TBpup
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Every GM's cell phone is being pushed to it's limits for the next 3 days as it's owner scours the bushes looking for a trade to provide immediate help, cap flexibility, future assets or combination of any of those three. So here is a look at what Neil Olshey might be dealing with...
1. How serious is this run despite what might happen in the Playoffs?
This team has completely over performed expectations. When that happened in the past, Neil chose not to do anything and just let it ride out and the team ended on a 13 game losing streak after battling for the #8 playoff seed for a good portion of the season. Does this team have a better run in them and do you 'give to get' in a year that the top 3 teams in the West may all have 60+ wins?
2. Let it ride out....and reward the team financially
Because the Blazers are so far under the cap, if they don't make any moves, the players will divide up the difference between the current team salary and the minimum required salary mandated by the CBA. This team has battled hard and come together as a group. Is it worth pulling money off the table from them to take on something like David Lee's salary just to get a poor future Draft pick? I would submit the good will earned from giving the players money outweighs the $3Million it might take to buy a pick in the future. Now if you were to really get something worthwhile, that is a different story.
3. How long till the Blazers get a return on a player who is leaving?
Oden, Roy, Aldridge, Lopez, Matthews, Afflalo, Freeland, Wright....the list is endless of Blazer players who have left for absolutely nothing but freed up cap space. Does Neil add Kaman and Henderson to that list this summer in a year that most teams will have a ton of Cap Space thereby negating much of its value to the Blazers?
4. How much more potential do players like CJ, Crabbe and Meyers have?
CJ has because what many thought he could be but just couldn't get the minutes due to Matthews and injuries. Crabbe has blossomed into a solid bench contributor who can score and play defense. Meyers has.....well, looked much better when he plays Center and not so good when he plays the stretch '4'. Will these players continue to get better or are they near their production peak and should be moved while their value is at it's highest and before they demand much more expensive deals?
5. Is there something better?
No fan likes to give up on their own player especially when they are showing signs of improvement. They are only willing to discuss trading players that haven't done much but by consequence then have little trade value. What is in Neil's bag of analytics, research and gut instinct makes him feel like he could move a piece that has shown potential but get something back that will be even better for the team in the long run? That is perhaps the most difficult of all....moving an asset that is good or getting better for a bit of an unknown that you believe could be even better. Risk/Reward is not for the faint of heart.
Some or all of these things are what GM's around the league will ponder over the next few days but these particular issues are what Neil and the Blazer management staff will mull over in the next few days.
Let the Rumors fly.
1. How serious is this run despite what might happen in the Playoffs?
This team has completely over performed expectations. When that happened in the past, Neil chose not to do anything and just let it ride out and the team ended on a 13 game losing streak after battling for the #8 playoff seed for a good portion of the season. Does this team have a better run in them and do you 'give to get' in a year that the top 3 teams in the West may all have 60+ wins?
2. Let it ride out....and reward the team financially
Because the Blazers are so far under the cap, if they don't make any moves, the players will divide up the difference between the current team salary and the minimum required salary mandated by the CBA. This team has battled hard and come together as a group. Is it worth pulling money off the table from them to take on something like David Lee's salary just to get a poor future Draft pick? I would submit the good will earned from giving the players money outweighs the $3Million it might take to buy a pick in the future. Now if you were to really get something worthwhile, that is a different story.
3. How long till the Blazers get a return on a player who is leaving?
Oden, Roy, Aldridge, Lopez, Matthews, Afflalo, Freeland, Wright....the list is endless of Blazer players who have left for absolutely nothing but freed up cap space. Does Neil add Kaman and Henderson to that list this summer in a year that most teams will have a ton of Cap Space thereby negating much of its value to the Blazers?
4. How much more potential do players like CJ, Crabbe and Meyers have?
CJ has because what many thought he could be but just couldn't get the minutes due to Matthews and injuries. Crabbe has blossomed into a solid bench contributor who can score and play defense. Meyers has.....well, looked much better when he plays Center and not so good when he plays the stretch '4'. Will these players continue to get better or are they near their production peak and should be moved while their value is at it's highest and before they demand much more expensive deals?
5. Is there something better?
No fan likes to give up on their own player especially when they are showing signs of improvement. They are only willing to discuss trading players that haven't done much but by consequence then have little trade value. What is in Neil's bag of analytics, research and gut instinct makes him feel like he could move a piece that has shown potential but get something back that will be even better for the team in the long run? That is perhaps the most difficult of all....moving an asset that is good or getting better for a bit of an unknown that you believe could be even better. Risk/Reward is not for the faint of heart.
Some or all of these things are what GM's around the league will ponder over the next few days but these particular issues are what Neil and the Blazer management staff will mull over in the next few days.
Let the Rumors fly.
