Olshey plans to get into the draft

[e_blazer]

Maybe by using the future Ceveland pick. Lot's of other tidbits in this article.
http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/i...gency_the_trail_blazers_c.html#incart_sms_app

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Thanks for the article; I'm picking up what he's putting down, man.

 

[theprunetang]

Olshey is a smart man. He's got this.

 

[PDXFonz]

Do you know where Chris Kaman's future stands with organization?

We'll figure all that out." Stotts: "We can't answer that because Chris still needs to answer that. He's going to be driving cross country today, he's going to have a lot of time to think."

Anyone else think they offered Kaman a coaching spot? Sounds like they know where they want him, its just up to him to decide whether or not he want's what they are offering.

I don't see us offering him a contract as a player. Seeing how he has had limited impact on the court, and like Neil said - This year most of what he did was off the court.

My bet is that somewhere right now Kaman is deciding if he want's to continue his playing career and through free agency, or take the coaching position in Portland.

I'm down to keep the Caveman around on the coaching staff!

 

[Scalma]

That quote about being able to take a chance on young talent because Stotts has shown ability to develop young players screams Olshey going after Thon Maker to me. Remember how he evidently wanted Porzingis? I wouldn't be surprised at all if he packaged that Cleveland pick and maybe Plumlee to get Maker.

 

[PDXFonz]

That quote about being able to take a chance on young talent because Stotts has shown ability to develop young players screams Olshey going after Thon Maker to me. Remember how he evidently wanted Porzingis? I wouldn't be surprised at all if he packaged that Cleveland pick and maybe Plumlee to get Maker.

If we draft Maker I think Meyers is the one headed out, not Plumlee.

I think Thon looks like he would be more successful in that Leonard roll of 7 foot floor spacing 4. Maybe play him at the 5 if we go small with something like Dame, CJ, Harkless, Aminu, Thon.

Maker definitely has the raw talent, with raw being the key word. Feel like this guy has no in between on his ceiling. Either going to be a god or a bust.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Anyone else think they offered Kaman a coaching spot?

Kaman would make a better mascot. Cave Man > Trail Cat.

 

[Sarni]

That quote about being able to take a chance on young talent because Stotts has shown ability to develop young players screams Olshey going after Thon Maker to me. Remember how he evidently wanted Porzingis? I wouldn't be surprised at all if he packaged that Cleveland pick and maybe Plumlee to get Maker.

It'd be mad to give away a future 1st and Plumlee for Maker. Plumlee will be better than Maker for the next couple of seasons, and I actually like Maker's potential.

 

[Sarni]

If we draft Maker I think Meyers is the one headed out, not Plumlee.

I think Thon looks like he would be more successful in that Leonard roll of 7 foot floor spacing 4. Maybe play him at the 5 if we go small with something like Dame, CJ, Harkless, Aminu, Thon.

Maker definitely has the raw talent, with raw being the key word. Feel like this guy has no in between on his ceiling. Either going to be a god or a bust.

Yep but we cannot actually trade Meyers for Thon.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

Anyone else think they offered Kaman a coaching spot? Sounds like they know where they want him, its just up to him to decide whether or not he want's what they are offering.

I don't see us offering him a contract as a player. Seeing how he has had limited impact on the court, and like Neil said - This year most of what he did was off the court.

My bet is that somewhere right now Kaman is deciding if he want's to continue his playing career and through free agency, or take the coaching position in Portland.

I'm down to keep the Caveman around on the coaching staff!

He'd fill the hole Hughes left when he was fired for spilling the beans on LA.

 

[CommodoreG]

Anyone else think they offered Kaman a coaching spot? Sounds like they know where they want him, its just up to him to decide whether or not he want's what they are offering.

I think it would be great if Kaman took the coaching spot here, but at the same time, I don't think he's some washed up old man either. From what I've seen, he could definitely shape up, get back into free agency, and play in the league for a couple more years. I suppose it all comes back to what Kaman really wants to do.

Although... it's pretty telling that he had no complaints whatsoever being in the minimal-playtime Veteran role this entire season. Maybe he IS done.

 

[BonesJones]

That quote about being able to take a chance on young talent because Stotts has shown ability to develop young players screams Olshey going after Thon Maker to me. Remember how he evidently wanted Porzingis? I wouldn't be surprised at all if he packaged that Cleveland pick and maybe Plumlee to get Maker.

I could see him shopping Plumlee for a mid to late 1st round pick, along with a 2nd rounder and the right to swap firsts a couple years down the road.

Trading Plumlee would make sure to open enough cap space for a guy like Horford. We'll likely sign a good starting Center, and Plumlee shouldn't be coming off the bench, can't play next to Davis or Whiteside/Dwight if we sign them, and Mase is due for a big raise next summer. Plus, keeping Plumlee as a backup C and losing Meyers isn't as good as getting assets for Plumlee and keeping Meyers.

Some place like Indiana would look hard at Plumlee, as he'd be a cheap replacement for Mahinmi and allow them to go after other free agents to shore up their roster. Indiana has the 20th and 50th picks. I think we could get along with the right to swap 1sts in 2019 or something like that. At 20th we could get a guy like Taurean Prince, and at 50 we could get someone like Felder, Bolomboy, or Bentil.

Other Potential Spots Include the Grizzlies (17th pick), Pistons (18th pick), Hawks (21st pick), and Clippers (25th, 33rd picks)

Taurean Prince reminds me a lot of Aminu, and could be a cheap replacement for Aminu or Harkless should we need more cap space for free agents.

Felder, Bolomboy, and Bentil are lottery tickets, but they're good ones at that. We might combine the 50th pick and filler to move up a few spots to get one of those guys.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I think he'll try to use CLE's 1st and cash to get the 31st pick and 35th picks from Boston. He'd look to draft Thon Maker at 31 and AJ Hammons at 35.

Maker would be the developmental piece they want, while AJ Hammons would be insurance as a guy who could come off the bench and produce if we strike out on free agent big men (I don't think we will). If we land someone like Horford and have Meyers as a backup, Hammons would be a great 3rd string Center.

Other Options around 20 would be Deandre Bembry, Tyler Ulis, Damian Jones, Demetrius Jackson, and Chieck Diallo

Other Options in the Early 2nd Round would be Dejounte Murray, Malachi Richardson, Malcolm Brogdon, Diamond Stone, and Ivica Zubac

 

[ripcityboy]

Neil literally is like the dude at the end of the bar with the big smile on his face who knows something you do not. He's interviewing the reporter as much the guy is him. The fact he didn't win Executive of The Year is such a crock..... but Neil's too busy "casing" the draft to care!

 

[Sarni]

The only way we should make Plumlee available for a pick it's only if it's in 10-15 range and we get someone like Ellenson or Poeltl from it. I wouldn't want us to drop a perfectly fine center who still has a good upside for a late first.

 

[BonesJones]

The only way we should make Plumlee available for a pick it's only if it's in 10-15 range and we get someone like Ellenson or Poeltl from it. I wouldn't want us to drop a perfectly fine center who still has a good upside for a late first.

Thing is we already have 2 other Centers and we'll likely sign another.

 

[Sarni]

Thing is we already have 2 other Centers and we'll likely sign another.

Yep but the suggestion was to give up on him for a pick that would get us Thon Maker, who's also a center but much more rough and will take time to adjust to the league.

Who are the other two centers BTW? I don't consider Meyers a center to be honest, if he has future with us it could only be as a stretch four. Ed Davis is definitely a center. Kaman will not be resigned in all likelihood.

If we get a new center in free agency then it will probably make sense to trade Plumlee. His trade value is far higher than late first though IMO. As I said if we get Poeltl, Ellenson or Deyonta Davis for him then fine.

 

[BonesJones]

Yep but the suggestion was to give up on him for a pick that would get us Thon Maker, who's also a center but much more rough and will take time to adjust to the league.

Who are the other two centers BTW? I don't consider Meyers a center to be honest, if he has future with us it could only be as a stretch four. Ed Davis is definitely a center. Kaman will not be resigned in all likelihood.

If we get a new center in free agency then it will probably make sense to trade Plumlee. His trade value is far higher than late first though IMO. As I said if we get Poeltl, Ellenson or Deyonta Davis for him then fine.

Leonard is a 5. Davis is a 4 or 5. Davis and Leonard fit together. Plumlee fits with neither.

 

[rasheedfan2005]

Meyers seemed to play better as stretch 5 because he's better downlow on defense.

 

[selloutking]

Anyone else think they offered Kaman a coaching spot? Sounds like they know where they want him, its just up to him to decide whether or not he want's what they are offering.

I don't see us offering him a contract as a player. Seeing how he has had limited impact on the court, and like Neil said - This year most of what he did was off the court.

My bet is that somewhere right now Kaman is deciding if he want's to continue his playing career and through free agency, or take the coaching position in Portland.

I'm down to keep the Caveman around on the coaching staff!

I am legitimately trying to picture Kaman in a suit, and I just cant.

 

[PDXFonz]

I am legitimately trying to picture Kaman in a suit, and I just cant.

 

[illmatic99]

If you don't want to read a transcript:

 

[BBert]

I think it would be great if Kaman took the coaching spot here, but at the same time, I don't think he's some washed up old man either. From what I've seen, he could definitely shape up, get back into free agency, and play in the league for a couple more years. I suppose it all comes back to what Kaman really wants to do.

Although... it's pretty telling that he had no complaints whatsoever being in the minimal-playtime Veteran role this entire season. Maybe he IS done.

IMO the smart play is to give up the game while he can still walk.

 

[dviss1]

Blake in the off white tee? Jesus...

 

[selloutking]

no no no, TODAYS Chris Kaman. Or in other words, more beard, and prolly a little more weight too

 

[Mediocre Man]

Really enjoyable read.

 

[Scalma]

Yep but the suggestion was to give up on him for a pick that would get us Thon Maker, who's also a center but much more rough and will take time to adjust to the league.

Who are the other two centers BTW? I don't consider Meyers a center to be honest, if he has future with us it could only be as a stretch four. Ed Davis is definitely a center. Kaman will not be resigned in all likelihood.

If we get a new center in free agency then it will probably make sense to trade Plumlee. His trade value is far higher than late first though IMO. As I said if we get Poeltl, Ellenson or Deyonta Davis for him then fine.

Meyers is absolutely a center to me, at least defensively. Maker would be a project so his position shouldn't really matter. As for plumlee, I can't see Portland paying him so might as well trade him now when his value is at it's highest. Trading him before another big is signed is pretty risky however.

 

[crandc]

In Olshey we trust!

 

[blue9]

I don't consider Meyers a center to be honest, if he has future with us it could only be as a stretch four. Ed Davis is definitely a center.

Huh - totally disagree with you here. Meyers is nothing BUT a C. And Ed Davis is better suited to PF, than C - he's way too undersized, despite the fight he puts up.

 

[B-Roy]

Ed Davis is best suited to be a center in the current NBA. A good backup center that matches up against the opposing backups.

His lack of range hurts him on offense and he's not best suited to be chasing guys off the perimeter on defense.

 

[Sarni]

Huh - totally disagree with you here. Meyers is nothing BUT a C. And Ed Davis is better suited to PF, than C - he's way too undersized, despite the fight he puts up.

Offensively I can only see Davis at center, he does not have the range but he's quite good nearer the post. Leonard is completely opposite - I don't trust him much near the post but he has a very good range. It's a different story defensively but I generally don't like Meyers defensively anywhere.

I think we won't keep Meyers anyway though. Someone is going to seriously overpay for him in current climate and I don't want Blazers to match anything near $10m.