Offseason Plan and Drafting BPA

[TowelBoy]

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

 

[Blazinaway]

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

Hi TB, disagree as i think we go after a C with the biggest chuck, we'll see.

 

[TowelBoy]

Hi TB, disagree as i think we go after a C with the biggest chuck, we'll see.

That would be kind of giving up on a promising 20 year-old lottery pick, would it not? And there aren't any obvious, young, defensive anchors out there this year, a la Roy Hibbert.

 

[Blazinaway]

That would be kind of giving up on a promising 20 year-old lottery pick, would it not? And there aren't any obvious, young, defensive anchors out there this year, a la Roy Hibbert.

we could use the capspace as a part of a trade with another team. for example if HOU gets Howard this summer we could trade our lotto pick/and or Leonard for Asik and a TE. Leonard's still very raw and IMO is for now at least a few more years, we at least need a solid very in here while he develops - and ""if he develops. Gotta have a solid C for this team.

 

[Blazinaway]

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

and by the way if I went after a guard, I'd go after Jarrett jack. He's having a terrific season, shoots better percentages than Redick from 2 and 3pt, avergaes 2 more APG (6) is less minutes, they are about the same age and I think Jack will be cheaper, I think Redick and Mayo get overpaid

 

[Nikolokolus]

Somehow I just don't see a big time free agent signing here ... even if there were a big name out there this summer. I think that cap-room is going to come into play for some kind of lopsided trade if I had to bet.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

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

 

[TowelBoy]

and by the way if I went after a guard, I'd go after Jarrett jack. He's having a terrific season, shoots better percentages than Redick from 2 and 3pt, avergaes 2 more APG (6) is less minutes, they are about the same age and I think Jack will be cheaper, I think Redick and Mayo get overpaid

I'll take your word for it that Jack has better percentages than Mayo and Redick, but he still strikes me as a far less dangerous scorer. He's a fantastic combo guard at running a team, but I think Mayo or Redick would be better to pair with Lillard. I want those guys running off screens and catching and shooting for the most part.

 

[TowelBoy]

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

Not bad actually. Other than my intense hatred of Olynyk.

 

[MickZagger]

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

Olynyk instantly makes Aldridge expendable.

 

[MickZagger]

Not bad actually. Other than my intense hatred of Olynyk.

Why would you say such?

 

[Rhal]

Personally i'd like to see our draft pick (if we get it) be traded away for a center. The Market this summer isn't that great for C's and our biggest need is at the C position. Our next biggest need is a player who can create for himself and others on the bench, be that a PG/SG or a SG/SF whoever that may be.
Hypothetically i'd like to see this
Pick traded to suns for Gortat, sign Jarret Jack, sign Kyle Korver and grab some journymen bigman with our veteran min like Ronny Turiaf.

 

[Rhal]

Olynyk instantly makes Aldridge expendable.

... Come on now Zagger. If Olynyk was good enough to make a top 20 player expendable then he wouldn't be there for our pick. I know your high on him but thats a little to high, why not say something like "makes Aldridge expendable in a year or two if he develops correctly". Give yourself some wiggle room.

 

[VanillaGorilla]

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

Is Papanikolaou supposed to be better than Claver as soon as he comes over?

Olynyk instantly makes Aldridge expendable.

This one's got to be a joke, right?

 

[TowelBoy]

Why would you say such?

The post player version of Morrison?

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Towelboy!

Long time no see! How's it going? How is law school? You in town? Nice to see you around.

 

[TowelBoy]

Towelboy!

Long time no see! How's it going? How is law school? You in town? Nice to see you around.

Global moderator??? HOLY SH@#$%@#$%@#$%!!!!

Kidding... everything's great. I finish school in May then move home (West Linn) for bar prep, but only briefly. Job's in smogville, USA.

 

[Natebishop3]

Dwight Howard.

Anything else is a failure.

 

[ABM]

Nice to see you here, towelboy! Still lovin' my knife set.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Nice to see you here, towelboy! Still lovin' my knife set.

CUTCO FTW!!

 

[PtldPlatypus]

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

You feel like explaining how we are able to pick up both Evans and Pek?

 

[ABM]

CUTCO FTW!!

yup.

 

[Natebishop3]

You feel like explaining how we are able to pick up both Evans and Pek?

Obviously they're going to sign for almost nothing... duh!

Except they're both RFAs...

 

[magnifier661]

I think we will get that center first. We use hickson as a sign and trade to a team over cap for a center. The pick will be bpa

 

[Rhal]

I think we will get that center first. We use hickson as a sign and trade to a team over cap for a center. The pick will be bpa

I don't believe you can sign and trade a player to a team over the cap. Or it might be the luxury tax.

 

[magnifier661]

I don't believe you can sign and trade a player to a team over the cap. Or it might be the luxury tax.

Well I was thinking they would sign hickson for less than what their center makes. I think that works

 

[MickZagger]

The post player version of Morrison?

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

 

[Natebishop3]

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

Twinsies!

 

[Rhal]

Well I was thinking they would sign hickson for less than what their center makes. I think that works

It doesn't matter what they make if the team is over the luxury tax (I'm just going to assume its that) they can't make a S&T. Teams over the cap can though.

 

[Mediocre Man]

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