Portland - 2016 Offseason

Oneluckbox · Post #1081 » by **Oneluckbox** » Thu Jun 30, 2016 3:30 am

So If the Blazers let go of Crabbe, Henderson and Meyers and keep Harkless for like 12-13 and sign Whiteside for his max (22m was it?) would they only have around 10mil left + the MLE?

Wizenheimer · Post #1082 » by **Wizenheimer** » Thu Jun 30, 2016 3:30 am

I wonder if Neil Olshey is mainlining espresso right now watching the clock click down anticipating no sleep for the next 80 hours. For that matter, is he even in Portland?

Wizenheimer · Post #1083 » by **Wizenheimer** » Thu Jun 30, 2016 3:31 am

Oneluckbox wrote:So If the Blazers let go of Crabbe, Henderson and Meyers and keep Harkless for like 12-13 and sign Whiteside for his max (22m was it?) would they only have around 10mil left + the MLE?

I think it would be more like 14 million, maybe a shade less

DusterBuster · Post #1084 » by **DusterBuster** » Thu Jun 30, 2016 3:34 am

Zach Lowe with a pretty great piece on this nutty FA summer almost upon us, accurately describing the up free agent period as the NBA's own Thunderdome. He spends a paragraph on Howard potentially in Portland....

Dwight Howard might be the thorniest test of willpower. Teams are turning up their noses at even a two-year guaranteed deal for Howard anywhere near his max. But progress, real and imagined, can make teams do funny things. The Blazers have a gazillion in cap room, and they want to hold the line in a Western Conference that will be better almost across the board. They could use a defensive anchor at center, and they will absolutely look at Howard, per several league sources.

Boston has a Dwight meeting on the books already -- stock up on candy, guys! -- and could use a rim protector.

Will these teams have the discipline to fold when the bidding gets heated? Signing Howard introduces a wild card into a team's culture, and for the Blazers, it would change the way they play. Howard isn't as nimble as Mason Plumlee, and not nearly as comfortable a passer in space; could he punish teams that trap Damian Lillard the way Plumlee does with artful drive-and-kick plays?

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/16621548/when-clock-strikes-midnight-friday-nba-contracts-flying-shelves

Oneluckbox · Post #1085 » by **Oneluckbox** » Thu Jun 30, 2016 3:37 am

Wizenheimer wrote:
Oneluckbox wrote:So If the Blazers let go of Crabbe, Henderson and Meyers and keep Harkless for like 12-13 and sign Whiteside for his max (22m was it?) would they only have around 10mil left + the MLE?

I think it would be more like 14 million, maybe a shade less

Hmm not too much but I suppose Olshey has shown his ability to pick up players on the cheap in the past but probably going to be a bit harder this FA with the increase and all. Hopefully it isn't another repeat of 13-14 where the bench was non existent...

Masterfully · Post #1086 » by **Masterfully** » Thu Jun 30, 2016 3:38 am

Anyone see this video the Oregonian put on YouTube?

https://youtu.be/DI_WPVT0w_g

It features potential free agent target DeMarcus Cousins. A 6'7" center.

Brandon-Clyde · Post #1087 » by **Brandon-Clyde** » Thu Jun 30, 2016 3:48 am

Offer Dwight the max or near max in year 1 and then make it a declining contract for the rest of the deal

DusterBuster · Post #1088 » by **DusterBuster** » Thu Jun 30, 2016 3:55 am

Oneluckbox wrote:
Wizenheimer wrote:
Oneluckbox wrote:So If the Blazers let go of Crabbe, Henderson and Meyers and keep Harkless for like 12-13 and sign Whiteside for his max (22m was it?) would they only have around 10mil left + the MLE?

I think it would be more like 14 million, maybe a shade less

Hmm not too much but I suppose Olshey has shown his ability to pick up players on the cheap in the past but probably going to be a bit harder this FA with the increase and all. Hopefully it isn't another repeat of 13-14 where the bench was non existent...

It'll be interesting to see what happens to Meyers. Word is he may actually just take his QO and ride into next summer unrestricted. There doesn't seem to be much of a market for him this summer, which would help the Blazers a lot. One less RFA to worry about and it makes it easier to decide who to keep between Crabbe and Harkless. I'd value Harkless higher since he's got a more versatile skillset and plays a starter role for Portland, plus thankfully for Portland, he'll probably be considerably cheaper. Unless Portland plans on moving Crabbe to starting SF, they just can't justify 15-17mil for him to be a backup.

Also you'll notice there isn't much chatter about Henderson. Makes me wonder if Portland couldn't actually come to terms with him to bring him back at around the same amount he got this year.

I actually think you may find some deals this summer on some of the lower tier guys. I'd stay away from any RFA's in this market like the plague. Seems like the worst possible investment you can make this year. Thankfully it seems Olshey is, at least regarding his first options. But once you get past most of the guys, I think you'll see a lot of teams start pulling back and when you'll see some bargains and maybe some one year deals.

DusterBuster · Post #1089 » by **DusterBuster** » Thu Jun 30, 2016 3:57 am

Speaking of potentially bargain guys, if Portland did by some chance land Howard, I'd make a hard push at getting Courtney Lee. They were good friends back in Orlando and he's apparently an amazing lockerroom guy and solid wing defender. He'd actually be a good fit regardless of Howard, but even more so with him.

Masterfully · Post #1090 » by **Masterfully** » Thu Jun 30, 2016 4:08 am

Another bargain bin player is James Ennis. 26 year old SF who is solidly efficient (albeit in limited minutes.) Seems like he fits the mold if Harkless and/or Crabbe left.

DusterBuster · Post #1091 » by **DusterBuster** » Thu Jun 30, 2016 4:09 am

Feel free to cross NY of a possible Dwight destination. Word is they've already got the contract written up for Noah (reportedly 18mil) and he's been in NY for weeks now telling everyone how excited he is to play for NYK. Won't be surprised if that's that first signing reported.

Post #1092 » by **The Sebastian Express** » Thu Jun 30, 2016 4:11 am

DusterBuster wrote:Feel free to cross NY of a possible Dwight destination. Word is they've already got the contract written up for Noah (reportedly 18mil) and he's been in NY for weeks now telling everyone how excited he is to play for NYK. Won't be surprised if that's that first signing reported.

My response to the Joakim price consisted of 15 letters.

Two of them were L. Thirteen were O.

DusterBuster · Post #1093 » by **DusterBuster** » Thu Jun 30, 2016 4:17 am

The Sebastian Express wrote:
DusterBuster wrote:Feel free to cross NY of a possible Dwight destination. Word is they've already got the contract written up for Noah (reportedly 18mil) and he's been in NY for weeks now telling everyone how excited he is to play for NYK. Won't be surprised if that's that first signing reported.

My response to the Joakim price consisted of 15 letters.

Two of them were L. Thirteen were O.

Yeah, I don't get it, but its leaking right now that this deal is basically done already. One would wonder about tampering issues, but kinda hard for the league to do much with that. It's Noah's home town, he's apperently expressed interest before and his best friend just got traded there. Wouldn't be surprised if Rose acted as a sorragate agent on Noah's behalf to get the wheels turning on that deal early.

Fans of the Walking Dead can rest early as they'll get a sneak peak at the new season every night once the Knicks season opens at MSG

deanwoof · Post #1094 » by **deanwoof** » Thu Jun 30, 2016 4:22 am

Masterfully wrote:I'll eat my favorite shirt if Lillard or McCollum get traded. Not happening. No way.

Heh you didn't say when.

Also, I read that as you'll eat your favorite turd.

Oneluckbox · Post #1095 » by **Oneluckbox** » Thu Jun 30, 2016 4:24 am

I liked the idea of Noah as Plan B. But 18m a year? Seriously? Lol stay well away from that.

WHITESIDE HERE WE COME.

DusterBuster · Post #1096 » by **DusterBuster** » Thu Jun 30, 2016 4:31 am

Oneluckbox wrote:I liked the idea of Noah as Plan B. But 18m a year? Seriously? Lol stay well away from that.

WHITESIDE HERE WE COME.

Yeah, I do think Noah could recover a bit if he stays healthy. I think last year in Chicago was more a case of a terrible situation than injury. Hoiberg didn't really seem like he knew what he was doing in terms of handling that roster. That said, the fact that Noah has had a serious season ending injury almost every year for like 3 or 4 years now, it's hard to really be optimistic.

I would have probably been ok seeing him in Portland for his leadership, even though I hate the guy on the court. Would have been a good backup to the backup plan and I probably even could have talked myself into the idea of an 18mil per year contract.

That said, I'm perfectly fine with NY taking that risk and taking him. Takes one more team off the market for a C this summer and they didn't take anyone that was really a high target that I want to see the Blazers go after.

DusterBuster · Post #1097 » by **DusterBuster** » Thu Jun 30, 2016 4:43 am

Another NBA talking head saying Dwight may actually come at a pretty big discount:

[tweet]https://twitter.com/hoopscritic/status/748370231421210624[/tweet]

And an NBATV anchor and Brent Barry weigh in on Dwight in Portland:

[tweet]https://twitter.com/Vince_Cellini/status/748372901716434948[/tweet]

Norm2953 · Post #1098 » by **Norm2953** » Thu Jun 30, 2016 4:46 am

It's likely Portland would be ecstatic if either Howard or Whiteside signed with Portland but
both players have significant red flags for with Whiteside, nobody knows what type of player
he would be after he got paid for remember Marcus Camby stopped putting up double digit
rebounds after he got paid. I also wonder his sudden emergence for he was a nobody two
years ago.

With Dwight its going to be about diminishing athletic skills and whether he would buy into
Portland's culture. That might be less of a problem if his contract was 3 years with an opt
out.

In some ways, I wonder if Portland would be better off if they struck out on both players and
instead focused on filling their secondary needs up front and in the back court.

Oneluckbox · Post #1099 » by **Oneluckbox** » Thu Jun 30, 2016 4:54 am

Anyone keen on Dellavedova as the backup PG? Seems like a pretty good fit - can shoot the 3 at a decent clip, can play D, good playmaker, doesn't turn it over much. I'm not sure how much he would get payed though. Would it in the 6-8 range?

Masterfully · Post #1100 » by **Masterfully** » Thu Jun 30, 2016 4:57 am

Oneluckbox wrote:Anyone keen on Dellavedova as the backup PG? Seems like a pretty good fit - can shoot the 3 at a decent clip, can play D, good playmaker, doesn't turn it over much. I'm not sure how much he would get payed though. Would it in the 6-8 range?

At a few million, sure. Word is he might get over $10 million. I don't think a scrappy little Steve Blake 2.0 is worth that much.