You be the GM: What moves would you make to save our season?

[Natebishop3]

Wiggins isn't an excellent defender or even above-average, and there's nothing to think he ever will be. He doesn't have the motor.

Athleticism? We don't run the floor or throw lobs or anything like that, so that's pretty meaningless.

There's many shooters who haven't. Aminu and Harkless were 34% and 27% from 3pt last year.

Those players just aren't good fits, and they're both overpaid for 3+ seasons.

I don't know how me saying he was "supposed to be an excellent defender coming out of college" has anything to do with him currently being a shit defender. They're two completely different points. The guy needs a change of scenery. Maybe if he changes to a better culture he will improve defensively.

 

[MARIS61]

My plan begins with the TARDIS.

 

[julius]

My plan begins with the TARDIS.

Funny you mention that, I just started watching tonight's episode of Doctor Who.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

1) Dame and CJ have played better defense in seasons past.

2) What is left of this roster is still better than their standing.

There is something wrong that goes beyond all of the injuries. This is a dysfunctional group, playing below their talent level.

I disagree their talent level is bottom 5ish in the NBA with the injuries. Most teams the Blazers bench would struggle to crack the rotation, there is also a reason no one wanted Melo, he’s not good, the best you can say for him is he’s a better distraction than Tolliver is, but his advanced stats are horrible. Dame and CJ + Stotts system needs certain defenders to work that they dont have. Stotts should do more to change it up but he wont.

 

[hoopsjock]

I disagree their talent level is bottom 5ish in the NBA with the injuries. Most teams the Blazers bench would struggle to crack the rotation, there is also a reason no one wanted Melo, he’s not good, the best you can say for him is he’s a better distraction than Tolliver is, but his advanced stats are horrible. Dame and CJ + Stotts system needs certain defenders to work that they dont have. Stotts should do more to change it up but he wont.

Just curious why you are so high on Harrison Barnes if this is your outlook on Melo?

Edit: This is meant as an argument, I'm genuinely curious.

 

[CupWizier]

Just curious why you are so high on Harrison Barnes if this is your outlook on Melo?

Edit: This is meant as an argument, I'm genuinely curious.

Lol, pretty sure you meant not an argument

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

Just curious why you are so high on Harrison Barnes if this is your outlook on Melo?

Edit: This is meant as an argument, I'm genuinely curious.

I don't think Barnes is like Michael Jordan or something... I just think he would be a decent fit, and I think right now he's a better player than Melo. I think he would fit well as 3 while Hood is out or if Hood never returns to his former self.

Also think Barnes fits the bill of someone under contract (even though I think he's being paid too much), so they aren't relying on Free Agency.

The trade I had with Dedmon was because I think he's an ok back up big to Nurk, and Ferrell is at least a PG, I'm not sure what we have against having an actual backup PG... When everyone is healthy though, You either have Hood or Barnes coming off the bench.

 

[wizenheimer]

I'm curious,
Obviously you're convinced CJ can't be a #2 on a championship team. Do you believe Lillard can be the #1 guy on a championship team? (and if you don't why are'nt you saying you want a Dame trade every minute like you do with CJ?)

IMO, Dame can be a 1a or 1b on a championship team as long as the other option is at least at Dame's level. Somebody like Paul George. Portland at least needs a big-2, and they don't have anything like that right now. They need another perennial all-star otherwise they are spinning their wheels while looking at more talented teams gaining traction

but CJ is taking all the air out of the room with his usage, his ball-dominance, and his contract. He uses possessions and consumes the salary cap at the level of a perpetual all-star, but his efficiency and impact aren't anywhere close to all-star level

and to you other point about Dame's size, age, and position, I tend to agree, at least in this sense: Portland is too dependent on Dame because not only is he Portland's best scoring option, by far, he's also the only Blazer capable of consistently running the offense while also being a big scoring threat. That's a heavy burden on Dame, and it leaves Portland vulnerable on nights when Dame isn't both scoring and play-making well.

the Dame/CJ pairing is simply not good enough to make for a contender

 

[hoopsjock]

Lol, pretty sure you meant not an argument

LMAO, yes

 

[hoopsjock]

View attachment 29478

I don't think Barnes is like Michael Jordan or something... I just think he would be a decent fit, and I think right now he's a better player than Melo. I think he would fit well as 3 while Hood is out or if Hood never returns to his former self.

Also think Barnes fits the bill of someone under contract (even though I think he's being paid too much), so they aren't relying on Free Agency.

The trade I had with Dedmon was because I think he's an ok back up big to Nurk, and Ferrell is at least a PG, I'm not sure what we have against having an actual backup PG... When everyone is healthy though, You either have Hood or Barnes coming off the bench.

When I looked at those stats before asking you the question, I just don't see a big enough difference to warrant both wanting to trade for Barnes or bashing Melo.

 

[GhostOfPGA]

Whiteside for Capela+Tucker

Baze+Trent for Gallo

 

[hoopsjock]

Whiteside for Capela+Tucker

Baze+Trent for Gallo

You do know the other team has to agree to the trade too right?

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

When I looked at those stats before asking you the question, I just don't see a big enough difference to warrant both wanting to trade for Barnes or bashing Melo.

Well, their somewhat comparable, but Barnes is better IMO. Melo is supposed to be good offensively, but he's not, barnes TS% is quite a bit better, he passes the ball, where as Melo really doesn't. Barnes is a better player. The thing is, I'm not saying Barnes is great, but he's a long versatile athlete, hitting his prime with no real injury history, also Barnes BPM is -1.2, Melo's is -3.3 that's fairly significant, not that either is good.
I don't think trading for Barnes is some heavy weight move that'll bring the Blazers to a championship, but at least he is tall enough to fit a role the Blazers need and knows his role in the NBA. Win shares get brought up a bunch in here and Barnes doubles melo's...

 

[Hobbesarable]

You do know the other team has to agree to the trade too right?

I see you are playing nice. I laughed when I read that trade proposition.

 

[damianlillard]

Probably wouldn't be the first thing I do, but somewhere on the list I would try to lure a scout from the nuggets or the heats cause they're always finding those diamond in the rough type guys.

 

[Phatguysrule]

So you think Dame can do what prime CP3 couldn't.
I do wonder if a small, 30+ year old PG can lead a team to a championship nowadays, especially when there's a decline in performance during those years.

If you trade CJ for a role player\regular starter then you're expecting Dame to lead this team to a championship with the whole team on his back. Yikes.

CP3 has never built a team experience like Dame has. Dame is a far superior leader.

 

[Blazers Roy]

IMO, Dame can be a 1a or 1b on a championship team as long as the other option is at least at Dame's level. Somebody like Paul George. Portland at least needs a big-2, and they don't have anything like that right now. They need another perennial all-star otherwise they are spinning their wheels while looking at more talented teams gaining traction

but CJ is taking all the air out of the room with his usage, his ball-dominance, and his contract. He uses possessions and consumes the salary cap at the level of a perpetual all-star, but his efficiency and impact aren't anywhere close to all-star level

and to you other point about Dame's size, age, and position, I tend to agree, at least in this sense: Portland is too dependent on Dame because not only is he Portland's best scoring option, by far, he's also the only Blazer capable of consistently running the offense while also being a big scoring threat. That's a heavy burden on Dame, and it leaves Portland vulnerable on nights when Dame isn't both scoring and play-making well.

the Dame/CJ pairing is simply not good enough to make for a contender

The problem with all of that is: if you "get rid" of CJ, where the hell are you gonna get a Forward like Kawai, Siakem, George,Lebron or prime KD? it's so impossible that it makes me believe the only alternative is a complete reboot.

 

[Lanny]

Here's what I would I would do.

1. Pray for a miracle;
2. Threaten the team doctor with firing him unless he got Nurkic, Collins and Hood back healthy again, pronto;
3. Find an adequate replacement for Gasol and hire him yesterday.

Do those three and we'll be alright. See? Easy peasy.

 

[mook]

I think salvaging this season has sailed. It's about building for the future.

I'd trade CJ for Tobias Harris. That slots Simons in at the starting SG for a test drive, which is where he really belongs.

I think Melo does return, just because he seems happy in Portland and we gave him the chance to come back.

Next year we start the season with Dame/Simons/Harris/Collins/Nurk, with Melo/Hood/Skal coming off the bench. That's a lineup I can get behind.

People looooove shitting on Stotts, but he's really only had one season where he wasn't stuck with the Dame/CJ back court. He was our coach when Matthews blew out his Achilles and what looked like a really deep playoff run was suddenly cut short. He's proven he can coach other types of systems. He's a great development coach, but the problem is with CJ's high usage we don't get to see players like Patty and Napier expand their games.

 

[stampedehero]

It's hopeless. As a fan,I know Surprise comes when you least expect it.

 

[RipCityDSCPL]

Whiteside, Bazemore, and Tolliver to Cleveland for Kevin Love and Tristant Thompson.

Whiteside, Bazemore, and a pick to San Antonio for Lamarcus Aldridge, Patty Mills, and DeMarre Carroll.

These are terrible trades.





CJ is not in any of them.

 

[wizenheimer]

The problem with all of that is: if you "get rid" of CJ, where the hell are you gonna get a Forward like Kawai, Siakem, George,Lebron or prime KD? it's so impossible that it makes me believe the only alternative is a complete reboot.

Portland had an opportunity in 2017 when PG13 was being shopped, but by all reports, Olshey was making CJ untouchable in any trade for George. The first step is for Olshey to stop making players like CJ untouchable when the next elite player goes on the trade docket

 

[e_blazer]

Portland had an opportunity in 2017 when PG13 was being shopped, but by all reports, Olshey was making CJ untouchable in any trade for George. The first step is for Olshey to stop making players like CJ untouchable when the next elite player goes on the trade docket

And how would you be feeling right now if the Blazers had traded CJ to the Pacers for George, and then a year later he took his game to the Clippers and the Blazers got zilch?

 

[Scalma]

And how would you be feeling right now if the Blazers had traded CJ to the Pacers for George, and then a year later he took his game to the Clippers and the Blazers got zilch?

Thunder didn’t get zilch.

 

[Neil O. Shyster]

And how would you be feeling right now if the Blazers had traded CJ to the Pacers for George, and then a year later he took his game to the Clippers and the Blazers got zilch?

Pretty good considering his contract gives him negative value and him being on the court has lead to a record of 8 games under .500. Would be nice to have some cap room and flexibility to truly change the roster around Dame and get out of purgatory.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Thunder didn’t get zilch.

No doubt. I'd probably trade CJ for SGA and Gallinari right now.

 

[Neil O. Shyster]

No doubt. I'd probably trade CJ for SGA and Gallinari right now.

I forgot about that... that would be a steal right now to get Gallinari and Gilgeous-Alexander for CJ

 

[wizenheimer]

And how would you be feeling right now if the Blazers had traded CJ to the Pacers for George, and then a year later he took his game to the Clippers and the Blazers got zilch?

I'd be feeling great because then Portland would have a backcourt of Dame/Shai Gilgous-Alexander/Simons/Trent & Gallinari up front plus 3 extra 1st round picks and the options to swap 2 more firsts. The Blazers would actually have some high value trade assets and could have 30-40M in cap-space next summer if they wanted

not only that, there would be the possibility of having a gallo-melo forward combo which be be lots of fun to say over and over

 

[hoopsjock]

There are three problems with the "Clippers haul" narrative:

1) You'd have to assume that the Pacers would've wanted CJ (it's certainly possible, but not a 100% guarantee).

2) You'd have to assume that Paul George would've re-signed with the Blazers (certainly likely given that he stayed in OKC, but at the time it was a foregone conclusion he wanted to be in LA).

3) While the assets acquired for trading George were bountiful, you still would be trading your star player in the middle of Dame's prime for rebuilding type tools. Maybe he doesn't request a trade if he's on the Blazers and didn't have to play with Westbrook?

 

[CupWizier]

Thunder didn’t get zilch.

5 first round picks along with Gilchrist -Alexander and Galinarri isn't a bad haul for a player that wanted to be traded.