Offseason

[BlazersBroncos]

Simmons for Dame is just so bad. How anyone can think Ben Simmons is the type of competitor or leader to take a team anywhere in the playoffs is just beyond me.

Its bascially trading Dame for a version of Draymond Green that is more switchable to small guys and can push the ball. Thats it. Its horrid. Simmons is a #3, and even then a #3 ideally on a team with a #4 that can score above the norm for a #4. The mechanics behind building a team around him are tremendously unique.

The picks matter more to me than simmons. We could really put ourselves in a great position if we gain a boatload of picks from a Dame trade. Simmons is a piece of a trade with philly and holds value but clearly alone him for dame isn’t close to fair for portland. And if dame wants out of it looks like we won’t be able to give him what he wants in order to keep him here we’ve gotta start thinking about being set for our future. I think far out picks have potential, could easily be good if far enough in the future.

I think a team with Dame, Joel and Harris wont convey a worthwhile pick until at least 2024, maybe 2025. I also think that Morey values Ben to the extent that he wont give the 3/3 pick/swap exchange that I would demand in a Dame for Ben swap. I just cant see him doing that personally.

[PDXKnight]

Simmons for Dame is just so bad. How anyone can think Ben Simmons is the type of competitor or leader to take a team anywhere in the playoffs is just beyond me.

Its bascially trading Dame for a version of Draymond Green that is more switchable to small guys and can push the ball. Thats it. Its horrid. Simmons is a #3, and even then a #3 ideally on a team with a #4 that can score above the norm for a #4. The mechanics behind building a team around him are tremendously unique.

The picks matter more to me than simmons. We could really put ourselves in a great position if we gain a boatload of picks from a Dame trade. Simmons is a piece of a trade with philly and holds value but clearly alone him for dame isn’t close to fair for portland. And if dame wants out of it looks like we won’t be able to give him what he wants in order to keep him here we’ve gotta start thinking about being set for our future. I think far out picks have potential, could easily be good if far enough in the future.

I think a team with Dame, Joel and Harris wont convey a worthwhile pick until at least 2024, maybe 2025. I also think that Morey values Ben to the extent that he wont give the 3/3 pick/swap exchange that I would demand in a Dame for Ben swap. I just cant see him doing that personally.

If he won’t do that deal the knicks will with barret included i bet. And honestly after moreys games in these simmons discussions i’d rather just go ny or toronto personally. Knicks picks are likely better as they’re likely a sure fire shot at a top 3 pick probably more like 2-3 of them if we go far enough in the future I’d say 24/26/28/30 FRP & 23/27 swap option for portland with rj barret and whoever else

[DeBlazerRiddem]

Posturing out of Philly is they wont move Ben Simmons unless they get Lillard, possibly to a 3rd team for assets to send to Portland. I hope they just sit on him in vain then.

Although I somewhat wonder if the rumors we heard about Morey's absurd asking price was actually Olshey's asking price and Morey trying to find a 3rd team to pay the way for him.

IMHO unless a team significantly overpays for Simmons then the Sixers just do not have the assets to get Lillard. Their only other hope is that Lillard destroys his value by refusing to play out his contract and I don't think that's a thing Lillard would do.

[DusterBuster]

Posturing out of Philly is they wont move Ben Simmons unless they get Lillard, possibly to a 3rd team for assets to send to Portland. I hope they just sit on him in vain then.

Although I somewhat wonder if the rumors we heard about Morey's absurd asking price was actually Olshey's asking price and Morey trying to find a 3rd team to pay the way for him.

IMHO unless a team significantly overpays for Simmons then the Sixers just do not have the assets to get Lillard. Their only other hope is that Lillard destroys his value by refusing to play out his contract and I don't think that's a thing Lillard would do.

Interesting thought. Makes some logical sense, because the price Morey was reportedly looking for was the kind of return a player of Lillard's caliber should return, not Ben Simmons. Also makes some sense with word then shortly coming out that Simmons didn't want to go to Portland, so obviously any deal with Lillard potentially going to Philly would have to include a 3rd team to take Simmons.

That said, I'll personally enjoy the incoming ish-storm that will be the Sixers lockerroom this season when they don't end up moving Simmons cause they're trying to wait out Portland for Lillard (which I can't imagine that being a game of chicken they can possibly win).

[soobias]

is this the quietest off season in recent years ?

[JRoy]

It is for POR.

[JasonStern]

is this the quietest off season in recent years ?

Look, we've made moves. They might not be the flashy moves everyone was hoping, but we've improved the roster. I think we've improved the roster. We lost Collins, Melo, Kanter, Giles, RHJ. But we've added Zeller, McLemore, Snell, and Brown. When healthy, Zeller can play with the best of them. McLemore adds a much needed 6'3" guard. When Snell makes shots, he's a great shooter. Brown is just a year away from being a year away. That's 1/4th the roster overturned. So don't say we didn't go out and make moves. And when you're in a market like Portland, you're not going to lure the 1st tier, 2nd tier, 3rd tier free agents. And given the cap situation, there was no way to sign them anyway. But most importantly, we've fixed our weakest link - coaching, and kept this not flawed roster together. But then we're also expecting a big step forward from Simons and Little, both of which have the potential to be great players in this league.

[BlazersBroncos]

A offseason without any major moves. A summer league team with any real young talent. A recipe for a 21/22 R1 ceiling again!

Your welcome Dame.

[Matt800]

is this the quietest off season in recent years ?

Look, we've made moves. They might not be the flashy moves everyone was hoping, but we've improved the roster. I think we've improved the roster. We lost Collins, Melo, Kanter, Giles, RHJ. But we've added Zeller, McLemore, Snell, and Brown. When healthy, Zeller can play with the best of them. McLemore adds a much needed 6'3" guard. When Snell makes shots, he's a great shooter. Brown is just a year away from being a year away. That's 1/4th the roster overturned. So don't say we didn't go out and make moves. And when you're in a market like Portland, you're not going to lure the 1st tier, 2nd tier, 3rd tier free agents. And given the cap situation, there was no way to sign them anyway. But most importantly, we've fixed our weakest link - coaching, and kept this not flawed roster together. But then we're also expecting a big step forward from Simons and Little, both of which have the potential to be great players in this league.

I'm actually looking forward to when we hear Olshey talk about this offseason and see what he ends up saying.

I do think some of the logic is fair. They probably tried to get better FAs and couldnt which is expected. They probably looked at CJ trades and there wasn't anything that was a reasonable bet to improve this coming season, which is fairly expected. Obviously its not good that they couldnt do more to improve the roster, but if there weren't better options what can you do? Hopefully they get some good internal development, and improvements via coaching. Then if a good trade opportunity comes along before the deadline hopefully they can do that.

[zzaj]

Just to be clear...making "hands are tied" excuses for Olshey this offseason is an absolutely ridiculous line of thinking--and it just shows how absolutely BAD he is as a GM.

Of course you don't wait to try and improve your roster until the very last minute, when arguably the best PG in the league that happens to be on your team starts publicly showing signs of being unhappy. Only an idiot would do that. Unlucky for us fans, we have an absolute idiot for a GM. An idiot GM who obviously doesn't know basketball or it's history very well and who grossly over values his players--that is a terrifying combo. One that will likely see the team lose perhaps it's best player in franchise history. Paul Allen won't be responsible. The sad fate of the Roy/Aldridge/Oden team won't be responsible. Any of the various FAs or returning players that got PAID won't be responsible.

Neil Olshey will be responsible. Only Neil Olshey.

I won't blame Lillard for leaving. If I was in his shoes I wouldn't want to work for an idiot boss that constantly undermines my ability to succeed either.

[JasonStern]

Just to be clear...making "hands are tied" excuses for Olshey this offseason is an absolutely ridiculous line of thinking--and it just shows how absolutely BAD he is as a GM.

Of course you don't wait to try and improve your roster until the very last minute, when arguably the best PG in the league that happens to be on your team starts publicly showing signs of being unhappy. Only an idiot would do that. Unlucky for us fans, we have an absolute idiot for a GM. An idiot GM who obviously doesn't know basketball or it's history very well and who grossly over values his players--that is a terrifying combo. One that will likely see the team lose perhaps it's best player in franchise history. Paul Allen won't be responsible. The sad fate of the Roy/Aldridge/Oden team won't be responsible. Any of the various FAs or returning players that got PAID won't be responsible.

Neil Olshey will be responsible. Only Neil Olshey.

I won't blame Lillard for leaving. If I was in his shoes I wouldn't want to work for an idiot boss that constantly undermines my ability to succeed either.

Fixing roster issues, bad cap management, missed draft picks, and players not wanting to re-sign can't be done overnight. Give Olshey some time. He's only been on the job 9 years.

[soobias]

i think i might have figured N.O. out...
about the 1 quality he has is that he wont draft or trade for a player that comes off as a whiny primadonna(however you spell it) type player.
after hearing KD and draymond blaming management for KD's leaving and the way a lot of all-star type players act. that's about the 1 good thing i like about our team

[zzaj]

The other thing that is worth considering…

Olshey losing Lillard could very well be the actual death knell for the Blazers in Portland. It would be the first time the team would be without a star without also having devoted ownership. Losing Lillard would mean a MASSIVE (and I mean MASSIVE) drop in profitability for the franchise.

[HoopsFanAZ]

1. I’m glad Norman Powell stayed for reasonable dollars and 5 years. Both keeping him AND making other trades possible (CJ) was the highest priority.
2. GB3 brings some hope in the near-ish future. Always have to be developing the next wave.
3. I don’t know if Simons and Little are part of the now, next up, or traded, but there is young Blazer talent at a bargain basement cost.
4. Nurkic has to stay healthy, play the more complete game he’s looking for, and earn that next check. Good. If there is ANY early hesitation from him on playing hard, TRADE him before the complaining gets out there.
5. The low cost backups don’t look worse — as a whole — than the previous ones. Not a ringing endorsement, obviously. Fine, just fine.

A. Elleby looks not good. Low risk. Hope he improves and has a nice career in the NBA.
B. CJ is still on the team, and another starting forward would be nice.
C. A real, back-up PG would be good. Smart, Schroeder, and Dunn need to ball out! Pritchard needs to slump and get traded for Simons.

Sorry that I’m not declaring shenanigans on Olshey, but I do have a broom ready. I have more HOPE that other GMs need to make moves, too. That Olshey will not have to feel like a reasonable, but costly, CJ trade is an unacceptable loss.

Then again, post-mid season trade deadline and no action? SHENANIGANS!

[JasonStern]

Just realized that the Blazers have 3 top 10 picks from the 2013 draft on the roster (#4 Zeller, #7 McLemore, #10 McCollum).

The other thing that is worth considering…

Olshey losing Lillard could very well be the actual death knell for the Blazers in Portland. It would be the first time the team would be without a star without also having devoted ownership. Losing Lillard would mean a MASSIVE (and I mean MASSIVE) drop in profitability for the franchise.

The Moda Center lease is through 2025 and pretty expensive to break, so the Blazers in Portland should be safe at least until then. But that would be a very bad time for the team to be losing money.

[PDXKnight]

Just realized that the Blazers have 3 top 10 picks from the 2013 draft on the roster (#4 Zeller, #7 McLemore, #10 McCollum).

The other thing that is worth considering…

Olshey losing Lillard could very well be the actual death knell for the Blazers in Portland. It would be the first time the team would be without a star without also having devoted ownership. Losing Lillard would mean a MASSIVE (and I mean MASSIVE) drop in profitability for the franchise.

The Moda Center lease is through 2025 and pretty expensive to break, so the Blazers in Portland should be safe at least until then. But that would be a very bad time for the team to be losing money.

I don’t see the blazers leaving portland. Times have changed a ton since 05 and portland is now regarded as a better market. Also i think the nba would squash anyone moving the blazers since the arena is in good shape and moving the team clearly wouldn’t have any purpose other than relocating it to another market. I think seattle and vegas get expansion teams rather than steal teams from another market is what’s on the horizon

[JasonStern]

Just realized that the Blazers have 3 top 10 picks from the 2013 draft on the roster (#4 Zeller, #7 McLemore, #10 McCollum).

The other thing that is worth considering…

Olshey losing Lillard could very well be the actual death knell for the Blazers in Portland. It would be the first time the team would be without a star without also having devoted ownership. Losing Lillard would mean a MASSIVE (and I mean MASSIVE) drop in profitability for the franchise.

The Moda Center lease is through 2025 and pretty expensive to break, so the Blazers in Portland should be safe at least until then. But that would be a very bad time for the team to be losing money.

I don’t see the blazers leaving portland. Times have changed a ton since 05 and portland is now regarded as a better market. Also i think the nba would squash anyone moving the blazers since the arena is in good shape and moving the team clearly wouldn’t have any purpose other than relocating it to another market. I think seattle and vegas get expansion teams rather than steal teams from another market is what’s on the horizon

The Moda Center will be 30 years old when the lease is up. It's a bit naïve to think that there won't at least be some relocation threats if the billionaires at Vulcan aren't given some public handout.

[PDXKnight]

Just realized that the Blazers have 3 top 10 picks from the 2013 draft on the roster (#4 Zeller, #7 McLemore, #10 McCollum).



The Moda Center lease is through 2025 and pretty expensive to break, so the Blazers in Portland should be safe at least until then. But that would be a very bad time for the team to be losing money.

I don’t see the blazers leaving portland. Times have changed a ton since 05 and portland is now regarded as a better market. Also i think the nba would squash anyone moving the blazers since the arena is in good shape and moving the team clearly wouldn’t have any purpose other than relocating it to another market. I think seattle and vegas get expansion teams rather than steal teams from another market is what’s on the horizon

The Moda Center will be 30 years old when the lease is up. It's a bit naïve to think that there won't at least be some relocation threats if the billionaires at Vulcan aren't given some public handout.

Indeed moda is old but it’s also been upgraded quite a few times and is considered one of the best arenas in the league still. I’d say it probably can go 20 more years it seems like it’s still got a lot going for it and a widely respected fan base

If it comes to local politicians giving money we are screwed, Portland politicians don’t know the value of a pro team until it’s gone. As we’ve seen before they were more than willing to lose the team when it’s come into question in the past.

[HoopsFanAZ]

Posturing out of Philly is they wont move Ben Simmons unless they get Lillard, possibly to a 3rd team for assets to send to Portland. I hope they just sit on him in vain then.

Although I somewhat wonder if the rumors we heard about Morey's absurd asking price was actually Olshey's asking price and Morey trying to find a 3rd team to pay the way for him.

IMHO unless a team significantly overpays for Simmons then the Sixers just do not have the assets to get Lillard. Their only other hope is that Lillard destroys his value by refusing to play out his contract and I don't think that's a thing Lillard would do.

Interesting thought. Makes some logical sense, because the price Morey was reportedly looking for was the kind of return a player of Lillard's caliber should return, not Ben Simmons. Also makes some sense with word then shortly coming out that Simmons didn't want to go to Portland, so obviously any deal with Lillard potentially going to Philly would have to include a 3rd team to take Simmons.

That said, I'll personally enjoy the incoming ish-storm that will be the Sixers lockerroom this season when they don't end up moving Simmons cause they're trying to wait out Portland for Lillard (which I can't imagine that being a game of chicken they can possibly win).

Good ideas. Reasonable.
Morey having a ridiculous price to start is what I expect. But he's made big stakes moves before and will get Simmons traded, too. And absolutely, any locker room issues for the 76ers are well deserved -- It's a matter of time for them. Hopefully, Portland can get a piece that improves the roster (and exit CJ).

[monopoman]

I also think, Moda will still last at least 20 more years. It's still a fine arena and has plenty of space for things that owners want in an arena, namely restaurants and concessions.

****, to this day it is the primary target for most of the major names that come to Portland to perform. Now if they refuse to continue to renovate it or update over the next 20 years could that end come sooner? Sure, but since Vulcan owns the building it's in their best interest to continue to update it because of events beyond Blazer games.