It's not like Mo called a press conference (I don't think). It's more likely he was asked a question and he answered it. He said all the right things too, about loving the fans, his teammates, the city, and his situation. PR 101. And he probably even meant it. I think it was understood that he would sign for what Olshey had to offer, and opt out later. I also think he was given some assurances about his role with the team as part of the bargain.
I think Mo will opt out, with the opportunity to sign long term. I think his first choice, probably offered before he signed, is to resign longer term with this team. If we lose our MLE on signing him, I will be disappointed. I would hope Olshey has something up his sleeve that could get that other player (who was supposed to be wright, but we know he's been a disappointment). I wonder if we could do a sign and trade for another player, using Barton, Wright, Claver and Leonard or T. Rob?
Four years is the Max Portland can offer. Mo could get 1 to 4 years under a the full MLE for any amount between the $5.3 mil and the vet minimum. I honestly don't have any problem with people being displeased with Mo not being a pillar of consistency. I just wish people had more to talk about than mention their disdain for him at every opportunity. He's a Blazer. I'd like to think Blazer fans can appreciate the effort the every Blazer brings every night trying to bring a proud franchise back to relevance. I'd argue Portland is off to a great start, they are extremely entertaining to watch, have the best team chemistry in 2 decades of Blazer basketball, and I choose to focus on that. I can't control that other people choose not to, but I don't think it's asking too much that the complaint not be repeated over, and over, and over, and over with the same boring, unoriginal, derogative comments. The side-show that occurred between Jaynes and Haynes last night after the game on talking ball was a complete train wreck and a microcosm of many of the back and forth that occurs on this forum. I wish more people had seen it, because if fans could hear how Jaynes came off, and realize he sounded like many of the fans that keep repeating the same tired slights about Mo, that they might understand why I respond to them the same way I would to Jaynes.
If Mo really does opt out and we don't bring him back I'd be interested in going after Bayless. He should be a FA as long as boston doesn't resign him
I personally would rather give Mo full MLE for 2 years then have him tied to us for 4 more years. I doubt POR would even consider 4 years so it shouldn't be an issue but I will mention it regardless. Thanks for the other part(s). I don't feel it pertains to me but yes I do see people it pertains to and I agree it is disturbing at times.
I hope management takes the high road and doesn't publically respond to Mo's comment about opting out or the possible implied idea to give him an extension. Mo situation can be handled in the off-season between agent and management. Too many good things going on right now with Blazers to deal with the issue of Mo potentially opting out.
This wasn't really news. Of course Mo is going to opt out. The 2nd year is so that if he gets injured he has some cash to fall back on. This isn't particular sad news either. btw, no way do we use our MLE on Mo Williams. We'll use it to sign a FA. Mo will be offered whatever scraps of cash that's left. It probably won't be enough for him to stay. Hopefully, C.J. will make it obvious to the casual fan that Mo is expendable.
It's not really a question of IF he will. He is going to. The reason he was only signed for 2 years was 2 fold. 1) Portland could only sign him for 2 years under the Room exception and for a max of around $2.6 mil for those 2 years. 2) Mo was injured for a huge chunk last season, and it offered flexibility should he get injured again, and to ensure he would bring what Olshey and Stotts envisioned (not that they could sign him for longer, but it just worked out well in that respect). Wright has been a disappointment thus far, as Freeland was his first year on his $3 mil/year deal. We'll see how things shake out, but I'm not casting any stones till this team has achieved more of their potential from playing together, which I think they have only begun to scratched the surface. Wright is under contract, as is Meyers, Claver, and TReb, so a sign-and-trade doesn't apply. Barton is the only where a sign-and-trad could apply, as there is a team option for next season. They all can be traded outright though.
I don't believe he is as expendable as some believe (as I watch Mo nail a 3 pt. shot and finish the and 1 at the FT line on the comcast game replay).
I'm talking about sign and trade as: the other team has a free agent that they sign and trade with us to equal the MLE amount. I know Mo will opt out, but our need has to be a back up SF since Wright has been sucking
Whereas before I was in the Mo corner . . . don't think I would be upset at this point if he was traded, as long as we get a quality PG out of it. (Reality is he might not even be here next year)
2 years is better than 1. It provides him and his family another year of stability in a city he likes, with a team he loves playing for. My only point is that this isn't really news, and it's actually very encouraging and good to hear. No drama here. Just a player expressing a desire to be a Blazer and help this team win.
That's the issue I take with all the animosity with Mo being who Mo is. The solutions are always shite E-Spin trade machine fodder, if not vague - or worse, imaginary "IF" scenarios with no practical means to accomplish the goal.
Ah, yes. And of course, Portland could not trade their own FA in return in the situation, and may not have to from a cap perspective because Portland would use the exception to sign that FA, not cap space.
How many people have talked about trading him? I think most of the posts about Mo have talked about playing Earl Watson or CJ. Haven't seen many trade scenarios involving Mo.
It has been suggested. I'm not pointing fingers. And as I mentioned, those suggestions begin with, "get rid of Mo...", but for whom?
Not necessarily. If Mo settled for 2 mil/3 or 4 years, Portland could still sign a FA at 3.3 mil for 1-4 years. Then the following year, they could use the MLE again on other player(s). But more than likely they will only have the tax-payer MLE because Portland will be looking at locking up LA/Lillard/Wes... etc.