Matthews hardly qualifies as a player you build around. He and Batum are around the same level...Matthews a little more consistent at this point while Batum has a higher upside, IMO. Right now, they're really just role-players. Wallace may or may not be around after next season...if we assume a hard cap and an "All-Star to be named later" signed, it's quite likely the Blazers won't have any financial advantage in trying to re-sign him, assuming they have the money at all. And that all assumes that Portland is able to sign an All-Star worth building around as a free agent. When was the last time they did that? Personally, I think dumping Oden and Miller essentially weakens the team's present and ceiling without materially improving their future outlook.
I don't know. This franchise is cursed. We'll always be the the would haves, the could haves, the should haves.
I don't like how this situation is being handled from both sides. Blazer management have been mum on the subject. Really? This guy was the #1 pick and you're really treating his potential UFA like it's not a big deal? Oden is as distant as any Blazer in history from his own teammates. Oden's "enthusiasm" during the playoffs for his own teammates was embarrassing. It was almost like he was at a funeral.
If he looked cheerful, you'd call his obvious lack of caring about letting the Blazers, Portland and the US down "embarrassing." Just admit it. Considering his career has gotten off to a disastrous start, I wouldn't be so quick to play pop psychologist based on how he looks. He may be glum about not being able to participate and help his teammates win.
It was just an idea, I am not saying we have to do it. I've been quite adverse to "blowing it up". Just throwing it out there that we might be able to clean the slate of our injury prone players. Though I like Miller, he's no spring chicken. I am chalking us down for probably another first round exit(unless we solve some of the outstanding issues, mainly Roy). If we commit to Miller next year, do commit to him long-term? Who knows if the CBA will even change drastically. Dumping all three contracts might not be necessary, but that's about 31 million on the table if we clear them all off.
Greg is a risk, but I would be disapointed to lose him. Miller should have been traded last trade deadline
Good grief. Can reporters read? Acting GM did not say unsure. He basically didn't answer. So he's not announcing in advance what he will or will not do. Predictably, it gets spun as Blazers unsure on Oden and predictable the board has hysterics.
It depends on how much better the team could be without him. In the current environment, it wouldn't make much difference, since the Blazers will be over the cap with or without him. In a hard cap environment, it would be a more material issue...but then, you have to weigh the chances that extra cap space would land a player that could lead the team to title contention. Ultimately, I think Oden is worth the risk...if he does recover, he makes the team a legitimate title contender. I think that is better odds than finding a franchise player starting next off-season.
i think it is a calculated risk, that i would be willing to take. he STILL imo has the chance to be a top 5 mvp type player, gotta do what you can to keep those kind of guys on your team, and let the chips fall where they may
I read this as "I'd rather have his overpriced knees shredded as a Blazer than risk seeing them explode for another team." I had to read it three times to get it correct.
lol, pretty much the only way i would be slightly satisfied, is if oden signs with someone else for max, THEN shreds his knees...no, that would still suck
You said a mouth full. The Blazers odds of getting another shot at a player of Oden's caliber in the next decade are approximately zero. Even if someone thinks Oden's chances of success from here out are only 20 percent, you have to go with the better odds. Personally, I think Greg's chances are much better than 50 percent. Walton led the Blazers to a championship in one of his very few good years, and even then he was injured part of the season, iirc. If we lose Greg before his story is written, I will be supremely disappointed.
