Scalma
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Some questioned why Olshey didn’t use his full allotment of roster spots in a season when COVID-19 protocol and a rapid-fire schedule could test a team’s depth. The Blazers are carrying 14 players and one two-way player when the league allows 15 and two.
The answer?
He was waiting for this time in the season
Olshey loves to maintain roster flexibility, and he has that as the March 25 deadline approaches. A source says Olshey is eyeing both the buyout market and the trade front to fill the Blazers’ final roster spot with a player who will “unquestionably be in the rotation for the remainder of the season.”
The most likely target will be a wing, and preferably one who can shoot, as teams are more aggressively trapping Lillard to get the ball out of his hands. But wings who can shoot are a commodity, which could push the attention to backup point guard.
Some players who have been rumored to be potential buyout candidates are point guard George Hill, wing Tony Snell, sharpshooter Wayne Ellington and wing Otto Porter Jr., who is a player long desired by Olshey. Big man DeMarcus Cousins was waived last month by Houston, but a source said the Blazers will not consider him.
If the buyout market doesn’t materialize, Olshey will have to consider what he is willing to give up to make a trade happen. His most likely trade chip is Rodney Hood, who is owed $10 million this season, with a non-guaranteed contract at $10 million next season
His other trade chips are his young talent — Trent Jr., Simons, Little, and Harry Giles — all of whom are making less than $2.5 million, making it difficult to piece together a deal of substance. Also, the Blazers don’t have a 2021 first-round pick to offer – it was dealt to Houston as part of the Covington trade.
Adding a second two-way player (Keljin Blevins is the other two-way) is not in the plans, a source said, as the team has little to no use for a player who would simply be a warm body.
https://theathletic.com/2435647/202...s-who-to-pick-up-who-to-play-and-who-to-rest/
The answer?
He was waiting for this time in the season
Olshey loves to maintain roster flexibility, and he has that as the March 25 deadline approaches. A source says Olshey is eyeing both the buyout market and the trade front to fill the Blazers’ final roster spot with a player who will “unquestionably be in the rotation for the remainder of the season.”
The most likely target will be a wing, and preferably one who can shoot, as teams are more aggressively trapping Lillard to get the ball out of his hands. But wings who can shoot are a commodity, which could push the attention to backup point guard.
Some players who have been rumored to be potential buyout candidates are point guard George Hill, wing Tony Snell, sharpshooter Wayne Ellington and wing Otto Porter Jr., who is a player long desired by Olshey. Big man DeMarcus Cousins was waived last month by Houston, but a source said the Blazers will not consider him.
If the buyout market doesn’t materialize, Olshey will have to consider what he is willing to give up to make a trade happen. His most likely trade chip is Rodney Hood, who is owed $10 million this season, with a non-guaranteed contract at $10 million next season
His other trade chips are his young talent — Trent Jr., Simons, Little, and Harry Giles — all of whom are making less than $2.5 million, making it difficult to piece together a deal of substance. Also, the Blazers don’t have a 2021 first-round pick to offer – it was dealt to Houston as part of the Covington trade.
Adding a second two-way player (Keljin Blevins is the other two-way) is not in the plans, a source said, as the team has little to no use for a player who would simply be a warm body.
https://theathletic.com/2435647/202...s-who-to-pick-up-who-to-play-and-who-to-rest/
