It's what we all talked about since trading Zach in '07. We whiffed with RLEC at the trade deadline, we didn't get anything to help us next year in this draft. This is one last chance to add a big-time piece to the puzzle.
We won 54 games this season. We got home court advantage. We were the youngest team EVER to win 50+ games. Even if we make ZERO moves, we'll be pretty god damned good next year. There's no 'last chance' here. Too many people on this board crying about not making enough moves. STFU. Let the GM who took us from the low 20's to the mid 50's in wins do the basketball thinking please.
What? What is wrong with adding one more big-time piece to this puzzle? That's why we traded Zach away, we paid $30 million to Steve Francis to not play for us, we made a big deal out of Darius Miles suiting up with that threatening letter, we traded away Sergio to free up more cap room. I'm not saying it's doom and gloom around here, but we made all these moves to free up space for this particular summer because it all goes away when we sign Brandon and LaMarcus to extensions. This is the one last chance to make a big splash to take us to that next level. I'll give KP the benefit of the doubt that the right deal wasn't there at the trade deadline, he didn't want to add a top rookie in this draft, but this FA period is what we've pointed toward for the last two years. I don't understand what that angry post is all about..
"Last Chance" is this upcomming year's trade deadline. Until then we're fully able to hang onto what we have and, up to the deadline, can use our cap space on a trade or signings. After that deadline Brandon and LA will be up for HUGE deals that will put us over the cap for the next decade... THAT is last chance.
Brandon and LaMarcus are going to sign extensions this summer, I believe. Not after this trade deadline. And considering KP has admitted that he doesn't like making trades at the deadline, I'd imagine the opportunity this summer to sign or trade for a big-time player would be a wasted one if we don't take it.
Will the rest of the board, who is freaking the fuck out about our draft, please realize this. People just need to take a deep breath and realize that our days of significantly improving our team by making splashy moves in the draft are over.
I don't know who's talking about a big splash. We did one of the worst things we could do - a Eurostash. If we would have traded our 1st rounder for a future 1st, drafted Pendergraph and Blair, traded our other 2nd rounders for future 2nd rounders, then we'd have more options later, and MORE cap space. Then, it would have been a good draft, AND a better July 1st.
Unless Claver truns out to be good. Then they made the right move by making sure they got him. And once again I have no idea and you have no idea if he will be. Lets hope our Euro scouts do know.
I agree. Once we use up our cap space and or make trades, I think Aldridge and Roy will be taken care of. I think Portland will move pretty quick and get their targeted players.
How is stashing a Euro a bad thing? Rudy anyone? This is the part of the draft that I hate. Half the Blazer fans turn to complete idiots... thinking they know what is best for the team. You have no idea. That is why you are not KP.
I respectfully disagree. Listening to KP he obviously is really high on Claver. We had worked him out the year prior, he was the last cut on making the olympic team for Spain 9which was a really solid club), hes young, quick, big and athletic. I think he has a future in the NBA and he can stay overseas for at least a couple of years working on his game and once we are in our championship window he will be ready to come over. Maybe then we trade other players to make room for him and do what championships teams do, reload vs starting over. I think we have a good system in place and although its not a sexy exciting draft at least its good to know that we have a plan and assets overseas that may turn into something special (either for our team or trade). We have options.
They can be signed before... remember that the extensions will count against the cap in the future - not this year, even if we sign them before we do the trade/FA thing.
The way I see it, Portland went into the draft with this roster; Aldridge Batum Bayless Blake Fernandez Oden Outlaw Joel P Roy Webster Also, cap holds for, but not roster spots for; Petri Freeland That is 10 filled roster spots. You must fill 14, so when the draft started Portland had 4 minimum salary cap holds cutting into their available free agent money. We drafted Claver, a lotto pick according to Bilas had he not broken his ankle. Claver will not take a roster spot, but will be a cap hold of around $900,000. When you take the minimum cap hold (approx. $450,000) for what would have been his roster spot and subtract it from Clavers cap hit, drafting a potential lotto pick and stashing him is only costing the Blazers aprox. $450,000 of cap space. I do not think that will be the difference maker in getting Hedo. It will not be the difference maker in Sessions. I would also say it would not be the difference maker in Kidd or Miller. Looking at it another way, we traded away Sergios $1.6 mil salary for next year, added Claver, who's cap hold is around $900,000, we cut $700,000 of salary, to be added to the available free agent money. Claver will be a valuable asset. Him being on the cap is far less detrimental than Petri or Freeland.
