2020 free agent targets and draft picks

[d-train]

I'm not a fan of this guy, but if Sacramento wants to move his contract, what about a S&T?

Whiteside for Barnes

Does anyone like Bjelica? The Bazemore TPE would cover his contract. That would still leave the Blazers with their MLE and BAE to use.

I like Bazemore, not Bjelica so much. I don't like Barnes at all. Plus, I think Whiteside's next contract might be around $5M/year. Don't think a S&T for a $22M contract is going to happen, especially since our budget to fill 4 roster spots is around $20M.

Would OKC have any interest in Gallinari for Ariza, Trent Jr, Simon's, Little, and $5 million cash? Young talent, some cash, and maybe a future pick if necessary?

Then sign Crowder with the MLE.

Again, the budget for 4 roster spots is $20M. You are way overpaying for Gallo. Gallo would compete with Melo for minutes and would end up getting nothing but Melo's leftovers. I do like Crowder, but he isn't a good shooter. Having Crowder on the floor would fuel gameplan's to trap the ball, which Blazers need to avoid.

[DaVoiceMaster]

Looks like Crowder is shooting pretty well with Miami.

[BlazersBroncos]

Looks like Crowder is shooting pretty well with Miami.

Well, I agree with d-train that Crowder isnt the type who can be even a #3 ballhandling option but that Miami team is so deep with guys from 1-5 that are above average at dribbling and passing that they can afford to have a Crowder type who just plays good defense, rebounds, switches well 2-5 and hits the open shot.

The transformation of that Miami team has been so impressive. I love that squad, all just hardworking lunch pail guys who are unselfish and likable. Butler is one hell of a tone setter even if he has tough spells shooting and turning the ball over. I would kill for Portland to have a team like that. Instead we get iso ball and the occasional Nurkic pass to a cutter from the high post.

[HoopsFanAZ]

Quick questions for posters like Wiz, BlazersBroncos, d-train, and DaVoiceMaster (you who have been around quite a while):

What is Whiteside's next contract range?
d-train said "around $ 5M/year." Do the rest of you agree?
And based upon what he will get, how does that affect his returning or not?

Thanks, in advance.

[DaVoiceMaster]

I don't know why we dont run more of our offense through Nurkic. It's been effective early in games, then they just go away from it for the next 3 quarters and lose. Go back to what was working. They dont need to run everything through him, but they certainly could run a fair amount through him from the high post.

[HoopsFanAZ]

I don't know why we dont run more of our offense through Nurkic. It's been effective early in games, then they just go away from it for the next 3 quarters and lose. Go back to what was working. They dont need to run everything through him, but they certainly could run a fair amount through him from the high post.

Amen.

I like Nurkic in that role as much as Jokic for the Nuggets. While Lillard and CJ take turns when one is hot, that also tends to lead to ISO or a 2-man game instead of ball and player movement.

[PDXKnight]

I don't know why we dont run more of our offense through Nurkic. It's been effective early in games, then they just go away from it for the next 3 quarters and lose. Go back to what was working. They dont need to run everything through him, but they certainly could run a fair amount through him from the high post.

Amen.

I like Nurkic in that role as much as Jokic for the Nuggets. While Lillard and CJ take turns when one is hot, that also tends to lead to ISO or a 2-man game instead of ball and player movement.

It’s effective to some degree but Nurk seems to turn it over a lot in his touches so there’s that

[DaVoiceMaster]

I don't know why we dont run more of our offense through Nurkic. It's been effective early in games, then they just go away from it for the next 3 quarters and lose. Go back to what was working. They dont need to run everything through him, but they certainly could run a fair amount through him from the high post.

Amen.

I like Nurkic in that role as much as Jokic for the Nuggets. While Lillard and CJ take turns when one is hot, that also tends to lead to ISO or a 2-man game instead of ball and player movement.

It’s effective to some degree but Nurk seems to turn it over a lot in his touches so there’s that

It's a whole lot more effective than not.

[DaVoiceMaster]

There was an interesting trade on the T&T Forum that most people seemed to like involving Portland, Philadelphia, and Oklahoma City. The essential players were:

Paul, McCollum, Collins to Philadlephia
Horford, Simons to Oklahoma City
Simmons to Portland

There were a couple of other minor people involved, as well as draft picks, but overall people seemed okay with the trade. That gets me thinking...

Portland makes the trade for Simmons.
Portland uses their TPE to acquire Enes Kanter from Boston (is a 2nd necessary? They save $5M and he wasn't even playing).
Portland signs Shabazz Napier to a vet minimum 2 year contract.
Portland uses the MLE to sign either Davis Bertans, Jae Crowder, or Justin Holiday to a 3 year contract.
Portland resigns Carmelo Anthony to a vet minimum or BAE 2 year contract.
Portland resigns Wenyen Gabriel to a vet minimum 2 year contract.
Portland signs Meyers Leonard to a vet minimum 2 year contract. We need a cheerleader like him on the bench!!!

The last year of all contracts above (except Kanter - expiring) can include a Team Option if that's possible.

Purchase a low lottery draft pick for $5 million and Nassir Little (if necessary) to select Aaron Nesmith.

Trade Mario Hezonja to Atlanta for a future 2nd pick or cash ($1,830,151 to pay his 2020-21 salary. If not, waive him.

Lillard / Napier
Hood / Trent Jr / Korkmaz
Bertans (Crowder) / Ariza / Nesmith
Simmons / Melo / Gabriel
Nurkic / Kanter / Leonard

That is a "win now" roster!!! I don't know what type of salary Bertans will demand. He's only made like $7M so far so maybe he'd go for the MLE and a starting spot on a potential championship team? Crowder is not a bad runner up who can defend multiple positions and shoot a bit. Otherwise, Holiday is a decent defender and good shooter. Probably need to find a better PF for the future as Melo is old and Gabriel is raw. If the Blazers go with Crowder, he could handle the backup PF minutes.

Thoughts?

[Epicurus]

Looks like Crowder is shooting pretty well with Miami.

Well, I agree with d-train that Crowder isnt the type who can be even a #3 ballhandling option but that Miami team is so deep with guys from 1-5 that are above average at dribbling and passing that they can afford to have a Crowder type who just plays good defense, rebounds, switches well 2-5 and hits the open shot.

The transformation of that Miami team has been so impressive. I love that squad, all just hardworking lunch pail guys who are unselfish and likable. Butler is one hell of a tone setter even if he has tough spells shooting and turning the ball over. I would kill for Portland to have a team like that. Instead we get iso ball and the occasional Nurkic pass to a cutter from the high post.

9.9% Blazer iso v. 4.6% Heat iso, compared to league leader Rockets at 19.6% v. last in iso Orlando at 3%. 6%, the median.

Offensive efficiency--Portland 3rd; Miami 7th; Houston, 6th;Orlando, 23. How significant of offensive differentiation is iso?

[DaVoiceMaster]

Quick questions for posters like Wiz, BlazersBroncos, d-train, and DaVoiceMaster (you who have been around quite a while):

What is Whiteside's next contract range?
d-train said "around $ 5M/year." Do the rest of you agree?
And based upon what he will get, how does that affect his returning or not?

Thanks, in advance.

I just noticed this post. I must have missed it before. What are you asking?

[HoopsFanAZ]

Quick questions for posters like Wiz, BlazersBroncos, d-train, and DaVoiceMaster (you who have been around quite a while):

What is Whiteside's next contract range?
d-train said "around $ 5M/year." Do the rest of you agree?
And based upon what he will get, how does that affect his returning or not?

Thanks, in advance.

I just noticed this post. I must have missed it before. What are you asking?

In looking at free agents and draft picks, I start with the Blazers' free agents with simple questions:
1. Keep or cut bait?
2. If it's cut's bait, would they be useful to someone else (S&T) ... Jake Layman ... or just waive the rights?
3. If Whiteside (in this case) has value to the Blazers, how much do you think Whiteside will be offered? What can he command on the open market? [A happy Whiteside is the only Whiteside a team should sign.]

d-train said in this topic that Whiteside's next salary would be around $5 million per year. Is that about right for what the Blazers would pay? Do they want him back? What will others offer? With that low of a number, comparatively, is Whiteside even offered that money by the Blazers?

What do you think?

[BlazersBroncos]

d-train said in this topic that Whiteside's next salary would be around $5 million per year. Is that about right for what the Blazers would pay? Do they want him back? What will others offer? With that low of a number, comparatively, is Whiteside even offered that money by the Blazers?

I think 5M is low, but also within the realm of possibility. I think more around 8M on a very short deal (2/16M or 1/8M).

At the same time, I think I am ready to walk away from him. I dont like his body language and while he hasnt been an out-and-out malcontent, he just seems to sorta be a sucky person. Whiney, always looks discontent, never really rooting on the bench, etc. IDK, wouldnt really care if we lost him as long as we could find a decent backup.

[JasonStern]

I feel an above average backup center is needed as I don't trust both Nurkić and Collins remaining healthy for an entire season.

If Whiteside is content playing a bench role, I'd be fine going up to 3Y/$20M to retain him. Anything higher would be far too expensive for what would hopefully be a bench player.

Many have proposed "Kanter for TPE". If Boston is looking to manage cap space, I like that idea more than re-signing Whiteside.

[DaVoiceMaster]

I am not a fan of Whiteside off the bench and since Nurkic is the starter, I don't see a place for him on this roster. I would use the Bazemorr TPE to acquire Kanter. The guy is a perfect bench player, knows his role, and accepts it. He's more offensive than Whiteside, which our bench will need. How many great starts did we see the team get off to, only to see it disappear once the bench came in. I would thank Whiteside for his service, but tell him to see what he can get elsewhere. Perhaps the Blazers can facilitate a S&T if necessary and only if it benefits the Blazers.

[BlazersBroncos]

I am not a fan of Whiteside off the bench and since Nurkic is the starter, I don't see a place for him on this roster. I would use the Bazemorr TPE to acquire Kanter. The guy is a perfect bench player, knows his role, and accepts it. He's more offensive than Whiteside, which our bench will need. How many great starts did we see the team get off to, only to see it disappear once the bench came in. I would thank Whiteside for his service, but tell him to see what he can get elsewhere. Perhaps the Blazers can facilitate a S&T if necessary and only if it benefits the Blazers.

I too prefer Kanter. Much better culture fit and understands his role. He has accepted he can be unplayable in certain PO matchups and just rolls with it. He would be huge in the RS to keep Nurkic healthy and rested. Then in the PO, you use Nurkic and Zack at C.

[DaVoiceMaster]

I am not a fan of Whiteside off the bench and since Nurkic is the starter, I don't see a place for him on this roster. I would use the Bazemorr TPE to acquire Kanter. The guy is a perfect bench player, knows his role, and accepts it. He's more offensive than Whiteside, which our bench will need. How many great starts did we see the team get off to, only to see it disappear once the bench came in. I would thank Whiteside for his service, but tell him to see what he can get elsewhere. Perhaps the Blazers can facilitate a S&T if necessary and only if it benefits the Blazers.

I too prefer Kanter. Much better culture fit and understands his role. He has accepted he can be unplayable in certain PO matchups and just rolls with it. He would be huge in the RS to keep Nurkic healthy and rested. Then in the PO, you use Nurkic and Zack at C.

[DeBlazerRiddem]

I'm all for bringing Kanter back too, he had a nice role here.

In terms of last first/early second round picks, Xavier Tillman kind of reminds me of Draymond Green, high IQ guy with a big body and great anticipation but some athletic questions. Even a poor man's version could make an interesting backup PF/C for us.

If we could get those two in a deal like Kanter+#30 for our #46 that Could help with our depth.

[Sinobas]

I've been advocating for the return of Kanter as well. He's just a much better fit.

[BlazersBroncos]

In terms of last first/early second round picks, Xavier Tillman kind of reminds me of Draymond Green, high IQ guy with a big body and great anticipation but some athletic questions. Even a poor man's version could make an interesting backup PF/C for us.

If we can pick up 30 in a TPE move for Kanter (TPE+46 for Kanter+30), than Tillman would be my target. I dont think he is as talented or nimble as Green, but he has solid-role-player written all over him. I think he is likely to be closer to Kyle O'Quinn than Draymond, but good chance he lands in the middle which is great value at 30. (FWIW, O'Quinn has averaged 1.7apg in 12mpg the past 3 years which is just nuts for a center)