Rental/smental dude. Sometimes you just got to say fuck it and take the chance. Over the course of the season you convince him to stay. I say anyone outside of Dame and maybe Nurk. I doubt they'd want Nurk anyway because they have Kat.
Give em CJ and Meyers and draft picks. and then wake up and realize it's not going to happen and just cut to the chase and make a thread blaming Neil Olshey.
This actually sounds more like Butler will ask Minnesota to dump Wiggins and whoever else he doesn’t like. Let’s go get Wiggins. Mentioned the idea not long ago.
Will Wiggins be happy being the 3rd wheel in POR? He's in the same role in MIN and hates it. He got a max deal and thinks that automatically makes him a No. 1 or, at worst, a No. 2 guy. He's not. He's an inefficient scorer that brings nothing else to the table. That said, he's certainly an upgrade over anyone we currently have at SF and I'm more than happy to dump Turner. I like Aminu, but he's an expiring and not part of the long term plan. I'd go all in trying to get Butler, give them C.J. + draft picks, plus anyone else not named Lillard (as mentioned, they won't want/need Nurk). A Dame/Jimmy/Nurk Big 3 would be damn competitive. Plenty of scoring and passing and 2 of the 3 are also great defensively. Start whenever is left of Collins/Aminu at the 4 and 4 of our 4 starters would be well above average defensively. We were top 8 in defense last year. Adding Butler would easily propel us into the top 5, possibly top 3 defensively and Butler can replace C.J.'s scoring. If Plan A fails, move to Plan B to take Wiggins off their hands. Who knows, in Stotts' system, as a 3rd option, his efficiency (and his mood) may improve. BNM
I’d trade CJ too but since we all know Olshey won’t consider it, especially for a possible rental, it’s a waste of time. I don’t view Wiggins as a malcontent. His personality just doesn’t mesh with Butlers. I’ve thought ever since I saw him at the hoop summit that his demeanor was a lot like Batums. It can come off as indifferent, even when it’s not, and a shitty lead dog like Butler has no idea how to relate or connect. Pretty sure he had the same issue in Chicago with Mirotic.
I doubt if MIN's ownership would consider moving KAT. I think he's the closest thing to untouchable they have. I think their plan will be to have a come to Jesus meeting (or series of meetings) between Thibs, Butler, KAT and Wiggins and see if they can all bury their differences and get on the same page. Barring that, I think moving Wiggins to placate Butler is their Plan B, followed by entertaining all offers for Butler as Plan C. BNM
Just a guess but I think this meeting is a formality before plans are set in motion. If this was about airing out differences I think it would’ve happened earlier. I think either butler or Wiggins is gone before training camp begins.
I think you’re right, but I think it depends how much they value Thibs. My guess is Thibs will take Butler’s “side”. If the Blazers could make it ‘sweet’ enough without giving up Dame or C.J. maybe they get Minnesota drunk enough??? Heh.
Another scenario, and this probably is the most likely now that I’ve actually thought about it some; Butler gives Minnesota an ultimatum, me or KAT. Knowing full well that ownership won’t give up KAT, Butler essentially speeds up his exit. Then you look at teams that could, and would, trade for Butler. You’d be looking for a playoff side with the ability to match salaries, while still giving Minnesota something they’d want. Financial relief (which could include taking on Dieng,) veterans, young assets, draft picks, whatever. Would Portland have a shot? I think so. Thibs has control in Minnesota. It’s been established that he’s a Turner fan. I’ve maintained that Minnesota was our best bet in dumping him. Thibs is probably coaching for his job next season. If he’s forced to move Butler, he’ll want guys he can depend on, and since any team wanting Butler will also have to send a big contract back, it may as well be someone Thib admires. Beyond that we could maybe even take on Dieng by including Moe, or maybe even Meyers considering Patton’s injury, on top of Evan, Chief, and our pick.