Portland - 2016 Offseason

[Tim Lehrbach]

Saw that the Suns may want to move on from Eric Bledsoe in favor of a new lead guard at #4 (Dunn if he's available). If the price is right (meaning traded assets), could he be worth the gamble (meaning contract)? If healthy, he's a bargain in the new NBA economy, and I really can't imagine a better sixth man, although he might not be delighted with the role. Something like Vonleh for Bledsoe, straight-up?

[Waynearchetype]

Saw that the Suns may want to move on from Eric Bledsoe in favor of a new lead guard at #4 (Dunn if he's available). If the price is right (meaning traded assets), could he be worth the gamble (meaning contract)? If healthy, he's a bargain in the new NBA economy, and I really can't imagine a better sixth man, although he might not be delighted with the role. Something like Vonleh for Bledsoe, straight-up?

People have speculated trading CJ because he is redundant with Lillard and you want to add another undersized guard?

[AllMyNeilOlshey]

Did I read right that Atlanta wants to get rid of its picks so they save cash to be able to resign Al? Does that mean they're a likely purchase spot?

[Tim Lehrbach]

Saw that the Suns may want to move on from Eric Bledsoe in favor of a new lead guard at #4 (Dunn if he's available). If the price is right (meaning traded assets), could he be worth the gamble (meaning contract)? If healthy, he's a bargain in the new NBA economy, and I really can't imagine a better sixth man, although he might not be delighted with the role. Something like Vonleh for Bledsoe, straight-up?

People have speculated trading CJ because he is redundant with Lillard and you want to add another undersized guard?

Maybe. Bledsoe is an entirely different kind of player. The Blazers need more competent playmakers and especially need to get better defensively. They don't (didn't?) call Bledsoe mini-LeBron for nothing. But I'm acknowledging the risk and asking aloud whether he'd be worth gambling on. I'm genuinely not sure. But I am sure this team needs to improve across the board, so no opportunity to add a major talent should be dismissed out of hand.

FWIW, I am not categorically opposed to trading McCollum but I do not believe his game is redundant next to Lillard. The two produced some strikingly effective team offense with very limited pieces around them.

[Waynearchetype]

Saw that the Suns may want to move on from Eric Bledsoe in favor of a new lead guard at #4 (Dunn if he's available). If the price is right (meaning traded assets), could he be worth the gamble (meaning contract)? If healthy, he's a bargain in the new NBA economy, and I really can't imagine a better sixth man, although he might not be delighted with the role. Something like Vonleh for Bledsoe, straight-up?

People have speculated trading CJ because he is redundant with Lillard and you want to add another undersized guard?

Maybe. Bledsoe is an entirely different kind of player. The Blazers need more competent playmakers and especially need to get better defensively. They don't (didn't?) call Bledsoe mini-LeBron for nothing. But I'm acknowledging the risk and asking aloud whether he'd be worth gambling on. I'm genuinely not sure. But I am sure this team needs to improve across the board, so no opportunity to add a major talent should be dismissed out of hand.

FWIW, I am not categorically opposed to trading McCollum but I do not believe his game is redundant next to Lillard. The two produced some strikingly effective team offense with very limited pieces around them.

It would just be weird to have 3 of your best players all be PG sized. I don't think PHX will trade him for Vonleh though, because as you said he isn't known as mini lebron for no reason. He has value, even if he is oft injured.

[zzaj]

Doubt this is close to accurate, but would you guys do a Hayward for CJ straight up swap? Keep in mind, GH will likely opt out of his contract at the same time CJ is due...

http://nesn.com/2016/06/nba-trade-rumors-gordon-hayward-wants-out-jazz-actively-shopping-him/

[Tim Lehrbach]

Doubt this is close to accurate, but would you guys do a Hayward for CJ straight up swap? Keep in mind, GH will likely opt out of his contract at the same time CJ is due...

http://nesn.com/2016/06/nba-trade-rumors-gordon-hayward-wants-out-jazz-actively-shopping-him/

Well, as you indicated, that hardly seems credible. I think Hayward is a little better than McCollum, but I wouldn't make the swap out of fear that he wouldn't play as well with Lillard, and he might not want to be in Portland any more than he wants to be in Utah (following the premise that he'd like to be elsewhere, which may be entirely untrue). If he walked next summer the Blazers will have made a terrible decision.

[DusterBuster]

I always think it's weird trying to compare two vastly different players in terms of "who's better". CJ is a 6'4" combo guard, Hayward is like 6'9" and a pure wing. Their games are hardly comparable in the slightest.

[zzaj]

Doubt this is close to accurate, but would you guys do a Hayward for CJ straight up swap? Keep in mind, GH will likely opt out of his contract at the same time CJ is due...

http://nesn.com/2016/06/nba-trade-rumors-gordon-hayward-wants-out-jazz-actively-shopping-him/

Well, as you indicated, that hardly seems credible. I think Hayward is a little better than McCollum, but I wouldn't make the swap out of fear that he wouldn't play as well with Lillard, and he might not want to be in Portland any more than he wants to be in Utah (following the premise that he'd like to be elsewhere, which may be entirely untrue). If he walked next summer the Blazers will have made a terrible decision.

Yeah, I would assume Portland still held his rights if he opted out. Obviously if that were not the case, a one year rental of Hayward would be worth a lot less than CJ.

FWIW, I think I'd do it. Ultimately, I think the Blazers would have better success moving forward with Lillard/Hayward as building blocks than Lillard/CJ

[Tim Lehrbach]

I always think it's weird trying to compare two vastly different players in terms of "who's better". CJ is a 6'4" combo guard, Hayward is like 6'9" and a pure wing. Their games are hardly comparable in the slightest.

Shaq is definitely better than Rick Brunson, much as it pains me to admit it.

But I know what you're saying. Perhaps it's better we ask not who is better, absolutely, but who we think would be the better starting shooting guard and second option next to Damian Lillard for the Blazers. To consider replacing CJ with Hayward compels us to compare them at least with respect to that, I reckon.

Not that I think there is any chance the Blazers are acquiring Gordon Hayward. We're just wondering aloud here.

[DusterBuster]

I always think it's weird trying to compare two vastly different players in terms of "who's better". CJ is a 6'4" combo guard, Hayward is like 6'9" and a pure wing. Their games are hardly comparable in the slightest.

Shaq is definitely better than Rick Brunson, much as it pains me to admit it.

But I know what you're saying. Perhaps it's better we ask not who is better, absolutely, but who we think would be the better starting shooting guard and second option next to Damian Lillard for the Blazers. To consider replacing CJ with Hayward compels us to compare them at least with respect to that, I reckon.

Not that I think there is any chance the Blazers are acquiring Gordon Hayward. We're just wondering aloud here.

A buddy and I always have this conversation when we keep hearing people compare LeBron to Jordan about who's "better". It's like, how can anyone really compare the two when they're such drastically different players.

As for who's a better fit next to Dame, I still like CJ over Hayward personally. I'm just not a big Gordan Hayward fan.

[PDXKnight]

Doubt this is close to accurate, but would you guys do a Hayward for CJ straight up swap? Keep in mind, GH will likely opt out of his contract at the same time CJ is due...

http://nesn.com/2016/06/nba-trade-rumors-gordon-hayward-wants-out-jazz-actively-shopping-him/

I wouldn't do that since cj is on a similar playing level and has more years until he becomes a ufa once he extends

[GreenRiddler]

Man the wheels are turning, we don want Monroe all of a sudden.

Could we have a real shot vs a big deal center in Howard, Horford, or Whiteside?


I don't buy the Gordon Hayward rumor at all, they didn't trade there pick for a win now player to trade away Gordon.

Also wouldn't trade Gordon for CJ straight up, mainly cause McCollum fits better as the secondary ball handler scorer. Our offense would have been alot worse if you plugged in Gordon for CJ. It looks like he'll get as much money as McCollum, if not more given Hayward's max will be a higher percentage of the cap.

[Blazer50]

Man the wheels are turning, we don want Monroe all of a sudden.

Could we have a real shot vs a big deal center in Howard, Horford, or Whiteside?

I don't buy the Gordon Hayward rumor . . .

since One Center Court has gone stealth in the Olshey regime (I miss Kevin Pritchard) - and the only rumor that has gotten any "quasi" official reply - Blazer No Longer Interested Monroe - It may just be a misinformation leak to keep Monroe's value as low as possible. I do hope we are able to get the Defensive center we all want - the above or even Biyombo or Sanders. I do think there will be some deal announced very soon after the moratorium is lifted and Olshey will have his plan in place - whatever it may be.

I also think the Blazers want to retain Meyers/ Mo Harmless and Allan Crabbe, but the most likely to go will be Crabbe (biggest offer).

It's going to be a few interesting weeks.

[Blazinaway]

Man the wheels are turning, we don want Monroe all of a sudden.

Could we have a real shot vs a big deal center in Howard, Horford, or Whiteside?

I don't buy the Gordon Hayward rumor . . .

since One Center Court has gone stealth in the Olshey regime (I miss Kevin Pritchard) - and the only rumor that has gotten any "quasi" official reply - Blazer No Longer Interested Monroe - It may just be a misinformation leak to keep Monroe's value as low as possible. I do hope we are able to get the Defensive center we all want - the above or even Biyombo or Sanders. I do think there will be some deal announced very soon after the moratorium is lifted and Olshey will have his plan in place - whatever it may be.

I also think the Blazers want to retain Meyers/ Mo Harmless and Allan Crabbe, but the most likely to go will be Crabbe (biggest offer).

It's going to be a few interesting weeks.

I hope the Monroe non interest is real and we have a better fit option on the works. And I hope Meyers goes elsewhere, here's to a fun and productive day for the Blazers tomorrow!

[Norm2953]

I also miss KP era when the day before draft day was a time of expectations. As it stands
since the team has no draft choices, we don't know if PA is away on his yacht and the only
real move prior to free agency is Kevin Calabro.

More likely, the team has contingency plans in case teams with multiple picks like the
Celtics want to sell picks.

[Dame Lizard]

I think Portland will buy a mid 2 2nd, but my optimism of getting a late 1st has dropped to the point of little expectation.

[GreenRiddler]

Mike rice tweeted that we aren't interested in Whiteside cause no way can you lure him to Pacific NW.

Also that we are willing with Howard but not for his eligible max #. Horford is not proving your team enough to be worth the cost.

Lastly he says we want someone with good character who buys into the culture and is a good defender that improves our defense.


Sounds a lot like Joakim Noah. I wouldn't mind him if he went back to his form from 2 years ago. He is like a much better version of Plumlee. However I doubt you can play him 30+ mins a night like 2 years ago. Also still have the PnR problem unless Vonleh explodes.

[Blazinaway]

Mike rice tweeted that we aren't interested in Whiteside cause no way can you lure him to Pacific NW.

Also that we are willing with Howard but not for his eligible max #. Horford is not proving your team enough to be worth the cost.

Lastly he says we want someone with good character who buys into the culture and is a good defender that improves our defense.


Sounds a lot like Joakim Noah. I wouldn't mind him if he went back to his form from 2 years ago. He is like a much better version of Plumlee. However I doubt you can play him 30+ mins a night like 2 years ago. Also still have the PnR problem unless Vonleh explodes.

sounds to me more like Biyombo or perhaps Cole Aldrich from the Clips

[Downtown]

GreenRiddler wrote:
Mike rice tweeted that we aren't interested in Whiteside cause no way can you lure him to Pacific NW.

Also that we are willing with Howard but not for his eligible max #. Horford is not proving your team enough to be worth the cost.

Lastly he says we want someone with good character who buys into the culture and is a good defender that improves our defense.


Sounds a lot like Joakim Noah. I wouldn't mind him if he went back to his form from 2 years ago. He is like a much better version of Plumlee. However I doubt you can play him 30+ mins a night like 2 years ago. Also still have the PnR problem unless Vonleh explodes.


sounds to me more like Biyombo or perhaps Cole Aldrich from the Clips
Re:

I could live with Noah, Biyombo, or Aldrich. While hoping for a bona fide big difference maker in the middle I never really believed we had a good chance at Whiteside or Horford, and that Howard was a longshot at best. I just want better interior defence and I don't care if it comes from the centre or power forward position.