I don't think the market will offer Norm a max contract. I was making a dig at Olshey on how he has overpaid players in the past. No, it's not time to blow it up. Let's see what a new coach can do. That said, even a Pops caliber coach is not going to turn this roster into a championship contender. The roster needs moves. Big moves. Moves that I have very little confidence that Olshey can and will make.
If he cant make room for Powell, and they sign him for 20 plus, were back to the 3 guard line-up that takes up a good portion of the cap.
This is what needs to happen... There isn't much out there unless another team has a star demand out...
I tired over paying players I would give him 4/60 4 year deal. He had good couple games in the playoffs but his defense didn't stand out as much as guys think. Maybe if playing the 2 he might be better but that's not going happen until CJ leaves.
I can't imagine that Norm would come back if CJ is coming back. And if CJ isn't coming back, that still doesn't ensure that Norm will sign with us. [insert biting off fingernails emoji here]
Remember how shocked we were that Olshey made what looked like good moves last summer? At least I was. I had to read it three times. The tone of some of the writers and talking heads even seemed a little surprised. Can he shock the world again?
This is a no-brainer. You trade CJ for front-court help and Powell slides into his natural position at the '2'. Hopefully they get someone like a Siakam and Covington can move to his more productive position at the '3'. That would make the Blazers much better and so much more balanced.
Explain to me why Toronto does that. I mean, I know Siakam has had his sulky moments, but don't they have enough little guys? It makes no sense on their end.
Am I alone in being totally okay with Norm leaving? He won't be worth the contract he gets and people will immediately start bitching about it. And he didn't turn us into a contender, he turned us from maybe a 7 seed into a 6 seed. Everyone seems to think he'll be worth it just as soon as we get rid of CJ, but CJ is a better shooter, better dribbler, better passer, and Norm's defense isn't half what it's cut out to be (except in patches - he's like a streak defender). There's a reason he never became a full-time starter in Toronto. Plus CJ's not going anywhere. I have yet to see one remotely plausible trade idea for CJ. (Also: the number of people who (a) think Norm > CJ and (b) think nonetheless that the team that gave us Norm will gladly swap their core frontcourt player for CJ is not the zero it should be.) Yes, I get it: if he goes, we're still over the cap, so keep him, right? Well, I'd prefer to give his minutes to Nas and Anfernee (who actually outperformed him in many measures). Maybe if he was five inches taller he'd be a really solid SF. But he isn't. I'm hoping for a sign-and-trade, myself.
