You need to read the entire quote:
"The plan was never to tank," general manager Neil Olshey said. "Damian and C.J. and three guys from
ClubSport could win 20 games. There was never going to be any bottoming out; there was going to be development.
Our job was to make sure anyone who was on the floor had a long-term impact on this organization. That's what we've done. We've brought in quality, undervalued players we believed would complement them, and they have begun to thrive in our system and our culture."
Quality, undervalued players that can have a long term impact on this organization doesn't sound like a slap in the face to guys like Aminu, Ed Davis, Mo Harkless, etc. Neil recognized value and went out and got it. And, as he says, those guys are thriving in the Blazers system and culture.
BNM