An interesting option (Re: Plan B)

11million, that's ridiculous. No way we sign Batum for more than 9 million now that Hibbert window is closed. (which he isn't being offered)

 

Sorry, you don't match unless your GM is an idiot. We'll find out soon enough.

 

But your GM is an idiot to offer that? You just contradicted your position.

Sorry, but Batum will remain a Blazer.

 

I didn't. Batum AT THAT PRICE is a much better fit into our system than he is yours. Think about that.

 

So we should help out a division rival? Uh, no thanks. And Paul Allen for one wont let that happen. Keep up, man, keep up!

 

Pfffttt, show's how much you know. We don't have a system.

Edit: Yet...

 

The only thing I don't get is why 11 million a year for Portland (with a far wealthier owner) is so much worse than it would be for Minnesota?

I mean either way I think it's kind of crazy money and likely to hurt whichever team actually ends up with him.

 

Actually that's sort of flawed logic. If an 11-12 million/year player needs to fit into a system to be more successful, it just means that he's a role-player and not a guy you actually build around. Either a player is a "star" at the center or he's an orbital body on the periphery -- a near max deal usually is reserved for the kind of guy that doesn't just fill in the gaps (and Nic has definitely been a fill-in-the-gaps kind of player).

 

Noah would be my first target, but the fact that the Bulls just re-signed Hinrich suggests to me that they're not ready to tear it down yet. However, I'd offer Freeland and Leonard for Noah, no problem. (That would be a way not to retard Leonard's growth - send him to another team.)

 

Please stop quoting Kilkenny - it really undermines the point of the "ignore" function.

 

Go young, baby. Play Lillard = Not a vet PG. Play Leonard/Freeland = Not a vet Center. A SG or...Rudy Gay?

 

I think it's simply because of our situation. It would tie up all our priceless cap flexibility, and merely getting Batum isn't even getting us to the post-season, so why do it? The Wolves have a team they think will take them to the next level, that next level being a .500 team that doesn't make the playoffs. So if they want to break the bank on Batum, more power to them.

I'd only retain Batum if we get a needle-changer at center through a trade. Otherwise, fuck it, let's all take a long vacation and reconvene here same time next year when there's something positive to talk about.

 

It's ok if you don't get it.

 

Yep.

 

Good thought. We wouldn't end up with Dirk because...he wouldn't want to join our rebuilding plan?

 

That was sort of my point, it's crazy money no matter who he plays for (minus the Knicks, because that's what they do).

 

I think the difference is we wanted Hibbert and not Noah. Hibbert was a good fit next to Aldridge. I don't know...what does Noah cost? Does he 'move the needle'?

 

I think Noah is just as good of a fit, personally. Maybe a better defender, and a very good passer at the C position.

 

Minnesota isn't going to give up on their highest draft pick ever after one year for a sign and trade free agent. Not gonna happen. Derrick Williams was pretty good a few times I saw him. He just probably isn't a 3.

MN is gonna offer more money than we are comfortable with to get Batum. We can either match it or let him go, but we aren't going to get great value trading away a guy on a contract we don't even want. Kahn is gonna stick us with the contract if we ask for anything more than Ridnour or Wes Johnson.

 

Hey, if a wanna see your team tie themselves to a cap killing contract for the next 4 years have fun with it. Personally I hope the Blazers don't match at 11-12/year