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1. The interpersonal contributions of Evan Turner were significant and appreciated. They cannot be quantified. And Bazemore is reportedly a good dude, too.

2. The on court production Turner provided -- given what he was brought in to do -- didn't work well. His large salary was hard to trade. The on-court production Bazemore has accomplished likely improves 3 point shooting and defense at SG/SF. That's the word, and we'll see what happens.

3. I appreciate ET for his time as a Blazer. I'm glad Olshey made what looks like a STRONG trade given the team salary limitations and current team needs.

I can hold all three of these opinions at the same time with room for more. Wiz has a good grip on the most relevant evidence regarding ET as a Blazer with a logical conclusion -- ET is best as an ex-Blazer.

[Bazemore is 6'5 in shoes with a 6'11.5 wingspan.]

Just watched the press conference. Thanks for imbedding/posting it.
Dang good press conference!

Haven't seen a for sale sign yet in Turner's yard.

DaVoiceMaster wrote:Haven't seen a for sale sign yet in Turner's yard.

He may be a guy who offseasons in Portland from here-on out. I wouldn't be surprised if that was the case.

Just took a look at the statistical difference between Gerald Henderson and Kent Bazemore. They are a lot more similar than you might think...

Henderson's year in Portland, aside, he was a decent player. Not quite the athlete or 3 pt shooter, if it's prime GH vs. Bazemore now, I'd take Bazemore. I'd still like Hood in Portland with Mo Harkless traded for a rotation PF or PF/C.

KB > GH
RH > MH

Keeping RH may cost Chief just as a matter of salary management. Little will take time to develop his skills ... likely.

Say NO to Aminu

Love the trade, I really like Bazemore and he should bounce back this year, he's a hard worker.... Curious... What's Rodney Hood's trade value? He had a great playoffs but not the best regular season. Surely he's not more than the full MLE - ~8mill or whatever it is.

I'm praying for that Collins Hood 1-2 punch off the bench next season.

DaVoiceMaster wrote:Say NO to Aminu

I feel Harkless would actually be good at the 4 spot too so very much NO to Aminu

I think Harkless is too soft to play much time at PF. He would get destroyed by a number of starting PF's in the league.

Do people think, that if the current roster hypothetically remained as is, Bazemore would be starting at SF, or Harkless?

This is not assuming any improvement/decline over this offseason - just based on what we expect from the two players, business as usual.

Good question. Harkless better bring his game. Bazemore seems hungry and on a final contract year, himself.
Jake improved. Little will work.

I’m guessing Harkless becomes the 6th man at SF/PF. Bazemore gets the D assignment at SG/SF and brings more versatile O.

Dame Lizard wrote:Do people think, that if the current roster hypothetically remained as is, Bazemore would be starting at SF, or Harkless?

This is not assuming any improvement/decline over this offseason - just based on what we expect from the two players, business as usual.

Bazemore at the 3 seems like we would be giving up a ton of size 1-3. There will be matchups we can probably get away with it, and I absolutely expect him to see significant minutes at the 3 against other teams benches, but I imagine we continue starting Harkless for defensive purposes against the premier teams.

A wrinkle might be if we let Aminu go... Then our options are starting Zach at the 4 which will hurt our 5 rotation (already a bit weak) or moving Harkless to the 4 (bulk up Hark) and then Baze to the 3. We would probably want to up the tempo in that situation which runs counter to how Lillard and CJ have been developing their game the past few years.

Is Hood not an option for the starting SF?

DaVoiceMaster wrote:Is Hood not an option for the starting SF?

He is now.