Your last line is ironic since we can "overpay" some bench fodder like Landry, Hayes or another big guy, or overpay bench fodder Roy 3 times as much
Roy gets paid no matter what. How many times does that need to be said? So, the choice is not "overpay" 2nd rate player VS. overpay Roy. The choice is overpay a gimpy Roy AND overpay 2nd rate player.
What about using the MLE to bring Freeland over? Was using it on Matthews a waste? It sounds like you are saying that we should only make changes if they are for "star" players.....but you don't really believe that, do you?
keep roy, extend oden, use the mle every year, buy draft picks, take on salary via trades, and free chalupas for all
I think Roy should be amnestied. I think it next to impossible that he will be good again for years to come. The question on amnesty is when might be best to amnesty Roy. I don't think it is a slam dunk plan that he should be cut now. Wes worked out (so far). But, we "overpaid" in splashing $35 mil (with a big upfront check) to get him as he was not a proven starter in the NBA. There are more examples of teams that regret the full MLE contracts they handed out than those who were happy. Go ahead, make a list of the full MLE contracts that turned out to be excellent values for the team. Now, under the new CBA, the full MLE (I still don't have confirmation that the Blazers would have the full MLE is they cut Roy) is only $22mil. That money will get a role player or a 2nd rate talent excited. It WILL NOT make players like a Jamal Crawford caliber talent happy. Not one bit. So, I stand by my contention that A) full MLE deals historically are hard to extract good value and B) there are a handful of examples of proven vets who needed a change of scenery and were willing to "settle" for the full MLE to find a happy home, but under the new CBA that is less likely than before. Thus, I am not real excited - as several on this board appear to be - about the idea of adding key pieces to the roster using the MLE. If your plan is to add 3rd stringers that you hope can turn into solid bench players - you are less likely to be dissappointed. We need to make trades to add key pieces, not hope for miracles with the new MLE.
I agree....with one caveat. In looks like Freeland may be the real deal (a starting quality NBA big man). He isn't coming over for the rookie scale, and the MLE is the only shot the Blazers have to offer him more. Given that the team isn't exactly awash in trade assets, can they afford to pass on this chance to upgrade the talent pool?
That can't happen until next summer though, right? So if we keep Roy for a year it won't effect that?
