No worries with the sarcasm...I enjoy both sides of it. For the record, I've been quite up front that during Cho's time, there was absolutely a big fat nothing in term of contacts and with Olshey, it has almost all been from contacts with other teams or outside of the Blazers. However, anyone that ever made it to some of the Draft Parties in the past, shared in the fun and you are certainly invited in the future.
Chad Ford @chadfordinsider Breaking: Dario Saric has agreed in principle to a three year deal with Anadolu Efes a source close to Saric told ESPN.com. Chad Ford @chadfordinsider The deal will essentially prohibit Saric from playing in the NBA for a minimum of two years the source told ESPN. Chad Ford @chadfordinsider Saric's draft stock will likely take a small hit. He was projected at No. 12 in last mock. Will fall to 17 to Celtics in our newest one.
Turkish Euroleague basketball? Not very impressed with this guys competitive nature. More delays....year after year.
I hope we are looking just for due diligence purposes. Unless we trade one of our young guys for a pick, I don't want us wasting one of our precious roster spots on another young guy glued to the bench. Save the spots for trades or free agency
It's funny how people don't say "I'm not very impressed with this guy's competitive nature" about college players when they opt to stay in school another year. Meanwhile Saric will actually be getting LEGALLY paid, possibly more than he would as a rookie. After seeing what happened with people like Sergio and Rudy (and Claver) can you blame him? I half wonder if his agent is hoping this means he drops to the second round, so that he can escape the long-term contract first round picks are trapped in.
Maybe idea is this move makes him a draft pick in the bottom of first round . . . where the top teams usually pick. 2 years from now he joins a SA or NY, LA or some team that doesn't want a player now but in the future.
People do say that, though. Especially in the NFL, with guys like Matt Barkley and Matt Leinhart who stay an extra year and the flame out in the NFL.
I want the Blazers to buy a pick . . . mainly because I want to get into the draft this week and watch the Blazers do something. But do the Blazers have rosters spots available? Assuming Blazers resign Mo or get a seasoned PG with the MLE, I think they have 1 spot left. Nothing against Crabbe but is he worth a roster spot? Problem with Blazers bench is I think there are 2-3 guys you can't even give away to clear spots or salary. These young one have to prove themselves so Olshey has something to work with . . . like package 2-3 players for one vet player and then buy a draft pick.
In order of playing time last year: - Aldridge (36.2 mpg) - Batum (36.0) - Lillard (35.8) - Matthews (33.9) - Lopez (31.8) - Williams (24.8) FA - Wright (14.5) - Freeland (14.0) - Robinson (12.5) - McCollum (12.5) - Barton (9.4) - Leonard (8.9) - Claver (8.8) - Watson (6.7) FA - Crabbe (6.7) If we pick up a solid PG with the MLE (Collison or Livingston?), then a solid backup big with the BAE (Humphries, Blair or Adrien?), and assume we don't re-sign Williams, the roster is full. I'd love to get into the draft this year, but I agree - who are we going to cut? Theoretically, we could use the MLE, BAE, and re-sign Mo (Non-Bird Exception). Since we're in win now mode, I'd prefer we re-signed Mo and perhaps cut Crabbe or Claver to make room. If we go after someone in this draft, we're essentially passing on one of the other options (MLE, BAE, re-sign Mo), unless Olshey figures out how to get value out of a couple of guys deep on our bench.
