Exclusive Playoffs or Lottery?

OG Anunoby is going to be a defensive, 3-and-D stud. He'll be available around 10.

 

I completely agree Wook....I also think currently we're inadequate without consolation...and it was never a goal...more like, shit happens

 

If the Blazers were locked into keeping McCollum for the rest of his career, this might have some merit. But since Portland can (and should, in my opinion) trade McCollum, it doesn't make sense to artificially reduce his value by relegating him to sixth man duties. Yes, teams "know" what he is and what he can do, but psychologically I think other executives will be loathe to give up an "All Star return" for a reserve. The most recent analogue to this would be James Harden when he was on Oklahoma City and I absolutely think it reduced the value the Thunder got back. Even without the benefit of hindsight, they didn't get the value of an All-Star-caliber talent. It does hurt the perception of the player, which is why I think players are generally loathe to leave the starting lineup and why it was so notable when Andre Iguodala agreed to without complaint.

So, no, I think you have to continue to start McCollum and maybe scheme defensively to make him look better even if it causes your defense to spring leaks elsewhere. It's superficial and ultimately meaningless but, again, I think you stand a better chance of another executive talking himself into love with McCollum if every night's highlights don't feature McCollum being visibly and obviously burned.

As for playoffs or lottery, I don't think it matters. I don't think you specifically destroy the team to tank, but whatever you can do to play for the future makes sense to do. It's unlikely, I think, that Portland ends up with a top-five pick and picks from 6-14 aren't really hugely dissimilar from the pick you'd get as the #8 seed. Not a franchise-changing difference, that is to say.

 

CJ is an All Star in the East IMHO. I think we'd miss CJ more than people think. One thing you can say about us this year is that we haven't had trouble scoring. That would change if CJ left.

 

He had 13/2/2 and 3 turnovers last game I think...we're already missing his scoring

 

Btw- To those who say "lotto"- you are no longer allowed to bitch when the team plays bad and loses. After all you're getting what you want, right?

 

It was one game. He's been great.

 

CJ is a great player in some matchups...others..not so much....I keep him if he becomes our Jamal Crawford

 

I agree...but he creates a mismatch on the otherside of the court that is glaringly hurting

 

Theoretically, we'd get a player back in return. That's how this works, right?

I agree that cutting McCollum would be pretty bad.

 

I think the best way CJ can help this franchise long term is in what he can bring here that can compliment Dame in a better way. He is an incredible offensive player but that is not the issue here. Would our offense dip if he were gone? Sure it would....but I think that would be made up by the better balance or defensive addition that would take place elsewhere.

CJ needs his own team.

 

I think CJ can actually become a decent leader for a team, but he will always be in Dame's shadow here. It might be the best thing for both of their careers, as sad as it is for me to say...

 

CJ is better than Crawford has ever been. And the Clippers have never been to WCF with him. (In fact, the franchise never has.)

Really? How often is he outscored by his man. I'd think hardly ever.

 

I'm glad you like him so much but I see another aspect to him...watch him against the Warriors and he was badly outscored by his man...CJ is a defensive liability at the 2 guard to me and if he scores 25 pts...that doesn't change what he gives up ....it's not really different and I like Jamal's game...Jamal isn't known for defense but he's better than CJ at it...I've made no secret that I want CJ to be our version of Jamal....he'll never defend Harden like Wes did

 

Bottom line is this roster we have has some serious ground to cover to be a playoff team as stands...it could happen but I'm not seeing a quick fix

 

Somehow trade CJ for Jimmy Butler, then trade anyone not named Dame for Noel.

It won't happen, but you may as well shoot for the moon, baby!

 

How about trading CJ in a way that gets us a top 3 pick to land us Jackson out of the draft? Looks to be the future Jimmy Butler, but would be on a rookie contract and allow us alot more long term flexibility. Then we still go after Noel.

 

Blazers are now just percentage points from being the #10 team in the Western Conference. For having the 2nd highest payroll in the entire league, that is a horrible return on investment.