here's my ideal offseason:
Draft:
- Trade Plumlee and Connaughton to get into the middle of the first. Let's say to Boston for #16. Plumlee's game fits Brad Stevens' creativity. Connaughton is a local kid that in theory gives Boston some outside shooting. This move would require some foresight by Olshey in landing a big man in free agency.
- Draft Malachi Richardson or Damian Jones or whomever. I'm not that familiar with the prospects this year but I've heard it's a deep class, and I think the Blazers will find a way to get involved
Free Agency:
- Pretty safe bet that Portland will make either Whiteside or Horford their number one target. Someone like Howard would be secondary. If you follow Whiteside on snapchat (lol) you'll realize he REALLY likes living in Miami. Is that enough for him to stick around? I think so. I don't get the feeling he's at the stage of his career where winning is the number one priority. So with that being said, Portland lands Horford. He fits the system, the culture, and fills a big need. He checks all three of those boxes better than anyone else in my opinion.
- Sign DJ Augustin. He excels out of the pick and roll, can play on or off the ball, shot over 40% from downtown, and showed an ability to finish in the lane. He's massively underrated and will interest any team that's into analytics cough Portland cough.
- Sign Lance Thomas. Another underrated player, can shoot from outside and defend wings.
In-house Free Agency:
- Match on Crabbe, Harkless, and Leonard, even if one of them isn't part of the long term plan. They could always become trade chips later.
- Renounce Henderson, Roberts, and Kaman
2016 Blazers
PG- Lillard
SG- McCollum
SF- Harkless
PF- Aminu
C- Horford
Bench:
Crabbe, Davis, Augustin, Leonard, Thomas, Vonleh, Montero, Alexander, Richardson/Jones, Filler
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Now I'm sure all of this this isn't realistic cap wise, but whatever it's my ideal scenario!