Middleton's cap hold was only 2.7M. They sign Monroe with the cap space then get charged the full amount.
I am not faulting Monroe for this. Would you rather build a core with Parker, GA, Middleton or Lillard, Leonard, and CJ?
Yep. This is all about how mid-level eastern conference teams can make the playoffs because the conference is so awful.
I feel bad as a fan, but I kinda feel worse for Paul Allen. Dude's got all this money, a desire to win, a rabid fanbase, but no one wants to take his money. What more can he do?
Is it possible that MIL gave him an ultimatum? As in, make your decision in the next hour or the offer is off the table? And the wait for Aldridge's punk ass to make a decision took too long? Fuckin hell, man
Nah, it's all about not having to work hard to make the playoffs in the east. The west is a fucking bloodbath.
San Antonio is the exception in the west, because Pop rests his guys. LA wants to play a lot fewer minutes.
I believe if Aldridge wanted to win in Portland, and he had the emotional intelligence of an adult, Monroe would be a Blazer. And so would Aldridge.
I am a big fan of GA and he is four years younger than Lillard. Not due for a big contract for a season longer than Lillard. Betting his offensive game would be easier to fix than Damian's defensive game. Not for sure either team would trade if the other offered the other straight up though.