Screw the cap space, we have some players to keep.

[Further]

I have been in the 'maximize cap-space' group, but I throw my hands in the air and yell "screw it". Lets make sure we keep Maynor and Hickson. I really think with what we have, a few tweaks and natural improvement seen amongst youngsters, The Blazers could be battling for home court next year.

 

[Natebishop3]

We desperately need a defensive center though.

Can we keep Maynor while also signing a defensive big man and maybe another scorer? I'm not so sure.

 

[magnifier661]

See this is what I'm thinking as well. We will still have full mle to offer for another player; even keeping both players. Stotts first year, hicksons first full year and Lillards first year. How couldn't it be a better season?

I can only imagine what this teams record would be with maynor all season.

 

[Natebishop3]

If nothing else, we need a defensive center. It's a must. I really like JJ, but he and Aldridge are simply too similar.

Maybe we could trade sign-and-trade JJ for a center?

 

[Further]

We will still have a few mil to make a lopsided trade or a ~ MLE signing. I also want a defensive center, but I think Meyers has recently shown me enough to believe he will be a very good C if we stick with him, although he may always be more offensive minded. He has the tools to develop into a defender, it could just take the right coaching and time.

As far as another scorer, I don't think that's really needed.

 

[Natebishop3]

We will still have a few mil to make a lopsided trade or a ~ MLE signing. I also want a defensive center, but I think Meyers has recently shown me enough to believe he will be a very good C if we stick with him, although he may always be more offensive minded. He has the tools to develop into a defender, it could just take the right coaching and time.

As far as another scorer, I don't think that's really needed.

Aldridge has the tools to be a defender too, he just never has. We need someone that will protect the paint. That has become painfully obvious.

 

[Jayps15]

Ultimately I think keeping Maynor, S&T Hickson for a big defense first starting C like Gortat/Dalembert, and then using the MLE for a backup 4 or 3 is maybe the best plan at this point.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Neil knows when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em. He also knows (and loves) point guards. I trust he'll make good decisions.

 

[tester551]

If Portland can get Dalembert for around 6-7 mill, they will be golden. If not, the defensive big is just not available.

 

[Further]

Neil knows when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em. He also knows (and loves) point guards. I trust he'll make good decisions.

Ya, but does he know when to walk away and know when to run?

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Ya, but does he know when to walk away and know when to run?

Those are both Lillard's decisions to make, apparently.

 

[Further]

Those are both Lillard's decisions to make, apparently.

Nice,

If any photoshopers want to cut out Lillards face and put it in Kenny Rogers hair and beard I want that avatar

We could call him the gambler

 

[Blazinaway]

My bottom line is we don't keep both Hickson and LMA, especially when JJ will likely get 7-8 mil per, They are both PF's and too similar IMO. JJ's done yeoman's work at C but IMO we don't want/need that longer term

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Honestly, if I was ballsy enough, I'd trade LMA for Marc Gasol, keep Hickson and Maynor, and start Hickson at PF.

 

[B-Roy]

Honestly, if I was ballsy enough, I'd trade LMA for Marc Gasol, keep Hickson and Maynor, and start Hickson at PF.

Makes no sense for Memphis anyways.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

Honestly, if I was ballsy enough, I'd trade LMA for Marc Gasol, keep Hickson and Maynor, and start Hickson at PF.

Marc Gasol is a top 3 Center in the game imo. I would definitely do that. Don't see why MEM would entertain it though.

 

[BigGameDamian]

I would rather go after Samuel Dalembert than resign JJ Hickson.I think Dalembert fits the team better.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Marc Gasol is a top 3 Center in the game imo. I would definitely do that. Don't see why MEM would entertain it though.

Z-Bo's getting old, LMA is a top 5 PF in the league too... maybe we throw in Leonard and Freeland to anchor the center position for them too. Eggs in one basket, sure but it's Marc fucking Gasol.

 

[KingSpeed]

We desperately need a defensive center though.

.

Leonard will become that

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Call me crazy, but what would you think about LMA (+ filler) to New Orleans for Eric Gordon's bloated contract and Robin Lopez? Would the salary relief for NO be worth it to them to make a deal like that?

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

We desperately need a defensive center though.

Can we keep Maynor while also signing a defensive big man and maybe another scorer? I'm not so sure.

Maynor at 3.5 per, Sammy d at 6 and dorell Wright at 3.5 could happen

 

[Blazinaway]

Call me crazy, but what would you think about LMA (+ filler) to New Orleans for Eric Gordon's bloated contract and Robin Lopez? Would the salary relief for NO be worth it to them to make a deal like that?

HUH? U want another Roy? Gordo's bolated contract on deteriorating knees - NO THX

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

And we would still have the room exception

 

[Natebishop3]

Call me crazy, but what would you think about LMA (+ filler) to New Orleans for Eric Gordon's bloated contract and Robin Lopez? Would the salary relief for NO be worth it to them to make a deal like that?

Ugh... the problem with that trade is Gordon's inability to stay healthy. He and Kevin Martin have the same problem. They're frail. I think we could do A LOT better for Aldridge.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Ugh... the problem with that trade is Gordon's inability to stay healthy. He and Kevin Martin have the same problem. They're frail. I think we could do A LOT better for Aldridge.

Maybe I overrate Lopez, but I think he's exactly the player we need at center. If we could S/T Hickson for him, that'd be great, but I was thinking more along the lines of trading Aldridge for good pieces and re-signing Hickson.

As far as Gordon is concerned, I don't really know exactly what his knee problems have been. I was just looking for a deal that could net us both a big and a wing for Aldridge. When healthy, Gordon is dynamic enough at the 2 spot that he could be exactly what we need.

Anyway, it was a thought.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

Maybe I overrate Lopez, but I think he's exactly the player we need at center. If we could S/T Hickson for him, that'd be great, but I was thinking more along the lines of trading Aldridge for good pieces and re-signing Hickson.

As far as Gordon is concerned, I don't really know exactly what his knee problems have been. I was just looking for a deal that could net us both a big and a wing for Aldridge. When healthy, Gordon is dynamic enough at the 2 spot that he could be exactly what we need.

Anyway, it was a thought.

IF Gordon was healthy and we could guarantee that he could stay healthy? Yes do that deal. Too much of a gamble though for an All-Star in his prime otherwise.

 

[Natebishop3]

Maybe I overrate Lopez, but I think he's exactly the player we need at center. If we could S/T Hickson for him, that'd be great, but I was thinking more along the lines of trading Aldridge for good pieces and re-signing Hickson.

As far as Gordon is concerned, I don't really know exactly what his knee problems have been. I was just looking for a deal that could net us both a big and a wing for Aldridge. When healthy, Gordon is dynamic enough at the 2 spot that he could be exactly what we need.

Anyway, it was a thought.

Gordon is money.... but he has a huge contract and the guy is incapable of staying healthy. Definitely not something we need to get ourselves mixed up in.

 

[tester551]

Maynor at 3.5 per, Sammy d at 6 and dorell Wright at 3.5 could happen

I would say draft pick at 2 (Trey Burkes or McCullum) , Maynor 3.5, Sammy D at 7, Matt Barnes 1.5, E. Williams at 0.8, and then add Brandon Wright for the 2.5 room exception. I would pick up Mike Muscala with a 2nd.

PG - Lillard, Maynor, Burkes
SG - Matthews, Williams, Barton (Lillard & Batum would play a lot of back up SG)
SF - Batum, Claver, Barnes
PF - LMA, Wright, Muscala (with Claver playing stretch 4)
C - Dalembert, Leonard, Freeland

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

I have been in the 'maximize cap-space' group, but I throw my hands in the air and yell "screw it". Lets make sure we keep Maynor and Hickson. I really think with what we have, a few tweaks and natural improvement seen amongst youngsters, The Blazers could be battling for home court next year.

Aside from our current starters (all of whom I'd keep barring a good trade), I'd look to keep Leonard and Maynor. The rest are fodder.

 

[Nikolokolus]

C'mon people don't pussy out now after one really weird blowout game. The team needs a true 5 to anchor the defense and they need a little more firepower at the two guard spot. If they can keep Maynor at reasonable price then fine so be it, but they're not done.