Portlands front court

[e_blazer]

Ukrainefan was talking to GhostofPGA about the suggested Harkless-for-Bjelica deal from earlier in the thread.


Nope--check out my post in the "hope for the offseason" thread--it details all the existing salaries, and shows that the full MLE can be accessed with just a small salary reducing trade, assuming Chief is not re-signed.

This chatter about Love feels to me like the kind of play that Olshey would actually be planning for this summer. It would let the Blazers retain their core, add a marquee player, and free up the full MLE for either Hood or Kanter. I don't know how many other suitors there are that can offer Cleveland ending salaries to dump Love's contract, but it seems like a semi-plausible trade scenario.

Of course, that means it's never gonna happen.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I think we are talking about different trades; I was talking about Bjelica for Harkless.

Sorry I went back to check but must have missed it. I like that idea. Gives us another shooter at the 4. But if it does get us Kanter (Full MLE) , then I would rather give Sacramento Meyers.

 

[Reep]

Ukrainefan was talking to GhostofPGA about the suggested Harkless-for-Bjelica deal from earlier in the thread.


Nope--check out my post in the "hope for the offseason" thread--it details all the existing salaries, and shows that the full MLE can be accessed with just a small salary reducing trade, assuming Chief is not re-signed.

I think we are saying similar things in different ways. If you dump Aminu and trade Harkless for Bjelica then you do dump $11m in salary. My key point was that you can't cut $4M and get $4M extra in MLE. You have to cut much more. As you show, the easiest way to do that is to not resign Aminu (which I think Blazers non-rush implies they will do), and then trade Harkless (most likely) or Meyers (less likely unless a C comes back) in a salary-favorable deal. This sure looks like what they are trying to do.

 

[Reep]

Sorry I went back to check but must have missed it. I like that idea. Gives us another shooter at the 4. But if it does get us Kanter (Full MLE) , then I would rather give Sacramento Meyers.

It sure seemed like the week spots in the playoffs where Aminu and Harkless. Meyers actually did some nice things. Unless you can get a decent C back somehow, I would dump the others. Bjelica could add value, but I really want to see what Daum can do. Daum isn't young and I'm guessing he can adapt rather quickly to a role that just asks him to shoot threes and rebound.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

Sorry I went back to check but must have missed it. I like that idea. Gives us another shooter at the 4. But if it does get us Kanter (Full MLE) , then I would rather give Sacramento Meyers.

I would rather try to sign Hood; I think he would be getting more minutes than Kanter (once Nurkic is back). I think he is really an ideal fit for Portland; bigger guard who can handle the ball some and isolate. I also think the demand for him on the free agent market will be a lot stronger than for Kanter . So maybe there is some way we can give Hood the MLE and still sign Kanter. I know there is zero chance of doing the inverse.

 

[e_blazer]

Has this been posted before? Woj and Lowe discuss Love to Portland at about the 4 minute mark:

 

[Pinwheel1]

It sure seemed like the week spots in the playoffs where Aminu and Harkless. Meyers actually did some nice things. Unless you can get a decent C back somehow, I would dump the others. Bjelica could add value, but I really want to see what Daum can do. Daum isn't young and I'm guessing he can adapt rather quickly to a role that just asks him to shoot threes and rebound.

Yeah you may be right. When I write it down having another center (Meyers) on the roster might make more sense than another SF.
But Hark does add another versatile wing defender especially if Baze get some minutes at back up SG.

SF: Bazemore, Jake, Little
C: Kanter, Collins, Meyers,
PF: Collins, Bjelica, Skal,

or

SF: Bazemore, Hark, Little
C: Kanter, Collins, Skal
PF: Collins, Bjelica, Jake

 

[Pinwheel1]

I would rather try to sign Hood; I think he would be getting more minutes than Kanter (once Nurkic is back). I think he is really an ideal fit for Portland; bigger guard who can handle the ball some and isolate. I also think the demand for him on the free agent market will be a lot stronger than for Kanter . So maybe there is some way we can give Hood the MLE and still sign Kanter. I know there is zero chance of doing the inverse.

This would mean minutes for Simons only at PG. We will know more in a few weeks if that is his best spot.

 

[Reep]

Yeah you may be right. When I write it down having another center (Meyers) on the roster might make more sense than another SF.
But Hark does add another versatile wing defender especially if Baze get some minutes at back up SG.

SF: Bazemore, Jake, Little
C: Kanter, Collins, Meyers,
PF: Collins, Bjelica, Skal,

or

SF: Bazemore, Hark, Little
C: Kanter, Collins, Skal
PF: Collins, Bjelica, Jake

Harkless has been one of my favorite players, and the only autographed jersey I have. But, he has always struggled coming off the bench, and has done much better starting. For the team to get better, I think we need to put someone else as the starting SF. If we do that, I fear we might be better dumping him than expecting him to contribute off the bench--which he hasn't done well to this point. People change, and maybe he can contribute off the bench. But, you have to think that Neil and Stotts both are aware of his limitation as a starter and even more so when he comes off the bench.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Harkless has been one of my favorite players, and the only autographed jersey I have. But, he has always struggled coming off the bench, and has done much better starting. For the team to get better, I think we need to put someone else as the starting SF. If we do that, I fear we might be better dumping him than expecting him to contribute off the bench--which he hasn't done well to this point. People change, and maybe he can contribute off the bench. But, you have to think that Neil and Stotts both are aware of his limitation as a starter and even more so when he comes off the bench.

I think you are right about Hark not playing well of the bench. But he is in a contract year, so he better contribute somewhere.

 

[oldmangrouch]

I think you are right about Hark not playing well of the bench. But he is in a contract year, so he better contribute somewhere.

A vet headed into his 8th season isn't going to suddenly change who he is. He's too inconsistent to be a starter on a decent team, and he has been horrible when asked to come off the bench. He is just one of those guys who will never take full advantage of his talent.

 

[Pinwheel1]

A vet headed into his 8th season isn't going to suddenly change who he is. He's too inconsistent to be a starter on a decent team, and he has been horrible when asked to come off the bench. He is just one of those guys who will never take full advantage of his talent.

I think vets often mature and accept coming off the bench as they get older. Once they embrace the role they can help a team. Maybe Hark's problem with the bench is more attitude than skill set. It might take going to another team for it to happen though..

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I'm going to type this here even though I know it's a crazy thought.

If Chief is not re-signed and no significant PF/C is brought in via trade/FA, what are the chances that Skal starts at PF next season? Is it possible that he actually has a better skillset for that spot than Zach does?

 

[Pinwheel1]

I'm going to type this here even though I know it's a crazy thought.

If Chief is not re-signed and no significant PF/C is brought in via trade/FA, what are the chances that Skal starts at PF next season? Is it possible that he actually has a better skillset for that spot than Zach does?

I don't think it is crazy at all. I have been wondering/hoping the same. Can't wait for summer league to see how he looks. How he handles the ball, passes, and covers the perimeter. I am pretty confident that he is a better shooter. (Regardless of what his FG % is in Vegas)

 

[B-Roy]

I'm going to type this here even though I know it's a crazy thought.

If Chief is not re-signed and no significant PF/C is brought in via trade/FA, what are the chances that Skal starts at PF next season? Is it possible that he actually has a better skillset for that spot than Zach does?

I really like Skal. I think his offensive skillset is excellent and meshes well with the rest of our players. He's kinda forgotten on the team but I think if he comes into training camp and doesn't shit the bed defensively he could figure into the rotation.

But he was never a Portland pick, so I just have this sense that Stotts won't trust him. He could be in the rotation for a few games and have a few bad plays and just get yanked forever.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I really like Skal. I think his offensive skillset is excellent and meshes well with the rest of our players. He's kinda forgotten on the team but I think if he comes into training camp and doesn't shit the bed defensively he could figure into the rotation.

But he was never a Portland pick, so I just have this sense that Stotts won't trust him. He could be in the rotation for a few games and have a few bad plays and just get yanked forever.

Not to be a smart ass but is being a Blazer "pick' really a determining factor for that? Jake was a Blazer pick and Nurk was not.

 

[B-Roy]

Not to be a smart ass but is being a Blazer "pick' really a determining factor for that? Jake was a Blazer pick and Nurk was not.

I've just noticed that Stotts tends to give more leniency to players that were Portland picks/signings. That's all. May be anecdotal.

 

[PCmor7]

I really like Skal. I think his offensive skillset is excellent and meshes well with the rest of our players. He's kinda forgotten on the team but I think if he comes into training camp and doesn't shit the bed defensively he could figure into the rotation.

But he was never a Portland pick, so I just have this sense that Stotts won't trust him. He could be in the rotation for a few games and have a few bad plays and just get yanked forever.

The Kings didn't trust Skal either. And he didn't live up to his potential at Kentucky. So it's not just Stotts.

Skal's young and I think started playing later than most players, and bigs often take longer to develop.

I'm encouraged by what I've seen from him so far, but I caution getting too carried away with the flashes we've seen. He's shown them before. He needs to be more consistent. He has all the tools. That's not the question.

I also think people who keep wanting to casually move Skal to PF are going to be disappointed. I don't think he's ever played significant time or maybe any time at the 4, and I'd be shocked if he sees meaningful minutes as a 4 any time in his career.

 

[Scalma]

I also think people who keep wanting to casually move Skal to PF are going to be disappointed. I don't think he's ever played significant time or maybe any time at the 4, and I'd be shocked if he sees meaningful minutes as a 4 any time in his career.

Won’t count this season because he barely played, but the previous two seasons the majority of his minutes came at the four, with WCS at center. His game profiles best there as he isn’t a great rebounder and struggles with size.

 

[PCmor7]

Won’t count this season because he barely played, but the previous two seasons the majority of his minutes came at the four, with WCS at center. His game profiles best there as he isn’t a great rebounder and struggles with size.

I won't say you are wrong, but he only started 40 games and played less than 20 minutes per. I think he was coming off the bench backing up Cauley-Stein. But I could be in error. Won't be the first or last time.

 

[Scalma]

I won't say you are wrong, but he only started 40 games and played less than 20 minutes per. I think he was coming off the bench backing up Cauley-Stein. But I could be in error. Won't be the first or last time.

17/18

 

[PCmor7]

Like I said, I could be wrong. I don't see Skal as a PF, though.

On a side note, those starting lineups are a mess.

 

[Reep]

Assuming you have a center already in place, I like Skas at PF. But, I also like Collins at PF for the same reasons. They are both quick enough to defend quick stretch fours, but also can both hit the three and both punish smaller defenders inside. I would be happy with Collins as starting 4, with Skal as the backup 4.

 

[Reep]

I would really like to see the following lineup at some point (but with Nurk out it may be a while):

PG: Dame, Ant
SG: CJ, Ant
SF: Bazemore, Harkless, Little
PF: Collins, Harkless, Skal
C: Nurk, Collins, Leonard

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Assuming you have a center already in place, I like Skas at PF. But, I also like Collins at PF for the same reasons. They are both quick enough to defend quick stretch fours, but also can both hit the three and both punish smaller defenders inside. I would be happy with Collins as starting 4, with Skal as the backup 4.

Didn't see it much in game 82, since Zach only played like 13 minutes, but I wouldn't be shocked to see Zach and Skal play a together a bit this season. We talk a lot about "switchability" at the wing spots, but I'd think it'd be valuable at the post positions as well.

 

[Scalma]

I don’t like Moes fit at PF. He plays his best when matched up against smaller guys. We need to find an actual power forward imo.

 

[BBert]

With Celtics offering a max contract to Kemba Kanter is more likely to stay if it was just between Blazers,Lakers and Celtics as the report suggested.

Kemba Kanter is the most versatile player in the league. Wish we could get him.

 

[GDiama]

Kemba Kanter is the most versatile player in the league. Wish we could get him.

Imagine the D though. Must be the worst defense ever.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I don’t like Moes fit at PF. He plays his best when matched up against smaller guys. We need to find an actual power forward imo.

I am not sure what that looks like anymore. Maurice Lucas/Karl Malone to me was the prototype for along time, but I doubt either could cover the quick shooting stretch 4s these days. Draymond probably is the best scenario as he can cover any forward. But it might be easier just getting two different types. Or just use a long SF when needed against certain stretch 4s who only hang outside.

 

[BBert]

Skal is very young, very athletic, and has flashed some good skills. What I think and hope sets him apart is that he appears to have a good motor, a good attitude, and good character.

I've said before, Simons and Skal are the future. I hope I'm right. Also hope Zach and Nassir are part of that future.