Offseason Plan and Drafting BPA

[MickZagger]

I'd live to see us make a S&T deal involving Hickson for a center. Not sure which one though (I'd love to take a chance on McGee)? Other than that I'd love to get Evans. Assuming he doesn't suck, re-sign Maynor and draft Porter

Lillard/Maynor
Evans/Matthews
Batum/Porter
Aldridge/Claver
McGee/Leonard/Freeland

So I sold you on Porter?

 

[TowelBoy]

Haha, he and Morrison have nothing in common except they both have long hair, are white and went to Gonzaga.

I won't go too far out on the limb since you obviously know more about him than me. But I think the similarities also extend to the "polished offensive game" and "relative lack of athleticism." If Blazer fans host a rally outside the practice facility to draft him, the parallels will be far too great to ignore.

 

[TowelBoy]

Magnifier, ABM, et al.? I've been gone too long.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Seeing how far away Leonard is I think you have to make a strong pitch to Pekovic.

BPA, say mid-lotto, you have to look at Bennett, Len, Olynyk, etc.

Also, go after Evans. He has the skill-set that, according to Jaynes, Neil is looking for to pair with Lillard -- a SG who can create for himself and others.

Bring over Kostas Papanikolaou.

PG: Lillard | Maynor
SG: Evans | Matthews (6th man)
SF: Batum | Papanikolaou
PF: Aldridge | Olynyk
C: Pekovic | Leonard

Obvioulsy Center and SG are our biggest needs. But are you suggesting we will have enough money for both Evans and Pekovic? i don't think that is possible especially if we keep our #1 pick.

I would not mind Pekovic. He certainly has the size this team lacks. (We need some bulk) But we will have to over pay to get him. Simple case of supply and demand, and his services are in demand, regardless of how good he is.

As for our SG spot....as long as they do their due diligence on Tyreke, he may not be a bad gamble. I just don't trust the guy for some reason. That car chase scene still sticks in my head. How stupid was that? But I don't see how we can get both.

If Maynor looks like he can regain his health then i would pass on Jack. It also would make it less of a need to get a Free agent SG. (Lillard can get some minutes there) I would like to take a SG/ SF in the draft, although it looks to be PF heavy. Either way we need to take BPA and not worry about the position.

Bottom line for me......use our cap space to grab a big and draft BPA.

 

[RR7]

Provided we actually get our pick, I think you spend draft night searching for a trade to use the pick and our upcoming cap space. Who has someone they want to move. Whether it's McGee, Jordan, Asik, Horford, whoever. Find out who might get amnestied, maybe a big bid on Pau if he is waived....

I think that will determine a lot of what else we can do.

 

[MickZagger]

[video=youtube;NmrzKYQnKws]

You can't tell me those plays in that video by Olynyk aren't athletic.

 

[Mediocre Man]

So I sold you on Porter?

No, you had nothing to do with it

 

[MickZagger]

No, you had nothing to do with it

Haha, denial is not just a river in Egypt.

 

[BBert]

Yawn.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

I see the Blazers spending the biggest piece of their cap space on a wing scorer (Redick or Mayo), and the next biggest piece on a C to replace Hickson and continue to rotate with Leonard (Mozgov or an aging Jermaine or even Pekovic if they can fit it in).

For the first time in recent drafts (and now that we're clearly going to keep our pick by tanking), there's not any one position that stands out as a need, so the Blazers should literally take whatever player their scouting says has the best chance of ever becoming All-Star caliber.

The position that would make the "least" sense is PG, but look at the buzz the Clippers have been able to generate since taking a high-upside PG 18th overall in 2010 and slowly working him into the rotation. They could have traded him for an All-Star already.

I see this as our "top 9" legitimate rotation players. Claver, Freeland, Barton, and Babbitt (if the latter is re-signed) will continue battling for scraps.

PG - Lillard, Maynor
SG - Mayo, Matthews
SF - Batum
PF - Aldridge
C - Leonard, Jermaine
** - Rookie at position TBD

For a rookie that's a pretty solid post.

I pretty much agree. We have to increase the quantity of talent and in this years draft we need to simply take the best player on the board. And I also agree to try and find a shooter FA.

 

[TowelBoy]

For a rookie that's a pretty solid post.

I pretty much agree. We have to increase the quantity of talent and in this years draft we need to simply take the best player on the board. And I also agree to try and find a shooter FA.

Appreciate it. Although I'm less a rookie and more a late-arriving member of the O-Live contingent (you know who you are).

 

[magnifier661]

I have a feeling that hickson is gonna stay a blazer. I think we got lucky with maynor and will retain hickson, while using 7-8 million on a capable defensive big. You may not like it, but I think hicksons d is getting better and Aldridge and hickson combo really helps Lillards game, IMO.

 

[Mediocre Man]

I have a feeling that hickson is gonna stay a blazer. I think we got lucky with maynor and will retain hickson, while using 7-8 million on a capable defensive big. You may not like it, but I think hicksons d is getting better and Aldridge and hickson combo really helps Lillards game, IMO.

This team will have failed miserably in every possible way if JJ Hickson is brought back for anything other than a 15 minute per game back up to Aldridge and a real center

 

[magnifier661]

This team will have failed miserably in every possible way if JJ Hickson is brought back for anything other than a 15 minute per game back up to Aldridge and a real center

If they got a dalembert, it's not as bad as you think. Leonard is a long way away, but there must be some stock with developing him on this team. Grabbing a dalembert would be sufficient enough until Leonard is developed. I think that's the bigger goal, IMO. Personally I think hickson will surprise us with the offer he stays in Portland with. I'm thinking around 6-7 million.

 

[BrianFromWA]

How do you plan on doing that, Mags? Not that I disagree, but with Maynor's cap hold is going to be ~6M, JJ's at 7.6M, and we only have ~13M of room (if the cap is at 60M). I mean, sure you might be able to get Maynor to agree to a 3yr/10M deal or so, reducing it from 6 to 3M and opening up a little but of space, but how are you going to get a big AND JJ? If you keep JJ, you only have about 3M to play with. If you sign a 7-8M FA defender, then you have to renounce JJ and can't go over the cap to sign him. So you have 2-3M to give him, which he's not going to take.

 

[magnifier661]

How do you plan on doing that, Mags? Not that I disagree, but with Maynor's cap hold is going to be ~6M, JJ's at 7.6M, and we only have ~13M of room (if the cap is at 60M). I mean, sure you might be able to get Maynor to agree to a 3yr/10M deal or so, reducing it from 6 to 3M and opening up a little but of space, but how are you going to get a big AND JJ? If you keep JJ, you only have about 3M to play with. If you sign a 7-8M FA defender, then you have to renounce JJ and can't go over the cap to sign him. So you have 2-3M to give him, which he's not going to take.

Ah fuck! Forgot about Maynor's cap hold! I do believe he will accept less, but probably around 3-5 million per. Possibly back load his contract? As for hickson, well that changes everything. Maybe with accepting both offers, we will be at cap, then use the full mle to offer to that defensive center? Isn't full mle around 6.5 million?

 

[KeepOnRollin]

How do you plan on doing that, Mags? Not that I disagree, but with Maynor's cap hold is going to be ~6M, JJ's at 7.6M, and we only have ~13M of room (if the cap is at 60M). I mean, sure you might be able to get Maynor to agree to a 3yr/10M deal or so, reducing it from 6 to 3M and opening up a little but of space, but how are you going to get a big AND JJ? If you keep JJ, you only have about 3M to play with. If you sign a 7-8M FA defender, then you have to renounce JJ and can't go over the cap to sign him. So you have 2-3M to give him, which he's not going to take.

Maynor's Cap hold is 5.1 MIL I believe but his real contract is only 3.3 MIL. How soon does cap hold go away assuming he signs QO? I am sure he would sign it right away.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Too many threads on what to do this summer. Hopefully we can stick with one. Where was that list of potential centers someone posted? All our moves hinge first on getting that "BIG". I know Pec is one option but his offer can be matched. Who are the other FA's and who are the potential "sign and trade" candidates that have been discussed for Hickson?

That seems more of a fantasy to me, but hey we can try.....

 

[magnifier661]

Too many threads on what to do this summer. Hopefully we can stick with one. Where was that list of potential centers someone posted? All our moves hinge first on getting that "BIG". I know Pec is one option but his offer can be matched. Who are the other FA's and who are the potential "sign and trade" candidates that have been discussed for Hickson?

That seems more of a fantasy to me, but hey we can try.....

Dalembert, not sign and trade worthy though. Pek, Jefferson, I keep forgetting that skinny center in Dallas (wright?). There are around 12 centers being unrestricted this summer. I actually think not jumping right out of the gate maybe our best value. All teams under cap will pay premium prices for the strong centers, while the above average centers will still be available.

This will be our best value, IMO.

 

[Blazinaway]

and much could depend on what happens with Howard, if he goes to HOU then Asik is available.

 

[magnifier661]

and much could depend on what happens with Howard, if he goes to HOU then Asik is available.

Even with all the drama, I doubt Howard leaves Los Angeles. Just my personal feeling.

 

[BBert]

Even with all the drama, I doubt Howard leaves Los Angeles. Just my personal feeling.

Agreed. They are all about drama. Perfect fit.

 

[magnifier661]

Agreed. They are all about drama. Perfect fit.

And Howard is all about big time media. He wants to be famous. What better place to play than l.a.? The only feasible place other than l.a. Would be Brooklyn or New York. I just don't think they would give l.a. What they want for him though.

Also I believe there is some limitation on teams in luxury tax able to sign and trade. So I think it's impossible actually.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Dalembert, not sign and trade worthy though. Pek, Jefferson, I keep forgetting that skinny center in Dallas (wright?). There are around 12 centers being unrestricted this summer. I actually think not jumping right out of the gate maybe our best value. All teams under cap will pay premium prices for the strong centers, while the above average centers will still be available.

This will be our best value, IMO.

I think there is a reason you keep forgetting about Wright. He is 6'10 210 lbs. i think I would rather have Darko than him. We need some real size

 

[magnifier661]

I think there is a reason you keep forgetting about Wright. He is 6'10 210 lbs. i think I would rather have Darko than him. We need some real size

Yeah I really didn't have him on my radar. Probably a good reason too.

 

[BrianFromWA]

Maynor's Cap hold is 5.1 MIL I believe but his real contract is only 3.3 MIL. How soon does cap hold go away assuming he signs QO? I am sure he would sign it right away.

I didn't see that 5.1M number posted, but it should be 250% of his salary, since he was making less than league average (~2.3M)

Larry Bird, following the fourth season of his rookie scale contract Below the estimated average salary 250% of his previous salary

And they take the maximum of the cap number, the QO number (which is that 3.2M figure), or the amount he's offered by someone in the first year of a contract (edit) when we match.

The amount of the qualifying offer for players on rookie "scale" contracts is based on the player's draft position. The qualifying offer for all other players must be for 125% of the player's previous salary, or the player's minimum salary (see question number 16) plus $200,000, whichever is greater.

So as I see it (and I haven't looked much at it), it seems like 250% of that $2,338,721 or $5,486,802. Do you have a link for the 5.1M?

 

[RR7]

Brian, pretty sure you're wrong on thew cap hold changing to whatever someone offers him while we decide to match. That was what Dwight Jaynes was claiming last year with Batum, and it was false.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Seems like a lot of serviceable centers in this league are from Europe. Pec, Vucevic, Mozgov, Asik, Gortat, Valanciunas. Do we have any scouts left over there?

 

[BrianFromWA]

Brian, pretty sure you're wrong on thew cap hold changing to whatever someone offers him while we decide to match. That was what Dwight Jaynes was claiming last year with Batum, and it was false.

Sorry, you're right, it's when we match. Brian Fart.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Seems like a lot of serviceable centers in this league are from Europe. Pec, Vucevic, Mozgov, Asik, Gortat, Valanciunas. Do we have any scouts left over there?

Last I heard Buchanan was sent here