The draft certainly brings up some interesting debates on our roster going into FA. Personally, (whether or not LMA is still here next year) I was looking for some of the uber-D guys at SG/backup SF/C. I would've liked (would STILL like) to see Oladipo here somehow, and then would've taken Franklin at 40 instead of Jarrett, along with a D center higher up (like Dieng or Adams) than Withey. Then flesh it out with a stretch 4 (Muscala is definitely one of my favorites) and shooters/scorers in the 2nd (like Wolters). Instead, with McCollum and Crabbe (2 of the very best bombers in the draft) slipping to where we could get them (I thought McCollum would definitely go before KCP, and Crabbe seemed like a late-teens/early 20's pick), the team went with long-range shooting as their first priority. Which I can totally get behind. But the D question wasn't really addressed, other than with Withey, who seems like a poor man's 2004-era Joel Przybilla to me--useful, but not your Opening Night 35mpg starting C. It reminds me a bit of the Magic teams pre-Dwightmare (moreso than the Blazer teams around this time); surround a stud rebounder or two with bombers and live-by-the-3, die-by-the-3. But they didn't have anyone with Roy's ability to break down a D or iso up, just like I don't think we do right now (as the roster currently stands): Lillard/Wes/Batum/LMA/(Leonard or Withey or Cap Space Center) with Leonard and CJ the first two off the bench. So who's the stud rebounder? If we keep LMA, then he definitely has the ability/skill/body to be able to play a C in that system if he can harness LaMonster and forget about shooting 800 inefficient jumpers a year. I don't see him doing that, though. And if we blow the cap space on someone like Gortat/Asik/Jefferson/Millsap/McGee, can they work together? As much as I'm scared of tossing money Bynum's way, I'm intrigued at a possible lineup of: Lillard/Wes/Batum/LMA (in the Gasol, High-Post role)/Bynum (in his L*ker role) with shooters off the bench in McCollum and Crabbe (and a high-post backup in Leonard and 15mpg defensive presence in Withey). If everything goes right, that could work. Not super-confident in that, though. Reggie Evans might be useful to have.
We need some spies out at PDX to see where Olshey et al fly to? I want to know whose doorbell he will be ringing at midnight on Sunday. I'm torn on whether he will be going after any RFAs this year. And I don't like the idea of Bynum.
1) Fly to Los Angeles (or wherever Blake Griffin is) 2) Prank call him repeatedly pretending to be Clippers "Insider". 3) Trade Wes+LMA for Blake Griffin. 4) Use cap space on a center (e.g. Andrew Bynum) 5) Use room exception or whatever $ to get a backup SF/PF 6) Win championship, relax in splendor.
I'm actually pretty happy where we are today. We don't need a center, we need a good center. Seemed like the options we had at center were just okay. I'd much rather have undersized guys that can play than a stiff who has the right height and not much else. The key will be what magic Olshey can work on the free agent/trade front. We're young, but we're starting to put some nice pieces together and I'm starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
As I understand it, we should have about $11.5-$12M to spend on FAs or lopsided trades. Of the Cs that may be available, Dalembert ($7M), Asik ($8.4M) or Gortat ($7.7M) seem to me to be the best options likely to be available. That would leave about $3.5-$4M available for other FA signings. I'd love to see the Blazers pick up Carl Landry as a backup PF. The guy's small, but he sure makes the most out of his size. I don't know if they'll have the cash to get him, but he'd be a good pickup. I think it they could accomplish getting a starting C and a solid backup PF, the rest of the roster is deep enough to be pretty good as is.
I can't believe I'm saying this but I think Bynum is an appropriate gamble at this point. If he busts out then we loose him and LA and do a real rebuild around Lillard. If he works out then look out.
I would too, as long as Bynum 1) is healthy 2) stays healthy, 3) doesn't refuse to play, 4) doesn't do something totally dumb to mess everything up. I'm really not sure if it's worth the risk. I suppose I would live without knowing the answers to #2 and #4 if we know that he is healthy at the moment and willing to play for us.
I am curious to know why? I have seen their numbers side by side, and McCollum seemed to have the edge a lot. I am not agreeing or disagreeing, just curious
Now...... No clue. Trade Aldridge and Freeland to Houston for asik, Lin, Robinson, one of Jones or montiejnas, and a 2014 unprotected pick. Maybe 2016 also. They create space to land Dwight, with a great starting five. We find a young center, with two years remaining, if Leonard develops, doesn't tie us down. Young prospects at of. and hopefully we flip Lin elsewhere
It will be interesting to see if Olshey diverts from the plan of adding players who will be here long term when addressing the center position
Mainly cuz i see CJ as a short SG without PG skills, who kinda chucks a bit. This based just on third party scouting reports. Dame has a more refined passing game and can finish at a rim. Not sure CJ can do that. I put CJ's ceiling at about 15ppg, 4rpg, 2apg in about 30mpg. Great for us as that's what we need, but not close to what I have for Dame's ceiling. Watch these if you haven't: [video]www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqxN2KL6VJI[/video] [video]www.youtube.com/watch?v=VH2-RAri4tE[/video] He nailed Dame's scouting report.
I think the plan is to get a vet who will start for a couple of years, then become the backup to Leonard for a couple of years. Yes, I know you are unsure Leonard will become a starting quality center. I am unsure as well. Nevertheless, it is the plan.
Lillard's AST% in senior year = 27.1% McCollum AST% in senior year = 24.9% (25.4% in junior year since he was hurt most of senior year) Truth is, they didn't get many assists because their teams were just bad. He'll have much more opportunities to pass in the pros.
