We should be ringing Denver immediately this summer!

[magnifier661]

I think Denver will be the team we trade with this summer. I think we have the cap space to give them relief. As it was posted in the Denver game thread.

Has Lawson been extended? With the new flavor of the NBA being to try and stay at cap level, Denver has some decisions to be made this summer (if they haven't already extended Lawson).

Iggy 15M (last year?)
McGee 10M
Gallinari 9.5M
Chandler 6M
Miller 5M

Can you add another 10M guy to that roster salary?

and

They gave Lawson a 4yr, 48 mil deal this past fall.

That equals a total of 58.4 million, factoring Iggy having a player option year next season.

http://hoopshype.com/salaries/denver.htm <--- Says they will be 68 million; taking away the amnesty credit for Chris Anderson.

I think Portland has a good shot at using their existing cap space and maybe a cheap "leonard" for McGee, or just getting a player like Kosta Koufos for just a cap relief trade exemption.

 

[illmatic99]

Don't really want McGee here unless we have a legit big man mentor. I'm more interested in Iggy if they wanna do a S&T. Or even if they just let him walk.

 

[Natebishop3]

Don't really want McGee here unless we have a legit big man mentor. I'm more interested in Iggy if they wanna do a S&T. Or even if they just let him walk.

Iggy sucks now. Sad but true.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

I would take any of their 3 Centers over Iggy (when you factor in cost to obtain each of those 4).

 

[illmatic99]

Iggy sucks now. Sad but true.

Regardless, he'd add to our depth. We need another wing. Obviously we need another big or two as well, but I've cooled on Javale after seeing him a bit this year.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Regardless, he'd add to our depth. We need another wing. Obviously we need another big or two as well, but I've cooled on Javale after seeing him a bit this year.

I doubt they want to add small forward who can't shoot, especially as he's entering his decline.

 

[Natebishop3]

Regardless, he'd add to our depth. We need another wing. Obviously we need another big or two as well, but I've cooled on Javale after seeing him a bit this year.

Not at his price. No.

 

[magnifier661]

Don't really want McGee here unless we have a legit big man mentor. I'm more interested in Iggy if they wanna do a S&T. Or even if they just let him walk.

I completely disagree with you on this one. I was a huge Iggy fan, but the dude has lost a step and his outside shot has fucked with him all season. If you haven't noticed already; our outside shooting is still bad. We need the interior guys that can defend and keep those fucks out of our paint.

McGee is dumb as a box of nails; but he has the defensive instincts to block a shit ton or alter shots. That will give a great relief for our entire defensive scheme. Denver already has 2 defensive centers in Kufos and McGee. They really only need one. I think they would much rather keep Kufos because he has such a cheap contract, so McGee is available. And realistically a 10 mil center is right about what we should pay for the center we need, IMO.

 

[Natebishop3]

McGee is regularly on Shaq-tin a fool.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

McGee is regularly on Shaq-tin a fool.

One of the dumbest players in NBA history... and that's saying a lot.

 

[magnifier661]

McGee is regularly on Shaq-tin a fool.

I doubt anyone in here will argue that McGee isn't the sharpest tool in the shed; but he has the best center defensive talent in the league. By pure talent and instinct alone; he could make our defense improve drastically, IMO. It's a concern, but I think it's more of a concern for the offensive player. We have plenty of those already.

 

[illmatic99]

Here's a strawman. If given the option between Iggy and Tyreke at ~6-8mil/yr, who would you guys choose?

 

[magnifier661]

Here's a strawman. If given the option between Iggy and Tyreke at ~6-8mil/yr, who would you guys choose?

Tyreke. I think Batum closely resembles Iggy's game, so he is redundant. I think Tyreke would be a better fit for this team. Also, I think Tyreke could start, which gives us an immediate improvement off the bench with Matthews.

 

[Natebishop3]

[video=youtube;f69IDWEyBek]

 

[Natebishop3]

Here's a strawman. If given the option between Iggy and Tyreke at ~6-8mil/yr, who would you guys choose?

Tyreke, and it isn't even close.

 

[magnifier661]

McGee is definitely under performing for the Nuggets (contract of 10 mil with stats like 10ppg, 5 boards and 2 blocks). I truly understand the concern about him. But this is the best scenario for us. There have been many posts saying that we can nab a center from a team that has many of them and have cap issues. They have Kofus that is playing out of his mind right now, offensively and defensively. Mozgov is actually a better "back up" type center for the nuggs and should be resigned for cheap.

This is the team we need to focus on. We have an opportunity to trade for McGee and still retain Hickson.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Here's a strawman. If given the option between Iggy and Tyreke at ~6-8mil/yr, who would you guys choose?

Tyreke Evans everyday and twice on opening day of the off season signing period

 

[illmatic99]

I'd take Tyreke as well. And I'd prefer to go for BPA at this stage in free agency. So that means I'd take Tyreke over any available C as well.

 

[magnifier661]

I'd take Tyreke as well. And I'd prefer to go for BPA at this stage in free agency. So that means I'd take Tyreke over any available C as well.

See I just don't agree with that right now. I think our biggest concern was the back-up playmaker. Then it is center. The 2 biggest holes we had so far this season was when Lillard had to come out of the game and Rice and Smith completely destroyed any momentum we had coming in. Even Stotts tried keeping at least 2 starters in the game at all times; which still didn't help.

I think that was our biggest issue. I hope and believe Maynor may be the answer. I need to watch a few more games before I'm confortable saying he is our future back-up playmaker.

The next big issue is absolutely the center position. First of all, we have an undersized center. He would be a fine back-up PF/C combo; but abolsutely not good enough to start. There is a reason why we give up so many Points in the Paint. There is another reason why we are one of the worst rebounders in the league. We need that big to force misses in the paint. It's not only about blocking shots, but altering them too.

The last thing we need is that volume scorer coming off the bench. Now this is a player you can get for MLE. So realistically we may not have that player next season; but it's pretty safe to say we can find one the following season. What I do know is we won't find a center for MLE.

So in the grand scheme of things, the center should be the #1 concern for us, since it usually has the highest tax associated with the position. Since this summer is our last chance of having any significant cap space; we should focus on getting a center.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I am not in any way suggesting that Leonard is untouchable, but I really hope we are careful when using him as filler to make a trade. So far I see no reason that makes me believe he can't be as good as most of the centers we are suggesting going after. He is an athletic big man with decent skills. I think we all believe he will be a lot stronger and experienced by next year. Unless there are some red flags I don't know about, I think he is a keeper.

Now of course I would trade him in a heart beat if it meant getting someone really good, but who out there could that be? Assuming Minnesota matches offers for Pec (And they will) I think we will end up with a stop gap like Jermaine O'Neal, Dalembert, Pachulia, Darko, or Kaman.

Not thrilled about it, but i am getting mentally prepared for it.

 

[magnifier661]

I am not in any way suggesting that Leonard is untouchable, but I really hope we are careful when using him as filler to make a trade. So far I see no reason that makes me believe he can't be as good as most of the centers we are suggesting going after. He is an athletic big man with decent skills. I think we all believe he will be a lot stronger and experienced by next year. Unless there are some red flags I don't know about, I think he is a keeper.

Now of course I would trade him in a heart beat if it meant getting someone really good, but who out there could that be? Assuming Minnesota matches offers for Pec (And they will) I think we will end up with a stop gap like Jermaine O'Neal, Dalembert, Pachulia, Darko, or Kaman.

Not thrilled about it, but i am getting mentally prepared for it.

You bring up very valid points and that's kinda the reason why I think we would need a Leonard in this situation. Sometimes you need to gamble to get talent in return. I think using Leonard as a piece would give Denver serious consideration in this scenario. They already have Koufos and Leonard could be the perfect offensive guy coming off the bench. Also, Leonard is signed for another 3 years at a very cheap contract. They shed 7 million right off the deal; or even could use that 7 mil exempt to trade for another player they need.

 

[Pinwheel1]

You bring up very valid points and that's kinda the reason why I think we would need a Leonard in this situation. Sometimes you need to gamble to get talent in return. I think using Leonard as a piece would give Denver serious consideration in this scenario. They already have Koufos and Leonard could be the perfect offensive guy coming off the bench. Also, Leonard is signed for another 3 years at a very cheap contract. They shed 7 million right off the deal; or even could use that 7 mil exempt to trade for another player they need.

Everything you are saying makes sense, if McGee was just a little bit better. Not a big fan.

 

[magnifier661]

Everything you are saying makes sense, if McGee was just a little bit better. Not a big fan.

If McGee is doing shit like this you would be!


[video=youtube;isR394ridLI]

 

[BlazerWookee]

I want Andre Miller back.

 

[Pinwheel1]

If McGee is doing shit like this you would be!

]

Yeah that was nice. And he has a lot of those. Great shot blocker. But 237 lbs....I want someone either bigger or someone with a better basketball IQ. I know I am asking alot......

I think we need to add someone physical!

 

[magnifier661]

I want Andre Miller back.

He will never want to come back to Portland. Sad but true.

 

[Nikolokolus]

McGee certainly has physical tools, but to suggest he's the "best defensive center talent in the league" is beyond the pale in terms of bizarro logic.

No offense mags, but the guy is flat out clueless on the court; the kind of guy who gives you flashes of brilliance, but more often than not will kill you with bonheaded plays. Textbook definition of a "mirage player."

 

[magnifier661]

[video=youtube;-vtiHP2qohs]

And i would love to see him do this to Griffin every game!

 

[magnifier661]

McGee certainly has physical tools, but to suggest he's the "best defensive center talent in the league" is beyond the pale in terms of bizarro logic.

No offense mags, but the guy is flat out clueless on the court; the kind of guy who gives you flashes of brilliance, but more often than not will kill you with bonheaded plays. Textbook definition of a "mirage player."

Okay, maybe I was a little boisterous with that claim, but he is still a very intimidating shot blocker.

I seriously understand why there is great concern with this guy, but it's probably the reason why this seems like a very realistic idea. Denver gets almost the same value in return; being cap savings, already having a decent center to begin with and a 7 mil TE. Portland could realistically get McGee and still keep Maynor and Hickson this offseason.

Then we would have a MLE next season to find that volume scorer off the bench. It would definitely move the needle in the positive direction IMO.

 

[BlazerWookee]

He will never want to come back to Portland. Sad but true.

Why not? Brandon and Nate are both gone, he had great on-court (and relatively decent off-court) chemistry with LaMarcus and Nic, and he still gets ovations when he plays here. I think he'd be a hell of a lot more open to playing behind and alongside Damian than he was with Blake, and he'd be a terrific mentor besides. I would also think that he'd love playing alongside three athletic bigs in LaMarcus, JJ, and Meyers (assuming we keep all three, of course).