I think Neil wants to be in the best position to either make a major splash right now or have enough money for max offers in the summer. Unless its a top 3 pick, I don't think Olshey is focusing on the draft or stockpiling draft picks, he has the assets to form the team right now as he envisions.
I think a team might try to do that to us but I think it won't work. Olshey won't sign someone unless it's on his terms. If the Blazers were going to overpay for someone it would have been Wes, but we weren't going to give him half the contract he got. Not. Worried.
My guess is that the Blazers play the role of facilitator to a trade involving a big name. Something where their cap space makes a deal possible and the Blazers get back a couple of useful pieces plus a first round pick to hedge against losing theirs by making the playoffs. Here's one thought: http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=hp7xx4w
Thats not technically a Poison Pill. Yes it's overpaying, but Poison Pill has more to do with a salary that is structured in a way that makes trading the player under CBA guidelines difficult.
I don't think money was the reason behind Olshey not offering Wes a contract. The teams direction completely changed when Aldridge chose SA.
Correct. Lillard currently has a Poison Pill contract for 5 more months. A poison pill contract occurs between when a rookie contract is extended & it takes effect. http://www.cbafaq.com/salarycap.htm#Q90
Lance's contract is a team option for next year which we obviously wouldn't pick up, he likely would be bought out and never actually join the Blazers team. Blake Griffin is the only contract lasting beyond June. Leonard's cap hold and Vonleh contract would be off the books; so after that trade in the summer we'd have $16 million in cap space. That $16 million is if we are keeping Harkless and Crabbe cap holds. Renounce Harkless and you'd have Durant sized cap space along with the core you listed. Aminu and Harkless can play the 4; infact I think it may be their superior positions. Griffin can play a few minutes of Draymond Green style center small ball. The reasons I can think to not do the trade from the Blazers end are: #1 If the character issues with Blake Griffin are a major long term problem; which Olshey should have a good judgement of #2 We don't believe Blake Griffin would stay beyond next season when he is a free agent in summer of 2017. With how little we are giving up we don't have to be guaranteed Griffin will resign; but we need to have a realistic chance. If not its better to keep Plumlee and Vonleh on their cheap contracts and maybe even Hendo's bird rights.
One last Griffin trade idea I'll throw out before some fans here shoot me. Blow up the Hawks, Jazz get a PG, Clips get vets to win now. http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=zj6mq9h Picks from Utah and us also go to the Hawks. Atlanta gets a big enough trade exception to take on some overpaid Heat contracts and get another pick as well.
I think the Jazz and Clippers would do that, and it'd be a steal for us. Not sure about the Hawks though.
But I'm just gonna fantasize about doing that trade, then trading CJ, Davis, and Aminu for Boogie. If we couldn't sell Durant on joining Lillard/Griffin/Cousins then I don't know what would.
That is exactly what a reporter from Houston was just talking about. He thought HOU/MIA made great trading partners but needed a 3rd team involved for cap reasons to make it happen. However, I don't see them taking back that much salary AND giving up Harkless unless there are picks involved.
There is a lot of talk about the Hawks blowing it up. They aren't sure about Horford resigning, Schroder might be the better starter, and Korver is turning 35 next month. Yes both us and Utah would have to send Atlanta picks. I'm not sure the Hawks can get much more than all those young pieces. Can they get the Brooklyn pick from Boston? I would tend to think not. The Hawks probably decide to just stand pat. But the trade I linked is a plausible scenario.
I agree. The Blazers would need a first round pick, otherwise they may as well hold onto their cap space until summer.
Well, the most valuable asset in his proposal is Vonleh, and the Clippers could take him instead of Morris and Tucker if they wanted. Just want to give you some credit for coming up with some complicated trade scenarios that actually seem reasonable for all teams, especially this last one. I think it should be remembered that Atlanta and LA are not really dealing from such a position of strength. LA is looking to trade a guy who has a problem with his temper (and possibly alcohol) and he can't play this year. Atlanta is working with Horford, who they may already know is unlikely to re-sign with them.
