Olshey said he went into the draft planning to keep only two players. It sounds like Withey might push that to three, but still, where are the last four players coming from? 8 under contract + 3 rookies = 11 players. Using cap space on, say, a C and a solid bench player would be 13. Doesn't that leave two spots? Am I overthinking this?
I think Elliot Williams OR Eric Maynor will stay on this team And remember, 12M in free agency, plus the MLE. Thats at least 2 other players, which brings total to 14
Chances approaching zero in my opinion. We have to pursue higher-value targets first. That in itself increases the chances that another team will make him a nice offer before we're ready to deal with him. Two things have to happen for us to even come to the table with Maynor: 29 teams have to ignore him at the start of FA, and we have to have a couple million extra lying around after going after the bigger fish. Considering Lillard, CJ, and Matthews entrenched as guards and Barton deuling it out with Crabbe, I doubt Maynor is a priority anymore.
I think Williams is more likely. CJ makes Maynor redundant more than he makes Williams redundant. Williams will be cheaper (and less competition for his services), and I think Portland still wants to see what he can do.
The Greek could come over too--that's another roster spot. If he did, we currently have: Lillard/McCollum/(Open spot) Matthews/Barton/Crabbe Batum/Claver/Papanikolau Aldridge/Freeland/(Open spot) (Free Agent)/Leonard/Withey
I'm hoping we can dump Freeland on someone. The fact that he's guaranteed $6M over the next two years is quickly becoming one of the worst contracts in the league.
Such a damning list. Freeland, Leonard, and Withey as our only bigs other than Aldridge, lol. Can't wait to see the plan unfold!
Would be happy with Withey as starter as well, the rest of the team is either Elliot Williams or not very good.
So considering capspace now, we have 9 on contract going into the FA period + 3 unsigned 2nd rounders. With minimum player rule, even if we sign those 3 officially, we still have one more player taking up a ~500k caphold (it might be more prudent to wait until after our FA splash to sign these guys if the caphold is < their potential salary). I'm guessing we're somewhere around 10-11mil max of space. More open to moving Wessy now, though. What can a package of Wes/LA get us? If they can land us Reke/Cousins, we might still be able to land Millsap in FA with our remaining space. Maybe throw Kostas for TRob. Not a bad lineup. Dame Reke Nic Millsap Cuz with CJ/Crabbe/Claver/TRob/Meyers off the bench and Will/Free/Withey to fill out the roster. That's a team with some sick potential and ability to win now.
Ya you're probably right. If Sac is open to it, I would absolutely love a Wes <-> Reke deal. We get a more versatile backcourt that would have tremendous shooting, passing, and slashing ability. Drafting CJ definitely takes away the fear in losing a lot of offensive skills that Wessy brings, so we could be more open to trading him. Added Cousins there because our C spot will have to be filled with someone like Gortat who I don't really like all that much. And I don't like the prospect of paying Asik 15mil in two years (even if it won't affect our cap situation all that much as we won't be in play for FAs then).
I get that, as well as the fact that dealing Aldridge for a C mitigates the "LMA wants out!" :MARIS61: issue, but if we were to make a LMA<->starting C deal, I would want someone other than Cousins (who I imagine would also want out of Portland in short order).
Cousins doesn't add up. One, because I think the new Kings regime will commit the max to him, and two, because I think he'd be a headcase in Portland just like he's been so far. As an NBA fan I wouldn't mind seeing them get on a decent rebuild track with DMC and McLemore, but I say let him remain their problem. Evans on the other hand would be perfect, and they are almost certainly going to let him walk now.
I don't think we have mle since we are under cap. I know there is a 2.5 mil or something available though.