Rumor Woj says the Blazers are one of the teams most interested in a wing upgrade at the deadline

[santeesioux]

There are far more teams chasing wing players -- shooting guard/small forwards -- than quality talent available at those positions. Drafts have been lean on those spots in recent years, and they're in great demand now.

Detroit, New Orleans, New York and Portland are a few of the teams most interested in upgrades, but the true list is much longer.

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/pag...ines-potential-deals-watch-adrian-wojnarowski

Not really sure if this is worth it's own thread, but oh well.

 

[chris_in_pdx]

No shit sherlock

 

[jlprk]

As I have posted, a GM can manufacture a shooting, dribbling SF by finding a 6-6 shooting, dribbling SG. Or, change the coach's system to make wings interchangeable.

The point is that if the league lacks SFs, the league needs to lower its height standards. When I started watching the NBA, the champ Lakers SF was 6-4 1/2 Jim McMillian. 6-6 SFs were still common until a decade ago.

 

[calvin natt]

But we have Al faruq Aminu we are all set thanks

 

[riverman]

College coaches seem to make players play center and power forward when they are actually suited for PF/SF......I think this is why so few 6'6 wings are not ball handling shooters...Pat Connaughton lived in the paint in college...smart guy..he adapted from being a "big" in Notre Dame to a "small" in the NBA

 

[riverman]

I'd look to the Euro league to find a small forward at this point seeing as there are so few NBA vets at the position that are not signed

 

[Scalma]

No shit sherlock

It's funny how little Woj ever expands on Portlands interests and targets. That's not an accident. He probably had to run this little blurb by Neil too loll.

 

[e_blazer]

If Mo has finally come out of his pout/stupor and will continue playing anything like he did last night, I'm not sure that there's a SF to be had on the market that's any better.

 

[Boob-No-More]

If Mo has finally come out of his pout/stupor and will continue playing anything like he did last night, I'm not sure that there's a SF to be had on the market that's any better.

I think Moe is showcasing himself - playing well in hope it will increase his trade value. If he doesn't get traded by the deadline, look for the poutfest to resume.

BNM

 

[Sarni]

If Mo has finally come out of his pout/stupor and will continue playing anything like he did last night, I'm not sure that there's a SF to be had on the market that's any better.

Moe has had about five decent games this season. We need an upgrade, even at his best last season he wasn't that amazing to begin with. Good, yes, but ultimately you need better to win.

 

[Hobbesarable]

If Mo has finally come out of his pout/stupor and will continue playing anything like he did last night, I'm not sure that there's a SF to be had on the market that's any better.

Trade him once his value is high enough. We don't need a SF taking off part of the season effort-wise and then comes back in a few games here and there.

 

[e_blazer]

Did I say I want to keep Moe long term? I said there may not be anyone better who's available on the market. I'd be happy if Olshey can find one, however.

 

[jlprk]

If Mo has finally come out of his pout/stupor and will continue playing anything like he did last night, I'm not sure that there's a SF to be had on the market that's any better.

We don't have a forward who's a top dribbler (Harkless isn't), except Turner, which is why Olshey got Turner. But we need a SF who is both a top dribbler and top shooter.

Unless you have a superstar, you have to sacrifice at least one of shooting, dribbling, or height. I say, try height.

 

[riverman]

We don't need a SF taking off part of the season effort-wise

 

[illmatic99]

I wonder if Dallas makes Harrison Barnes available. He's not good enough to be a foundation piece, but as a fourth man, he'd be ideal (save for his salary).

 

[Boob-No-More]

Moe has had about five decent games this season. We need an upgrade, even at his best last season he wasn't that great to begin with.

Last year, he was exactly average, for a starting SF. At this point, average would be an upgrade. With Turner at PER = 9.7 and Harkless ar PER = 10.1, we definitely need an upgrade.

The article says the Knicks are also one of the teams looking for an upgrade. I'd gladly take Courtney Lee off their hands. He's shooting .422 3FG%, leading the league in FT% at .961. He'd be a great third guard to pair with Dame and C.J. and could play spot minutes at SF in small ball/3-guard line ups.

Yeah, he's old(ish), but he'd be a big upgrade over Turner and much more consistent than Moe.

Harkless + Napier for Lee works and saves us a little money, but Harkless + Davis + Napier for Lee + O'Quinn saves us enough money to JUST get under the tax threshold.

This assumes we don't plan on re-signing Napier. O'Quinn is an upgrade over Davis and a better fit next to Nurk (or backing him up) due to a reliable midrange jumper and excellent passing ability. He's also an elite rim protector.

NYK supposedly coverted Moe last summer. This lets them buy low, they get an O'Quinn replacement in Davis and add a solid PG, which they desperately need, in Napier (and they retain the right to match any offers he receives next summer).

So, Harkless + Davis + Napier for Lee and O'Quinn, who says no and why?

BNM

 

[lawai'a]

woj hinted at a utah-mirotic connection/interest.
maybe alec burk and a chicago second here for
harkless,napier and a utah second to chicago and
mirotic to utah
i would swap jerian grant for the second from utah if we had too but baldwin's play in the g league might make the need for a back up point included unnecessary
i like shabazz but will cost some to resign and might lose for nothing.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Can't we just stretch CJ into a small forward?

 

[AFully22]

Detroit’s in the market for a wing? Tobias Harris has been really good this year so that’s surprising. Send him our way if you don’t think he’s good enough god damn

 

[lawai'a]

Detroit’s in the market for a wing? Tobias Harris has been really good this year so that’s surprising. Send him our way if you don’t think he’s good enough god damn

woj said detroit is a buyer more than a seller

 

[Boob-No-More]

We don't have a forward who's a top dribbler (Harkless isn't), except Turner, which is why Olshey got Turner. But we need a SF who is both a top dribbler and top shooter.

Unless you have a superstar, you have to sacrifice at least one of shooting, dribbling, or height. I say, try height.

What do you think if Courtney Lee (6'5")? He's a great shooter (.422 3FG%, .961 FT%). I'm not sure if I'd call him a great dribbler, but he's good enough to create his own shot (only assisted on .441 of his 2FGs) without turning the ball over (10.2 TOV% is good for a wing and much better than Turner's 15.7 TOV%).

BNM

 

[BBert]

No shit sherlock

Yeah, my first thought was: "Thanks, Captain Obvious"

 

[e_blazer]

Can't we just stretch CJ into a small forward?

I've never heard of a stretch 3 before, but this idea is worth consideration.

 

[illmatic99]

If Moe can consistently give us 10/6 with decent defense and OK percentages, we'd not even be looking. He had his chance. Disappointing.

 

[BBert]

If Moe can consistently give us 10/6 with decent defense and OK percentages, we'd not even be looking. He had his chance. Disappointing.

On the other hand, over the last couple of weeks he seems to be taking advantage of his second chance. I'd be interested in how his numbers and PER and such look just since he's been reinserted into the lineup? Of course the proof would be if he continues his recent play for the rest of the season. If the Blazers suspect he won't, then by all means trade him.

 

[AFully22]

woj said detroit is a buyer more than a seller

Yea plus they are probably looking for an upgrade at the 4 or 2. But in order to be a buyer don’t you kind of have to be a seller? Lol I mean you have to send SOMETHING out.

 

[illmatic99]

On the other hand, over the last couple of weeks he seems to be taking advantage of his second chance. I'd be interested in how his numbers and PER and such look just since he's been reinserted into the lineup? Of course the proof would be if he continues his recent play for the rest of the season. If the Blazers suspect he won't, then by all means trade him.

He has never been consistent-- that's my biggest problem. There was a stretch of about ten games last winter where he showed signs, but it never lasted. I have no problem with mediocre production if you get what you expect night in and night out.

There are days when he drops 19 and looks stellar defensively, and the next game he lays an egg and looks completely disinterested. This shouldn't happen when you're in your 6th year and getting paid eight figures. The tools are clearly there, but we are way past the point of waiting.

 

[Orion Bailey]

Last year, he was exactly average, for a starting SF. At this point, average would be an upgrade. With Turner at PER = 9.7 and Harkless ar PER = 10.1, we definitely need an upgrade.

The article says the Knicks are also one of the teams looking for an upgrade. I'd gladly take Courtney Lee off their hands. He's shooting .422 3FG%, leading the league in FT% at .961. He'd be a great third guard to pair with Dame and C.J. and could play spot minutes at SF in small ball/3-guard line ups.

Yeah, he's old(ish), but he'd be a big upgrade over Turner and much more consistent than Moe.

Harkless + Napier for Lee works and saves us a little money, but Harkless + Davis + Napier for Lee + O'Quinn saves us enough money to JUST get under the tax threshold.

This assumes we don't plan on re-signing Napier. O'Quinn is an upgrade over Davis and a better fit next to Nurk (or backing him up) due to a reliable midrange jumper and excellent passing ability. He's also an elite rim protector.

NYK supposedly coverted Moe last summer. This lets them buy low, they get an O'Quinn replacement in Davis and add a solid PG, which they desperately need, in Napier (and they retain the right to match any offers he receives next summer).

So, Harkless + Davis + Napier for Lee and O'Quinn, who says no and why?

BNM

I say no. That backup PG is much more valuable to us than we think.

 

[BrianFromWA]

I've never heard of a stretch 3 before, but this idea is worth consideration.

I think we saw that when Nate wanted to keep starting Blanky, but couldn't bench Miller, so we ran the Blake/Miller/(Roy as a stretch 3) lineup

 

[Mediocre Man]

Maybe stop trading away picks and drafting PF/C and we could have a wing