I'm really curious about this. I think we've kinda talked about it before. Neil and Paul can't be in more than two places at once. They have to target one person, and really push hard to sign that one person. Who would you go after? Who do you think Neil will go after? Will they call at 12:01? Will they try to fly out and see that person on July 1st? This could really make or break our offseason. If Neil picks the wrong guy, say Kevin Durant, and tries and fails. Can he just call up Dwight Howard? Can he call up Horford if they know they're option #2?
I think it will be really interesting to see what Neil/Paul do. See who they target first. Where do they put their expectations? If Neil doesn't even try to go after Horford/Durant and maybe goes third tier instead, I think that really says a lot about our drawing power.
By then I think they will have a pretty good idea of whom would be receptive to their offer and who they don't really have a chance with. Now if we get reports of Paul firing up BlazerOne on the evening of June 30th or an 'Octopus' sighting off of Miami beach late next week.....well, wouldn't that be fun.
It's a great question but for me the answer depends on which top free agent has the most interest in us. And Neil knows this better than us because he can talk to their agents. These guys have egos and they all want to be a franchise's #1 target. So I agree it is important to go all in at 12:01. But which one? Neil needs to guess right. If he has no clue, then I would go with either Horford or Whiteside. And if I had to choose one of those two........Whiteside. But again I would hope he has a better gauge on it than us.
I think it may be more a case of who lets us call them, than who we call. I'm sure Neil will talk to their agents ahead of time and see where we fit on their schedules, not the other way around. If you're Kevin Durant or Al Horford, you pretty much get to tell people when they get to talk to you. No point calling Kevin Durant at 12:01 when he's already on another call. Actually, that may be the way to do it. Call all those guys immediately after midnight, and when it kicks over to voicemail, because they are on a call with someone else, leave them a short 10-15 second voicemail. That way, they all have a voicemail message from Neil with a 12:01 time stamp that makes them all feel like they were our first choice. BNM
I'd still call Durant first. I'm not sure how everything works but I don't think NO is just on hold for hours waiting to talk to Durant. After Durant i'd call Whiteside/Howard/Horford
Well, Durant can only take one call at a time. I'd imagine that's OKC first, out of courtesy, unless they've already told him, see what other offers you get and then come see us and we'll give you more. Im surer OKC has maded it clear to him and his agent they will do everything in their power to keep him. Next up are probably GSW and SAS. If he knows Neil wants to talk to him, his agent will probably arrange a call at a time that works for both parties, but I doubt if we're even in his top three, probably not even top 5. No way is he taking Neil's call at 12:01, or anything close to that. BNM
Olshey will know if a guy would be a waste of time and if a guy would even be open to listening to us. He needs to be on Howards doorstep at 12:01am. Howard is one of those guys that would eat that up. If you show him how badly you want him, and he seems to already like lillard and our guys, and fits us like a glove (well other than age a tad) i believe that would mean a lot to him. Howard is leaving houston for sure, and needs a new home. Horford and durant are much murkier and i think atlanta and okc are the most likely to keep them. Whiteside could leave, but i feel like he will have plenty of suitors. I wouldnt be upset if it was whiteside or howard.
He'll have 2 secretaries and a phone system that can handle five or six calls at once...... and he'll have his computer open to S2, of course.
It'll be cole Aldrich and I'll be burning down the blazers facility soon after. Seriously though, either Whiteside or Horford
Have Neil call Horford and Dame call Whiteside. I would love to say Durant, but given the trade and their money advantage I think it would be pointless.
I call Dwight Howard and order Shrimp Fried Rice, Chicken Chow Mein, Moo Goo Gai Pan, and two sides BBQ Pork using a really offensive and terrible Chinese accent.
