Nurkic - what to do?

[Village Idiot]

even though Nurkic was playing like crap and dealing with issues this sucks for him and it sucks for the team and it's lofty ambitions

This belies a couple of questions:
- should we try to salvage the season hoping Nurk and/or Collins will be back if we just hold on long enough or think more long-term?
- if we want to make a trade who is available that might help us, be better than Kanter/Giles and can be plugged in quickly?
- if we make a trade that probably entails weakening the roster elsewhere. Who can we afford to deal?
- the Covington deal ties our hands a bit as it encumbers our pick assets a bit.
- How much more are will willing to sacrifice the future for the present
- McCollum has been better than Dame thus far this season. Is now the time to deal him? Would Damian and Neil even consider it?
- Is this a good point to make more radical changes such as moving on from Olshey and/or Stotts?
- Is this a good opportunity to consider a different, less traditional center oriented play style?

[Roy The Natural]

even though Nurkic was playing like crap and dealing with issues this sucks for him and it sucks for the team and it's lofty ambitions

This belies a couple of questions:
- should we try to salvage the season hoping Nurk and/or Collins will be back if we just hold on long enough or think more long-term?
- if we want to make a trade who is available that might help us, be better than Kanter/Giles and can be plugged in quickly?
- if we make a trade that probably entails weakening the roster elsewhere. Who can we afford to deal?
- the Covington deal ties our hands a bit as it encumbers our pick assets a bit.
- How much more are will willing to sacrifice the future for the present
- McCollum has been better than Dame thus far this season. Is now the time to deal him? Would Damian and Neil even consider it?
- Is this a good point to make more radical changes such as moving on from Olshey and/or Stotts?
- Is this a good opportunity to consider a different, less traditional center oriented play style?

If Portland was going to deal McCollum... doing so to acquire Harden would've been the time to do it. Now, not a chance.

I personally believe that this offseason was the time to move on from Stotts, but that's not likely going to be something that happens mid-season. If the defense and the rotations continue to look this bad, then he'll be gone at the end of the year.

Portland needs to bench Hood, maybe send him to the G-League to get some offensive rhythm and start playing Little. Simons/Little/Collins and picks should be on the table to varying degrees depending on the return. It's tough this early in the season to acquire something of value as no team is technically out of it yet. I'd look into what it would cost for a player like Richaun Holmes, especially if Sacramento has a bad remainder of January.

[BlazersBroncos]

If we make a trade, I would chase vets like George Hill / PJ Tucker. With the Nurkic injury, I lean towards Tucker more. (Hood + Little or Simons for Tucker).

As for the C position, I think we just roll with what we have. Covington put up some insane defensive metrics while playing C last year for HOU, I think we need to get him a bit of run there. I like the idea of starting Giles but giving him lowish minutes while allowing Kanter to remain in the 2nd unit and feast on bench bigs. Something like:

C - Harry Giles (18) / Enes Kanter (20) / Robert Covington (10)

I think we can get away with that. Even w/ the Nurkic injury I am still more worried about opposing teams killing us from 3 than from inside.

[Roy The Natural]

If we make a trade, I would chase vets like George Hill / PJ Tucker. With the Nurkic injury, I lean towards Tucker more. (Hood + Little or Simons for Tucker).

As for the C position, I think we just roll with what we have. Covington put up some insane defensive metrics while playing C last year for HOU, I think we need to get him a bit of run there. I like the idea of starting Giles but giving him lowish minutes while allowing Kanter to remain in the 2nd unit and feast on bench bigs. Something like:

C - Harry Giles (18) / Enes Kanter (20) / Robert Covington (10)

I think we can get away with that. Even w/ the Nurkic injury I am still more worried about opposing teams killing us from 3 than from inside.

I kind of disagree about centers. But I think we have to wait a month or so to see how the season's playing out. If Sac struggles I'd like to get Richaun Holmes from them. I think the team could use a classic rim runner/rim protector if they can acquire one.

[BlazersBroncos]

I kind of disagree about centers. But I think we have to wait a month or so to see how the season's playing out. If Sac struggles I'd like to get Richaun Holmes from them. I think the team could use a classic rim runner/rim protector if they can acquire one.

RoCo played 72% of his minutes at C last season. He managed a 1.2 DBPM, 105 DRTG to go along w/ 2.2BPG and 8RPG. He is very capable of playing small ball C.

It will take a FRP to get Holmes, who we then would need to resign. The earliest FRP we can trade is 2023, and for all we know the team could be rebuilding by that time.

[Epicurus]

Even this season, when Nurk is clearly not 100% mentally or physically, he is the anchor to the defense. None of the suggestions above would replace that anchoring. Now do you try to replace it with someone looking for a job or do you just do without a defensive anchor? Or do you wrap Nurk's wrist, give him permissible pain killers, and put him on the court ( the Red Aurebach treatment--the old celtics looked often like mummies they were so wrapped up). It certainly wouldn't harm his shooting touch.

Personally for the next 1/6 of this season, 12 games, I would just put Giles into Nurk's minutes. Sometimes the understudy becomes a star in sports and in music. Keep Kanter as is, the best backup C in the NBA. No matter, pray that Covington and Jones can become reasonably efficient offensive players.

No matter what some rosy glasses said about this squad being championship contending, it never was, nor will be. Although the additions are better than the subtractions, that is only because the subtractions were not very good. Being somewhat better is not enough. Also the returnees from the injured list are mostly on the court, sans Collins, they have looked quite rusty. The over-the-hill guy is still mostly that (albeit not so much as often claimed), the prospects ( Simons and Little) are still but prospects, to be charitable. Even Trent's play, although useful, is not what was hoped thusfar. So we have Lillard and McCollum as major contributors Is that enough? Why was it believed that this squad was a championship contender? Why do some still believe this PR fiction?

[Roy The Natural]

I kind of disagree about centers. But I think we have to wait a month or so to see how the season's playing out. If Sac struggles I'd like to get Richaun Holmes from them. I think the team could use a classic rim runner/rim protector if they can acquire one.

RoCo played 72% of his minutes at C last season. He managed a 1.2 DBPM, 105 DRTG to go along w/ 2.2BPG and 8RPG. He is very capable of playing small ball C.

It will take a FRP to get Holmes, who we then would need to resign. The earliest FRP we can trade is 2023, and for all we know the team could be rebuilding by that time.

Protections are a thing. You could get him with reasonable protections and a prospect.... if Sac is struggling.

[JasonStern]

Starting Kanter makes sense. That's what we did when we made the WCF. Plus the Kanter+Melo pairing is less than ideal defensively.

Giles has shown promise, so this could be a blessing in disguise for him in the form of increased minutes.

The Hood renegotiation, while a solid gesture by the organization, put us too close to the luxury tax to get a veteran minimum contract just-in-case something went wrong during the season, which often happens.

When healthy, Nurkić/Kanter/Collins/Giles easily fills the center position's minutes. So I'd be hesitant to trade for a pure center.

So, you roll with what you got and hope Kanter and Giles stay healthy. Or if there's a young PF/C that has fallen out of favor with a team that might be worth kicking the tires on, maybe you swap one of our young prospects that has fallen out of favor. But I suspect that we'll just stand pat.

[Pattycakes]

Dump Hood, waste of a roster spot. Losing Nurk hurts more emotionally than on the court this year, Kanter has honestly been better. Don’t think this is as much of a blow as a possibility to become less dependent on Nurk in order to get wins... we need to figure out the core of this ish. This having to be hot on offense to win **** gotta stop, Rabbit

[Norm2953]

Haven't seen a minute of the season despite being a season ticket holder but it would seem to me that
the team will end up playing the lineup that is best equipped to run the Stotts/Dallas offensive system.

As long as Stotts is the HC, with Nurkic out, he will move RC to center and move Melo into the starting
lineup for he is first and foremost an offensive minded coach

[Epicurus]

Haven't seen a minute of the season despite being a season ticket holder but it would seem to me that
the team will end up playing the lineup that is best equipped to run the Stotts/Dallas offensive system.

As long as Stotts is the HC, with Nurkic out, he will move RC to center and move Melo into the starting
lineup for he is first and foremost an offensive minded coach

Hasn't the Stotts offense been run with Hickman at center, R. Lopez at center, Plumlee atCenter, Nurkic at center, and Whiteside at center. All very different players. With each I believe the offensive rating has been at least in top 10. My point: Is the offense as dependent upon who plays the center position, as you imply?

[d-train]

I like starting Giles and bringing Kanter off the bench. There is no way to keep Giles out of the rotation with only 2 healthy big men left. So, let's start him and hope that helps get more production out of him. Play whoever is best at helping the most, but start Giles.

[HoopsFanAZ]

1. No playing Kanter and Carmelo at the same time. Motivated Melo is okay at defense. He's always motivated on O but the atrociousness factor is squared by the big combo of Kanter / Melo.

2. Start Kanter. Put that responsibility on him. He's a veteran big. Have better defenders around him (that which is best for the Blazers). Small ball? RoCo / Jones / GTJ / CJ / Lillard -- that's small. Try not to do that unless the other team does it first. Giles is a backup for now. Maybe not always, but that's what he looks like. This roster is no longer "deep."

3. I'm a fan of Hoodie, so bring him along. If he gets back to 90% of what he was before the injury, that's a guy I want as a Blazer.

4. More GTJ. Less ISO ball to get guys like Jones and RoCo involved on O. Easier shots. Keep Kanter near the hoop.

5. Trades, BAE signing ... Skal Labissiere, I like. 6'10 and shorter bigs who can bang and move and hustle. Shoot a bit. I would love to see guys like Daniel Theis or Larry Nance Jr. as backups. Grit is good. Guys with motor.

6. Despite hopes (by me), CJ almost for sure gets through another Blazer year.

7. Because I believe the Blazers can contend with the return of Nurkic and/or Collins, I am more willing to sacrifice youth and Hoodie when restrictions are off. Even Nurkic if the trade is right. (Trading GTJ in a package better bring back a dude. Otherwise, no go.)

[HoopsFanAZ]

I like starting Giles and bringing Kanter off the bench. There is no way to keep Giles out of the rotation with only 2 healthy big men left. So, let's start him and hope that helps get more production out of him. Play whoever is best at helping the most, but start Giles.

I like Giles. He's not a veteran, but his youth may be naive enough not to get nervous. So, I actually agree ... EXCEPT ... that that would have Kanter and Melo on the floor together. That is a bad idea. Melo off the bench or in crunch time? Okay. Melo playing with Kanter IF AND ONLY IF Melo is being motivated, active, into defense Melo? If need be.

Kanter needs better defenders around him to keep him moving.

EDITED: Just saw the headline -- Surgery and out 8 weeks for Nurkic.

[d-train]

I like starting Giles and bringing Kanter off the bench. There is no way to keep Giles out of the rotation with only 2 healthy big men left. So, let's start him and hope that helps get more production out of him. Play whoever is best at helping the most, but start Giles.

I like Giles. He's not a veteran, but his youth may be naive enough not to get nervous. So, I actually agree ... EXCEPT ... that that would have Kanter and Melo on the floor together. That is a bad idea. Melo off the bench or in crunch time? Okay. Melo playing with Kanter IF AND ONLY IF Melo is being motivated, active, into defense Melo? If need be.

Kanter needs better defenders around him to keep him moving.

EDITED: Just saw the headline -- Surgery and out 8 weeks for Nurkic.

The damage to Blazers defense is loss of Zach and Nurk. Playing Kanter and Melo together does not harm our defense, other than they aren't Zach and Nurk. Kanter gives us inside strength and rebounding, both big strengths on defense. RoCo and DJJ are negatives on defense if you need strength and rebounding.

I like starting Giles because players value starting the game. It's a reward that players earn. Giles has great aptitude and love for offense, but I don't see the love and commitment on defense. I would give him the starting job because we need him to defend. Maybe he will like a starting NBA job enough to grow some love for defense.

[d-train]

5. Trades, BAE signing ... Skal Labissiere, I like. 6'10 and shorter bigs who can bang and move and hustle. Shoot a bit. I would love to see guys like Daniel Theis or Larry Nance Jr. as backups. Grit is good. Guys with motor.

Skal is available for only minimum contract. I would pass because he doesn't add what we need. Theis or Nance would be great, but aren't enough. Those players would cost some assets and there is no point to giving up those assets.

I would trade Hood just to dump his contract. I would like more, of course, but we are paying a lot for a player we don't need. Melo and GTJ are better and cheaper.

[BlazersBroncos]

6. Despite hopes (by me), CJ almost for sure gets through another Blazer year.

This is odd timing. CJ is the best Blazer so far this year and playing the best ball of his career. This version of CJ could be a #2 on a really, really good team IMO.

This team isnt perfect, but on offense CJ has been about as close to perfect as one could be. He has had a season like this in the past (16/17, albeit not quite as good) so there is, to me, a decent chance that this isnt some hot streak and CJ has put in the work to become the guy we hoped he could be. He is also posting his 2nd best DBPM of his career and the eye test shows me he is working harder on that side of the ball IMO.

The issues for our imperfect struggle this year are Nurkic's slow start, the new forwards shooting putridly, Melo playing selfish, Dame playing below his talent level and the same old defensive scheming woes we have had since Stotts came here.

I am no CJ homer, but he has been phenomenal this season.

[Matt800]

I might trade Collins for McGee if that were available. He seems like he could bring rebounding and defense which are two things Portland could use. And he has been on a championship team. Collins has potential but we don't even know if he will play this season, and if he does it will be right before the playoffs and probably not at a high level. And Portland really needs to not have 2 of their main bigs be injury prone (Nurkic and Collins). McGee also doesnt seem like the type that would be a problem when Nurkic comes back and his minutes might change.

[Sinobas]

I don't give a **** about Nurk anymore. He just one of those guys that can't stay healthy. I don't know how they count TO stats, but I swear he fumbles the ball away every other time he gets it. He misses too many easy shots.

[Norm2953]

Haven't seen a minute of the season despite being a season ticket holder but it would seem to me that
the team will end up playing the lineup that is best equipped to run the Stotts/Dallas offensive system.

As long as Stotts is the HC, with Nurkic out, he will move RC to center and move Melo into the starting
lineup for he is first and foremost an offensive minded coach

Hasn't the Stotts offense been run with Hickman at center, R. Lopez at center, Plumlee atCenter, Nurkic at center, and Whiteside at center. All very different players. With each I believe the offensive rating has been at least in top 10. My point: Is the offense as dependent upon who plays the center position, as you imply?

It's less to do with the person playing center but crafting together Portland's best offensive group for Stotts
is an offensive minded coach. He could move Kanter into the starting lineup but he seems to be a player that
is best plays 20 mpg. Giles hasn't been playing and with his injury record, makes him a risk if the team expects
him to play major minutes. Zach could back sometime in the next 2-3 weeks and would almost certainly be the
choice when he returns. I think they will opt to play small until Zach returns.