You be the GM: Nurkic extension this summer?

Discussion in 'Portland Trail Blazers' started by PtldPlatypus, Apr 5, 2017.

  1. PtldPlatypus

    PtldPlatypus Let's go Baby Blazers! Staff Member Global Moderator Moderator

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    Jusuf Nurkic has played 20 games as a Blazer. His impact has been immediate, immense, and inarguable. The future with a Dame/CJ/Nurkic big three looks as bright as anything we've seen since the Oden draft.

    Our cap situation, however, is...unpleasant. Crabbe, Turner, and Leonard are all significantly overpaid for the next 3 years. Dame and CJ are being paid (essentially) max money for the next 4. Barring significant salary shedding moves, we're easily well into the luxury tax for the foreseeable future.

    And of course, Nurkic's health has concerns. He tore his patellar tendon in 2015, missing the remainder of that season and the start of the next. He's currently nursing a fractured fibula. And he plays at 280, arguably in a physical condition that contributes to reducing his stamina, as well as potentially putting excessive pressure on his lower extremities.

    All things considered, if you're the Blazers' GM, what are your thoughts on offering Nurkic an extension this summer? You know beyond a shadow of a doubt that if he reaches RFA healthy, he's a max player. Do you risk the potential for injury and try to lock him up a year early for a lesser amount? If so, what do you offer that won't be insulting? Do you think Nurkic (and his agent) will be willing to accept a discounted guarantee to avoid the health gamble? Does the expectation of being a taxpayer, and soon a repeater, impact what you'd be willing to offer? Or are you better off just riding out the next season and taking your chances with RFA?

    You be the GM: What do you do with Nurkic this summer?
     
  2. SlyPokerDog

    SlyPokerDog Woof! Staff Member Administrator

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    Step 1: Get DNA.

    Step 2: Start growing replacement body parts.

    Step 3: Profit
     
  3. PtldPlatypus

    PtldPlatypus Let's go Baby Blazers! Staff Member Global Moderator Moderator

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    I'm looking forward to a Li'l Penny-style mini-Nurk sitting on Stotts' shoulder, giving him advice on substitution patterns.
     
  4. SlyPokerDog

    SlyPokerDog Woof! Staff Member Administrator

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    Blazers don't have much of a bargaining position. Nurkic is going to be a max player. If Olshey tries to offer anything less all Nurk's agent has to do is hold up a picture of Meyers and start giggling.
     
  5. blue9

    blue9 Well-Known Member

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    Extend him. Ask him to take a small discount for the benefit of the team (point to Duncan), but don't make it a sticking point. Nurkic is to team production as Lillard is to team leadership. Nurk = MVP on the court. Lillard = MVP off the court.
     
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  6. PtldPlatypus

    PtldPlatypus Let's go Baby Blazers! Staff Member Global Moderator Moderator

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    The only basis for the Blazers' position is also the reason any extension would be a risk to them--the potential for another injury. If Nurk gets hurt again next year, he won't be a max guy. From his position, there's an argument to be made for locking in the guaranteed deal now rather than waiting until next summer.
     
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  7. SlyPokerDog

    SlyPokerDog Woof! Staff Member Administrator

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    So what are we talking here, maybe a $1 million less?

    Remember Nurkic's resume now includes a best record in the NBA for the month of March, a Player of the Month for Lillard and a Coach of the Month for Stotts.
     
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  8. SlyPokerDog

    SlyPokerDog Woof! Staff Member Administrator

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    Did Duncan ever take less when he was in his prime?
     
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  9. Denny Crane

    Denny Crane It's not even loaded! Staff Member Administrator

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    I think they have to find a way to extend him. If the team is poised to go deep in the playoffs with him next year, then paying the LT isn't out of the question for two of those 3 years our players are on so-called "bad" contracts.
     
  10. PtldPlatypus

    PtldPlatypus Let's go Baby Blazers! Staff Member Global Moderator Moderator

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    If that were all the difference was, then it wouldn't be worth offering, IMO. Then again, that's part of the question: If you're the GM, how much of a discount off a max extension would Nurkic have to be willing to accept for it to be worth the risk of locking him up a year early?
     
  11. Pinwheel1

    Pinwheel1 Well-Known Member

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    Yes if we can save a substantial amount then do it now. If the difference is not significant then wait to see if he can stay healthy.
    His injury while not that serious is still a reminder why we need 3 centers on the team. All that weight on their feet and ankles and knees.......takes a toll. Centers seem to get hurt more than the other positions. It makes it hard to rely on them come playoff time.
     
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  12. SlyPokerDog

    SlyPokerDog Woof! Staff Member Administrator

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    I would offer him max this off season if he promises not to play in the different yearly Europe bball stuff.
     
  13. blue9

    blue9 Well-Known Member

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    No.
     
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  14. SlyPokerDog

    SlyPokerDog Woof! Staff Member Administrator

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    Does anyone know if Nurk's legs are the same length?
     
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  15. e_blazer

    e_blazer Rip City Fan

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    The absolute rarity of this chance to sign a young center as gifted as Nurkic, who wants to be here, has demonstrated how well he fits with our other two star players and how much he improves the team's play, IMO, make this a must-do this summer. Sure, he's had a couple of injuries, but this current one is more in the boo-boo category than anything significant. He fits the window of the Lillard-McCollum era like a glove. I'd sign him and then start unloading excess contracts as fast as possible.
     
  16. e_blazer

    e_blazer Rip City Fan

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    As Oden's penis?
     
  17. oldfisherman

    oldfisherman Unicorn Wrangler

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    According to a few of his girlfriends, yup, all three legs are the same length. (Nice setup Sly)

    And, Pay the Man.
     
  18. illmatic99

    illmatic99 formerly yuyuza1

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    If his health is ok, go for it. But I do like the idea of dangling the carrot for him for a year.
     
  19. SlyPokerDog

    SlyPokerDog Woof! Staff Member Administrator

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    In 10 years when Nurkic is negotiating his 3rd 5 year contract with the Blazers then we can ask him to leave a little on the table.
     
  20. Blazer Freak

    Blazer Freak Superstar in the Making

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    What exactly is the benefit to extending him? He isn't clamoring for an extension and while I love Nurkic and believe he is a a true answer at the C position, it's pretty laughable that everyone complains every day about other contracts on our roster and being in the LT potentially but wants to then sign a player who has only really played at a max level for 20 games another max contract.

    I love Nurkic, hope he retires a Blazer and think he can be an All-Star. But there is absolutely 0 reason to give him an extension. He will be an RFA and we will match any offer. We aren't losing him.
     

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