Would you be upset if Neil Oshley and Paul Allen decided to blow it up and..

[BigGameDamian]

make everyone available except for Lillard and Batum? Just tank the season, Stock pile picks and trade Aldridge for a potential top 3 draft pick and hopefully the top pick. Perhaps this is jumping the gun but this could be for the future as well if things continue.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

Yes.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Dwight Jaynes, is that you?

 

[3RA1N1AC]

LMA to wizards for seraphin and their unpro #1

 

[GriLtCheeZ]

Yes, I'd be pissed if they blew it up. That would be completely unnecessary at this point. The rebuild is underway on looks to be on schedule as far as I can tell. However, I don't want this team to lose out on a lottery pick in the next draft even in a weak class. So I do hope they tank a bit which they can probably manage just by cutting the starters minutes down a bit.

 

[maxiep]

Um...isn't this team pretty much shrapnel except for Lillard and Aldridge? How can you blow it up any more?

 

[Mediocre Man]

I'd be overjoyed

 

[BlazerCaravan]

I wouldn't cry.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Um...isn't this team pretty much shrapnel except for Lillard and Aldridge? How can you blow it up any more?

That was my first thought. This is a smoking crater, with some potential building blocks (Lillard, possibly Nicolas and maybe LaMarcus) "blowing it up" would be like throwing a stick of dynamite into the world trade center 10 minutes after the planes hit.

 

[HailBlazers]

riiight

 

[mook]

Um...isn't this team pretty much shrapnel except for Lillard and Aldridge? How can you blow it up any more?

Trading Aldridge, Hickson and Matthews for younger pieces/draft picks in hopes of drafting or developing or trading for a true superstar. In doing so, tanking so that instead of finishing the season with 35 wins we have maybe 26 and a shot at a top 3 draft pick.

I'm not saying we should, but it's certainly possible to blow it up much more than it is.

Personally, I'd rather see us try to pull off some lopsided trades with our cap space first. But I have to think Aldridge/Hickson/Matthews could net some pretty nice prospects.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

Trading Aldridge, Hickson and Matthews for younger pieces/draft picks in hopes of drafting or developing or trading for a true superstar. In doing so, tanking so that instead of finishing the season with 35 wins we have maybe 26 and a shot at a top 3 draft pick.

I'm not saying we should, but it's certainly possible to blow it up much more than it is.

Personally, I'd rather see us try to pull off some lopsided trades with our cap space first. But I have to think Aldridge/Hickson/Matthews could net some pretty nice prospects.

I think Hickson has to agree to be traded and if he is trade both he (and the team he goes to) loses the Bird Rights on him. Doubt he is moved.

 

[HailBlazers]

Trading Aldridge, Hickson and Matthews for younger pieces/draft picks in hopes of drafting or developing or trading for a true superstar. In doing so, tanking so that instead of finishing the season with 35 wins we have maybe 26 and a shot at a top 3 draft pick..

Yea let's do that! Easy Right?

 

[blue9]

I wouldn't even mind trading Lillard [gasp], as long as the trade brought us back some really excellent, proven, young talent. But it's imperative that we trade LMA.
The only player on our team that can be compared to champions at his position is Nic - he's our Prince/Battier/Posey/Bowen (better than all of them, but not the key guy on a championship team). Keep Nic as "champioship glue" and trade anyone/everyone else to bring in the key players to a championship.

 

[mikeg]

If you could get a potential top 5 pick and a decent bench guy for LMA, then I'd do it. At this point, Hickson is in many ways a better PF. Moving LMA would also open up minutes for Leonard, who I think could really blossom with more action.

 

[blue9]

I wish there was a way we could trade him for Ibaka & Lamb. Or that we had traded him for Harden...although I still don't know that I want Harden on a max contract.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Again, trading Aldridge needs a certain type of team, and it is tough to find those teams. Teams a player away, either in real life or in their own minds, that also has good young prospects and picks

 

[RR7]

Again, trading Aldridge needs a certain type of team, and it is tough to find those teams. Teams a player away, either in real life or in their own minds, that also has good young prospects and picks

Houston is one. Only issue I have with it is ALL their young guys are PFs. Wonder if we'd be able to flip one to somewhere like Memphis, for Wroten.
Not that they are 1 player away, but can see Philly liking a Jrue/Aldridge/maybe some day Bynum combo. SA moving Leonard for him, and finding a successor in a way to Duncan. Indy upgrading West to Aldridge, and having him locked up, for George+. Just a few random thoughts.

 

[blue9]

Agreed. That's why I think OKC is kind of realistic, except for the salaries (though honestly I don't think either team would exchange LMA/Ibaka). They probably think they can win it all without doing anything. But I think they need one more piece to really challenge MIA.
I can, however, see SAC making the trade just for the appearance of trying to make the team "better"...same with WAS.
GS could potentially be one of those teams that thinks they are one guy away from competing. And HOU seems to be a team desperate to add another big name to go with HARDEN/lin.

 

[magnifier661]

That was my first thought. This is a smoking crater, with some potential building blocks (Lillard, possibly Nicolas and maybe LaMarcus) "blowing it up" would be like throwing a stick of dynamite into the world trade center 10 minutes after the planes hit.

What about Matthews?

 

[magnifier661]

You really don't need to blow anything up. We aren't as bad as you think and I think Matthews and Hickson could be used to bring back a low post center. Then use the cap room to try and bring in a couple vets and we are in good shape.

The only reason why I said "Matthews" is he is valuable and has a great tradeable contract. Hickson would be an issue because he would have to forefit his "Bird Rights" if he goes in a package deal.

Although, maybe using Babbitt and Matthews would work; because we have cap room to absorb a larger salary in return. Then this summer; we could use Hickson for a sign and trade; with a lopsided salary as well; since we will have more cap room.

 

[Chaser]

That was my first thought. This is a smoking crater, with some potential building blocks (Lillard, possibly Nicolas and maybe LaMarcus) "blowing it up" would be like throwing a stick of dynamite into the world trade center 10 minutes after the planes hit.

So much for chemistry

 

[Boise Blazer]

Im coming to grips with a youth movement and as much as I want to win watching the young guys grow and shock the world occasionally is still pretty fun. And ultimately it will always be ingrained in me to root for the Blazers no matter what. I would love to see what Dame, Meyers and CJ can do as the focal point of the team. But the more the roster shapes up the more I do have a few concerns:

1) As others have mentioned Im curious how this group will work with Stotts. I feel he has earned a shot but personnel-wise and play style-wise it might not work. It seems to me that we will need to play almost a completely different style of ball. So I say give him a shot but the trigger quick and early next year if obviously isnt working.

2) Im not completely sold on Plumlee. Im willing to see what happens but we will see.

3) I realized Dame just extended and ultimately its his choice but I hope the process doesnt wear him out or sour him after winning early in his career.

 

[magnifier661]

What's your definition of blowing up?

 

[Nikolokolus]

"Suck for Luck" . . . Oh wait? Wrong sport, but you get the idea.

 

[BBert]

Losing four starters from a solid playoff team and replacing them with young backups and projects.

That sure seems like blowing it up to me.

 

[Charcoal Filtered]

What's your definition of blowing up?

It would have been doing exactly what we are doing this offseason except getting something in return.

Props to BGD for creating this thread at the time. Great reading back what the thoughts were.

 

[Charcoal Filtered]

"Suck for Luck" . . . Oh wait? Wrong sport, but you get the idea.

Nothing really catchy for next year's group. Guess you could go to "Brown Town" for #3 mock projection Jaylen Brown.

 

[magnifier661]

It would have been doing exactly what we are doing this offseason except getting something in return.

Props to BGD for creating this thread at the time. Great reading back what the thoughts were.

I'm actually opening up to life without Aldridge now. I know we are going to suck, but I have more confidence in Neil to put it back together the right way. I also have confidence in Dame to be a better leader through the process.

We might be in good shape if Aldridge wants Miami because we could get back Windslow and Whiteside to speed up the life without Aldridge.

Another reason why I'm a little more excited is we can finally put an end to the Roy era chapter.