Gasol. Owed $16M for 2 more seasons. Since it can't happen until the off season, Portland would have the ability to shop for the position. Just a couple possibilities: Courtney Lee (via a Turner trade ) JJ Reddick (tax MLE) Will Barton (tax MLE) Tyreke Evans (tax MLE) Gerald Henderson (tax MLE)
In a second? That's all the consideration you give to a move that would either secure your spot as Blazers GM or get you sent packing if it fails? Leonard was injured about a year ago and still doesn't feel comfortable enough to play. Wouldn't you take a few seconds to at least glance at his medical reports? Leonard would be eligible for a supermax contract if he stayed with the Spurs. By most rumors, he's looking to get out of San Antonio. What causes that level of dissatisfaction that you'd give up about $70 million in salary differential over what another team could offer you? Pop is a tough old bird and I suspect he has a love/hate relationship with his players from time to time, but he seems to be able to get more out of them than just about anybody else. Kawhi doesn't seem to be able to deal with Pop though. His psychological health doesn't concern you enough to pause for a minute? If he doesn't stay with the Spurs, Leonard will undoubtedly opt out of his contract after next season in order to get a max deal. He'll be an unrestricted free agent. If the Blazers had his Bird rights, they'd be able to offer more than any other team, but that didn't work out so well with Aldridge, did it? You say Kawhi isn't the kind of guy to go looking for brighter lights. Not sure how you know that for certain, but did you consider that maybe he's a mamma's boy? The call of home can be pretty powerful and that's ultimately what Aldridge chose. For Kawhi, home is Southern California, which also happens to be about the brightest lights around. If the Lakers or Clippers cleared cap space for him, are you still so certain he'd choose rainy, small market Portland? And what about the implications for the team's relationship with Lillard? He knows the league is a business, but he's seen a lot of his good friends traded away. Trading away another one, especially one as talented as CJ, had better work out for you. If Leonard leaves after a year and the team is left without that essential third option, how is Dame going to take that? Yeah, you might want to give it more than a second's thought.
I wish I had a dollar for every outrageous player acquisition i read in these forums. I would be able to retire. "cha ching"
Gaping hole at the 2 is better than a gaping hole at the 3! Not to mention, as someone stated, you always trade a all-star caliber SG for a MVP caliber SF. It’s not even a decision.
It's been reported that Leonard isn't too pleased with LA getting the kid gloves when Leonard has witnessed Pop tearing into future hall of famers like Manu and Duncan. Why does LA get the good side of pop but everyone else gets chewed out.
Because they invested a ton of money in LaSofty and they need him to perform at 100% of they have no chance of winning. Pop finally figured out what a little roll of charmin Aldridge is, and he has adjusted him coaching to fit him.
If that's true, then I think the narrative of Kawhi coming to Portland would be incredible. We'd have the story of how POR losing LA to SAS was suppose to kill POR's team (but it had zero effect) and extend SAS's dynasty (which it didn't). We'd also have the story of how LA couldn't play with Dame and eventually ran away to hide in his momma's skirt, followed by him driving away SAS's best player...into the open arms of the team he left. Which would lead to the story of how POR was a mediocre also-ran throughout LA's tenure, and turned into a juggernaut thanks to him pushing Leonard our way, all while SAS turns into the mediocre also-ran that POR use to be. Honestly, if all this Leonard hoopla is because he can't stand LA, then he should force his way to the Blazers in order to exact his revenge.
Where did you see this reported? LMA can't handle it. You saw what happened last year - he started sulking and mailing it in & requested a trade.
Harkless and ET are inconsistent at best. Kawhi>CJ and Harkless Do you believe CJ will ever be a MVP of the league type player? If not you make the trade and snag someone in the draft to play SG or make a play for a Will Barton type. Kawhi/Barton>>>CJ/Harkless
Bottom line is we are good, we aren’t title winners good though. I don’t think the next step comes from enteral growth either, I believe we are one trade and one good draft away. Nurk/Zach(Chief)/Kawhi/WB/Dame That’s a championship contender imo
Getting Kawhi is a total fantasy. So, if we're going to fantasize about getting him, my fantasy also has us doing so while keeping all of Dame, C.J., Nurk and Collins. However, if the only way to get Kawhi is to give up C.J., don't forget we still have the Crabbe TPE that doesn't expire until July 24. We could use that to land someone like Courtney Lee to fill in at SG until someone better/younger comes along. Lee isn't as good as C.J., but he's always been a great 3-point shooter and a solid defender. So... Ultimate Fantasy Starters: Dame C.J. Kawhi Collins (or Aminu if we still have him for one more year) Nurk Bench: Who cares, anyone we have left plus cheap ring chasers Alternate Fantasy Starters: Dame Courtney Lee Kawhi Collins (or Aminu if we still have him for one more year) Nurk Bench: Who cares, anyone we have left plus cheap ring chasers BNM
Why is CJ and a couple firsts while taking the Gasol contract back for Kawhi a fantasy? Is Tatum/Brown better than that? Or Tatum/surgically repaired Gordon better?
