Quick: Offseason plans

[UKRAINEFAN]

I'm guessing it is complete speculation by Quick that CJ plus other assets can't bring back a strong #2 player.

 

[illmatic99]

can you identify that player? Because I can’t.

Depends on what we do with Powell. And DJ to an extent-- we need his contract on the books to be able to trade.

If we can add any of these guys without trading CJ or Nurk (as in we give up our entire draft capital + Ant/Nas+ DJ + maybe even Roco to make the #s work), I think we could potentially climb to contender status:

- Siakam
- Hayward
- Grant

 

[B-Roy]

my main takeaway from Quicks reporting is that the team is finally open to trading McCollum, so I don’t really understand what your gripe is. Olshey can’t force teams to trade. I’m sure he’ll try though, if what Quick is saying is true. “Running it back” might just become a necessity. They also shouldn’t trade CJ just to trade him.

It likely depends on what McCollum can garner on the trade market.

McCollum likely isn’t enticing enough to pry Ben Simmons from Philadelphia, even though their salaries virtually match. Olshey is known to be close friends with Daryl Morey, his counterpart in Philadelphia, but that friendship won’t be a factor whether Morey considers a McCollum-based offer, even if the pot is sweetened with young players like Anfernee Simons or Nassir Little.

This implies to me that they think McCollum by himself is enticing enough to some teams for an upgrade. We could add players, but doesn't mention picks. If so that is delusional. McCollum's value is depressed, like all of us here agree. Only way to convince a team to trade their good players is by overpaying.

 

[B-Roy]

But yeah, I think Quick is speculating because there's no chance in hell Olshey is telling Quick what he thinks. I think he's just using Olshey's history plus what he's hearing from agents. Just wonder if he's caught wind of some potential trades through agent chatter and they just involve McCollum by himself. Either way, we can only hope Quick is wrong.

 

[Scalma]

This implies to me that they think McCollum by himself is enticing enough to some teams for an upgrade. We could add players, but doesn't mention picks. If so that is delusional. McCollum's value is depressed, like all of us here agree. Only way to convince a team to trade their good players is by overpaying.

his value is depressed but teams are evidently offering up possible lottery picks for him, so he’s still got value. We just need to find a package that also improves our team in the immediate future, because a lottery pick doesn’t. Hopefully they’ve got some three way deals in play.

 

[B-Roy]

I'm guessing it is complete speculation by Quick that CJ plus other assets can't bring back a strong #2 player.

Or that they hold such a high opinion of CJ that they think he's a better #2 than many of the names discussed here (Siakam, Hayward, Simmons etc.). I might agree on the right team, but not this one with it's defensively challenged backcourt.

Another potential problem with the three guard lineup is that they are an awful rebounding team. Compounded by the fact that RoCo is also a weak rebounder at his position. Nuggets absolutely annihilated us on the glass.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

I don’t see anything wrong with waiting until the deadline to make more significant changes because we know literally nothing about Billups as a head coach.

My problem with that is I think it is very unlikely Powell will sign with Portland unless CJ is gone in the next ten days.

 

[B-Roy]

his value is depressed but teams are evidently offering up possible lottery picks for him, so he’s still got value. We just need to find a package that also improves our team in the immediate future, because a lottery pick doesn’t. Hopefully they’ve got some three way deals in play.

That's what I'm hoping for, but judging based on history Olshey is not very creative with his deals.

 

[illmatic99]

Also would like to reiterate, how freaking annoying is it that our #10 pick is going to amount to NOTHING? Not even a salary filler or throw in.

Such a waste of a golden asset.

 

[Scalma]

That's what I'm hoping for, but judging based on history Olshey is not very creative with his deals.

he’s been creative before, like when he got Lopez.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Currently the Blazers are on the low end of mediocrity.

Neil’s goal is to be on the high-end of mediocrity.

 

[Natebishop3]

Also would like to reiterate, how freaking annoying is it that our #10 pick is going to amount to NOTHING? Not even a salary filler or throw in.

Such a waste of a golden asset.

Just one of the many reasons Neil should have been/should be fired.

And the funny thing is that so many people on this board were unhappy with that move. It was such a stupid decision, even at that time. Why the hell would you trade our three picks for a freaking project big man when we CLEARLY needed to add a veteran to help Dame?

 

[illmatic99]

Our summer is becoming eerily similar to the Rockets' offseason 9 months ago.

Let's hope like hell that it ends differently.

 

[BlayZa]

dame 6'2"
cj 6'3"
powell 6'3"

close to clones of each other and all seem to excel when at least 1 of the other 2 isnt on the court and only 1 of them is decent defensively.

its too samesy across the PG-SG-SF lineup, we need some skill variations that complement n round out the line up, not double n triple up pluses and double or triple down on the deficiencies

the sum of these parts is less than the whole.

CJ needs to go, powell to SG, and a long 2-way SF please. how/who? fuck knows.

 

[Scalma]

Just one of the many reasons Neil should have been/should be fired.

And the funny thing is that so many people on this board were unhappy with that move. It was such a stupid decision, even at that time. Why the hell would you trade our three picks for a freaking project big man when we CLEARLY needed to add a veteran to help Dame?

Its Neil’s fault Zach got injured?

btw Zach is the prototype of the modern big and made our team better when he was healthy. Injuries suck, but to blame the GM for them is comical, especially when he wasn’t a guy that had an injury history coming into the league. Oh and the two guys he traded for him haven’t shown to be NBA caliber players.

And he’s not gone yet either. As Hollinger mentioned, signing a one year deal and retaining full bird rights is probably his best option. Either way, he’s still only 23. Premature to conclude what he is or isnt.

 

[Natebishop3]

Its Neil’s fault Zach got injured?

btw Zach is the prototype of the modern big and made our team better when he was healthy. Injuries suck, but to blame the GM for them is comical, especially when he wasn’t a guy that had an injury history coming into the league. Oh and the two guys he traded for him haven’t shown to be NBA caliber players.

And he’s not gone yet either. As Hollinger mentioned, signing a one year deal and retaining full bird rights is probably his best option. Either way, he’s still only 23. Premature to conclude what he is or isnt.

It's Neil's fault that he drafted a 19 year old big man who wasn't even starting on his team when we CLEARLY needed veteran help.

What's comical is drafting a big man and not expecting them to get hurt after all the years following this team. Also, who cares how the other players drafted panned out? That wasn't my argument in the first place. I wanted a veteran.

 

[Scalma]

Our summer is becoming eerily similar to the Rockets' offseason 9 months ago.

Let's hope like hell that it ends differently.

The offseason that hasnt even started yet?

btw the rockets traded for the guy Harden wanted to play with. How’d that work out?

 

[Utnapishtim]

1. Top priority — keep Powell. A 3-level, efficient scorer who plays D cannot walk out the door without someone getting fired. Losing DJJ’s contract filler and how he may improve would be a loss, too. Powell makes CJ tradable and DJJ helps make trades.

2. Trade CJ — which should be done FIRST to help with priority 1. Best deal. It’s hard to get a rookie ready to play, but a high enough lottery pick with role players for filler is fine. Simmons will cost CJ plus pick(s) plus Simons or … AND so what? Get the best player who fits. It’s someone who guards forwards.

3. Some IF’s here, admittedly, but IF 2 doesn’t happen, expect the D remains not enough to compete; and IF 2 helps 1 not to happen, THEN Lillard will be gone in a year.

4. CJ to the bench for a 3-guard rotation with Lillard and Norm? Trade Simons … Nurkic … future picks … but I’m not buying that happens. Forward defense needs help and the back court makes D harder for everyone.

5. Nurkic for a more D oriented, rim protector center like Myles Turner (who has no problem putting up 3’s). Do it.

IF 1 and 2 don’t happen, do the math.

 

[Mr. Robot]

he gone

 

[B-Roy]

Its Neil’s fault Zach got injured?

btw Zach is the prototype of the modern big and made our team better when he was healthy. Injuries suck, but to blame the GM for them is comical, especially when he wasn’t a guy that had an injury history coming into the league. Oh and the two guys he traded for him haven’t shown to be NBA caliber players.

And he’s not gone yet either. As Hollinger mentioned, signing a one year deal and retaining full bird rights is probably his best option. Either way, he’s still only 23. Premature to conclude what he is or isnt.

??? Neil didn't draft Giles and Jackson, Sacramento chose those picks. We had 3 picks in that draft: 15, 20 and 26.

15 and 20 turned into 10. Between 10 and 15 we could have drafted Mitchell or Adebayo. Whatever, I will excuse that.

But between 15 and 60 we could have drafted:

John Collins
OG Anunoby
Jarrett Allen
Kyle Kuzma
Derrick White
Josh Hart
Dillon Brooks
Monte Morris

3 picks in arguably one of the deepest drafts of the last decade. Missing one pick is fine. Even missing two is fine. But to come out with NOTHING? That's a massive failure on the talent evaluation front and I don't see how anyone can argue otherwise.

PS. Zach wasn't lighting the world on fire even when he was healthy.

 

[blazerkor]

1. Top priority — keep Powell. A 3-level, efficient scorer who plays D cannot walk out the door without someone getting fired. Losing DJJ’s contract filler and how he may improve would be a loss, too. Powell makes CJ tradable and DJJ helps make trades.

2. Trade CJ — which should be done FIRST to help with priority 1. Best deal. It’s hard to get a rookie ready to play, but a high enough lottery pick with role players for filler is fine. Simmons will cost CJ plus pick(s) plus Simons or … AND so what? Get the best player who fits. It’s someone who guards forwards.

3. Some IF’s here, admittedly, but IF 2 doesn’t happen, expect the D remains not enough to compete; and IF 2 helps 1 not to happen, THEN Lillard will be gone in a year.

4. CJ to the bench for a 3-guard rotation with Lillard and Norm? Trade Simons … Nurkic … future picks … but I’m not buying that happens. Forward defense needs help and the back court makes D harder for everyone.

5. Nurkic for a more D oriented, rim protector center like Myles Turner (who has no problem putting up 3’s). Do it.

IF 1 and 2 don’t happen, do the math.

If Lillard returns from Japan with Norm on another team and not one other starting position upgraded, I would be shocked if he was here to start the season. He said he didn't know what he wanted for his future or if he was still committed, just that he wanted the team to make it so he could know those things. The thing about him saying he does see himself in a Blazers uniform next season has to come in the context of the other things he said. He believes that Neil will hear him and therefore he'll be here. If Neil does nothing and actually lets this team get worse, Dame will ask out.

So if 1 and 2 are both failures, Dame will demand a trade because if Olshey's excuse right now is that we don't have enough to get him the second star he needs... how the fuck do we get better after we lose another asset if Powell walks. There would be no point in waiting for the trade deadline, what would be different? He said plain and simple that even if Chauncey is the best coach ever he doesn't think this group (that's including Norm) is getting it done. Lastly I just want to remind anyone who keeps saying the word wait, like wait until we see what we have and wait until the trade deadline. Dame's message was that we don't have what it takes and he's done waiting.

 

[Scalma]

??? Neil didn't draft Giles and Jackson, Sacramento chose those picks. We had 3 picks in that draft: 15, 20 and 26.

15 and 20 turned into 10. Between 10 and 15 we could have drafted Mitchell or Adebayo. Whatever, I will excuse that.

But between 15 and 60 we could have drafted:

John Collins
OG Anunoby
Jarrett Allen
Kyle Kuzma
Derrick White
Josh Hart
Dillon Brooks
Monte Morris
.

lolol I would take a healthy Collins over at least five of those guys. Injuries happen. The evaluation on the player was fine. A rim protector that could switch on the perimeter and space the court is a valued commodity. Shit, we’re begging for one of those guys now.

 

[B-Roy]

lolol I would take a healthy Collins over at least five of those guys. Injuries happen. The evaluation on the player was fine. A rim protector that could switch on the perimeter and space the court is a valued commodity. Shit, we’re begging for one of those guys now.

Well, we could have had Collins + someone on the latter 5, if you love Collins so much.

Anunoby is the one that got away. A ton of people here wanted him, and he kept falling because of injury/project concerns, but then they took an project anyways. Ugh.

 

[tester551]

Or that they hold such a high opinion of CJ that they think he's a better #2 than many of the names discussed here (Siakam, Hayward, Simmons etc.). I might agree on the right team, but not this one with it's defensively challenged backcourt.

Another potential problem with the three guard lineup is that they are an awful rebounding team. Compounded by the fact that RoCo is also a weak rebounder at his position. Nuggets absolutely annihilated us on the glass.

Agreed. This point doesn't get enough attention. Rebounding is one (if not the) most important aspect of having a good defense.

We saw the exact same story in the NBA finals too. In 3 games where rebounding was close, the Suns went 2-1. The other 3 games, the Bucks dominated the boards & won all 3 games.

 

[B-Roy]

Our summer is becoming eerily similar to the Rockets' offseason 9 months ago.

Let's hope like hell that it ends differently.

We're about to trade RoCo for 2 1sts and find a creative way to S&T for Otto Porter (or something)?

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

“This isn’t a championship roster” was Dame’s main point.

And Neil plans to tinker around with minor upgrades.

Again.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Seems like Olshey believes the starting lineup is actually the best offense in the league, based on 28 games in the REGULAR SEASON. But thinks the defense can be improved from 29th with just a few bench pieces. This guy is absolutely delusional.

Is he?
Atlanta went from shitty defense to 5th with a different defensive scheme and the same starters a few years ago. 35 wins to 60 wins

They’ll play better defense, just not elite…..unless CJ gets traded for Simmons

I love the idea of flipping CJ to NO for a pick and player and then moving the pick to someone

 

[wizenheimer]

Did anyone put out a wellness check on @Wisenheimer since this story broke? I’m afraid he may pop a blood vessel.

nope....I have been assuming Olshey will want to rinse/repeat his same old off-season routine if Seattle give him a pass to do so, and I expect they have.

Powell is a real big pivot point. If he signs with another team, there's no cover for Neil

 

[Mediocre Man]

“This isn’t a championship roster” was Dame’s main point.

And Neil plans to tinker around with minor upgrades.

Again.

Dame’s biggest complaint seems to be urgency. Maybe changing guys out on the bench for guys who are hungry and will do anything to win is enough for the start of the process?

 

[B-Roy]

Is he?
Atlanta went from shitty defense to 5th with a different defensive scheme and the same starters a few years ago. 35 wins to 60 wins

They’ll play better defense, just not elite…..unless CJ gets traded for Simmons

I love the idea of flipping CJ to NO for a pick and player and then moving the pick to someone

He's hoping for best case scenario regarding offense, and assuming it was worst case scenario on defense.