See my post above regarding free agency this summer. I can certainly see the argument for not wanting to attach a pick for a salary dump. I've said many times I usually feel the same way. I just don't know if I can handle another whole season after this one of this team playing the same way.
If olshey trade it probably be minor one. The person my eyes on is possible Aminu to be traded due to his contract is up. But again if we are in the playoffs picture I don't see that even happening.
If you trust Olsheys ability to draft then you’d have no problem with giving up a late first, because if Neil wanted to he could trade for someone in the second. And I don’t care who’s selected in the 20s, he’s not playing for at least a year under Stotts. Lillards free agency isn’t that far off, so I’d rather focus on putting the best possible team around him than developing some rookie who may (but most likely not) contribute within that timeframe.
I don't want us to pick someone in the 20s either. Picking Simons a year after wasting three picks to get projects in Collins/Swan was idiotic. But it's a much more valuable trade chip closer to the draft than in a salary dump in February. Hold it for a trade then.
Just because Neil is an idiot who doesn't know how to build a team doesn't mean we throw around assets willy nilly
But it’s not just throwing assets around. It’s using an asset to dump money so they can sign more reliable players. Now whether you think Olshey can actually sign that player is another story.
It does inform the value of the goal of that trade, though. If I trust Neil with the draft but don't trust him with free agency, it would make sense to not want him to reduce his opportunities where he excels in order to increase his opportunities where he is deficient. It'd be like telling Nurkic to get out of the post and just shoot more shish3s. Sure, swish3s can get you more points (just like free agency can get you players who can contribute immediately), but it's not his strong suit, and it's not likely to be successful. Better--both for Nurk and Olshey--to focus more on what they do best.
We’re not talking about handing out a max contract here, nor are we sacrificing a lottery pick. Even if you believed Olshey was hopeless in free agency, one guy making $9m isn’t going to hamstring the organization. And like I said, im much more concerned about surrounding Lillard with a team that may actually do something in the playoffs than I am taking a swing on a rookie selected in the 20s. For every Kyle Kuzma there are three Biggie Swanigans.
Actually, it's a different chapter of the same story. I have ZERO faith in Neil's ability to do something good in free agency. I'm at least 50/50 on his draft ability, and 25/75 on his trade ability, but I'm 0/100 on his free agency decisions. Trade the pick is my first choice. Use the pick is my second choice. I do not have a third choice for salary-dumping our pick.