The missing piece?

[jlprk]

I wanted a veteran big like we had in Juan Howard, someone who can come in cold and eat up lots of minutes at PF/C in case of injury or foul trouble. Guy like T-rob or Freeland you have to be scared if they are going to have "young guy mistakes".

This rookie has potential.

 

[brooklynballer]

Larry Sanders - Backup for LMA and Lopez, could be had on the cheap but making it work money wise would be tricky. As we all know, the Playoffs are all about defense and Larry has proved that he is capable of shutting down the paint.

Avery Bradley - RFA (iirc) and when healthy was looking like a Tony Allen-esque on-ball defender.

Luol Deng - I know we don't have the money/cap but he's a 6th man on a championship team at SF/PF.

I love all three of these suggestions. I think we have plenty of offense so this could be part of a unit you put in at the end of games to lock down the opponent. Much like how Greg Anthony and Stacy Augmon were used on those late 90s Portland teams.

 

[Natebishop3]

Larry Sanders - Backup for LMA and Lopez, could be had on the cheap but making it work money wise would be tricky. As we all know, the Playoffs are all about defense and Larry has proved that he is capable of shutting down the paint.

Avery Bradley - RFA (iirc) and when healthy was looking like a Tony Allen-esque on-ball defender.

Luol Deng - I know we don't have the money/cap but he's a 6th man on a championship team at SF/PF.

Bradley and Deng are obtainable, but I don't see how we could put something together to get Sanders. The dude is making too much.

 

[tester551]

Bradley and Deng are obtainable, but I don't see how we could put something together to get Sanders. The dude is making too much.

Deng would be great. Let him split time between 3/4 and let Batum split between 2/3.

 

[BigGameDamian]

So then, LBJ, Melo, or George. Let's revisit this topic after the Playoffs end.

Luol Deng?

 

[SlyPokerDog]

I'm serious, I would be great in the Earl Watson role. Also I can cheer and wave a towel better than Patty Mills. And I'm white like Steve Blake so I would fit a lot of popular fan niches.

 

[shamelessblazer]

Full MLE guys

1: Deng - possibly a pipedream but would be fantastic at max MLE with player option years 3 and/or 4.

2: Pau Gasol - would be a great fit as b/u to Lopez, is he okay with 20 mpg at this point? Would love his passing here.

3: Greivis Vasquez: would fit like a glove next to Damen and/or CJ and is passable next to Batum at 2. Really just needs to play with someone who can guard 1's. He would make the game a lot easier for bigs, get us some easy buckets and give Dame some time off. (the Maynor effect)

4: Channing Frye: Wouldn't want to get locked in long-term to him, but a front court rotation of Lopez, Aldridge, Frye, and Robinson would be killer and give Stotts tons of versatility. He'd fit wonderful next to Robinson (who could get O rebounds and run the break; Frye would get D rebounds and get back on defense)


Vets for cheap:

Andre Miller: I would imagine WAS wants to keep him, but if they deny his option (which is spend right?) can they still sign him? He could fulfill a Vasquez-lite role, giving us 15 mpg. Aldridge would love it.

Jermaine O'neal: great fit as a b/u enforcer/insurance if Lopez goes down. Not going to give you tons of time, but a high character guy at this point in his career. GS probably doesn't want to let him get away, but they're going to need to make changes and we may offer a lot more to him at this point.

Vince Carter: great versatile guy, really has finally accepted his role this year, embraced being a mentor/solid defense. Would make life easier for Dame too handling the ball.

Turiaf: just an insurance guy. But high energy, and if you got Frye or someone it'd be nice to have a guy to replace a few Lopez tough guy minutes instead of making Aldridge start at C.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

I'm still dreaming of Deng for the MLE. I'm deluding myself into thinking that he had such a bad experience in Cleveland, he would do anything to be on a team with good chemistry:

[video=youtube;yCFB2akLh4s]

 

[OSUBlazerfan]

Tony Allen...or someone as good as him on D (or close too)

Would love a late game lineup with:

LMA
Batum
(Allen)
Wes
Lillard

Thats balanced D and O

 

[oldmangrouch]

The bench. 'Nuff said.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

Tony Allen...or someone as good as him on D (or close too)

Would love a late game lineup with:

LMA
Batum
(Allen)
Wes
Lillard

Thats balanced D and O

This. Allen, Marion, Tucker, AK47, Sefolosha, Aminu or hell even Artest should be looked at this summer.

Especially Allen, Marion or AK47 for that late game lineup.

 

[BigGameDamian]

We would have to trade Batum if the Blazers wanted Deng. Deng is more aggressive then Batum is.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

We would have to trade Batum if the Blazers wanted Deng. Deng is more aggressive then Batum is.

And Deng still isn't shit compared to Batum. Call me when Deng can run an offense the way Batum does.

Deng is a good player but he is expendable...

 

[BigGameDamian]

And Deng still isn't shit compared to Batum. Call me when Deng can run an offense the way Batum does.

You don't need to get so defensive about it. I just said Deng is more aggressive and he is. That's what most of us harp on Batum for isn't it?

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

You don't need to get so defensive about it. I just said Deng is more aggressive and he is. That's what most of us harp on Batum for isn't it?

Batum is fine the way he is. He doesn't take horrible shots, runs the offense better than any forward not named LeBron and defends the opposing teams best player in crunch time. Deng wouldn't be aloud to be aggressive on offense either, would you want Luol Deng to take away shots from LA and Lillard? Stotts wouldn't. He would be a GREAT 6th man for us but no way in hell would he ever be more effective than Batum.

 

[shamelessblazer]

We would have to trade Batum if the Blazers wanted Deng. Deng is more aggressive then Batum is.

Why? I think it's either CJ or Robinson that have their minutes cut into.

Matthews plays 32 mpg @ 2, w/Deng either Batum slides down to 2 and plays 16 @ each, leaving 31 for Deng @ 3 and evaporating CJ's minutes or Deng grabs Aldridge's b/u minutes along with Batum's cutting Robinson out.

 

[tester551]

Full MLE guys

1: Deng - possibly a pipedream but would be fantastic at max MLE with player option years 3 and/or 4.

2: Pau Gasol - would be a great fit as b/u to Lopez, is he okay with 20 mpg at this point? Would love his passing here.

3: Greivis Vasquez: would fit like a glove next to Damen and/or CJ and is passable next to Batum at 2. Really just needs to play with someone who can guard 1's. He would make the game a lot easier for bigs, get us some easy buckets and give Dame some time off. (the Maynor effect)

4: Channing Frye: Wouldn't want to get locked in long-term to him, but a front court rotation of Lopez, Aldridge, Frye, and Robinson would be killer and give Stotts tons of versatility. He'd fit wonderful next to Robinson (who could get O rebounds and run the break; Frye would get D rebounds and get back on defense)


Vets for cheap:

Andre Miller: I would imagine WAS wants to keep him, but if they deny his option (which is spend right?) can they still sign him? He could fulfill a Vasquez-lite role, giving us 15 mpg. Aldridge would love it.

Jermaine O'neal: great fit as a b/u enforcer/insurance if Lopez goes down. Not going to give you tons of time, but a high character guy at this point in his career. GS probably doesn't want to let him get away, but they're going to need to make changes and we may offer a lot more to him at this point.

Vince Carter: great versatile guy, really has finally accepted his role this year, embraced being a mentor/solid defense. Would make life easier for Dame too handling the ball.

Turiaf: just an insurance guy. But high energy, and if you got Frye or someone it'd be nice to have a guy to replace a few Lopez tough guy minutes instead of making Aldridge start at C.

Deng will certainly earn more than the MLE. The best hope Portland would have is a sign & trade with Cleveland. Wes + Wright would allow Portland to sign him to a contract up to 12M/yr (but hopefully it wouldn't be more than 9-10/yr).
REALLY hate loosing Wes, so maybe T-Rob + Wright + Victor.... or CJ + Wright + Freeland

Vasquez should be the #1 target in FA in my opinion. He would be a perfect backup PG, but is still big enough to guard SG if needed.
I really like the idea of Marion, but I don't see him leaving Dallas.

One additional option that people shouldn't sleep on is Boozer. If Chicago uses the amnesty provision on him (which I think they will) Blaizers can submit a partial claim on him and get him for the BMLE before he gets to FA.

 

[BigGameDamian]

Batum is fine the way he is. He doesn't take horrible shots, runs the offense better than any forward not named LeBron and defends the opposing teams best player in crunch time. Deng wouldn't be aloud to be aggressive on offense either, would you want Luol Deng to take away shots from LA and Lillard? Stotts wouldn't. He would be a GREAT 6th man for us but no way in hell would he ever be more effective than Batum.

Really, I saw Mathews guarding James Harden in crunch time in game 6.

 

[shamelessblazer]

Vasquez should be the #1 target in FA in my opinion. He would be a perfect backup PG, but is still big enough to guard SG if needed.

I really think that IF mgmt thinks CJ will pan out, a guy like Vasquez is a necessity. (1 on offense, 2 on defense); I would love a combo offseason of him and Jermaine.

Otherwise, I would really like Channing or Pau (MLE) and Andre Miller (on the cheap).

Either way, one MLE guy and one cheap vet, along with Robinson and CJ getting playing time.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Today's NBA is a PG and wing driven league. So upgrades....ESPECIALLY DEFENSIVELY, need to be made at the wing position. Bench or starter. We are also still EXTREMELY thin up front after Lopez and Aldridge.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

PJ Tucker would be a good pick up, plays hard D and has the corner 3.

I agree. I've been very impressed with him when I've watched Suns games. A real hard-ass, which we could use. But not sure why the Suns would let him go.

 

[dviss1]

The question today is, how do you turn this team into a legit championship team? We are close, but I don't think we would have much of a chance against Miami for instance.

Where could we improve?

PG: Damien. I think we are probably covered here.
SG: Wes. Heart and soul of the team. I would keep him forever. Tangible and intangible assets.
PF: LA. Again, as solid as can be.
C: Robin. Who could we get that would be much of an improvement? Realistically no one.
SF: Nic. I love Nic, but this may be the spot where we could significantly improve to get to the next level.

6th man: T Rob looks to be developing into a beast. Mo though leaves something to be desired. (Aside: Wouldn't it be great to have, say, Jamal Crawford in that role? Alas.)

So, as I see it. Nic and Mo (re-signed) are pieces for Olshey to play with.

You?

I just threw up a bit in my mouth... ugh...

 

[tlongII]

Karl Malone and Gary Payton were top 50 players of all time and took huge pay cuts to play for a contender.

At the end of their careers.

 

[Natebishop3]

If we somehow win the championship, this thread is going to be hilarious.

 

[mook]

For Portland to get that Payton/Malone-type of aging superstar free agent this summer we'd need to at least advance to the WCF. There aren't many of those guys every year, and the good ones want to use their remaining time on a proven contender, not a team hoping to advance past the second round.

 

[maxiep]

I think we need more cmeese.

 

[shamelessblazer]

If we somehow win the championship, this thread is going to be hilarious.

Even so, I'd want to be rid of Mo. If you aren't getting better you're getting worse. (maybe not true with a young team, but still)

 

[illmatic99]

I say keep the starting five intact and let CJ/TRob develop. Everyone else can be upgraded.

Two guys that have thoroughly impressed me this year and in the first round are Patrick Patterson and Greivis Vasquez. If we could add those two to bolster our bench, we'd be sick (er).

Edit: Sounds like I'm not alone with the Vasquez love. Any legit PG would suffice. I see Devin Harris brought up here as well. He'd be nice but there definitely is some recency bias here

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Edit: Sounds like I'm not alone with the Vasquez love. Any legit PG would suffice. I see Devin Harris brought up here as well. He'd be nice but there definitely is some recency bias here

Yeah, Vasquez would be more of a big(ger) money, long-term answer. Harris would be more of a 2-year stopgap until we find someone long-term, or CJ develops the skills we need.

Also, I wonder what Chalmers is expecting this summer. I don't think most teams see him as a starting PG. Is Miami expecting to upgrade at his position?

 

[Mediocre Man]

The more I look at the stats, the more I say we are in real need of some defensive upgrades. Matthews, Batum, Lillard are all poor defenders, so having guys coming in behind them or starting ahead of them in some cases who are "defensive" guys would be huge, IMO