Some say we're lacking in Star-Power, I think we only need it as star power. We have multiple weapons in enough positions and we don't need heirarchy, bringing someone like Brook Lopez only helps us if he's willing to play a smaller role. I think we can use a boost even if we're doing well, especially if it signals a realistic step towards consolidating the remaining roster and making it set. I would welcome such trade if it leaves us with a more logical team to work with rotations-wise and if Brook is willing to come and earn his playing time.
I'd rather go with what we have, let all the players split the proceeds from the Blazers not meeting the minimum salary threshold and tank away for a top 3 pick.
But there is the 30 mil in cap-room. Our team right now isn't bad, we aren't going to win the lottery anyway. What if we add 2 major players with the cap-room, even if it doesn't nessecarily lift us to contention but I think the right players could
What if we trade the cap-room for Tyreke Evans and Eric Gordon for absorbing their contracts? Dame, Frazier, Harkless CJ, Henderson, Gordon Tyreke, Aminu, Crabbe Meyers, Davis, Alexander Plumlee, Vonleh, Kaman We could play Tyreke with a small lineup or Aminu in a big lineup, would have a lot of versatility in every position, could play many different lineups, Gordon could be useful at least as a shooter
could be funny to see what plums does, he just got out from under Lopez's shadow, to have him then come here and suddenly have to be in his shadow again. I'll pass on the Lopez, we had one, that'll be just fine.
Only no-brainer trades. Not trades that move us from bad to mediocre. If Terry were a better coach there's no reason Plumlee can't be almost as good as Brolo (better, dollar for dollar?).
No trades for the sake of making trades, to marginally increase our record, or for the sake of spending "cap room". Only trades that are believed to lead us in the general direction of the promised land should be considered.
I would use our cap room to trade for a star caliber player who fits the long term goals of this team. Lopez has star talent, but the guy is extremely injury prone and that's not something that goes away with a big man. It usually only gets worse as they age. We're actually in a really good position with centers right now. If we could get an All-Star caliber power forward, or small forward, I would do it in a heartbeat. The cap space will come in handy if we were to move out a draft pick + young talent for a bigger contract. If we were to get, say, the 5th pick and Neil decided that there wasn't someone that he specifically wanted. He might be able to package that pick with CJ and Plumlee for someone like Cousins.
This is a kind of move that I keep talking about. Absolutely pointless and maybe adds 5 wins to the 30 we'll get as is, while giving us a worse draft pick, and not really improving our chance at drawing free agents. It's a Billy King move. Neil is not stupid enough to do it. He knows what's up.
Brook Lopez probably helps us finish 9th or 10th in the West. We just need to ride with what we've got and hope it lands us a top pick in the draft and do our damage via trade/free agency in July.
I would like to target fringe teams that are maybe one move away from being in the playoff picture. A team like Milwaukee, with a guy like John Henson who isn't getting a ton of burn, would be ideal. They already have a ton of youth, so adding a few vets could be enough to get them back into the mix. Adding Henson to the Blazers wouldn't really net them more wins right away, but could pay off in the long run.
I see what you mean, we're good enough as is, but adding a Brook Lopez type who's a bigger player but also better than advertised considering the bad press he's gotten lately could theoratically lift us to contention. There are two issues though: 1. If he's better than people think and the Nets are somewhat winning, are they even interested in giving him up. 2. Are we not good enough even without him considering we need more minutes up-front for players like Vonleh and Alexander. I think if we bring Brook we need to send a big to Brooklyn, possibly Ed Davis.
Or what if we don't bring a big. Do we really need a big time 3. Is there a 3 on an underacheiving team we could really use? The Knicks wouldn't just give up Melo when they're winning. At least not without backcourt players going their way and not the players we're willing to give up. Where's Luol Deng? Rudy Gay? The usual suspects. Both players could be a realistic starting 3 while also providing actual value on the court. There aren't many players who would come just for absorbing salary. If we want a starting-caliber 3 who are we giving up? So yes, like Blue9 said, it'd have to be a can't miss trade. Some very attractive player becoming available, a Pippen like trade maybe but that would also enable a bigger window.
