Only the 2nd youngest team in the league?

[dviss1]

Thoughts on Otto Porter? Might be tough for Washington to afford Wall, BB3, Otto, and now Oubre this summer?

We should go after Oubre.

 

[AFully22]

Especially if POR beats OKC in the playoffs. PG13 will flee Russ and cow town for POR just like KD did for GSW.

BNM

I know this is extremely unlikely to happen but, would would it actually take to be able to sign PG to a reasonable deal this summer?

A first attached to ML, Swanigan attached to ET, AND Harkless for nothing? Could there be teams out there that could actually help make that happen? And can you sign PG before you extend the qualifying offers to Nurk and Bazz?

Of course there is the sign and trade option but what the hell could we offer OKC in a sign and trade that they would actually be interested in? They’re already about to pay 26 mil to Melo next yr.

 

[hoopsjock]

I know this is extremely unlikely to happen but, would would it actually take to be able to sign PG to a reasonable deal this summer?

A first attached to ML, Swanigan attached to ET, AND Harkless for nothing? Could there be teams out there that could actually help make that happen? And can you sign PG before you extend the qualifying offers to Nurk and Bazz?

Of course there is the sign and trade option but what the hell could we offer OKC in a sign and trade that they would actually be interested in? They’re already about to pay 26 mil to Melo next yr.

Breakdown: Sign and trades aren't possible if you are over the tax apron after the trade and you get hard capped so that is EXTREMELY UNLIKELY!

Cap Holds for free agents:
Nurk $8.842M
Napier $7.084M
PC: $1.839M
Davis: $12.07M
There is absolutely no way to get these off the books unless you renounce them as free agents or sign them for less. Napier and Davis hopefully could be re-signed for less but to realistically sign PG we'd probably have to let those two go. So that leaves $10.7 million if you want to keep Nurk and PC as restricted free agents.

If your complete fantasy world unrealistic trades (since there might not even be teams that could even take on that salary even if they wanted to) of Leonard, Turner, and Harkless were actually possible here is where it would leave us (also assuming Swanigan, our 1st round pick, and Layman were gone too):
Current guaranteed salary is $110,456,026M
Minus all those guys it would be about $80 million including the cap holds for just Nurk and PC. Plus we'd have 5 roster spot holds since there would only be 6 guys under contract is another almost $3.5 million so $83.5 million as a rough estimate.

So giving away Turner, Leonard, Harkless, Swanigan, Layman, Napier, Davis, Baldwin, and our 1st round pick gives us about $19 million in cap space (assuming a $102 million cap) if Nurk and PC waited to re-sign. Max contract for 7-9 year players (George would be going into his 9th year) is estimated to be about $30.3 million. So even after doing all that WE STILL COULDN'T SIGN PG! Crazy huh? We'd also have to trade Aminu for nothing and then let Nurk walk. Does that sound like something you'd be interested in?

We'd be at the cap number with just Dame, CJ, PG, Zach, and PC on the roster any only the room exception and minimum contracts to add to that. All our trade exceptions would go bye bye too.

I think we can all agree this isn't going to happen.

 

[Natebishop3]

I wouldn't call Layman a bust.. he was a 47th pick.

If someone doesn't work out, they're a bust. Why does there have to be a qualifier on where they're picked? Or do we intend to pick people that won't work out? He was picked, he was given a roster spot, and he hasn't really shown much. So far he has been a bust.

 

[Boob-No-More]

I know this is extremely unlikely to happen but, would would it actually take to be able to sign PG to a reasonable deal this summer?

A first attached to ML, Swanigan attached to ET, AND Harkless for nothing? Could there be teams out there that could actually help make that happen? And can you sign PG before you extend the qualifying offers to Nurk and Bazz?

Of course there is the sign and trade option but what the hell could we offer OKC in a sign and trade that they would actually be interested in? They’re already about to pay 26 mil to Melo next yr.

I think the ONLY way this happens is if Paul George tells OKC "sign and trade me to Portland, or I walk for nothing". OKC won't want to give him up for nothing only a year after trading a young all star and another decent young player for him. That would be especially embarrassing if IND finishes 3rd in the East and OKC is 6th, or lower, in the West. Talk about losing a trade!

Which is why I think we need to beat OKC in the final regular season game to sweep the season series and then ideally meet and sweep OKC in the first round of the playoffs (or at least 4-1). Paul George needs to feel that he is the missing piece that would put POR over the hump to contend for a championship and that that's a MUCH better option than staying in OKC or joining the lottery bound youngsters in Los Angeles. This is the prime of his career, which happens to coincide with the prime of Damian Lillard's career.

BNM

 

[KingSpeed]

A few sites say we’re the 2nd youngest team in the league, at 24.6 years old per player.

Let it bake! We can afford to be a little bit patient, especially with what this roster is currently showing us.

Maybe add a solid, aging vet to this roster via trade (thinking of the Pippen trade), and I like our window for the next few seasons.

People are starting to take notice. Rich Eisen mentioned Dame for MVP today, says he’s not getting credit since he’s so far West.

I don't understand this. Curry is just as far west and won 2 MVPs. Same with Kobe and Magic.

 

[DDolla]

We need a really solid wing. Harkless ain't it. Aminu ain't it. Turner is okay in spurts. Layman is a bust.

We need a wing.

Waiting for Paul George, he is the one guy that’s perfect for this team.

 

[Natebishop3]

I don't understand this. Curry is just as far west and won 2 MVPs. Same with Kobe and Magic.

Team success is a huge factor. If we had the best record in the NBA for the season, Dame would probably win MVP.

 

[KingSpeed]

If someone doesn't work out, they're a bust. Why does there have to be a qualifier on where they're picked? Or do we intend to pick people that won't work out? He was picked, he was given a roster spot, and he hasn't really shown much. So far he has been a bust.

I agree with this

 

[KingSpeed]

Team success is a huge factor. If we had the best record in the NBA for the season, Dame would probably win MVP.

True

 

[Boob-No-More]

If someone doesn't work out, they're a bust. Why does there have to be a qualifier on where they're picked? Or do we intend to pick people that won't work out? He was picked, he was given a roster spot, and he hasn't really shown much. So far he has been a bust.

He's a shooter who can't shoot, and that makes him worthless in a Terry Stotts offense. He's dead weight, and I wouldn't hesitate to let him walk.

The only problem is that doesn't really save us any money as we'd just have to replace him with another min contract player. Perhaps we can find a min contract player with more upside, or add a ring chasing veteran (yeah, I know) willing to accept the vet min to play for POR.

BNM

 

[KingSpeed]

Except Westbrook only got 6 seed I think and won MVP

 

[Natebishop3]

Except Westbrook only got 6 seed I think and won MVP

Well, that's simply because averaging a triple double is so rare, but the bloom is off the rose. People are starting to see him for what he is.

 

[BBert]

I know this could be sacreligous and would never happen but we really need to un-retire a couple of jerseys.

Last game I went to I looked up in the rafters, and had the same thought.

Couldn't we just have a "Clothes Line of Fame" or something instead of having all those numbers "retired"? I mean, I love all those guys, but come on.

 

[BBert]

He's a shooter who can't shoot, and that makes him worthless in a Terry Stotts offense. He's dead weight, and I wouldn't hesitate to let him walk.

The only problem is that doesn't really save us any money as we'd just have to replace him with another min contract player. Perhaps we can find a min contract player with more upside, or add a ring chasing veteran (yeah, I know) willing to accept the vet min to play for POR.

BNM

Calling LeBron James. Calling LeBron James.

Now that guy is the ultimate ring chaser. But I'd still take him. For the right price of course.

I'm confident Dame could get his head on straight.

 

[dviss1]

Last game I went to I looked up in the rafters, and had the same thought.

Couldn't we just have a "Clothes Line of Fame" or something instead of having all those numbers "retired"? I mean, I love all those guys, but come on.

Who should we un-retire? Sheed was #30 too. Bobby Gross? Not sure about that one.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

However, we aren't highly rated for players under 25; in fact no Blazers drafted in this under 25 draft: https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/...d-among-run-of-big-men-to-go-off-board-early/

 

[BBert]

Who should we un-retire? Sheed was #30 too. Bobby Gross? Not sure about that one.

View attachment 19383

Bobby Gross was my favorite player on the championship team. But even his number shouldn't be retired. Not Twardzik either. And before Bobby Gross, Lloyd Neal was my favorite Blazer. Not sure about his either. Larry Steele? Really? I wouldn't retire Hollins either. That's five.

 

[dviss1]

Bobby Gross was my favorite player on the championship team. But even his number shouldn't be retired. Not Twardzik either. And before Bobby Gross, Lloyd Neal was my favorite Blazer. Not sure about his either. Larry Steele? Really? I wouldn't retire Hollins either. That's five.

Agreed on all counts.

 

[Boob-No-More]

I don't understand this. Curry is just as far west and won 2 MVPs. Same with Kobe and Magic.

Those guys are/were always on national TV. Having the best record in the league and making the finals three years in a row will get noticed by the people back East.

When POR does get an occasional nationally televised game, it's usually the second game of a double header, that doesn't get over until after 10:00pm Pacific Time. That's after 1:00am Eastern Time.

POR needs to make a few deep playoff runs, so Dame can get more of those Saturday and Sunday afternoon games during the post season that people on the East Coast will actually see. Then they, like us, will appreciate what a truly special player he is.

BNM

 

[KeepOnRollin]

Who should we un-retire? Sheed was #30 too. Bobby Gross? Not sure about that one.

View attachment 19383

#13 for sure and I could make a strong case for #36 as well.

 

[UncleCliffy'sDaddy]

Bobby Gross was my favorite player on the championship team. But even his number shouldn't be retired. Not Twardzik either. And before Bobby Gross, Lloyd Neal was my favorite Blazer. Not sure about his either. Larry Steele? Really? I wouldn't retire Hollins either. That's five.

#13 for sure and I could make a strong case for #36 as well.

C’mon you grinches. How could anyone but Dave “Pinball” Twardzik EVER be Lucky 13??? If anyone ever sacrificed their body for the game like Dave did, they’re few and far between. I just always felt like #13 was custom made for a guy like Twardzik. The other retired numbers.....? Meh........

 

[Duckhook]

I'm still soft at heart for Sabonis. He's been inducted into the International and NBA Hall of Fames, but his number 11 is not retired for the Blazers. I'd love to see his number in our rafters.

 

[ripcityboy]

Those guys are/were always on national TV. Having the best record in the league and making the finals three years in a row will get noticed by the people back East.

When POR does get an occasional nationally televised game, it's usually the second game of a double header, that doesn't get over until after 10:00pm Pacific Time. That's after 1:00am Eastern Time.

POR needs to make a few deep playoff runs, so Dame can get more of those Saturday and Sunday afternoon games during the post season that people on the East Coast will actually see. Then they, like us, will appreciate what a truly special player he is.

BNM

I agree. Prime time TV exposure on the east coast is really the only way to get status or recognition at the highest level. Toby Gerhart was basically screwed out of a rightful Heisman because nobody saw his games on the East Coast.

 

[BonesJones]

If someone doesn't work out, they're a bust. Why does there have to be a qualifier on where they're picked? Or do we intend to pick people that won't work out? He was picked, he was given a roster spot, and he hasn't really shown much. So far he has been a bust.

Bust means the underachieved IMO.

Layman hasnt, because people drafted where he was don't normally amount to anything.

 

[andalusian]

I'm still soft at heart for Sabonis. He's been inducted into the International and NBA Hall of Fames, but his number 11 is not retired for the Blazers. I'd love to see his number in our rafters.

You just wanna see MyLe naked.

 

[Natebishop3]

Who should we un-retire? Sheed was #30 too. Bobby Gross? Not sure about that one.

View attachment 19383

The only guys who should be retired are Walton, Lucas, and Drexler.

I love Porter, but he never won us a ring and he's not even in the Hall of Fame. Numbers should only be retired when the players is so special that nobody else should ever wear that number again. That simply cannot be said for most of that list of players. Dame is right there. The things he has done for the past six seasons are special.

 

[AFully22]

Breakdown: Sign and trades aren't possible if you are over the tax apron after the trade and you get hard capped so that is EXTREMELY UNLIKELY!

Cap Holds for free agents:
Nurk $8.842M
Napier $7.084M
PC: $1.839M
Davis: $12.07M
There is absolutely no way to get these off the books unless you renounce them as free agents or sign them for less. Napier and Davis hopefully could be re-signed for less but to realistically sign PG we'd probably have to let those two go. So that leaves $10.7 million if you want to keep Nurk and PC as restricted free agents.

If your complete fantasy world unrealistic trades (since there might not even be teams that could even take on that salary even if they wanted to) of Leonard, Turner, and Harkless were actually possible here is where it would leave us (also assuming Swanigan, our 1st round pick, and Layman were gone too):
Current guaranteed salary is $110,456,026M
Minus all those guys it would be about $80 million including the cap holds for just Nurk and PC. Plus we'd have 5 roster spot holds since there would only be 6 guys under contract is another almost $3.5 million so $83.5 million as a rough estimate.

So giving away Turner, Leonard, Harkless, Swanigan, Layman, Napier, Davis, Baldwin, and our 1st round pick gives us about $19 million in cap space (assuming a $102 million cap) if Nurk and PC waited to re-sign. Max contract for 7-9 year players (George would be going into his 9th year) is estimated to be about $30.3 million. So even after doing all that WE STILL COULDN'T SIGN PG! Crazy huh? We'd also have to trade Aminu for nothing and then let Nurk walk. Does that sound like something you'd be interested in?

We'd be at the cap number with just Dame, CJ, PG, Zach, and PC on the roster any only the room exception and minimum contracts to add to that. All our trade exceptions would go bye bye too.

I think we can all agree this isn't going to happen.

Wow. Thanks for breaking that down. About as bleak as I thought. Seems like we will be waiting till ET, Moe, and Meyers contracts become expiring before we see any real improvement of our cap situation. And that’s at the earliest.

 

[KingSpeed]

Those guys are/were always on national TV. Having the best record in the league and making the finals three years in a row will get noticed by the people back East.

When POR does get an occasional nationally televised game, it's usually the second game of a double header, that doesn't get over until after 10:00pm Pacific Time. That's after 1:00am Eastern Time.

POR needs to make a few deep playoff runs, so Dame can get more of those Saturday and Sunday afternoon games during the post season that people on the East Coast will actually see. Then they, like us, will appreciate what a truly special player he is.

BNM

Lakers and Warriors games go until 1am too so this argument makes no sense.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

The only guys who should be retired are Walton, Lucas, and Drexler.

I love Porter, but he never won us a ring and he's not even in the Hall of Fame. Numbers should only be retired when the players is so special that nobody else should ever wear that number again. That simply cannot be said for most of that list of players. Dame is right there. The things he has done for the past six seasons are special.

I'd go the other way.

I like having a
1) small number of retired jerseys
+
2) a "ring of honor" for many more players
+
3) special recognition for players who played for us for 3 or more years AND continued to live in Portland after they retire for at least 5 years.

Include all of this in a special Hall of Fame that people could visit (and buy stuff, of course).