Portland's Off-Season Has Officially Arrived

[Brandon-Clyde]

Wilson Chandler opted in to his contract for next year. He will make $12.8M which fits perfectly into the Crabbe TPE.

It is believed that Denver needs to shed salary because it wants to resign Jokic and Barton. If that is true, either Chandler or Faried could be TPE targets.
https://www.denverstiffs.com/2018/6/22/17495502/chris-haynes-wilson-chandler-will-opt-in-to-the-final-year-of-his-contract-denver-nuggets-nba

Of the two, I prefer Chandler to play SF and some PF, but I’m not advocating for him necessarily. I’ve mainly been trying to determine which teams might want to shed contracts and have players that fit into the TPE.

What other candidates seem likely to be legit possibilities for the TPE?

Pass on Chandler and Faried. Blazers already passed on Crabbe, so we want something better than Crabbe. I don't know what the Blazers have received in offers but I bet they have turned down better deals than Chandler or Faried.

Well if Denver offers us a 1st in next years draft for us to take them I would do so. Might even be able to trade them at the deadline to a contender needing some help and get another pick as well

[grigs]

Pass on Chandler and Faried. Blazers already passed on Crabbe, so we want something better than Crabbe. I don't know what the Blazers have received in offers but I bet they have turned down better deals than Chandler or Faried.

There is an assumption in the Denver Stiffs post that Denver will have to pay to get off salary off their books. If Denver wanted to package Chandler, a second round pick, and cash for the Blazers to take him and reduce Denver’s cap obligation, it’s hard for me to imagine a better use of the TPE.

TPE trades are pretty restrictive. There’s a small universe of players that fit the slot. You can’t combine it with other players. So you have to find a team either looking to dump salary or hoard a pick that has an expendable piece.

I went through the ESPN trade machine to find possible candidates. I looked primarily at wings. Some of the players on the list only make sense of the team makes a move (e.g., Gordon is only available if Houston thinks it is going to get Lebron).

Wilson Chandler
Kenneth Faried
Kyle Korver ($7M for 3 years)*
Courtney Lee ($12M for 3 years)
Lance Thomas ($6.6M for 3 years)
CJ Miles ($7.9M for 3 years)
Eric Gordon ($12.9M before July 1)**
PJ Tucker ($7.6M for 4 years)**
Channing Frye ($7.4M for 1 year)
Solomon Hill (if healthy, $12.2M for 3 years)
Kyle Singler ($4.6M for 3 years)
Jared Dudley ($10M for 2 years)
TJ Warren ($3.1M for 5 years)
B. Bogdanovic ($9M for 3 years)***
Iman Shumpert ($10M for 2 years)
Garrett Temple ($8M for 2 years)

* Assumes Lebron leaves and Cavs rebuild
** Assumes Lebron goes to Houston or other expensive moves
*** Assumes the Kings management makes irrational decisions

The Crabbe exception is $12.9M. I tried to pick players and teams that might have a legit interest in shedding salary or rebuilding with youth and picks and want to move a vet.

Did I miss anyone?

[grigs]

I should add, there are few no brainers on this list. Eric Gordon and PJ Tucker are the only two on that list that seem like the types of players that fans would get excited about. And for both, I suspect other teams might offer more than the TPE.

That was sort of the point of the exercise for me. There aren’t great players that the Blazers can grab with the TPE. So if they do make a move, it will likely be underwhelming or have downsides (e.g., how old will Korver be at the end of that contract?).

[grigs]

According to HoopsHype, the Blazers have to make a decision about Layman by June 30th:

“His salary for 2018/19 is not guaranteed, HoopsHype has learned. Full guarantee if still with the team after June 30, 2018.”

https://hoopshype.com/player/jake-layman/salary/

[d-train]

According to HoopsHype, the Blazers have to make a decision about Layman by June 30th:

“His salary for 2018/19 is not guaranteed, HoopsHype has learned. Full guarantee if still with the team after June 30, 2018.”

https://hoopshype.com/player/jake-layman/salary/

That's probably not a though decision. I don't see Blazers bringing him back.

[JasonStern]

So John Jenkins to our Summer League team.

might as well sign Milovan Raković.

[Brandon-Clyde]

Pass on Chandler and Faried. Blazers already passed on Crabbe, so we want something better than Crabbe. I don't know what the Blazers have received in offers but I bet they have turned down better deals than Chandler or Faried.

There is an assumption in the Denver Stiffs post that Denver will have to pay to get off salary off their books. If Denver wanted to package Chandler, a second round pick, and cash for the Blazers to take him and reduce Denver’s cap obligation, it’s hard for me to imagine a better use of the TPE.

TPE trades are pretty restrictive. There’s a small universe of players that fit the slot. You can’t combine it with other players. So you have to find a team either looking to dump salary or hoard a pick that has an expendable piece.

I went through the ESPN trade machine to find possible candidates. I looked primarily at wings. Some of the players on the list only make sense of the team makes a move (e.g., Gordon is only available if Houston thinks it is going to get Lebron).

Wilson Chandler
Kenneth Faried
Kyle Korver ($7M for 3 years)*
Courtney Lee ($12M for 3 years)
Lance Thomas ($6.6M for 3 years)
CJ Miles ($7.9M for 3 years)
Eric Gordon ($12.9M before July 1)**
PJ Tucker ($7.6M for 4 years)**
Channing Frye ($7.4M for 1 year)
Solomon Hill (if healthy, $12.2M for 3 years)
Kyle Singler ($4.6M for 3 years)
Jared Dudley ($10M for 2 years)
TJ Warren ($3.1M for 5 years)
B. Bogdanovic ($9M for 3 years)***
Iman Shumpert ($10M for 2 years)
Garrett Temple ($8M for 2 years)

* Assumes Lebron leaves and Cavs rebuild
** Assumes Lebron goes to Houston or other expensive moves
*** Assumes the Kings management makes irrational decisions

The Crabbe exception is $12.9M. I tried to pick players and teams that might have a legit interest in shedding salary or rebuilding with youth and picks and want to move a vet.

Did I miss anyone?

It would take more than a single 2nd for me to take on salary like Chandler's or Faried's and the more years the more I would want(with the possible exception of Courtney Lee who would be a good fit off the bench as a sg/sf and might make Harkless expendable. Even then I want a second)

[grigs]

According to HoopsHype, the Blazers have to make a decision about Layman by June 30th:

“His salary for 2018/19 is not guaranteed, HoopsHype has learned. Full guarantee if still with the team after June 30, 2018.”

https://hoopshype.com/player/jake-layman/salary/

That's probably not a though decision. I don't see Blazers bringing him back.

I wonder if they will try to extend that date like they did with Pat last year. Give them more time to us his salary as trade filler, keep him on the summer league team, etc.

[Wizenheimer]

If Denver needs to shed salary to resign Jokic and Barton, just what is that worth? The Blazers could use the Crabbe TPE (if they're willing to spend money-tax) to acquire Chandler or Faried (would need to do so now before the salaries for next year count), but what would Denver have to offer up to entice the Blazers to do so?

they had the 14th pick but used it on Porter. I have a hard time seeing the Blazers interested in Porter when that already have Aminu and Collins at PF. And I sure don't see Porter as an NBA SF, but maybe I'm missing something. And of course...injury is a flashing red light over Porter

but other then that 14th pick, I don't see Denver having anything that warrants Portland absorbing any extra salary. By the way, unless a trade happens between now and June 30, Faried is out. His salary increases too much to fit the TPE. That would leave Chandler or Darrell Arthur. I just don't see a trade there good enough for Portland

maybe Philly is a better candidate. Portland might be able to squeeze a 1st (Miami?) and a couple of 2nd's out of Philly if they absorbed Bayless. Then Portland could buy-out and stretch Bayless

unless it's a great return, I don't really want the Blazers to use that TPE to facilitate the creation of another super-team, although one in the East wouldn't bother me as much

[DusterBuster]

According to HoopsHype, the Blazers have to make a decision about Layman by June 30th:

“His salary for 2018/19 is not guaranteed, HoopsHype has learned. Full guarantee if still with the team after June 30, 2018.”

https://hoopshype.com/player/jake-layman/salary/

That's probably not a though decision. I don't see Blazers bringing him back.

I wonder if they will try to extend that date like they did with Pat last year. Give them more time to us his salary as trade filler, keep him on the summer league team, etc.

I could see that as a possibility.

[d-train]

According to HoopsHype, the Blazers have to make a decision about Layman by June 30th:

“His salary for 2018/19 is not guaranteed, HoopsHype has learned. Full guarantee if still with the team after June 30, 2018.”

https://hoopshype.com/player/jake-layman/salary/

That's probably not a though decision. I don't see Blazers bringing him back.

I wonder if they will try to extend that date like they did with Pat last year. Give them more time to us his salary as trade filler, keep him on the summer league team, etc.

Who knows, but I think the Connaughton situation was different. I believe the Blazers wanted to pickup Pat's option but Pat wanted a better opportunity to play than the Blazers could offer. So, Blazers extended the deadline on an option they already decided to exercise while Pat tried to make a deal that was good for Blazers and better for him. In Jake's case, I don't believe the Blazers want to pickup his option, so no point in extending the date.

[DusterBuster]

If Denver needs to shed salary to resign Jokic and Barton, just what is that worth? The Blazers could use the Crabbe TPE (if they're willing to spend money-tax) to acquire Chandler or Faried (would need to do so now before the salaries for next year count), but what would Denver have to offer up to entice the Blazers to do so?

they had the 14th pick but used it on Porter. I have a hard time seeing the Blazers interested in Porter when that already have Aminu and Collins at PF. And I sure don't see Porter as an NBA SF, but maybe I'm missing something. And of course...injury is a flashing red light over Porter

but other then that 14th pick, I don't see Denver having anything that warrants Portland absorbing any extra salary. By the way, unless a trade happens between now and June 30, Faried is out. His salary increases too much to fit the TPE. That would leave Chandler or Darrell Arthur. I just don't see a trade there good enough for Portland

maybe Philly is a better candidate. Portland might be able to squeeze a 1st (Miami?) and a couple of 2nd's out of Philly if they absorbed Bayless. Then Portland could buy-out and stretch Bayless

unless it's a great return, I don't really want the Blazers to use that TPE to facilitate the creation of another super-team, although one in the East wouldn't bother me as much

Portland has been interested in Chandler in the past. I think you may be under selling that possibility a bit. He fits the vet with playoff experience label and is probably at the top end of the type of player Portland can get for a TPE only worth 13mil. If be a bit worried about Denver wanting a FRP for him. I would hope Olshey wouldnt do that, but given the weak level of that draft and what happened last year where Olshey admitted they were too conservative with dealing their pick, I'm concerned Neil will swing too far left and be too liberal in giving the pick away.

[Wizenheimer]

That's probably not a though decision. I don't see Blazers bringing him back.

I wonder if they will try to extend that date like they did with Pat last year. Give them more time to us his salary as trade filler, keep him on the summer league team, etc.

I could see that as a possibility.

sure....I doubt Layman will have other opportunities. He might even agree to an open ended extension that lasts till the trade deadline (or later). For Layman, he might be able to collect a big chunk of that 1.47M (which may be his last NBA payday). For Portland, they keep a minor trade asset and small contract. They'd also have another semi-experienced player for training camp

he was brought in as a potential shooter. So far, 29% on FG's and 24% on three's. Quite a fall-off from his very first NBA game when he went 6-8 on FG's and 5-7 on three's; for 17 points in 8 minutes. After his first game he was averaging 77 points per 36...eat it Wilt!

[DusterBuster]

That's probably not a though decision. I don't see Blazers bringing him back.

I wonder if they will try to extend that date like they did with Pat last year. Give them more time to us his salary as trade filler, keep him on the summer league team, etc.

Who knows, but I think the Connaughton situation was different. I believe the Blazers wanted to pickup Pat's option but Pat wanted a better opportunity to play than the Blazers could offer. So, Blazers extended the deadline on an option they already decided to exercise while Pat tried to make a deal that was good for Blazers and better for him. In Jake's case, I don't believe the Blazers want to pickup his option, so no point in extending the date.

Some of this is accurate, they are different situations. The difference I see is though, the team had respect for Pat. Everyone in the org talked highly of Pat's BBIQ, plus after losing Crabbe, I think the hope was he could turn into a cheap replacement for him.

Jake, I don't see that with. They may extend his deadline for summer league tho, that seems like a no risk move. Can't hurt to see how a guy progressed over the summer before cutting him lose.

[d-train]

I wonder if they will try to extend that date like they did with Pat last year. Give them more time to us his salary as trade filler, keep him on the summer league team, etc.

Who knows, but I think the Connaughton situation was different. I believe the Blazers wanted to pickup Pat's option but Pat wanted a better opportunity to play than the Blazers could offer. So, Blazers extended the deadline on an option they already decided to exercise while Pat tried to make a deal that was good for Blazers and better for him. In Jake's case, I don't believe the Blazers want to pickup his option, so no point in extending the date.

Some of this is accurate, they are different situations. The difference I see is though, the team had respect for Pat. Everyone in the org talked highly of Pat's BBIQ, plus after losing Crabbe, I think the hope was he could turn into a cheap replacement for him.

Jake, I don't see that with. They may extend his deadline for summer league tho, that seems like a no risk move. Can't hurt to see how a guy progressed over the summer before cutting him lose.

Or, Blazers could decline the option and extend him a summer league deal.

[Roy The Natural]

If Denver needs to shed salary to resign Jokic and Barton, just what is that worth? The Blazers could use the Crabbe TPE (if they're willing to spend money-tax) to acquire Chandler or Faried (would need to do so now before the salaries for next year count), but what would Denver have to offer up to entice the Blazers to do so?

they had the 14th pick but used it on Porter. I have a hard time seeing the Blazers interested in Porter when that already have Aminu and Collins at PF. And I sure don't see Porter as an NBA SF, but maybe I'm missing something. And of course...injury is a flashing red light over Porter

but other then that 14th pick, I don't see Denver having anything that warrants Portland absorbing any extra salary. By the way, unless a trade happens between now and June 30, Faried is out. His salary increases too much to fit the TPE. That would leave Chandler or Darrell Arthur. I just don't see a trade there good enough for Portland

maybe Philly is a better candidate. Portland might be able to squeeze a 1st (Miami?) and a couple of 2nd's out of Philly if they absorbed Bayless. Then Portland could buy-out and stretch Bayless

unless it's a great return, I don't really want the Blazers to use that TPE to facilitate the creation of another super-team, although one in the East wouldn't bother me as much

I think Portland would think about it for a 2019 protected 1st, personally..... If Denver has one that is, haven't looked yet.

[Wizenheimer]

Spoiler:

If Denver needs to shed salary to resign Jokic and Barton, just what is that worth? The Blazers could use the Crabbe TPE (if they're willing to spend money-tax) to acquire Chandler or Faried (would need to do so now before the salaries for next year count), but what would Denver have to offer up to entice the Blazers to do so?

they had the 14th pick but used it on Porter. I have a hard time seeing the Blazers interested in Porter when that already have Aminu and Collins at PF. And I sure don't see Porter as an NBA SF, but maybe I'm missing something. And of course...injury is a flashing red light over Porter

but other then that 14th pick, I don't see Denver having anything that warrants Portland absorbing any extra salary. By the way, unless a trade happens between now and June 30, Faried is out. His salary increases too much to fit the TPE. That would leave Chandler or Darrell Arthur. I just don't see a trade there good enough for Portland

maybe Philly is a better candidate. Portland might be able to squeeze a 1st (Miami?) and a couple of 2nd's out of Philly if they absorbed Bayless. Then Portland could buy-out and stretch Bayless

unless it's a great return, I don't really want the Blazers to use that TPE to facilitate the creation of another super-team, although one in the East wouldn't bother me as much

I think Portland would think about it for a 2019 protected 1st, personally..... If Denver has one that is, haven't looked yet.

they have all their future 1sts so that kind of trade would be available

with Porter, the Nuggets will be about 11-12M below the tax threshold. Jokic is RFA and Barton is UFA. I doubt they'll worry much about Barton, but for sure they want to get Jokic re-signed. They'll have to pick up is 1.6M option, then offer a big enough deal that Jokic will agree rather than wait till next summer and become UFA. Moving Faried or Chandler would give them 24-25M in margin under the tax line which should be enough to get Jokic re-signed. Moving Arthur likely would bump them over the line with Jokic re-signed

Portland could only take Chandler or Arthur, and Chandler could cost Portland 40-50M in salary and tax. That's an expensive protected 1st round pick

[DusterBuster]

Who knows, but I think the Connaughton situation was different. I believe the Blazers wanted to pickup Pat's option but Pat wanted a better opportunity to play than the Blazers could offer. So, Blazers extended the deadline on an option they already decided to exercise while Pat tried to make a deal that was good for Blazers and better for him. In Jake's case, I don't believe the Blazers want to pickup his option, so no point in extending the date.

Some of this is accurate, they are different situations. The difference I see is though, the team had respect for Pat. Everyone in the org talked highly of Pat's BBIQ, plus after losing Crabbe, I think the hope was he could turn into a cheap replacement for him.

Jake, I don't see that with. They may extend his deadline for summer league tho, that seems like a no risk move. Can't hurt to see how a guy progressed over the summer before cutting him lose.

Or, Blazers could decline the option and extend him a summer league deal.

Sure, but that's needlessly limiting their options and flexibility. Unless there's some financial benefit for it I don't know about.

[Soulyss]

Spoiler:

they had the 14th pick but used it on Porter. I have a hard time seeing the Blazers interested in Porter when that already have Aminu and Collins at PF. And I sure don't see Porter as an NBA SF, but maybe I'm missing something. And of course...injury is a flashing red light over Porter

but other then that 14th pick, I don't see Denver having anything that warrants Portland absorbing any extra salary. By the way, unless a trade happens between now and June 30, Faried is out. His salary increases too much to fit the TPE. That would leave Chandler or Darrell Arthur. I just don't see a trade there good enough for Portland

maybe Philly is a better candidate. Portland might be able to squeeze a 1st (Miami?) and a couple of 2nd's out of Philly if they absorbed Bayless. Then Portland could buy-out and stretch Bayless

unless it's a great return, I don't really want the Blazers to use that TPE to facilitate the creation of another super-team, although one in the East wouldn't bother me as much

I think Portland would think about it for a 2019 protected 1st, personally..... If Denver has one that is, haven't looked yet.

they have all their future 1sts so that kind of trade would be available

with Porter, the Nuggets will be about 11-12M below the tax threshold. Jokic is RFA and Barton is UFA. I doubt they'll worry much about Barton, but for sure they want to get Jokic re-signed. They'll have to pick up is 1.6M option, then offer a big enough deal that Jokic will agree rather than wait till next summer and become UFA. Moving Faried or Chandler would give them 24-25M in margin under the tax line which should be enough to get Jokic re-signed. Moving Arthur likely would bump them over the line with Jokic re-signed

Portland could only take Chandler or Arthur, and Chandler could cost Portland 40-50M in salary and tax. That's an expensive protected 1st round pick

That said, Chandler is a useful rotation player where the Blazers are weakest and he's expiring, so it's a 1 year commitment which gives the Blazers a veteran to bridge until all of those terrible 2016 contracts are expiring.

[Wizenheimer]

Spoiler:

I think Portland would think about it for a 2019 protected 1st, personally..... If Denver has one that is, haven't looked yet.

they have all their future 1sts so that kind of trade would be available

with Porter, the Nuggets will be about 11-12M below the tax threshold. Jokic is RFA and Barton is UFA. I doubt they'll worry much about Barton, but for sure they want to get Jokic re-signed. They'll have to pick up is 1.6M option, then offer a big enough deal that Jokic will agree rather than wait till next summer and become UFA. Moving Faried or Chandler would give them 24-25M in margin under the tax line which should be enough to get Jokic re-signed. Moving Arthur likely would bump them over the line with Jokic re-signed

Portland could only take Chandler or Arthur, and Chandler could cost Portland 40-50M in salary and tax. That's an expensive protected 1st round pick

That said, Chandler is a useful rotation player where the Blazers are weakest and he's expiring, so it's a 1 year commitment which gives the Blazers a veteran to bridge until all of those terrible 2016 contracts are expiring.

hey...if PA is ok paying the tax on Chandler, that's fine with me

what I would worry about, a little, is Portland letting Davis walk if they traded for Chandler because of tax implications (bu they might be letting him walk anyway)

I'd love it if trading for Chandler limited the minutes of Evan Turner. But if it meant a lot more minutes at backup C for Meyers....yuck. Who knows, maybe Papagiannis would beat him out for the role, and there's always the potential of Collins as a C in certain situations

Blazers better at least get a couple of 2nd's for saving Denver tax misery though