David Aldridge: Blazers still hopeful to bring back Melo

[GEE]

I think Collins is still our starting PF, but signing Melo give us all a nice warm blanket knowing that if Collins shows any sign of weakness, Melo's right there to step in. Furthermore, I suspect (with zero evidence) that Melo's camp was negotiating the rumored "starting promise handshake", which may have been what was holding things up a bit.

Point is, If Collins thrives, which I will bank on, then Melo anchors the bench. Let's take a look...

Dame / Simons
CJ / GTJ
ROCO / Hood
Collins / Melo
Nurkic / Kanter

RJJ / cj / Little

Batum looks like the guy to me, to make Simons our 3rd string PG. Like the kid, but he ain't ready.

[red_power]

Like to see him back. No matter how old he is, Anthony still can score efficiently enough when the pace slows down and he's definitely a guy you would like to entrust a shot in crunch time.
That basically means Melo could be a really valuable piece in any close playoffs series.

Just don't expand his role much beyond those boundaries, please.

[GEE]

One year is says.... BAE?

[DusterBuster]

Read on Twitter

The hole is at back-up PG.

I like some lineups where CJ/Simons play spot minutes at PG, but we do need an actual backup PG. One who plays defense and can facilitate would be ideal.

Evan Turner is still available...

I'll see myself out.

Honestly though, hear me out... a not-overpaid Turner to just play 10-15min as Dame's backup and play defense... I can't say I totally hate the idea. He was pretty beloved in the lockerroom and he knows the team/system well enough which would be helpful in a shortened training camp scenario.

Other PG's that may be available for the BAE or vet min...

Matthew Dellavedova
Brandon Knight
Yogi Ferrell
Quinn Cook
Shabazz Napier

I like Cook and Napier for their 3pt shooting, but leave a lot to still be desired defensively, plus they may want bigger roles. Dellavedova probably makes the most sense, a trash scorer, but was a decent defender for a time and a competent enough playmaker - plus a guy you could probably get away giving out some DNP's to and not having it create problems.

But so would ET too probably, so like... I donno, I think I just talked myself into wanting to bring ET back lmao.

[d-train]

Melo agreed to 1yr VME

[GEE]

Melo agreed to 1yr VME

I was searching to see if it was the BAE, but no... Really? VME. At this rate cj might get cut for the roster spot. Any love for Batum d-train? The well of players is pretty dry.

[red_power]

Read on Twitter

The hole is at back-up PG.

I like some lineups where CJ/Simons play spot minutes at PG, but we do need an actual backup PG. One who plays defense and can facilitate would be ideal.

Pretty sure Olshey plans to give Simmons an opportunity to show himself up ahead of the trade deadline.
And then we will see.

Hopefully Neil isn't going to waste blazers roster spots on Tollivers, Gasols and other washed-up vets too soon this time.

[JasonStern]

Blazers literally land future hall of famers Pau Gasol and Carmelo Anthony in back-to-back offseasons. And yet some people still question Olshey.

[DeBlazerRiddem]

Melo played well for us, got himself in shape and bought in to his role. I'm very glad the Blazers are rewarding that and bringing him back, that reflects well on everyone involved.

[Pattycakes]

Bubble Melo is perfect for us. Cheers to building off that momentum!

[d-train]

Melo agreed to 1yr VME

I was searching to see if it was the BAE, but no... Really? VME. At this rate cj might get cut for the roster spot. Any love for Batum d-train? The well of players is pretty dry.

Batum is a good player. He was especially good his first four years before the big money and expectations. He's not that old. He should be as good as ever.

[HoopsFanAZ]

Nice to see Anthony return. Maybe he’ll get that ring with the Blazers.

Batum would be a good facilitator and multi-positional defender. I’ve been a fan since before he was drafted.
It would be good to see him a Blazer again.

[red_power]

Blazers literally land future hall of famers Pau Gasol and Carmelo Anthony in back-to-back offseasons. And yet some people still question Olshey.

So nowadays Olshey isn't just about building a summer league championship team?

[Dzon Dilindzer]

few things from neil olsheys press:

- carmelo will be coming off the bench
- covington will start at the small forward
- jones jr will start too (i assume until collins is ready to come back)
- collins timeline is second or third week in january
- they wanted perimeter defense, thats why they brought covington and jones jr
- bringing carmelo back was a priority, they want him to lead the bench unit
- simons is a backup pg, they consider him to be as good or better than any minimum backup pg
- hood is ready for the opening night

[DeBlazerRiddem]

So Carmelo has come back to Portland knowing he will be leading the second unit? Honestly that is fantastic, what a huge show of maturity from him. Lets get him 6MOTY.

[GEE]

To me, it sounded like Melo has agreed to a role different from last year, not being guaranteed the starting spot like he may have last year. Instead, primarily being the anchor off the bench.

With Collins still drinking his milk, getting his bones stronger, Melo may start early on, and maybe not. I have no freakin' idea honestly, but the point is, you can see the infinite possibilities. I would hope to see some balance, so maybe:

Dame
CJ / GTJ
Jones / Hood
ROCO / Melo
Nurkic / Kanter

Spot minutes for Simons