Offseason of talk about LMA potentially leaving the Blazers

[MakDagr]

In Olshey We Trust. I believe we will have a new starting 2, and possibly 5. I'm hopeful LA will give Olshey a short timeline (day or two) to make a move to prove that we are Legit Contenders NOW, otherwise, he's gone. That's my opinion, not anything I've heard from people within the organization.

...Side Note...A Memphis video coordinator told my friend that they will be a dark horse this offseason for Wes. If you think about it, he'd fit PERFECTLY in that Courtney Lee role.

[Downtown]

and I think it's legitimate to wonder about Paul Allen's reaction and his habit of turning suddenly against a GM. if you don't agree, just ask Rich Cho

Didn't they just re-sign Olshey to a new deal and gave him a title promotion during this season? Would Allen be that upset that he kicks him out the door after just giving him a new deal?

[Wizenheimer]

In Olshey We Trust. I believe we will have a new starting 2, and possibly 5. I'm hopeful LA will give Olshey a short timeline (day or two) to make a move to prove that we are Legit Contenders NOW, otherwise, he's gone. That's my opinion, not anything I've heard from people within the organization.

I've been wrong about CJ before, but I don't think he was really auditioning for the starting role but rather the 6th man scoring role. A microwave off the bench

I think his usage rate in those last 3 games was somewhere in the 28-29% range, which is simply too high to fit as a starter with Lillard/Aldridge. I'd also be extremely worried about the defensive liability a Lillard/CJ backcourt would create, especially as a starting unit

Wesley's much lower usage rate and defensive versatility is a much better fit in the starting unit. And while I'd expect CJ to improve in playmaking, him having only 2 assists in 167 minutes of playoff action is another reason to slot him as a 6th man

.

..Side Note...A Memphis video coordinator told my friend that they will be a dark horse this offseason for Wes. If you think about it, he'd fit PERFECTLY in that Courtney Lee role.

I don't see how, they are at around 52 million in guaranteed salary (including 2015 first), and that's before accounting for Gasol's 19 million cap-hold or the cap-holds of Koufos and Calathes

the only way they could have enough cap-space is if Gasol leaves, and then they become a much worse team

[Wizenheimer]

and I think it's legitimate to wonder about Paul Allen's reaction and his habit of turning suddenly against a GM. if you don't agree, just ask Rich Cho

Didn't they just re-sign Olshey to a new deal and gave him a title promotion during this season? Would Allen be that upset that he kicks him out the door after just giving him a new deal?

I think Allen signed a 3 year deal with Cho and less then 10 months later, fired him. Allen also turned on KP pretty quickly

he might have a better relationship with Olshey, but who knows how Allen would react if Portland was suddenly looking like a capped-out lottery team with slim prospects for good draft picks while looking like a rebuild was necessary in the immediate future

[MakDagr]

In Olshey We Trust. I believe we will have a new starting 2, and possibly 5. I'm hopeful LA will give Olshey a short timeline (day or two) to make a move to prove that we are Legit Contenders NOW, otherwise, he's gone. That's my opinion, not anything I've heard from people within the organization.

I've been wrong about CJ before, but I don't think he was really auditioning for the starting role but rather the 6th man scoring role. A microwave off the bench

I think his usage rate in those last 3 games was somewhere in the 28-29% range, which is simply too high to fit as a starter with Lillard/Aldridge. I'd also be extremely worried about the defensive liability a Lillard/CJ backcourt would create, especially as a starting unit

Wesley's much lower usage rate and defensive versatility is a much better fit in the starting unit. And while I'd expect CJ to improve in playmaking, him having only 2 assists in 167 minutes of playoff action is another reason to slot him as a 6th man

.

..Side Note...A Memphis video coordinator told my friend that they will be a dark horse this offseason for Wes. If you think about it, he'd fit PERFECTLY in that Courtney Lee role.

I don't see how, they are at around 52 million in guaranteed salary (including 2015 first), and that's before accounting for Gasol's 19 million cap-hold or the cap-holds of Koufos and Calathes

the only way they could have enough cap-space is if Gasol leaves, and then they become a much worse team

I completely agree with CJ needs to be our 6th man, and play that Jamal/Lou Will role. I know the community of Portland wants Wes back, but he was already not the quickest guy, and it's just a scary injury, but if there's one guy that can shut up the critics...

And yah, they just said that he was their 'dream' player and that they'd be a 'dark horse' this offseason for him.

We have all these roster questions, but I think we need to find ourselves a TRUE backup PG, that can defend and hit the open shot. Feel we haven't had that since the Greg Anthony days. Hopefully Steve will accept more of an Earl Watson role, as a 3rd string pg/mentor. I'm sure Dame wouldn't mind getting a little more rest either.

[Wizenheimer]

We have all these roster questions, but I think we need to find ourselves a TRUE backup PG, that can defend and hit the open shot. Feel we haven't had that since the Greg Anthony days. Hopefully Steve will accept more of an Earl Watson role, as a 3rd string pg/mentor. I'm sure Dame wouldn't mind getting a little more rest either.

one big way Lillard was getting some rest was to slide over to the SG role for a few minutes a game. Relieved him of the duty of implementing the offense and reduced the number of times he was forced into a screen or pick. That won't be happening with CJ & Matthews getting lots of playing time

[MakDagr]

We have all these roster questions, but I think we need to find ourselves a TRUE backup PG, that can defend and hit the open shot. Feel we haven't had that since the Greg Anthony days. Hopefully Steve will accept more of an Earl Watson role, as a 3rd string pg/mentor. I'm sure Dame wouldn't mind getting a little more rest either.

one big way Lillard was getting some rest was to slide over to the SG role for a few minutes a game. Relieved him of the duty of implementing the offense and reduced the number of times he was forced into a screen or pick. That won't be happening with CJ & Matthews getting lots of playing time

Agreed, why I think Tim Frazier might be fun to watch come Summer League, but I want a veteran Shaun Livingston, Jarrett Jack, Patty Mills, DJ Augustin...kind of type.

By the way...Good to hear Terry is the first coach Kaman's had since the Mike Dunleavy days, that he hasn't hated at the end of the season

[The Sebastian Express]

Well, at least LMA's exit interview comments seemed encouraging.

[Downtown]

I haven't heard what he said but I have thought that it's been hyped a bit too much about him wanting to leave. Everyone is looking for a story so they interpret words and phrases as they please.

And of course we like to keep ourselves entertained so we discuss the what ifs even if we don't buy into it as a done deal that he's gone.

[MakDagr]

Well, at least LMA's exit interview comments seemed encouraging.

Liked that he mentioned that Olshey's player's first approach means a lot. Have they already announced officially the extension to the practice facility?

[jeffhardyfan52]

Well, at least LMA's exit interview comments seemed encouraging.

Liked that he mentioned that Olshey's player's first approach means a lot. Have they already announced officially the extension to the practice facility?

Not much of a source but the commentary in NBA 2k15 talks about the practice facility being extended and such

[MakDagr]

Gotta love 2k15 haha Thought I heard some announcement, but the madre is on the Tualatin Community Board, and she passed me a proposal for them to extend the practice facility. Good to see us continuing to try and offer our player's the best facilities.

[Moonbeam]

In Olshey We Trust. I believe we will have a new starting 2, and possibly 5. I'm hopeful LA will give Olshey a short timeline (day or two) to make a move to prove that we are Legit Contenders NOW, otherwise, he's gone. That's my opinion, not anything I've heard from people within the organization.

Am I the only one who interpreted "new starting 2, and possibly a new starting 5" and didn't think shooting guard and center, but 2 new starters next year, and possibly 5? That coupled with his connections made me feel like leaving a big puddle of sadness for a hot second.

[MakDagr]

In Olshey We Trust. I believe we will have a new starting 2, and possibly 5. I'm hopeful LA will give Olshey a short timeline (day or two) to make a move to prove that we are Legit Contenders NOW, otherwise, he's gone. That's my opinion, not anything I've heard from people within the organization.

Am I the only one who interpreted "new starting 2, and possibly a new starting 5" and didn't think shooting guard and center, but 2 new starters next year, and possibly 5? That coupled with his connections made me feel like leaving a big puddle of sadness for a hot second.

Sorry Moonbeam, I meant a new starting SG/C!

[zzaj]

The more I think about LMA leaving the Blazers the more I simply don't think it's going to happen.

The limited options for winning teams that could clear space for him notwithstanding, Aldridge has a coach in Portland who designed an offense around his game. On any other team he could potentially go to that isn't a bottom-feeder and in rebuilding mode, he'll have to get his shots in an established offense.

He doesn't play in a low-usage, make things happen way. If he goes to another winning team he will have a pretty large dip in his role and his numbers. I'm sure he and his agent are smart enough to realize this too.

There is a lot going for LMA in PDX:

1) He gets to play with teammates and coaches that he's already established relationships with.

2) He can make the most money.

3) He can play in a system designed around him.

4) He can continue to establish a legacy and break records as a Trailblazer, with the potential of being GOAT.

I think if he does decide to leave it will be a sign that there is a rift somewhere between him and the organization...for even if he feels the Blazers are treading water, he won't find a team with the potential for better success that also can fulfill his personal goals.

[monopoman]

Yeah, LMA's comments from his exit interview were exactly the type of thing I figured he would say.

He, doesn't seem overly concerned with making his list of "potential teams" and giving his % chance of going to each team. He doesn't seem to enjoy the potential media blitz that could surround him over this type of matter. All he cared about at the moment was going to Texas so he could recover from his injuries and bruises that developed over the course of this season.

I think if he was dead set or even slightly leaning towards a Dallas or San Antonio there would be a few more signs during that exit interview.

[monopoman]

He doesn't play in a low-usage, make things happen way. If he goes to another winning team he will have a pretty large dip in his role and his numbers. I'm sure he and his agent are smart enough to realize this too.

I agree its pretty telling when guys like Bosh and now Love go play with LBJ and their numbers dip drastically. Those two were both high volume shooters that were put into vastly different roles. Now when you have someone as talented as LBJ guys are more willing to do that but I highly doubt any player would jump at the chance to play second fiddle to most players in the NBA.

If LMA leaves Portland he may go to a team that can do more with him as far as winning is concerned, but he will likely not be putting up the gaudy numbers he gets in Portland. Even if he leaves who knows how much winning his new team would do anyways, as the saying goes some teams look like they are in a much better position to win but once you get there a lot of things could go wrong.

[The Sebastian Express]

I guess one of the reasons I am not overly concerned is we know LMA has often expressed that he wants to leave a legacy of his own. He wants to be recognized and remembered. He will never surpass Dirk and Duncan in Dallas or San Antonio. That isn't a slight on LaMarcus, but more an acknowledgment of both how amazingly, historically great those two players are (and still are even) and they've been entrenched their entire careers in those cities.

[Norm2953]

Those are awfully large shoes to fill if LA goes to SA for Tim Duncan has had 18 great seasons there.

Likely he'll not sign a new 5 year deal with Portland for the smart play would be to sign 2-3 deal
with an opt out so that he'll be a free agent again when the cap goes up.

[Moonbeam]

Kind of a side tangent, but do people really think LMA has a chance to be the GOAT Blazer? Unless he improves from his very best level, I just don't see it happening. I value peak more than some, it seems, but I was involved in the RealGM Top 100 project, and I have a hard time see him passing Drexler. I'd have Drexler, Walton, and Porter ahead of him at this stage.