Nurk, Ed, Bazz and Connaughton are all free agents this summer. Ed is unrestricted. The MLE next year will be around $8.5M. Ed and Bazz will probably grab somewhere close to that. I'm guessing Nurk will be closer to $15M. If the Blazers want to resign all of them (at around those numbers), they will be about $24M over the tax line, resulting in a tax bill of about $61M. Ouch.
Ed is playing like he did two years ago, before the injury. He wasn't playing for a contract then, and I don't think he is now. I would answer the question as: Ed you have to keep, Bazz would be nice to keep.
Ed because there is NOBODY on this team who can clean up in the paint the way he does. I love Bazz and he's become an amazing player but we already have back court. Ed is absolutely essential to this team at the moment the way he's been playing.
I agree. If we do well in the playoffs Paul won't have a problem going well over the salary cap and paying Lux tax.
Ed. I don't see why this is a question. There is a glut of guys like Bazz. I'd be shocked if his numbers couldn't easily be replaced. Bazz' contribution to the team culture may be a big consideration, though.
It's not a question of who we've had. It seems like these ~6' score first PGs have been readily available, for the vet minimum even, for several seasons. I saw the Bulls bring in 3 of them. I saw NO bring in one already
Shabazz' value isn't just on the offensive end, but he's also the best defensive player we have under 6'7". Not a whole lot of backup PG's available who can dribble, drive, shoot, and defend like Bazz. His defensive acumen and tenacity are what make the 3 guard lineup effective. I don't think he's as easily replaceable as some posit. Still I'd go with Ed. But I love having both on the squad.
I say Shabazz. The league is increasingly going towards a game with two ball handlers (PGs) on the floor at the same time. And I think we'd be able to keep him for cheaper.
Is my opinion that Bazz should be close in value to Isaiah Thomas less crazy now than it was earlier in the season? No? Okay.
Davis has expressed numerous times that he loves Portland and wants to stay. Time will tell if that happens, but I'm confident Portland will be his first choice.
Close, but yeah, I can give that to you. Sadly puts the spotlight on our guard play on D. Still, I would have to go with Mr. Davis. Way too much respect for his game to let him go anywhere.
My guess is he said it so we did not trade him at the deadline, because Portland (and his teammates) are his first choice........assuming the money is the same. However if someone offers him a lot more.......he will be gone. He will be 29 in June....last chance for a big payday.
