I have confidence Leonard will eventually get it, but it's pretty evident that he's about 2-3 years away from being a solid contributor. There is a lot for him to learn about playing at the NBA level.
Leonard looks at least two or maybe three years away, in the meantime Pekovic is a stud center now and stylisticly I think he'd fit next to Aldridge pretty well, mostly because they are such a contrast. In any case I'm saying Leonard would have to be included in a trade offer because there actually is a little bit of intrigue with him that he might become good down the line. Bottom line, any trade should benefit both sides.
Actually, I think it's more clever than that. By putting this out there, Portland (and others) assume they can get away with a smaller offer, knowing Minnesota is unlikely to match a near-max. That just makes it easier for Minnesota to justify matching. On the other hand, if they really don't intend to match anything that high, they can bank on Portland calling their bluff and overpaying on a max offer. Win-win for Minnesota. I'm surprised more teams don't play it that way.
One thing though, there's more money than players this year in free agency. The twelve or so teams with free agent money are going to be stepping over each other to give out contracts, out of that bunch Portland isn't the only one who needs a center. Pek is gonna get paid!!
It is an intersting situation, but not the best situation for the Blazers as Minny has leverage. If no deal is made (likely), Blazers will have to renounce players just to make an offer . . . that could potentially be matched. If Minny matches, no Pek and no Hickson and other players. What can not happen is having Olshey handle the situation like Kahn did last year. Kahn should be fired just for the way he handled that. Waiting beyond the time available to make an offer, and then making an offer that was not legit, more time goes by trying to work out a sigh and trade, then release or bad trade of players by Minny to be able to make an offer . . . that was eventually matched. Wolves ended up giving a draft pick away to be able to give a player away, released Webster, and lost out on getting other free agents (like Mayo) who were signed during all this . . . and never got Nic. Blazers need to release whoever they have to and make offer on day 1 to Pek if they are going to do this right. During the waiting peroid, let the sign and trade talk commence, but the offer should be ready and made on day 1 (assuming Pek wants to sign with the Blazers, visa versa)
Actually, there's an important note in the CBA about what you posted here. If we want to go after Pek--and he's willing to sign an offer sheet with us--we should (as you say) renounce everyone, including JJ, and get that stuff signed on day 1, because the only risk is the loss of those first 3 days. If Minny matches, we could still use JJ's bird rights if we want to keep him.
I have a question though.... If we renounce Hickson; do we lose his "Bird Rights?" And if that's the case; couldn't we renounce Hickson; with giving him some "wink side promise" that he will get MAX MLE after we get the starting center? This scenario won't land us a Reddick; but we could find a quality big man; then have Hickson as the first forward off the bench.
Couldn't we also see if JJ is interested in signing with Minny and they were interested in him, use him in a S&T for Pek
Wow, good stuff. Blazers have even less to lose . . . as long as Olshey doesn't do it Kahn style. Does Babbit fall into the same situation as Hickson? Is he someone we have to renounce to make a 12M type offer? . .. now I"m asking you questions
Platypus just posted the link that explains why. Basically if you renounce to offer a contract for a free-agent and don't get that agent; then you have the right to get back the bird option for the player(s) that you renounced for that said player.
We could and we should. If he's still here after the deadline, we have to renounce him. I didn't know we could un-renounce if matched -- that makes it a no-brainer. Thanks Platypus!
I imagine that would depend on whether or not the renouncement was deemed "necessary" to create space for the RFA offer. Per Sham, Babbitt's hold is only 2.9M. If Jeffries/Pavlovic/Price's NGC's are removed, and Hickson/Williams/Smith are renounced, we have about $14M in cap space, before renouncing Babbitt. It seems to me that it would be a league office decision.
I don't see why Hickson would be interested in Minny. He is just going to play center on another team that's actually worse "record wise" than we are. I think a promising team with future and good playing time at his natural position is what he would agree on.
I like this for a few reasons: *Legit starting center *Perfect complement to LMA *By the time his 4-year deal ends Leonard should be more than ready to start. *Trolling the fuck out of David Kahn.
Ricky is better? You consider Ricky to be your second best player? Wow, you are in more trouble then I thought!
