Do you trust Neil?
So far his trades are looking mediocre.
Vonleh is extremely raw and not even close to being a rotation player. It's a contract year for Nic but he's playing at an All-Star level - at SG.
The Brooklyn trade has worked out well for both teams but long term is concerning - RHJ, before the injury, looked every bit as disruptive on defense as Oladipo. His jumper is broken but he showed Tony Allen-like potential.
Giving up a first-rounder for a declining player who was going to opt out stings. Barton playing like ADHD Ginobli only compounds it.
Yes.
This is essentially Vonleh's rookie year after missing time last year in Charlotte. From all accounts, Olshey tried to move Batum for a 2015 lottery pick but no one was biting so he found one from 2014. Noah's overall instincts are great but he needs more time to grow his confidence. Batum is having a great year in Charlotte but he is going to get PAID next offseason. Does anyone really want to give Nico MAX money? I mean, good for him, but consistency has always been an issue for Nic and we all know how much he loves playing for France in the summers.
Brooklyn trade was good value. While I firmly wanted to keep RHJ for his defense, it's hard to be upset at getting a 25 year-old starting center for the 23rd pick in the draft.
Most likely, we will not have to give up a first-round pick to Denver. Even so, it was a good move. We were a Top 4 team out West last year and it was time to go all-in. I'm pretty sure a ton of fans would have been upset at Olshey had he not made any moves at the deadline. Unfortunately, Afflalo didn't work out here in Portland but sometimes you have to take a risk and go for it all.
Neil also signed Ed Davis to a 3-year, $21 million deal this summer which is looking like the bargain of the offseason. He traded two second round picks for Allen Crabbe, drafted CJ McCollum in 2013, Damian Lillard, Meyers Leonard, and Will Barton in 2012, acquired Moe Harkless for nothing and picked up Aminu on a reasonable deal.
Olshey could have very well found stop-gap players to help us sneak into the playoffs this offseason once Aldridge left, but he was smart enough to realize being mediocre is the worst spot to be at in the NBA. Not all trades and signings are slam dunks but, overall, I like what he's done.