He's a legitimate all-around star, regardless of how you slot him as a scoring option. And he might be the best wing defender in the game. LeBron James is a better overall defender, since he can also guard bigs, but I think Iguodala is right with him as a perimeter defender.
So the only think that matters is if the player has been to an all star game recently? That's ridiculous.
If we don't get Hibbert, we maybe we should just let Batum go and try again next year. We have only 2 players commited next offseason at this point, so the potential for ultimate cap flexibility is there. Get another lotto pick and throw the max at James Harden. Sign Hickson to a one year deal and get Freeland. But the problem is, how would we be able to base our decision to match Batum's offer on what Indy does, since the deadline for those events is at the same time? If we do get Hibbert and re-sign Batum, the LA, Matthews,Batum, Hibbert will make 47 mil combined, so we'd basically be done with our core. That team would never be a serious force unless Lillard becomes an all-star.
I say plan B is try to do a S&T with Batum, sign some 1 year contracts to fill out the roster and try again next offseason. Next offseason we will know what we have in our rooks, whether Elliot Williams or Babbit are pieces to use on this team in the future, ummm a coach, and who knows maybe the team even does well next year. I don't see the logic in blowing a big salary on Batum when the team is not ready to take a huge step forward. This is like that moment in Poker when you know you know you don't have winning cards, you are out of position, and you can afford to be patient. New GM, new coach, they can wait to lock themselves in for players in the future. Let's just bide our time if we don't land Hibbert.
If we dont get Hibbert... my plan B is to save cap space to make a run at a big name player next year.
So then letting Batum walk as well? That would be the only way to do it, and then you'd have to sign a bunch of high priced guys for one year to make the league minimum cap number And then, who?
for those that want to save cap space for "next time"...what if the same thing happens. should we once again save the cap space again until the next next summer? then the next next next summer if the "perfect storm" doesn't come along?
The one thing saving cap space does is get us more assets through the draft, and allows us to enact your all star plan. For example, maybe if Hibbert and Batum are gone, Portland adds 1 years guys and keeps 15 ish or so million for next year. Let's also say we land in the top 5 of the lottery. There is probably a pretty good chance that some team out there would want to move up to that spot, or if Freeland or Claver show signs, maybe want them in a cost cutting move. Having that cap space would benefit us in being able to take back a big salary
We have plenty of "assets" from the draft and stashed in europe right now. And we have cap space now and can take back big salaries. We are at the position you want to be hypothetically at NEXT summer, all at the cost of a wasted season of tanking, misery, low ticket sales, fan apathy, etc. if you can't get something done now with what we have now...having a plan to do the same thing over in the future while losing guys like Aldridge in the process isn't the best plan of action IMO.
We don't have assets because no one knows if they can play. There isn't anyone out there now to go after. Also, having the lottery pick is a huge asset
There will never be anyone to go after in your scenario. Do you see what you're doing here, this is the problem with the "imaginary cap space" phenomenon, you're waiting for the "perfect" fit guy when he doesn't exist. So you don't make any moves to preserve some sort of "plan", you tank and you're scared to make any trades because it damages your chance to get that "perfect fit guy" that doesn't exist. Rinse. Repeat. Waste time. Stars leave town. etc. You basically don't have a plan other than to keep on amassing draft picks and waiting until Kevin Durant wants to be traded to Portland and we can offer imaginary draft picks for him.
Yes, you are wasting time and not having a competitive basketball team to basically recreate the same situation we have in the future. You'll continue repeating this same scenario ad infinitum since it won't work out because you'll be too scared to leap and make a decision.
This is how I feel too. Why waste cap space (imaginary or not) to keep Batum when you probably aren't going to be very competitive even with Batum. If Batum had blown up in a contract year, then yeah maybe you keep him, but he didn't do that. He regressed if anything. If Hibbert gets matched, throw the young guys out there and see what you have. Then next year (even if you don't get a premier player via FA) you know where the holes are that need to be filled. You can overpay then if you think you have a chance to be competitive, but if not, why handcuff yourself with a bloated contract for a mediocre player? EDIT: Oh and if LMA wants to leave then you trade him too. I don't exactly see LMA making noise about how the Blazers better lock up Batum.
No, it wasn't...the Blazers landed Andre Miller, who was one of the best players over his time in Portland. In fact, the Blazers screwed up when they got rid of him. I actually agree with your point that trying to hoard cap space for the perfect free agent is a bad way to think, but the cap space opened up by RLEC certainly paid dividends and you only undercut yourself by pretending it didn't. You lose credibility.
