Simmons proposal I like

[HailBlazers]

LaMarcus Aldridge Discusses Roster, Future:

http://www.blazersedge.com/2013/5/2...s-f-lamarcus-aldridge-discusses-roster-future

Where this team is headed: "This year was a down year. I think it was better than what people thought it would be, it ended bad. I think if we add one or two pieces this summer and we have one OK season, I feel like that following season we should be good, really good."

Aldridge is the man, he knows the timeline and is the antithesis of the modern day star. In Oshley I trust. Arm chair GM's GTFO.

 

[Denny Crane]

We have the bird rights yo pay him whatever he want. He can most certainly walk, and I hope he does. But if we want him, we can make an offer to him regardless of who is here. Trading LMA doesn't all of a sudden make him ours. Offering him a bigger contract than everyone else does. And that doesn't change with the rest of our roster.

You won't pay him. He's going elsewhere. He's a FA for all intents and purposes. Just as blue9 said, you'd be signing him as a FA.

If he were signed already and had years to run on his contract, he'd be your asset.

I guess he's an asset in the sense you might sign and trade him rather than let him walk for nothing.

 

[PapaG]

I really like LMA, but he turns 28 in a month. The window to win with him is 3 years or so.

Ideally, you pair him with a strong rebounding SF and C, neither of which the team really has.

The Blazers could instantly become an up and coming young team, with a championship window that coincides with Wade maybe retiring and LeBron and Bosh turning 31 in 3 years.

The #1 should be ROY, giving the Blazers back-to-back winners.

Thompson is not bad at all for a 21 year old player.

The other picks and cap space make for good bargaining chips.

Maybe you use the $5M savings to resign JJ. Now the deal looks like a 1st, Thompson, more picks, and JJ for LMA.

Draft Lillard's back court mate. Go get a legitimate C. Overnight you have a solid starting 5 with Wes to backup SG and SF and Thompson rounding out the bigs rotation.

Go make playoffs and get some experience.

Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobli say hi.

 

[RR7]

You won't pay him. He's going elsewhere. He's a FA for all intents and purposes. Just as blue9 said, you'd be signing him as a FA.

If he were signed already and had years to run on his contract, he'd be your asset.

I guess he's an asset in the sense you might sign and trade him rather than let him walk for nothing.

Ok, then we won't pay him. But we have the option right now to offer him whatever we want to. All the cap space in the world or no space at all doesn't change that ability to offer him a deal. I don't really want to, and don't think we will. I don't think trading away Aldridge would change that at all.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobli say hi.

What do 3 future hall of famers have to do with this?

 

[Ed O]

Aldridge is the man, he knows the timeline and is the antithesis of the modern day star. In Oshley I trust. Arm chair GM's GTFO.

So we've had at least two down years, and then if the team adds a couple of pieces this summer, there's a chance we'll be mediocre and then the year after THAT we'll be really good?

Wow. Yeah, it's crazy for fans to want to have significant changes with that kind of timeline and track record in place!

Ed O.

 

[Ed O]

What do 3 future hall of famers have to do with this?

They all were borderline all-stars that didn't win anything of significance until they turned 30. Then they started winning rings.

C'mon, man. Try to keep up!

Ed O.

 

[blue9]

Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobli say hi.

Did you just try to compare LMA to Duncan, Parker, and Ginobli?

 

[Mediocre Man]

They all were borderline all-stars that didn't win anything of significance until they turned 30. Then they started winning rings.

C'mon, man. Try to keep up!

Ed O.

Oh man, and here this whole time I thought Duncan and Parker both won in their 2nd year, and Ginobili in his 1st?

 

[RoyToy]

What do 3 future hall of famers have to do with this?

They stayed healthy and worked hard their entire career.

Sounds a lot like Aldridge.

 

[RR7]

So we've had at least two down years, and then if the team adds a couple of pieces this summer, there's a chance we'll be mediocre and then the year after THAT we'll be really good?

Wow. Yeah, it's crazy for fans to want to have significant changes with that kind of timeline and track record in place!

Ed O.

We started a retooling process last season. So we've finished year one of that plan. Our "new plan" started when we dumped Wallace and Camby. Why do people try to fit where we are in our path right now to basically before we added Gerald Wallace? Have you not already seen changes to the roster in the attempts to move away from that older core? We were the third younges team in the league last season. We were the 9th oldest the previous season. Maybe fans complaining about the timeline and track record and calling for significant changes should recognize the significant changes that have happened.

 

[blue9]

They stayed healthy and worked hard their entire career.

Sounds a lot like Aldridge.

Sounds a lot like Nick Collison.

 

[RoyToy]

Sounds a lot like Nick Collison.

He's played well into his 30's as well

Aldridge will continue to be really good for 5-6 more years. Relatively healthy, game will age nicely, works hard.

A lot to like

 

[Blaze01]

Thompson certainly isn't on Aldridge's level, but he is only 22 and has shown nice improvement....I don't think it is inconcievable that he could end up at his peak as a 18 & 10 type guy...plus getting the #1 this year (McLemore\Oladipo)...maybe they could even parlay that pick, drop down a few spots for some additional assets to a team that wants Noel and still get thier guy...

They would have thier own #10...Plus get a 2014 pick from CLE (either thier own or SAC if it isn't top 12)...Maybe parlay a few 2nd round picks and the rights to Papnikalou to DAL (whom they apparently like) for the #13...

They could even try and offload Freeland's contract onto CLE as part of the deal to free up a little more capspace....

End up with assets of Thompson, #1, #10, #13 (maybe) + 2014 mid-1st ?

The problem is LA wants to be on a contending team 2 years from now, not just a 1st round and out team, and I am not convinced that POR will be that type of team in 2 years time, and if they aren't I don't think it is a reach to think that LA might look to move on elsewhere....I don't think mgmt will deal him though...

 

[RR7]

The problem is LA wants to be on a contending team 2 years from now, not just a 1st round and out team, and I am not convinced that POR will be that type of team in 2 years time, and if they aren't I don't think it is a reach to think that LA might look to move on elsewhere.....

Where's he going to walk to in 2 years that is already a contender, and would have the space to sign him?

 

[The_Lillard_King]

Kind of surprising how acceptable the idea of trading Aldridge has become to many here. Makes me wonder if this will happen this summer. When you consider all the variables already mentioned, the fact that he's our most valuable trade asset (outside of the virtually untouchable Lillard), and Olshey looking to put his imprint on this team, it may be much more likely than I'd thought.

And then there's the whole LeBron thing. A team looking to elevate its immediate potential in order to lure LeBron could do a lot worse than trade young assets for Aldridge.

I'm not as surprised that many are acceptable to the idea of trading Aldrdige (even for young unproven players). But I don't think that is an indication it will happen this summer.

If one is to believe Olshey, PA has said he does not want to rebuild and is expecting the team to have a win now mentality. Olshey may be twisting things up or PA can always change his approach . . . but I think it would be unlikely to see Aldridge traded with the team becoming worse in the short term to be better in the long term.

 

[RoyToy]

The Blazers can give Aldridge more money and already have a young developing core that Neil will continue to add pieces to. This is going to be a really good team in 2 years.

Aldridge won't find a better situation.

 

[Blaze01]

Where's he going to walk to in 2 years that is already a contender, and would have the space to sign him?

Do you think that is what the Lakers thought when they dealt for Howard?

 

[RR7]

Do you think that is what the Lakers thought when they dealt for Howard?

I think the Lakers thought Hey, we can get Dwight Howard for Bynum. Sweet. I dunno how my question about Aldridge relates to their thinking on Dwight.

 

[Blaze01]

I think the Lakers thought Hey, we can get Dwight Howard for Bynum. Sweet. I dunno how my question about Aldridge relates to their thinking on Dwight.

It means, if a team is smart they shouldn't go into an offseason with thier FA player thinking that there isn't another team out there who has\could clear cap space to lure thier player away, especially when that player has stated a desire to win in the playoffs....

 

[RR7]

It means, if a team is smart they shouldn't go into an offseason with thier FA player thinking that there isn't another team out there who has\could clear cap space to lure thier player away, especially when that player has stated a desire to win in the playoffs....

Aldridge isn't a free agent, so I don't see how that's relevant. If we've shown no improvement at all in the next year and a half, which I'd find really hard to believe, then I'd trade him at the deadline before he walks. Of course, if we've shown absolutely no improvement, and are hardly a playoff team in two years, then Lillard is likely not who we think he is, so if that's the thought, we won't be past the first round, or close, in two years, with a roster around Lillard of Wes, Batum, Aldridge and hopefully a defensive C, then what the hell, why not sell high on him, too, no?

 

[RoyToy]

It means, if a team is smart they shouldn't go into an offseason with thier FA player thinking that there isn't another team out there who has\could clear cap space to lure thier player away, especially when that player has stated a desire to win in the playoffs....

Clearly unheard of in the NBA and professional sports.

 

[Blaze01]

then what the hell, why not sell high on him, too, no?

At that point you won't be selling high on him though...I don't think Allen\mgmt have any intention of trading LA away...they should, but they don't....

Clearly unheard of in the NBA and professional sports.

No, but a lot more relevant to a 29 year old veteran FA....

 

[PapaG]

Did you just try to compare LMA to Duncan, Parker, and Ginobli?

In terms of age, yes. Somebody posted that LMA will be 31 in three years, so the window is 3 years. I find that silly.

 

[PapaG]

What do 3 future hall of famers have to do with this?

Their ages. Manu and Duncan are well over 31, yet the Spurs are contending for a title with them. Did you read the bold portion of the post I quoted?

It's silly to say LMA has a 3-year window to win a title. There is no reason he can't be an All-Star player for the next 6-7 years, based on his style of play.

 

[PapaG]

They all were borderline all-stars that didn't win anything of significance until they turned 30. Then they started winning rings.

C'mon, man. Try to keep up!

Ed O.

No, they are all over 30, and are in the NBA Finals. Nice try though, Ed. Manu is 35, and Duncan is 37. Pop should have traded Manu at 28 and Duncan at 31.

They are WAY out of their window for being important players on a title contender!!! :MARIS61:

 

[RR7]

At that point you won't be selling high on him though...I don't think Allen\mgmt have any intention of trading LA away...they should, but they don't....

I'm saying if people feel that in 2 years time, a team being led by 3rd year pro Damian Lillard, with Aldridge as his #2, and, assuming no MAJOR moves(Dwight type), Wes, Nic, and a few good bench players and solid defensive C is something that can't get you out of the first round, then it would seem to me it implies Damian, more than anything, didn't really improve all that much. And if people really think we can't get past the first round in 2 years with that core, then more than anything, Damian is the issue, because I would think 2 years from now, he should be able to carry that team to the 2nd round at least. So if people think we're even further away, we should be trading Damian THIS offseason also.

 

[PapaG]

I'm saying if people feel that in 2 years time, a team being led by 3rd year pro Damian Lillard, with Aldridge as his #2, and, assuming no MAJOR moves(Dwight type), Wes, Nic, and a few good bench players and solid defensive C is something that can't get you out of the first round, then it would seem to me it implies Damian, more than anything, didn't really improve all that much. And if people really think we can't get past the first round in 2 years with that core, then more than anything, Damian is the issue, because I would think 2 years from now, he should be able to carry that team to the 2nd round at least. So if people think we're even further away, we should be trading Damian THIS offseason also.

I won't go as far as you, but I totally agree with your line of thinking. LMA seems fine to stay in Portland next year, and thinks the team has a legitimate chance to make a run in two years.

Yet people want to trade him for Tristin Fucking Thompson and Nerlens Noel, for some ungodly reason.

 

[RR7]

I won't go as far as you, but I totally agree with your line of thinking. LMA seems fine to stay in Portland next year, and thinks the team has a legitimate chance to make a run in two years.

Yet people want to trade him for Tristin Fucking Thompson and Nerlens Noel, for some ungodly reason.

Yeah, I wouldn't trade him. But I also think we'll be good enough to keep LMA. My point is if people really feel we won't be good enough, then I think ultimately that says more about Lillard being unable to step up as a #1. Or people aren't putting much thought into it.

 

[BrianFromWA]

There's a pretty large difference between having Lillard at his current level for the next 8 years, or LMA for the next 22 months.

If Lillard was doing what he's doing right now 7 years and $56M into his Blazer tenure, and about to walk for nothing in 2 years, AND someone offers the #1 pick, we can discuss that then. Heck, I'll probably be one proposing it. Until that point, it's a pretty ridiculous strawman.