So is a Maynor a keeper if he plays well the rest of the season?

The better he plays, the less likely he is to be with the Blazers next season. (see Hickson)

 

I really don't want to keep Hickson, but Pekovic really isn't a huge upgrade on the defensive end. He does rotate better though

 

Unfortunately, he doesn't get back on defense. His man constantly beats him down the court for easy lay-ups and dunks. Portland isn't even a good fast break team, but the last time Pek played against us, Hickson beat him down the court 3 or 4 times for easy baskets. Pek is a better offensive player than Hickson - if you run plays for him, but a much worse rebounder and just as bad, possibly worse, at defense than Hickson. Since Pek is 3 years older and will get a bigger contract, if those are our two choices, I'd rather just keep Hickson and use the left over money on upgrading our bench, lopsided trade, moving up in the draft, etc. There has to be better options than over paying for an older, slower version of Hickson.

BNM

 

I have the same concerns about Pek. Personally, Pek wasn't even on my radar until it was brought up here a while ago. I started paying more attention to him and noticed that he is a slower version of Hickson with a better post game. Defensively, I actually think Pek is a worse defender than Hickson and that says a lot!

 

And, if Meyers Leonard ever develops into a starting NBA center, Hickson would be the ideal back-up 4/5. He already holds his own against starting centers. He should be able to abuse other back-up power forwards (his natural position) and back-up centers.

Same holds true if we pick up a veteran defensive minded starting center (Dalembert, etc.). Play Aldridge 36 minutes/game, starting center 24 - 32 MPG (depending on who it is) and give Hickson 28 - 30 MPG backing up both positions. Hickson still gets his minutes, gets to put up big numbers against the other teams 2nd unit and you have a defensive center you can bring in when you need stops, need to shut down the paint.

BNM

 

What is your love affair with a guy nobody wanted who can't and won't play a lick of defense? Also a guy who does not want to come off the bench

 

I don't think this is true. On the visual test, Hickson was pretty bad against other PFs. Looking at the advanced stats, hickson gives the most PER to other PFs this season. I saw him being abused by other back-up centers and wasn't too spectacular against the PFs.

But he is a very capable back-up. Much better than what we have right now. I just think we will be using Hickson + Cap Space for a real center.

 

I think it has more to do with choosing between Pek and Hickson. If that was the choice, I would rather have Hickson too.

 

Agree. We aren't contending as soon as next year imo. For 7th spot sure but I don't call the contending.

I think Leonard has shown he can be starter as soon as next year. He won't be a high-end starter but he should be able to hold his own. 14 pts/game, 8.5 rbs/game and 1.5 blks/game in 29-31 minutes type thing. So sign a guy who can take the pressure off him in short bursts. I would be fine with Dalembert (because he is getting up there and hsouldn't play heavy minutes) or even Hickson as the backup Center (if he strikes out in free agency and doesn't get a huge contract)

 

I think even the most positive views of Leonard have him a few years away still. You have to think about the team as a whole when talking about that. Aldridge is 27 and signed for two more years, after this one. He has come out numerous times and expressed his desire for a true center. Olshey has come out and said he has all but assured Aldridge he would get him one. So if we sit on Leonard and wait for him to develop, Aldridge probably demands a trade, lowering his trade value. If you think Leonard will be a legit center in a couple of years, then trade Aldridge for multiple peices and sign someone like Milsap this offseason.

 

If we ever lose Aldridge via "more pieces" and receive Milsap as a consolidation; I would be fine with that. Milsap is a stud, so I can't argue that would be a down grade; depending on the pieces we get back for Aldridge.

 

That's what I've been arguing for! Would LOVE to see this happen. And even though I know you wouldn't like it, I would accept Hickson back if we struck out on Millsap. Hickson may not be the defender that Millsap is, but otherwise I think they're fairly similar.

 

I'm not advocating it in my post, just saying that I'm not sure you can do both (stay with Leonard and keep Aldridge) So if you want to keep Leonard and groom him as your starting center, you may as well deal Aldridge now.

 

I would love if Portland grabs Jerm and Dalembert as their 1-2 punch at center.

 

If we were on the cusp of contending (not on the cusp of making the POs) that could be a fine move. But for next year? It puts us in the POs, but it doesn't do much else besides delay Leonard's development. Plus, I really don't want to see "Jerm" in a Blazers uni again.

 

See I disagree. It would be a valid point if both were signed for long term; but they are temp fixes until we can work Leonard into the mix. Also, Leonard could play back-up PF too. The combo of Dalembert + Jerm maybe only 6 million; which is better than Hickson at 7-9 million + long term contract.

 

This isn't true IIRC; Blazers have the right to offer a QO. It's not automatic and hasn't occurred yet. If we don't offer it - Maynor becomes a Unrestricted Free Agent (UFA) and he can sign any contract with any team. If we do offer it (for 5.8M) we then have the right to match any contract he might sign or sign a different one with us. If we offer QO, our cap space goes down to just above MLE, same situation as with Hickson.

I doubt Hickson stays here, I think he takes bigger money to go elsewhere. I hope we can retain Maynor for $3-4M / yr.