one wants to come to Portland, but once they are here they seem to like it.......especially vets

 

[magnifier661]

Im really not worried. Portland has shown it will overpay to keep players.

In Aldridge's case, you think paying him max is overpaying him?

 

[BlazerWookee]

I think Brian explained that Aldridge must wait before mid season before he resigns because it gives him more money. Maybe I read that wrong though. Something about losing a year signing this summer.

Two years, IIRC. Three years vs. five?

 

[magnifier661]

Two years, IIRC. Three years vs. five?

Yeah that's what I remembered. If he signed a max contract this summer; he only gets 3 years more. If he signed last season, it was only 2 more years. If he waits until mid season then he can have all 5 years.

 

[Natebishop3]

Yeah that's what I remembered. If he signed a max contract this summer; he only gets 3 years more. If he signed last season, it was only 2 more years. If he waits until mid season then he can have all 5 years.

If we can extend him before the end of the season, that should be priority numero uno.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

I thought you could only extend someone in the off-season? I could be wrong on that but never seen anything say otherwise.

 

[magnifier661]

If we can extend him before the end of the season, that should be priority numero uno.

You don't have to tell me twice

 

[magnifier661]

I thought you could only extend someone in the off-season? I could be wrong on that but never seen anything say otherwise.

It's not "extending" I think. I think the contract would have to replace his current one. So last year, if he signed a 5 year, it takes 2 years off, so it would be like a 3 year contract. And this summer, if he signs, it's like a 4 year contract.

 

[jlprk]

Wesley, Lopez, and LA are all free agents next summer.

Olshey's design. He wanted this and he'll get it.

 

[blue9]

Olshey's design. He wanted this and he'll get it.

He did want it. But he didn't have anything to do with any of their current contracts.

 

[jlprk]

Im really not worried. Portland has shown it will overpay to keep players.

No one wants to come to Portland, but once they are here they seem to like it.......especially vets

That's been true (for example, I was surprised that Camby stuck with us), with the exception of Batum and Rudy trying to leave.

 

[santeesioux]

We're all going to be nervous wrecks. Can you imagine what this place is going to be like when he visits Dallas?

 

[BBert]

We're all going to be nervous wrecks. Can you imagine what this place is going to be like when he visits Dallas?

[URL=http://s1007.photobucket.com/user/romiwheeldon/media/DomHives_zpsd0f1866d.jpg.html][/URL]

 

[barfo]

[URL=http://s1007.photobucket.com/user/romiwheeldon/media/DomHives_zpsd0f1866d.jpg.html][/URL]

Wow, Kamen looks worse than I remembered.

barfo

 

[Draco]

I'm not worried in the slightest. This uncertainty goes with the territory of building a quality playoff team.

In situations like this I ask myself what would the Spurs do?

 

[Mediocre Man]

That's been true (for example, I was surprised that Camby stuck with us), with the exception of Batum and Rudy trying to leave.

Both wanted to leave because of the ridiculous coach we had

 

[magnifier661]

Both wanted to leave because of the ridiculous coach we had

How dare you talk about the great Nate!

 

[Mediocre Man]

How dare you talk about the great Nate!

As you knew
Some liked Nate and
Some didnt

Count me as the leader of the didnt
Life is better without him
Olshey hired a real offensive coach
We now have a real offense
No looking back

 

[magnifier661]

As you knew
Some liked Nate and
Some didnt

Count me as the leader of the didnt
Life is better without him
Olshey hired a real offensive coach
We now have a real offense
No looking back

I think in the end, even the ones that supported him finally realized he sucked balls

 

[Sinobas]

They should trade him now, do the cleveland deal, and we'd get cap space to boot.

 

[jlprk]

As you knew
Some liked Nate and
Some didnt

Count me as the leader of the didnt
Life is better without him
Olshey hired a real offensive coach
We now have a real offense
No looking back

Man, I can't stand modern poetry.

 

[Nikolokolus]

In Aldridge's case, you think paying him max is overpaying him?

Not based on what his peers make, but in terms of being "the guy" to lead this team to a title, then he's not worth it, and paying him that much money as he passes thirty probably isn't going to improve the team's chances of their first title in nearly 40 years.

 

[magnifier661]

Not based on what his peers make, but in terms of being "the guy" to lead this team to a title, then he's not worth it, and paying him that much money as he passes thirty probably isn't going to improve the team's chances of their first title in nearly 40 years.

Karl Malone and John Stockton didn't reach the NBA finals until they were in their mid 30's. Even Drexler didn't get there until his 30's. David Robinson was in his mid 30's as well.

I think the key is keeping your stars and finding complimentary players to build around. So far we have 2 and batum could be the third guy.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Karl Malone and John Stockton didn't reach the NBA finals until they were in their mid 30's. Even Drexler didn't get there until his 30's. David Robinson was in his mid 30's as well.

I think the key is keeping your stars and finding complimentary players to build around. So far we have 2 and batum could be the third guy.

You just listed 4 of the top 50 all time great players in the NBA too, LMA, while very good, doesn't belong on that list. (and psst, Drexler got to the finals as "the man" in Portland when he was 27-28).

 

[cmeese47]

It's not bold bro. If Portland wants him, we can keep him. He will be a restricted free agent. We can match anything offered.

Not quite, if he wants out he can sign Portland's qualifying offer play one more season then bolt as an Unrestricted Free Agent.