I know it may be a reach to even discuss at this point, but something I've wondered about is the impact Lillard's better-than-expected play might have in terms of attracting a quality free agent. I'm not talking superstar free agent...but possibly a near all-star. I still think a lopsided trade is the only likely way of bringing in an impact player, but it seems to me Lillard's stellar debut might be turning heads enough to make Portland an actual consideration for a quality free agent. Is that nuts? (yeah, I know, hopeless homeristic optimism)
if he can lead the blazers to the playoffs this season, i say yes players will like what is building here
Yeah, playoffs would jump start the whole process, for sure. I know that's 85% unlikely, but not impossible. Yet management doesn't really want that to happen...or do they? PG is more important than ever in today's NBA. Having a potential top 5 PG by the end of the season might shake things up a little. As always, one can only hope.
This coming off season there aren't really that many star quality options, ant the following season we won't have the ability to pay a star to come. At least free agent wise.
It's a great thought. The next questions are: 1) Do we want to throw all our money at just one player who may either get injured or retire on the job like Failton & Crawful did? Or Pierce did in Boston before they obtained Garnet & Allen. Or Pippen did here. 2) Is there a particular free agent available next year that we have to have? I still think we should go after 2 or preferably 3 good quality players to add both quality AND quantity of talent to this sad roster.
Great points. I suppose I'm just wondering aloud if having a top tier PG changes the small market/FA equation much. Can't say that I recall Chris Paul being able to lure top talent to New Orleans. 1) I don't entirely fault the Blazers for taking a chance on Felton and Crawford last year. They seemed like reasonable risks, with known issues. This summer I think the Blazers should seek a lopsided trade first, and failing that, go after cheaper FA's like Chris Kaman, Kyle Korver, etc. Quality before quantity. 2) No absolute must-haves unless Dwight Howard gave the Blazers actual consideration.
Our major signing this summer will be Hickson, with his team-leading PER of 20+ and climbing. That will leave money for a free agent, but not a near-all star as you hope.
I am thinking you are right. There quite a few point guards th blazers could go after to back up Lillard, and I assume that's most of the money, Hickson and bu pg. but add to that another pick, rookies yith a year of play under them, and a couple different vet min guys, a healthy Elliot Williams, and this team doesn't really need another star to make a big leap next year.
What is a 'lop-sided trade'? Is that where we trade out shit and get a star in return, or the other way around?
moneywise, if we have cap room we can take on a bloated overpaid carcass and give them all of our young cheap players
Pretty much what brianiac said. An example would be something like us trading a second round pick and Leonard for paul gasol in the summer when half the team comes off the books Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2
Aha. An uneven trade where we send out our cap space as the leveler. Just needed clarification. Thanks.
I don't see the Blazers signing Hickson to anything more than a MLE deal. If another team overpays for him, he's gone. Olshey drafted Meyers Leonard to play the Hickson role, and upgrading at SG and moving Wes to the bench is a much bigger need for this team. I do like how Hickson has played for the most part, but he'll command more money on the market than the Blazers will want to pay another PF, IMO.
Which is why I think it'd be smart to deal him by the deadline. He's going to command more than the MLE.
Do you think he'll accept playing center full-time? He's already came out and said that he's (obviously) a PF. LaMarcus wants no part of the center position.
