PDXKnight wrote:Norm2953 wrote:Teams who want to win are choosing where to settle on the apron.
The Celtics chose to keep their championship together for their payroll is $5 million above the second
apron and will be $16 million above the following season. The Nuggets chose to avoid the second
apron when they let KCP walk.
It does appear the league moving forward will place a premium on finding good young players on
rookie contracts which is why I hated Portland punting on their second round picks. I don't mind
the Deni trade for he's a solid young player on a great contract but I think Portland will miss Brogdon's
steady play and could have used Tyler Kolek, who might have played a Dave Twardzik role on next
years team.
We need minutes for scoot and sharpe and as good of a vet as brogdon was he hindered their development as does simons.
I just don't see things this way at all, and continue to be baffled by the OCD-level of DESIRE to trade our best young player. I also think that Brogden's Veteran experience likely had a very positive effect on Scoot and Simons' development, but the time has now come for those two, along with Sharpe, to show the NBA the New-Era Blazers. Minutes are of no concern to me... Simple math: PG(48)+SG(48) minutes equal 96 minutes. Divide that by 3 and you have 32 mpg for Simons, Scoot and Sharpe.
We are locked and loaded at the 3 with Grant, Deni and Camara. We have the option of going small with both Grant and Deni on the floor together. Personally, I can't wait to see it. And we also have Thybulle, AS-NEEDED at the 2 and 3.
The Bigs continue to be a work in progress, but I think we are clearly headed in the right direction. If TL returns healed (HUGE "If"), we should have a really solid group for this season with Ayton, TL, Walker, Reath and Clingan.
As for FREE-AGENCY, I think that we are waiting to see how the current cast of characters play out and will wait til the Trade Deadline. At that time, if we find ourselves surprisingly competetive with playoff potential (quite possible IMO), we may look at the free-agency market and become buyers to add some finishing touches, but I kinda doubt we do anything then either.
And finally... In regards to the coming draft... BOOZER is MY guy!
RIP CITY Bitches! I think we could make a whole hell of a lot of noise THIS YEAR, and can't wait for the season to start