THOMAS ROBINSON A BLAZER

[TowelBoy]

The Withey (who projects as a solid backup) pick might pave the way for Leonard being included in an Asik deal.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Kevin Pelton ‏@kpelton 24s
Portland dealing for Thomas Robinson cuts cap space to ~$9 million. Probably indication they're not serious about Pekovic.

Now I like it even less.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

 

[illmatic99]

Speights makes a ton of sense Speights and Core Brewer along with Robinson make us a tough out in the playoffs IMO

uh Speights and TRob are nearly identical. I'm hoping we make better use of our remaining 9mil than on freakin Brewer and Speights.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

If Howard goes to Houston we surely get Asik. If so, good-bye 2014 tank.

Au contraire. This trade guarantees they KEEP Asik, or at least demand an awful lot for him. This is the trade that cleared enough cap space to sign Howard, so they're not forced to move Asik. Reason #3 I don't like it.

 

[BBert]

I'm really happy we got Robinson, I think he'll be a stud. At the same time I think we gave up a lot. It's a good trade for Houston.

 

[magnifier661]

Shocking. This came out of nowhere O

Usually does!

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Hard for anyone not to like this move

Well, I manage. I guess I work harder than anyone!

 

[RoyToy]

uh Speights and TRob are nearly identical. I'm hoping we make better use of our remaining 9mil than on freakin Brewer and Speights.

Seriously.

Way to aim low, MM

 

[BBert]

Au contraire. This trade guarantees they KEEP Asik, or at least demand an awful lot for him. This is the trade that cleared enough cap space to sign Howard, so they're not forced to move Asik. Reason #3 I don't like it.

Damn you if you are correct.

 

[BigGameDamian]

The Portland Trail Blazers have acquired Thomas Robinson in a trade with the Houston Rockets.

The Rockets have been trying to deal Robinson to clear cap space.

The Blazers will send two future second round picks and the draft rights to Kostas Papanikolau and Marko Todorovic for Robinson.

The deal will be consummated on July 10, but agreed in principle now in order to give the Rockets sufficient cap space to offer Dwight Howard a max contract.

 

[TowelBoy]

I don't believe Olshey thinks Robinson is a needle-mover, nor do I think he thinks he can get a needle-mover for under $9M in room.

Makes me think there is more trading to come, either small deals to clear cap space, or as the big move itself.

 

[BBert]

Speights makes a ton of sense Speights and Core Brewer along with Robinson make us a tough out in the playoffs IMO

Interesting. I hadn't thought of him. Of course, he just opted out.

INDEPENDENCE – Marreese Speights has declined his player option on the final year of his contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, the team announced today. Speights had until June 29th to exercise the option. The five-year NBA veteran is now an unrestricted free agent.

Speights was acquired by the Cavaliers via trade with the Memphis Grizzlies on January 22nd, 2013. The 6-10, 255-pound forward/center appeared in 39 games (one start) for the Cavs, where he averaged 10.2 points on .457 shooting, and 5.1 rebounds in 18.4 minutes. Speights has played in 344 games (61 starts) over his NBA career with averages of 7.8 points, on .472 shooting, and 4.4 rebounds in 16.4 minutes.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Ask yourself: why did it take Houston so long to unload him? And why did they try to unload HIM instead of any of their other draftees? I think they discovered he can't play.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Splitter?

The blazers no longer have the cap to steal Pek.

 

[TowelBoy]

You're crazy if you think this deal makes Asik untouchable. Obviously they were never going to "salary dump" one of the best defensive Cs in the league, but with Howard on board they will definitely listen to offers. Leonard and Matthews for him would absolutely be a win-win.

 

[illmatic99]

Gotta admire Morey's confidence, but if he strikes out with Dwight, he just gave up three contributors for nearly nothing.

 

[TowelBoy]

Splitter?

The blazers no longer have the cap to steal Pek.

No Pek is literally my favorite part of this news.

 

[TowelBoy]

Gotta admire Morey's confidence, but if he strikes out with Dwight, he just gave up three contributors for nearly nothing.

What other two?

 

[KeepOnRollin]

I think we are going youth movement. We aren't going to sign a guy over MLE-type money this off-season. LMA might even be traded.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

What do we need? A center. What don't we need? An undersized PF who's not good enough for Sacramento or Houston.

All right. I've said my piece.

 

[Mediocre Man]

uh Speights and TRob are nearly identical. I'm hoping we make better use of our remaining 9mil than on freakin Brewer and Speights.

You should look at Speights a bit closer before making such a statement. Brewer shoots well from 3 and plays very good defense.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

I think we are going youth movement. We aren't going to sign a guy over MLE-type money this off-season. LMA might even be traded.

Certainly looks a lot more likely than before this trade.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

You should look at Speights a bit closer before making such a statement. Brewer shoots well from 3 and plays very good defense.

The knock on Speights is that he doesn't play ANY defense. And didn't we just let a very productive player (JJ) go for just that?

 

[RoyToy]

What do we need? A center. What don't we need? An undersized PF who's not good enough for Sacramento or Houston.

All right. I've said my piece.

This team needs young talent in any way. This move accomplishes that.

 

[illmatic99]

The guy just hasn't gotten a chance to play. Keith Smart killed his development in SAC, and there were too many PFs in HOU. He's gonna be a better Hickson, just watch.

Roy Hibbert ‏@Hoya2aPacer

@t_robinson0 is gonna b a good player. Watch. Gonna make teams pay for trading him like he's nothing.

 

[magnifier661]

Gotta admire Morey's confidence, but if he strikes out with Dwight, he just gave up three contributors for nearly nothing.

I think Howard's agent must have hinted or something. Houston seems like they already know he's coming.

 

[TowelBoy]

Talent acquisition is the name of the game, so this deal is a no brainer.

But even if you wanted to be a stickler about need, how can you say we didn't need a backup big man?

 

[illmatic99]

What other two?

Waived Delfino and Brooks earlier this evening.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

You're crazy if you think this deal makes Asik untouchable. Obviously they were never going to "salary dump" one of the best defensive Cs in the league, but with Howard on board they will definitely listen to offers. Leonard and Matthews for him would absolutely be a win-win.

They can do better. Our only hope was to be the only team willing to do a lopsided trade to clear cap space. Now that's gone, they can sit back and wait for best offers. They might even want to hang on to him - he would allow them to monitor Howard's minutes, which might be wise given the season he had.