I know I said that earlier post was my last trade idea but apparently I got a sickness and can't stop. It'll all end on Thursday at latest. In the meantime guess ya'all are gonna have to put up with me. So I was listening to Simmons podcast and they mentioned the Dwight Howard to Portland idea; doesn't really make sense to me if we are staying with the youth movement. They talked about getting Dwight for basically just Plumlee. I have some intrigue but some hesitation; similar feelings I've had with landing Blake Griffin. With all the youth we currently have I'm not sure we are ready to make that win now type of move. Dwight can leave in the summer and has little value. But that's why he might be available for less than ever. Griffin can leave as a free agent in 2017 and is worth more than Dwight; but has his own concerns. Definitely the lowest point of his trade value as well though. So if we are giving up valuable young players to acquire either we really need to win soon. Then I though; why the hell not combine both trades? Howard earns $22.4milllion, Griffin $18.9million and we have $20.6 million of cap space. Impossible you say? Well here is how we could do it. Trade #1 see on ESPN trade machine: PDX get Dwight Howard HOU get Mason Plumlee, Joe Johnson BRK get Ty Lawson, Cliff Alexander This trade uses all our cap space. Houston gets to improve their chemistry and a player with a cheap contract beyond this season. They either feel good about making the playoffs with this different group or miss the playoffs and keep their lottery protected pick. Houston drops below the luxury tax and avoids repeater tax in future seasons. Brooklyn saves massive money and gets to take a look at Lawson and Cliff Alexander. Trade #2 see on ESPN trade machine: PDX get Blake Griffin LAC get Al Horford, Kyle Korver, Thabo Sefolosha ATL get Chris Kaman, Meyers Leonard, Mo Harkless, Noah Vonleh, Allen Crabbe, top10 protected 2019 Blazers first round pick The difficult part with constructing this second trade is getting the salaries to match. As the Blazers used all their cap space in the first trade they need to match salaries as an over the cap team. Since Griffin makes $18.9mil the Blazers need to send out at least $13.9 mil in a trade. The Clippers replace Griffin's production with another All-star in Al Horford while filling out their bench with useful Korver and Thabo. Atlanta rebuilds with young players and another pick. Adjust the protection on the pick as you feel necessary to complete the trade. After all the moves the Blazers will need to sign some veteran free agents for bench spots, particularly backup forward spots. But this is their depth chart after the trades; Howard, Davis Griffin Aminu, Hendo CJ Dame, Frazier Can this core contend with the Warriors, Spurs, Thunder in the next two years? If yes it's worth Neil exploring, if not then its probably best to stick with our younger cheaper options.
I can't stand him either (even though i want him on the team). I wonder, why can't we stand to see his stupid face?
I like Plumlee but I'm not at all attached to him....more of a Joel Freeland appreciation...if you can get DHoward straight across for Mason Plumlee..and keep Ed Davis and Meyers Leonard..you have to do that trade
I think all three are best as the lone center on the floor. Plumlee has a unique offensive skill set; but lacks the interior defense. We need his playmaking with our group now but if we had more offensive production from our forward spots those skills of his become less critical. Meyers gives the offense so much space, but he can't defend quick players and was really exposed as a starter. Long term I think Meyers will always be best as a limited minute unique option off the bench Matt Bonner style. Can't see him ever starting on a contender. Ed Davis is probably my favorite of the three; some might say he doesn't have the upside; but he's the type of elite role player that can excel alongside stars. Awesome defender, very efficient around the rim. It's not as if he's Joel Pryzbilla offensively, the guy has a knack for put backs and an outstanding PER. If you put a more skilled offensive teammate in the frontcourt, which I think this team is likely to have if it ever becomes a contender; then Ed Davis is a more effective complimentary piece.
Here's another idea. Greg Monroe hasn't fit in Milwaukee. With Giannis and MCW they need a big man who can shoot. Blazers had a lot of interest in Monroe; he is also locked into a contract that won't go up this summer. His contract only costs $9 million in cap room more than Meyers cap hold so the Blazers would still have max cap space. Heat want to get out of repeater luxury tax and may give up Whiteside to do it. This gives them a replacement they have bird rights with. http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=zrn3a6u Blazers get Monroe, (Birdman + Haslem contracts) Bucks get Whiteside, Meyers, (Kaman contract) Heat get Miles Plumlee
Here's another Miami trade, although just with us and them. http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=zaq3jtc Blazers get Justice Winslow (Haslem, Birdman, McBob contracts) Heat get Plumlee, Hendo, Crabbe Gives the Heat luxury tax relief including McBob's 3 year overpaid contract. They still have Whiteside to keep or package in another trade. They lose the young Winslow but gain a vet more ready to contribute now in Hendo; but also a promising young wing in Crabbe. Crabbe is 23 and more able to complement the current Heat core than young Winslow. Heat would have Crabbe's bird rights. They get Plumlee on a cheap contract to ease their payroll issues this season and next. Blazers get the best young long term prospect in the trade in 19 year old Winslow who has 3 more years on a cheap rookie deal. Blazers depth chart is; Davis, Meyers Vonleh Aminu, Harkless CJ, Winslow Dame
We are left with poor bench scoring if we do this trade. Winslow has struggled shooting the ball and Haslem and bird man are finished. I am fully against this trade although I do think Winslow has high upside long term.
Miles Plumlee would not be enough for the Heat to trade Whiteside. I would not mind Monroe but the Bucks make out like bandits in this deal and the heat get totally ripped off.
Zach Lowe's latest: Portland Trail Blazers: The Blazers are being pulled in opposite directions. They are way ahead of schedule at 27-27, to the point that Neil Olshey, the team's deal-makin' GM, might pivot into "buy" mode if he finds a young-ish player who fits the timeline of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum. The Blazers have pursued Monroe before, and despite Milwaukee striking a strong pose in some talks, Monroe could be had if some suitor tosses in a decent first-round pick. Portland has $20 million in cap room to play with, plus two restricted free agents -- Allen Crabbe and Meyers Leonard -- due big raises under the skyrocketing cap. Teams queasy about paying their restricted free agents ditched them at least season's deadline, when Brandon Knight, Reggie Jackson and Enes Kanter flew around the league. The Blazers are high on Crabbe, but Leonard's asking price in preseason extension talks gave them sticker shock. (The restricted free-agency thing is yet another reason to keep an eye on Boston, with both Jared Sullinger and Tyler Zeller ticking toward it). Alas, the Blazers owe their pick to Denver if they make the playoffs, and given Olshey's draft record, he might prefer to keep it. My best guess: Portland avoids an upgrade, uses its space to nab a couple of extra second-rounders and resumes its pursuit of Monroe -- or someone else -- around draft time. http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14783975/the-nba-trade-deadline-full-big-names-cap-questions
if Miami loses Bosh for the rest of the season...they are going no where. And if they don't like Whiteside and don't plan on re-signing him, an hour before the deadline I am guessing they will take less than Mason Plumlee for him. The question I have is if Pat Riley is not interested in paying Whiteside this summer, then should we? I guess one can make an argument that he is clearing cap space for Durant but my guess he just doesn't like him very much. I think many are under selling Plumlee. He may not be a star, but he fills a need for a number of teams because he a big with some skills. He can actually run, dribble and pass (and probably chew gum) all at the same time. I hate giving up on him too early but I bet he is an attractive asset for teams looking to make a trade. I acknowledge he is not the best defensive center out there, but there is no reason why he can't improve that area of his game.
The issue that Miami has with Whiteside is not that they don't WANT to keep him - it's that with their current cap situation it would take a huge effort to be able to keep him.
Let's say our goodbyes to Mayers Damage! No way Neil is paying him that 60M for 5 years or whatever the fuck other teams will bait him into paying. Mayers,Kaveman and PAT for a a big expiring contract and a 20-ish draft pick.
Clean and simple: http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=hk5y74v ^BKN saves money and get young talent, I'd throw Harkless in there if it closes the deal. The trade that i like less but would heavily consider: http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=jo7occj ^We act as a big money dump for players who won't get Orlando very far but will help our current stars win more games. (and before you talk smack about Harris' stats this year, just think about Skiles Vs Stotts in terms of getting better offensive stats and even more rebounds).
