Free Agent Under the Radar Free Agent List

[Scalma]

If they can keep him multi-year on a cheap deal ($8M/3yrs?), they should. Always important to have inexpensive role-players.

That’s the thing though, what’s his role?

 

[illmatic99]

Who's paying him that much? Everyone is talking about how much money is out there but literally 40% of the league is a free agent. Once the big names get their max deals there really won't be that much money out there to pay some of these tier 3 and tier 4 guys "fair" value.

I dunno, that's a really small number. I can't understand why Stotts doesn't trust him-- dude can play. I feel like his inconsistency stems from his lack of regular PT/ role.

 

[illmatic99]

That’s the thing though, what’s his role?

Can't we make him into a Hood/Curry off the bench?

 

[Scalma]

I dunno, that's a really small number. I can't understand why Stotts doesn't trust him-- dude can play. I feel like his inconsistency stems from his lack of regular PT/ role.

Yeah I like Layman but it always felt like Stotts was just counting down the days until he cooled off so he could justify benching him.

 

[B-Roy]

I dunno, that's a really small number. I can't understand why Stotts doesn't trust him-- dude can play. I feel like his inconsistency stems from his lack of regular PT/ role.

I'm not saying he can't play. I'm saying I just don't see anyone offering him a decent contract because of these inconsistencies. Connaughton got a vet min deal after being a rotation player for one year. I think Layman is better than Connaughton, but I don't think he's necessarily shown that much more. There is gonna be a lot of proven guys on the market that are taking below fair value deals so a team would really have to buy into Layman's upside to offer him more than like 3M (especially since he is restricted). If Layman wants to bet on himself, I can see him just taking the QO and playing out the year.

 

[TBpup]

Kaminsky is now an UFA.

That's a good UTRFA. Added to the OP list.

 

[Reep]

I just want Olshey to hand an offer to Enes and say "so, are you a Kan or a Kanter?"

 

[Reep]

Realistically, we're looking at these additions to be the 9th/10th men. I'm not expecting our TP-MLE to be help us find a difference maker-- think we gotta get that via trade.

How do you rank our guys now?

Based on how I think Olshey and Stotts value them:

Tier 1:
1. Dame
2. Nurk
3. CJ

Tier 2:
4. Collins
5. Simons
6. Bazemore

Tier 3:
7. Little

Tier 4:
8. Trent
9. Harkless
10. Leonard
11. Skal

 

[oldmangrouch]

Olshey specifically mentioned why they let him go and it had little to do with Collins. Davis clutters the offense as he’s not someone you can post up nor is he someone that can shoot, nor is he someone that can pass. They saw what happened in the playoffs last year and moved on. Operative words—moved on.

The obvious flaw in Olshey's claim is that they "moved on" from Davis while keeping Aminu, Harkless, and ET - 3 guys equally guilty of cluttering up the offense who played more minutes than Davis. Wouldn't you think a wing who can't shoot is a slightly bigger problem then a back-up center who can't?

You can see why people think there had to be more to it.

 

[RR7]

The obvious flaw in Olshey's claim is that they "moved on" from Davis while keeping Aminu, Harkless, and ET - 3 guys equally guilty of cluttering up the offense who played more minutes than Davis. Wouldn't you think a wing who can't shoot is a slightly bigger problem then a back-up center who can't?

You can see why people think there had to be more to it.

Well, Davis was a free agent, and those 3 were not, so I don't really understand your point. It was easy to move on from Davis, he walked. ET a bit more difficult to just move on from. Although, he just did.

 

[Scalma]

The obvious flaw in Olshey's claim is that they "moved on" from Davis while keeping Aminu, Harkless, and ET - 3 guys equally guilty of cluttering up the offense who played more minutes than Davis. Wouldn't you think a wing who can't shoot is a slightly bigger problem then a back-up center who can't?

You can see why people think there had to be more to it.

Those guys weren’t free agents were they? And he’s already dumped Turner and hasn’t shown any interest in signing Aminu yet.

 

[illmatic99]

Based on how I think Olshey and Stotts value them:

Tier 1:
1. Dame
2. Nurk
3. CJ

Tier 2:
4. Collins
5. Simons
6. Bazemore

Tier 3:
7. Little

Tier 4:
8. Trent
9. Harkless
10. Leonard
11. Skal

I don't know if it's a good thing or bad if Simons is our 5th best player next year.

 

[oldmangrouch]

Back on topic, Olshey did learn one really useful skill working for the Clips. Call it dumpster diving or bargain hunting, he has had pretty good success in finding cheap vets.

 

[kjironman1]

Well yeah, if we have a chance to sign a guy to a good deal right away of course you take it. Most players who think they deserve more wait though. Lets say Hood and Kanter sign elsewhere in the first couple days then we should definitely go hard after the best possible player for the Tax-MLE.

So let me get this straight. Aminu also could get an offer that the Blazers decide not try to beat and they would open up the Full MLE but it would be best not to use it this year right?
Then lets say Layman gets a better offer than we want to match. The Blazers let him go and where do they sit then?

It's not a bunch of cap space but it's some right?

 

[Reep]

I don't know if it's a good thing or bad if Simons is our 5th best player next year.

Yeah, that could be great or could be trouble. I’m hoping for a Lou Williams contribution.

 

[GhostOfPGA]

I wouldn’t mind using the TPMLE on Ariza and getting Noah with the vet min and maybe try for IT.

 

[BigGameDamian]

RoLo and Frazier wouldnt be a bad combo if we cant get Kanter to see

They've been Blazers before.

 

[kjironman1]

I don't know if it's a good thing or bad if Simons is our 5th best player next year.

It's just my opinion but if he is considered the 5th best player on the roster next year that is a huge win for this team.

 

[illmatic99]

I wouldn’t mind using the TPMLE on Ariza and getting Noah with the vet min and maybe try for IT.

You just quoted three completely washed up dudes.

 

[GhostOfPGA]

You just quoted three completely washed up dudes.

I don’t think Ariza is washed up. Noah for the min would actually be a nice addition, especially while Nurk is out. IT is boom or bust, and injury insurance.

 

[wizenheimer]

So let me get this straight. Aminu also could get an offer that the Blazers decide not try to beat and they would open up the Full MLE but it would be best not to use it this year right?
Then lets say Layman gets a better offer than we want to match. The Blazers let him go and where do they sit then?

It's not a bunch of cap space but it's some right?

no cap-space at all, and no, just because Aminu walks doesn't mean Portland has the full-MLE

right now, it's my belief the Blazers are a bit over 130M in guarantees, dead salary, and incentives that count against the cap and apron. That leaves only a 8M margin between where they are and the hard cap. And that does not count any of their free agents. They can't use the full-MLE without dumping Mo or Meyers, and doing so would leave a hole in the roster. The 2016 chickens have come home to roost

for planning, I think you have to assume that all four of Portland's UFA's leave; and say Layman stays. So that leaves a roster of:

PG: Dame
SG: CJ, Simons, Bazemore, Trent
SF: Harkless, Bazemore, Layman, Little
PF: Zach, Harkless, Skal, Layman
C: Meyers, Zach, Skal, (Nurkic)

12 players and Portland has the 5.7M tax MLE and vet minimum deals to use

what's the biggest hole in that depth chart that would need the 5.7M tax-MLE? Right now, it sure looks like there are a couple of weaknesses. One is that the Blazers would be depending a lot on Simons. They don't have a backup PG and Turner is gone. Simons could easily struggle and fail next season. And we know how poor CJ is at running the offense. And of course, there sure looks to be thin ice at PF.

if Portland loses Kanter and feels they need another C, I do think they could find a vet minimum replacement. Candidates could be:

Kosta Koufos
Dewayne Dedmon
Boban Marjanovic
Kyle O'Quinn
Amir Johnson
Zaza Pachulia
JaVale McGee
Tyson Chandler
Joakim Noah
Salah Mejri
Greg Monroe

Olshey seems to like revisiting the past so keep an eye on Greg Monroe. And Noah looked good last year in a limited role

 

[Scalma]

I don’t think Ariza is washed up. Noah for the min would actually be a nice addition, especially while Nurk is out. IT is boom or bust, and injury insurance.

Are you talking about Noah Vonleh or joakim? Joakim had a pretty good season for Memphis. I think he gets more than the minimum but would absolutely take him if he settled.

Ariza would be a steal for the tax mle.

 

[GhostOfPGA]

Are you talking about Noah Vonleh or joakim? Joakim had a pretty good season for Memphis. I think he gets more than the minimum but would absolutely take him if he settled.

Ariza would be a steal for the tax mle.

Joakim yes.

 

[kjironman1]

no cap-space at all, and no, just because Aminu walks doesn't mean Portland has the full-MLE

right now, it's my belief the Blazers are a bit over 130M in guarantees, dead salary, and incentives that count against the cap and apron. That leaves only a 8M margin between where they are and the hard cap. And that does not count any of their free agents. They can't use the full-MLE without dumping Mo or Meyers, and doing so would leave a hole in the roster. The 2016 chickens have come home to roost

for planning, I think you have to assume that all four of Portland's UFA's leave; and say Layman stays. So that leaves a roster of:

PG: Dame
SG: CJ, Simons, Bazemore, Trent
SF: Harkless, Bazemore, Layman, Little
PF: Zach, Harkless, Skal, Layman
C: Meyers, Zach, Skal, (Nurkic)

12 players and Portland has the 5.7M tax MLE and vet minimum deals to use

what's the biggest hole in that depth chart that would need the 5.7M tax-MLE? Right now, it sure looks like there are a couple of weaknesses. One is that the Blazers would be depending a lot on Simons. They don't have a backup PG and Turner is gone. Simons could easily struggle and fail next season. And we know how poor CJ is at running the offense. And of course, there sure looks to be thin ice at PF.

if Portland loses Kanter and feels they need another C, I do think they could find a vet minimum replacement. Candidates could be:

Kosta Koufos
Dewayne Dedmon
Boban Marjanovic
Kyle O'Quinn
Amir Johnson
Zaza Pachulia
JaVale McGee
Tyson Chandler
Joakim Noah
Salah Mejri
Greg Monroe

Olshey seems to like revisiting the past so keep an eye on Greg Monroe. And Noah looked good last year in a limited role

Cap space was a poor choice of words. Should have used wiggle room.
But thank you. Kind of seems like Olshey is correct when he said the biggest changes will come through trades.

 

[SwissBlazer]

Thabo or bust

 

[PCmor7]

Steve Blake is overdue to be back on the Blazers.

 

[Reep]

Steve Blake is overdue to be back on the Blazers.

5th time is the charm, unless you count his coaching then 6th time.

 

[BigGameDamian]

Jeff Green?

 

[TBpup]

Really should have gone through and looked at who were Mark Bartelstein clients. 8 Blazers in the last couple of years were clients of his.

 

[Scalma]

Really should have gone through and looked at who were Mark Bartelstein clients. 8 Blazers in the last couple of years were clients of his.

Hello Kyle O’Quinn