2020 free agent targets and draft picks

[d-train]

Bertans can't defend the ball. In fact, Bertans doesn't have any strength defensively. Melo isn't good at defending the ball, but his team defense is ok. If we have a roster spot for a player that isn't good defending the ball, I would rather keep Melo. Gallo also isn't good defending the ball, but at least his team defense is comparable to Melo's.

Who do we have that can defend the ball? (Ariza, CJ, Trent, and Lillard) This is not a strong lineup of defenders. Maybe Little can be a defender, I don't know. We certainly can't use a roster spot on a player that can shoot but not defend.

[mighty_duck]

I see two paths forward with Whiteside -
1. Sign him to a "reasonable" 3 year contract (30 million?).
2. Sign him to an unreasonable one year contract - basically as high as we can pay while still keeping the non-tax payer MLE. This will give us some options at the trade deadline or the following summer.

Either way, that should be the first item of business once free agency starts. If he signs elsewhere, we lose a useful piece without getting anything in return.

[HoopsFanAZ]

Deleted.

[d-train]

I see two paths forward with Whiteside -
1. Sign him to a "reasonable" 3 year contract (30 million?).
2. Sign him to an unreasonable one year contract - basically as high as we can pay while still keeping the non-tax payer MLE. This will give us some options at the trade deadline or the following summer.

Either way, that should be the first item of business once free agency starts. If he signs elsewhere, we lose a useful piece without getting anything in return.

Number 2 depends on the amount of the 'unreasonable' contract. It isn't really in Blazers budget to pay more than what I would consider a reasonable amount. Of course, I don't know what the market will be for Whiteside or what Whiteside and his agent wants to get. I suspect the highest we can pay and retain the non-tax MLE and complete the roster for under the luxury tax threshold, is what is reasonable from the Blazers perspective and is what they will offer. This does not mean that Whiteside might not get a better offer and sign elsewhere.

[DeBlazerRiddem]

Jaden McDaniels may be starting to put it together a little bit, named pac-12 freshman of the week. Still overall a pretty disappointing season, but maybe showing some growth and I think if he is there at our pick that is a lot of potential to pass up on. He could be a kind of a poor mans Brandon Ingram and I could see him as an Anfernee Simons type of pick where they know it will take a couple years.


Also, talking really late or potentially undrafted players I think Borisa Simanic has a legit 3 point stroke as a 7 foot Euro. Doesn't really stand out for much else of course that is why he is projected as a late late second rounder but if he adds some mass I think he may be able to stick in this league as a stretch big.

[Goldbum]

If Obi Toppin falls to us we have to take him right?

[Goldbum]

If Obi Toppin falls to us we have to take him right?

[Goldbum]

Sorry double post uggghhh....

[HoopsFanAZ]

Deleted.

[whatchaknow]

If Obi Toppin falls to us we have to take him right?

I mean he’s the best player I’ve seen in college basketball this year. His floor is probably Thomas Robinson but I see a lot of amare stoudemire in his game even his shooting form is reminiscent. His potential would be hard to pass on and same with wiseman but both probably go top 5 so I don’t see how they’d fall to us. A 2 way wing would be a more need but i think we’re firmly in BPA right now though a guard would be a shock

[Matt800]

If Obi Toppin falls to us we have to take him right?

IMO ... yes.
A third big is needed if HWEC is gone.

Blazers win, Memphis loses, Memphis next and Nurkic returns soon. 8th is there for the taking. Upsetting the Lakers would be too good to hope for, so I'm still in the close but no cigar camp. BLPA (best lottery pick available).

One nice thing about playing LA would be they are probably the favorites to win the championship, so that’s good experience for the team especially the young guys. And with zach and nurk they might be able to match up decently with LA. In my opinion if they make the playoffs it took some very good play to get there so they might actually put up a fight

[Goldbum]

Would you guys offer Christian Wood the full mid level exemption to sign with Portland? Seems like a near perfect fit to me.

[tester551]

Would you guys offer Christian Wood the full mid level exemption to sign with Portland? Seems like a near perfect fit to me.

I was all aboard signing him when he was an UFA in the G-league.
I'd still like to sign him, but the full MLE is too much IMO. He's a little bit of a head case & this will be his first time with 'real money'. I don't like the idea of him on a 4-yr/$50m contract.

[Village Idiot]

I'm having a hard time getting excited about this draft. It's very guard heavy at the top.

If drafting for needs, 3+D SF, Isaac Okoro is my preference.

The Stepien has really solid scouting reports BTW.

https://www.thestepien.com/2020/01/26/isaac-okoro-scouting-report/

II. Defense
PlusesBoasts upper-tier speed in both East-West and North-South directions. Capable of quickly swapping hips mid-backpedal and is rarely caught off balance. Weight is on toes in dicier situations. Has plus-level acceleration and top speed to shadow the offense, recover, and close out. Openly face-guards and periodically hits the opposition with a full-court press; lateral speed, vertical leap, strength, IQ, and quick reflexes give him massive amounts to work with

VII. Overall Outlook
As of late January 2020, Isaac Okoro offers a uniquely well-rounded game with the potential to instantly contribute at the next level on defense. There are no guarantees of dynamic on-ball play or reliable shooting in the immediate future, however, which may limit his potential for “top pick” consideration. Nonetheless, Isaac’s all-around prospects suggest that he may be the best candidate for his archetype: for any team that is intrigued by a heady wing that projects for a high “floor” and sneaky upside, a selection landing as high as the #7-10 range would be warranted.

[HoopsFanAZ]

Deleted.

[GEE]

So sad with no hoop on, but going into next year, Whiteside is again my top priority.

There's a 3rd contract option that may be even more likely with him. A two-year (1 yr + 2nd yr PO), like the contract Hood received. Either way, I need him back, and worry late at night about him signing with another team, especially a smart one like the Warriors. If he likes it here and stays, we could start here:

Dame / Simons
CJ / Trent
Ariza / Little / Hood(IR)
Collins
Nurkic / Whiteside

This leaves me feeling really good about our core of guards and bigs, and loving the gift(stop-gap) that is Ariza. So with two picks(maybe a good one), and some players that COULD possibly be resigned, I think the discussion for how to fill the remaining five roster spots, is a great one.

My #1 decision is with the 2nd round pick. I want Peyton Pritchard. That leaves 4 spots, a need for depth, and a decision about what to do with the FRP. I hope we use it, and I hope Olshey already has his eyes on another sleeper. I said before, BPA is fine, but would prefer someone 6'6-6'9 with length. I like really like Little and think he's a keeper to back up SG/SF. I hope we can strike it rich again with a SF/PF version.

3 spots left. Melo? Maybe later. I think I most wold like to see Skal make a return to the Rose City, to back up Collins, but I think he may get a much better offer. Christian Wood was mentioned earlier, and I love the idea. He's had a hard road so far... wonder why? Could also look real nice backing up Collins. Can he play the SF? That would make him even more interesting. Looks like he can shoot the 3. Anyway, players like Wood are what I'm on the hunt for. The Melo story was nice, but I think I'd rather gamble on others. Let's assume for now that Wood is a diamond in the ruff free-agent...

That leaves just two remaining spots. I've said before that I suspect Wenyon Gabriel was far from a throw in, and could be really good in a year or two. Think he's a keeper. Siakam 2.0

With the final spot, I want a third Center. I like Moses Brown, more than any washed up stiff. Banks closed on guys like Pau. Not sure if Wood is the one, but everything else I would hope to see.

Dame / Simons / Pritchard
CJ / Trent / Hood(IR)
Ariza / Little / FRP
Collins / Wood / Gabriel
Nurkic / Whiteside / Moses

[d-train]

The options were straight forward a month or so ago. Now, with the revenue impact of the China coronavirus, I don't know how the cap adjustments are going to affect things. Every team is going to get hit and players looking for contracts this summer might get hit real hard. It could be the inverse of the ballooning cap and salaries of 2016.

[JasonStern]

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[Village Idiot]

I love Pritchard's game and can see him carving out a career for himself. He's very much in the Fred Vanvleet mold. I would be very happy if we were able to get him with a 2nd.

[d-train]

I love Pritchard's game and can see him carving out a career for himself. He's very much in the Fred Vanvleet mold. I would be very happy if we were able to get him with a 2nd.

VanVleet is probably a max or very close to max player. Pritchard will be an early lottery pick if he is very much like VanVleet.