Nurk: “I was told that no one would be traded and that only the coach would change”

[Freshtown]

This was from the nurk thread but thought it deserved its own discussion.

I want to dismiss it. But if you’re planning to make big trades, why would you tell everyone on the team they’re safe? Why not just say “we’re evaluating all ways to make the team better” and leave it at that?

Neil can’t be delusional enough to think swapping Billups for Stotts results in a championship, right? Or that swapping one role player for another is the key to unlocking it all?

 

[Eli Vance]

Where did you find that quote?

 

[Phatguysrule]

Well, if that's what Olshey told the team I could see why Dame might be pissed and questioning our ability to compete...

 

[tester551]

Neil can’t be delusional enough to think swapping Billups for Stotts results in a championship, right? Or that swapping one role player for another is the key to unlocking it all?

But he is that delusional...
It was evident in the presser after Stotts was fired.

 

[e_blazer]

Where did you find that quote?

https://www.blazersedge.com/2021/6/...rail-blazers-trades-2021-rumors-news-contract

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Neil’s M.O.

Do nothing or dumpster dive.

He and Burt are the reason for this mess.

Neil should be nervous, the NBA black lists GMs who operate this poorly — just ask John Nash.

 

[BBert]

This was from the nurk thread but thought it deserved its own discussion.

I want to dismiss it. But if you’re planning to make big trades, why would you tell everyone on the team they’re safe? Why not just say “we’re evaluating all ways to make the team better” and leave it at that?

Neil can’t be delusional enough to think swapping Billups for Stotts results in a championship, right? Or that swapping one role player for another is the key to unlocking it all?

Neil also promised Eric Gordon he wasn't going to trade him 3 days before he traded him.

That's life in the big leagues Nurk my boy.

 

[Hoopguru]

Neil’s M.O.

Do nothing or dumpster dive.

He and Burt are the reason for this mess.

Neil should be nervous, the NBA black lists GMs who operate this poorly — just ask John Nash.

New ownership needed for sure, imo.

 

[BBert]

Did Nurk indicate whether he thought that's a good thing, or a bad thing?

 

[Idog1976]

Neil also promised Eric Gordon he wasn't going to trade him 3 days before he traded him.

That's life in the big leagues Nurk my boy.

Yeah, Neil being a shark and trading despite a promise is a far, FAR better scenario.

Again, I offer my solution if this is Olshey's "vision". Jody calls up Elon Musk on billionaire speed dial, and asks what it would cost to launch a 200lb human directly into the Sun and live stream it. Olshey, we need you to take a meeting on board this rocket, yes down there in the cargo hold. **lock clicks behind him** "Hey guys, wait wait, I was gonna try and move the needle by signing Austin Rivers. Remember when he torched our 2nd best player? This guy is a competitor and a great bargain value.......

*rest is lost in the sound of a three-stage Space-X falcon rocket lifting off.

 

[Tince]

Thank goodness we've confirmed Stotts was the main problem. Everything has gone so well since he was let go!

 

[BigGameDamian]

https://www.blazersedge.com/2021/6/...rail-blazers-trades-2021-rumors-news-contract

“I should first say, from what I’ve been told, CJ McCollum has been told he’s not getting traded this offseason, so it may be a moot point, but I think CJ is the kind of player that would complement Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown well,” Mannix said.

 

[Mr. Robot]

first of all, i see no reason why nurk would made that up

olshey probably said it not to cause any harm within the team, cause if you say: "there will be movements", players will get uncomfortable cause they might want to stay etc

so you say no-one will get traded and then stab them in the back

 

[Idog1976]

first of all, i see no reason why nurk would made that up

olshey probably said it not to cause any harm within the team, cause if you say: "there will be movements", players will get uncomfortable cause they might want to stay etc

so you say no-one will get traded and then stab them in the back

Well I greatly prefer stabs in the back to millionaire athletes, over say the Fanbase....

 

[wizenheimer]

would anybody really be surprised is Stotts --> Billups was the only change?...except for quite possibly Powell signing somewhere else?

 

[illmatic99]

would anybody really be surprised is Stotts --> Billups was the only change?...except for quite possibly Powell signing somewhere else?

yes.

 

[Buffalo Custard]

If true, this is a crime against the fan base a thousand time worse than the Billups controversy.

 

[julius]

Not making a trade is a lose lose situation. Not trading CJ pretty much makes keeping Norman a really difficult task.

 

[BBert]

would anybody really be surprised is Stotts --> Billups was the only change?...except for quite possibly Powell signing somewhere else?

If there are no trades it sure seems like keeping Powell would be a long-shot, and if we can't that will make us worse, not better.

 

[wizenheimer]

If there are no trades it sure seems like keeping Powell would be a long-shot, and if we can't that will make us worse, not better.

sure, but on the plus side, maybe, in Olshey's mind, is that would give him the chance to do what he may have wanted to do since 2013, and that's trade Dame and then build a team around CJ

 

[illmatic99]

What do people expect Neil to say to players? That he would trade everyone and blow up the team?

 

[Buffalo Custard]

What do people expect Neil to say to players? That he would trade everyone and blow up the team?

"Shrug"

It would be one way to separate the hungry players from the ones with a sense of entitlement.

Frankly, I thought Stotts was too soft and I am hoping the new coach puts a little fear in them. Statements like that from Olshey just cut the coach off at the knees.

 

[Mr. Robot]

What do people expect Neil to say to players? That he would trade everyone and blow up the team?

"we always look for ways to improve the team"

players are not stupid, they know they can get traded anytime

 

[illmatic99]

https://www.usatoday.com/story/spor...eans-hornets-eric-gordon-is-he-happy/1902665/

"You can say one thing and do another, but at the end of the day I don't get into it. With the things that I've been in with GMs, where I had one GM (former Clippers GM Neil Olshey, who now is in Portland) say that you'll never get traded and the next thing you know that ends up happening a few days later. And now you have another GM who says you're going to be here long term, so you would expect that to be the longest term that you can for being a part of this team (contractually). And I am here long term, but I could've had an opportunity to have five (years) instead of four."

 

[KristinthBonkers]

“I should first say, from what I’ve been told, CJ McCollum has been told he’s not getting traded this offseason, so it may be a moot point, but I think CJ is the kind of player that would complement Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown well,” Mannix said.

... and Portland gets which players in return? Dame would fit great next with those guys but that trade isn’t going to happen, either.

 

[BBert]

Not saying anything against Stotts, but I think Nurk will respect Billups more than Stotts.

 

[Stevenson]

It's called "not tipping your hand." Olshey only has trading juice if other GMs think he's not desperate, and that only happens if players think they're safe.

At $10 million a year, Nurk's job is to play basketball. Neil's job is to maximize assets. Telling Nurk people are on the trading block hurts that.

 

[BBert]

So Nurk is abetting Olshey's tactics, knowingly or more likely unknowingly.

I like it.

 

[Natebishop3]

What do people expect Neil to say to players? That he would trade everyone and blow up the team?

I mean, he could say nothing?

 

[wizenheimer]

Neil's job is to maximize assets

9 years of