Woj: Blazers use MLE on Derrick Jones Jr...

[red_power]

Jae Crowder was just signed for 3/30 to Phoenix. I wonder if Olshey offered him our MLE? I think there's a good chance he'd perfer to come to Portland over Phoenix.

Crowder seems to be a better option for that money but only if you aren't willing to dive into the details.

Because having Convington on your team changes a scene completely. I mean do you really want to add a replica RoCo when you already have the original one?

I firmly believe there could be a better way to complete your roster rather than stacking up similar role players playing on similar positions.

[Roy The Natural]

Jae Crowder was just signed for 3/30 to Phoenix. I wonder if Olshey offered him our MLE? I think there's a good chance he'd perfer to come to Portland over Phoenix.

Crowder seems to be a better option for that money but only if you aren't willing to dive into the details.

Because having Convington on your team changes a scene completely. I mean do you really want to add a replica RoCo when you already have the original one?

I firmly believe there could be a better way to complete your roster rather than stacking up similar role players playing on similar positions.

I wanted Crowder as well. But we most remember that Crowder plain wasn't very good for 2-3 years before this last year. He shot 32% from 3 in 2017, he shot 33% from 3 in 2018, and he shot 34% from 3 last year. He was shooting 29% from 3 before he was traded to Miami.

I like Crowder, but he's honestly not a very reliable shooter, so it's not as if we missed out on some premiere 3&D player where the delta between him and Jones Jr is contention. This team still needs the development of it's young quad of players to push it over the edge.

[d-train]

Seems like an option c or d type move

We will never know but I don't believe so. I think Olshey is filling skills, not just positions. Blazers want to complement Nurk and Collins. Olshey thinks DJJ's athleticism will plug holes created by using a bigger lineup. And, Blazers want to be better at getting to the rim against smaller lineups. Finally, Olshey believes DJJ is a talent on the rise.

We will see how it works if everyone stays healthy.

[PDXKnight]

Seems like an option c or d type move

We will never know but I don't believe so. I think Olshey is filling skills, not just positions. Blazers want to complement Nurk and Collins. Olshey thinks DJJ's athleticism will plug holes created by using a bigger lineup. And, Blazers want to be better at getting to the rim against smaller lineups. Finally, Olshey believes DJJ is a talent on the rise.

We will see how it works if everyone stays healthy.

To me the value depends on dj’s defense. He’s supposedly good on that end and if he proves to be the lockdown 3 point defender some say he is we are in good shape with this signing

[Matt800]

Seems like an option c or d type move

We will never know but I don't believe so. I think Olshey is filling skills, not just positions. Blazers want to complement Nurk and Collins. Olshey thinks DJJ's athleticism will plug holes created by using a bigger lineup. And, Blazers want to be better at getting to the rim against smaller lineups. Finally, Olshey believes DJJ is a talent on the rise.

We will see how it works if everyone stays healthy.

To me the value depends on dj’s defense. He’s supposedly good on that end and if he proves to be the lockdown 3 point defender some say he is we are in good shape with this signing

The other thing is plenty of players have learned to shoot 3s as their career goes on. Rubio, Rondo, Carter, etc all improved their shot. I am not going to expect that at all but it's possible.

I do think it's a missed opportunity if Crowder could have actually been had for the same money. Crowder has about 25-30 pounds on DJJ which makes him able to guard some of the bigger wings. I remember Portland getting destroyed by him on the 2/9 game which was his first in Miami. He went for 18 pts, 5-8 from 3, 11 reb, 3 ast, 1 blk, 2 stl, 1 to. Just one game but he looked good, and his next several after that look comparable on the stats sheet. The other thing is he has shown he can play at a high level in the playoffs. Some people play worse in the playoffs, so that's a pretty crucial factor for teams that want to have a long playoff run.

Another thing is Moe Harkless got 3.6 million, and Avery Bradley got 11.6 million over 2 years. So portland had the money for them.

I haven't watched Avery Bradley much, but how is he only getting that much? His stats and reputation as a defender make him seem really good.

[monopoman]

I mean it seems to be partially a "paying for the future" thing. Derrick is only 23 years old and has only played 4 seasons in the NBA, he could easily add more to his game.

I will say at least it's not a super long deal like Evan Turner.

[PDXKnight]

Sounds like this signing is underrated according to heat fans, an energy guy who is young. And a former d leaguer with a chip on his shoulder this a desire to prove himself.

Any word on if Jones’s second year is guaranteed?

[d-train]

Any word on if Jones’s second year is guaranteed?

Very good question. If his second year is unguaranteed or a team option, it could be used as leverage to a longer contract next summer.

[mighty_duck]

Sounds like this signing is underrated according to heat fans, an energy guy who is young. And a former d leaguer with a chip on his shoulder this a desire to prove himself.

Any word on if Jones’s second year is guaranteed?

"Sources" saying it's a player option, which I'm not crazy about. If he exceeds expectations, we'll either have to pay more or have another team snatch him. If he bombs or gets injured, we're still on the hook for $10 mil next season.

Not sure how necessary this PO was, considering his previous body of work...

https://hoopshype.com/storyline/derrick-jones-free-agency/

[DusterBuster]

Interesting that it sounds like Olshey believes Jones will start with RoCo and Melo will become the 6th man off the bench. So looking like the roster will shake out to this...


Dame/Simons
CJ/GTj
DJj/Hood/Nassier
RoCo/Melo/Collins*
Nurk/Kanter/Giles

I mean... if everyone is healthy (big if)... that 2nd unit is almost as strong as some teams starting 5. Arguably the best Blazer bench I can remember in some time.

[PDXKnight]

Interesting that it sounds like Olshey believes Jones will start with RoCo and Melo will become the 6th man off the bench. So looking like the roster will shake out to this...


Dame/Simons
CJ/GTj
DJj/Hood/Nassier
RoCo/Melo/Collins*
Nurk/Kanter/Giles

I mean... if everyone is healthy (big if)... that 2nd unit is almost as strong as some teams starting 5. Arguably the best Blazer bench I can remember in some time.

I’d suspect coach stotts doesn’t base his lineups on what olshey wants

[DusterBuster]

Interesting that it sounds like Olshey believes Jones will start with RoCo and Melo will become the 6th man off the bench. So looking like the roster will shake out to this...


Dame/Simons
CJ/GTj
DJj/Hood/Nassier
RoCo/Melo/Collins*
Nurk/Kanter/Giles

I mean... if everyone is healthy (big if)... that 2nd unit is almost as strong as some teams starting 5. Arguably the best Blazer bench I can remember in some time.

I’d suspect coach stotts doesn’t base his lineups on what olshey wants

Obviously, just saying that's all we have to go off of, so if that is indeed how the rotation shakes out, it's still damn solid.

Also, I wouldn't be surprised if this is how it shakes out, but even though Melo doesn't start, he probably closes out most games. Melo could be a matchup nightmare for some team's second units.

[d-train]

Interesting that it sounds like Olshey believes Jones will start with RoCo and Melo will become the 6th man off the bench. So looking like the roster will shake out to this...


Dame/Simons
CJ/GTj
DJj/Hood/Nassier
RoCo/Melo/Collins*
Nurk/Kanter/Giles

I mean... if everyone is healthy (big if)... that 2nd unit is almost as strong as some teams starting 5. Arguably the best Blazer bench I can remember in some time.

I did not hear NO say anything resembling DJJ will start. Although, it's easy to surmise after he says Collins is out until 3rd week of January and he likes Melo off the bench. With Collins out, the replacement starter could be Melo, DJJ, Hood, GTJ, Giles, or Little. DJJ and Hood are the guys with new $10M/yr contracts. Hood is not going to get the rebounds DJJ and Melo will get. I would say the opening starter will be either Melo or DJJ. Hood, Giles, and Little are longshot possibilities.

Regardless who starts in Zach's absence, it's terrible news Zach is out at least a quarter of the season. This is not going to help Blazers get a good start.

I did not feel the usual enthusiasm from NO about the upcoming season, which is surprising. Someone said the DJJ signing seemed like a plan c or d. Olshey's lack of usual enthusiasm kind of supports the theory things didn't go as planned.

[Matt800]

Interesting that it sounds like Olshey believes Jones will start with RoCo and Melo will become the 6th man off the bench. So looking like the roster will shake out to this...


Dame/Simons
CJ/GTj
DJj/Hood/Nassier
RoCo/Melo/Collins*
Nurk/Kanter/Giles

I mean... if everyone is healthy (big if)... that 2nd unit is almost as strong as some teams starting 5. Arguably the best Blazer bench I can remember in some time.

I did not hear NO say anything resembling DJJ will start. Although, it's easy to surmise after he says Collins is out until 3rd week of January and he likes Melo off the bench. With Collins out, the replacement starter could be Melo, DJJ, Hood, GTJ, Giles, or Little. DJJ and Hood are the guys with new $10M/yr contracts. Hood is not going to get the rebounds DJJ and Melo will get. I would say the opening starter will be either Melo or DJJ. Hood, Giles, and Little are longshot possibilities.

Regardless who starts in Zach's absence, it's terrible news Zach is out at least a quarter of the season. This is not going to help Blazers get a good start.

I did not feel the usual enthusiasm from NO about the upcoming season, which is surprising. Someone said the DJJ signing seemed like a plan c or d. Olshey's lack of usual enthusiasm kind of supports the theory things didn't go as planned.

is 3rd week of January a quarter of the season? Isn't that like 3-4 weeks?

If Hood can play like he did early last season, I would imagine he would be the best player available for starting. If not then I wonder how playable he will be.

Maybe Olshey didn't want to hype guys up like he did last year, who then had trouble meeting that expectation.

[Village Idiot]

I've been poring through a lot of Jones work. Actual game footage and not just highlights. Defensively I saw him do a pretty darned good job on both Giannis and Doncis. Offensively he is purely opportunistic.

Miami had a nice tactic of letting Jones pick up Doncic early and make him work hard and then hand him over to someone else on switches. With his length, quickness and strong anticipation its a role I'd like to see us employ him in. I would also hope we'd employ him as a trapper in the same manner our opponents typically trap Dame as soon as he crosses halfcourt.

Against Giannis, Jones did a pretty good job in 1 on 1 situations but picked up a couple of very cheap fouls. He also picked up a nice charge anticipating Giannis spin move and also stripped him clean.

Offensively I can see him going corner to corner along the baseline. Those spots should be open with Nurkic or Kanter setting the high screen. If Jones defender helps towards Lillard I can see Jones catching the lob for an easy jam. If his outside shot develops he can be a really solid role player, perhaps at RoCos level.

[PDXKnight]

I've been poring through a lot of Jones work. Actual game footage and not just highlights. Defensively I saw him do a pretty darned good job on both Giannis and Doncis. Offensively he is purely opportunistic.

Miami had a nice tactic of letting Jones pick up Doncic early and make him work hard and then hand him over to someone else on switches. With his length, quickness and strong anticipation its a role I'd like to see us employ him in. I would also hope we'd employ him as a trapper in the same manner our opponents typically trap Dame as soon as he crosses halfcourt.

Against Giannis, Jones did a pretty good job in 1 on 1 situations but picked up a couple of very cheap fouls. He also picked up a nice charge anticipating Giannis spin move and also stripped him clean.

Offensively I can see him going corner to corner along the baseline. Those spots should be open with Nurkic or Kanter setting the high screen. If Jones defender helps towards Lillard I can see Jones catching the lob for an easy jam. If his outside shot develops he can be a really solid role player, perhaps at RoCos level.

Yes hopefully he gets that outside shot going. I love that he can defend and 28 percent 3 point shooting means they at least have to give him a bit of attention but if he can get that number up to 35 percent at least we will be in good shape

[Village Idiot]

Jones wide open 3pt percentage is unfortunately also only 28% so his problems are clearly mechanical as well as mental.

Covington struggled on wide open 3s last season at only 30% but the year prior to that he was at 46.2% and about 40% average prior to that.

FYI Portland had some very good 3 point shooters. The wide open numbers for returning guys is:

Hood 61.5%
McCollum 44.3%
Melo 43.5%
Lillard 42.6%
Collins 41.7%
Trent 39%
Simons 38%
Little 27.7
Nurk 20%

[BlazersBroncos]

Man, if Zach can keep that near 42% on higher volume he could be such a great role player. I just dont see a way we can keep him and GTJ assuming they each get deals worth the full MLE or more (And I dont think there is much chance either are cheaper). We are at 130M next summer right now. Assuming the above amounts for ZC and GTJ, we would be looking at 150M next summer w/o Kanter or Melo.

I think moving one of those two for a 2021 FRP may be a necessary move, or for a guy still on a rookie deal for a few years. 150M puts us 18M above the luxury tax and creates an absurdly expensive team, especially considering we are not a clear cut contender. I would wait until the deadline but it may be inevitable.

I trust RoCo to get that number back closer to the 40%'s, guys who shoot that well bounce back.

[Village Idiot]

Man, if Zach can keep that near 42% on higher volume he could be such a great role player.

I trust RoCo to get that number back closer to the 40%'s, guys who shoot that well bounce back.

Collins only connected on 31.3% of his wide open 3s the previous season so that might be a bit to hope for. We know he put in a lot of work on his 3pt shooting so one can hope. In any case there is certainly a lot of reasons for optimism with this team.