And this is why he is untouchable. It would set us back another decade in the PR ands no one would ever want to come here.
Oh, it'd change it. We'd be in purgatory for YEARS. We aint getting simmons unless we get lucky, but trading CJ with others and picks, we have a chance of getting a top 5 pick (as long as our pick is within 3 or 4 spots). Unless we can somehow get a stud SG that can put CJ on the bench for 6th man duties (his real role... but shhh we wont tell teams that), then CJ can stay. As is? If he continues to shine, he can be a key piece in a movement.
I disagree. Let the new age come into its own with instant media ETC. Even Adam Silver said he likes what we are doing and with the change in individual marketing, Portland is a much better destination than in years past and he could see us having a big offseason with trades and signings.
Bc Portland is basically his team and he needs to say that for one of his products to get good publicity
I'd bet my house that the Blazers won't ever sign a marquee Free Agent until they make it to the WCF. Winning is the only thing that will make us a destination.
You dont think that the POTENTIAL of winning big would do it? You think that if we win 35-40 games this year when predicted to win 20, that stars wont see this young club overachieving and want to get on the train while its roaring? I think by the time we are in the WFC it will be too late. I could be wrong, but Id rather think that your wrong in this. I suppose time will tell cause were gonna win 40 games this year .
If the potential of winning big mattered, the Bucks would have been a hot place to go... (15-67) in 2013-2014, 41-41 in 2014-2015. Also, what about the Atlanta Hawks. They have all this "potential" to win big, but can't get anyone to go there that's marquee.
How to get another lottery pick? Find another front office as stupid as the Brooklyn Nets..... but I'm sure there is one out there.
But didnt they sign Greg Monroe, who didnt sign with us and that is who they went after and they got him? I dont recall hearing about them giving an offer to anyone bigger, do you?
Isn't that the point, though? Even though they are contending, they can't get marquee guys (think LMA for last year, since he kind of was the marquee... a really bad one, but one nonetheless).
Monroe is better than Aldridge though. There was no reason for the Bucks to want Aldridge over Monroe.
From us, yes... but the league loved aldridge. He was always considered #1 or #2 in PF land. That's just the truth.
I think the piece that makes the most sense as a trade bit is CJ. I love the kid, but he's a clone of the offense of Dame, without any of the extras. Plus we have Henderson in the wings (been a little rough so far) but if we can trade him for a top pick OR bundle for a larger SG, id definitely seriously look at it. The people i want to keep..... Dame Davis Aminu Plumlee On the fence Crabbe Harky Vonleh Everyone else Whatever. re Myers, he's betting on himself - i aint. I prefer a lineup with Davis/Plum anyways. Myers can space the floor well, but I want a banger not a shadow...
All of the above is exactly what I'm getting at. Most people can't get past the emotional connection. I guess I'm just cold-blooded that way. I do acknowledge your point, but I'm not convinced it would be that big of a deal. The average sports fan is extremely gullible, buying exactly what the front office spins. By your reckoning, shouldn't Olshey still have egg on his face over the Kim Hughes / LMA issue? No one gives a damn, outside a few die-hards here. And as for future free agents, a) WTF are those? This is Portland we're talking about. And b) Dame got paid either way. That's all you need to tell them. A generally winning organization willing to pay...either they want to be in Portland or they don't. The rest will be long forgotten. blue9 has it right.
But did Milwaukee offer LMA a contract? If not, then we will never know and there is no point. Remember he met with the Lakers twice and the Knicks? Doesnt that kinda disable all these market points right there? Milwaukee signed Greg Monroe and we couldnt... just as small a market, but he saw them with better upside ( I think he got some inside info that our team was not going to be the same) Meanwhile, the two largest markets in the NBA offered LMA a contract and he denied them. Doesnt that speak volumes to us having a better chance than in years past? I do get that we need to have a serious upside and be predicted to be contenders, but if we are....I think we have a better chance at free agency than in years past.
My thing with Myers is they already failed on the extension and he's 'betting on himself'. He's gonna try and rinse ANY team for the most money he can - i totally understand its a business etc but you know he's gonna go to the highest bidder - im just scared we'll be tempted to overpay to retain him, and in my opinion, his skill set isn't enough to empty the cap on.
