Meyers Leonard Among “Long-Shot” Center Trade Prospects this Summer 73 comments Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale lists Portland’s little-used pivot as an unlikely, but possible, trade target. By Dave Deckard@DaveDeckard Jun 5, 2018, 11:34am PDT Share Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports The Portland Trail Blazers are likely to be active in the NBA trade market this summer, looking to acquire talent and drop expensive salaries. Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale suggests that Meyers Leonard might be on the move in that process. Favale lists Leonard—along with Kevin Love, Tyson Chandler, and Marc Gasol, among others—as a “long shot” candidates for the trading block. He suggests that other pieces will be necessary in order to bait the hook for a Leonard deal: Greasing the wheels of a Leonard salary dump is Portland’s bookkeeping middle ground. Al-Farouq Aminu (one year, $7 million) and Moe Harkless (two years, $22.3 million) are more valuable as assets at their respective price points. Moving Evan Turner helps the cause, but it will likely cost two first-round picks (or prospects) to lop off the $36.5 million he’s owed through 2019-20. Granted, shipping out Leonard’s contract is no walk in the park. He finished the season behind Davis, Nurkic and rookie Zach Collins in the big-man rotation. And the Blazers would sooner turn to smaller lineups with Aminu or Harkless at the 4 before giving him minutes at power forward. After discussing Leonard’s attributes, Favale suggests that while unlikely, the chances of a Leonard trade aren’t zero. Meyers may have suitors: Still, other teams will talk themselves into Leonard. He doesn’t turn 27 until February and won’t break the bank at about $11 million annually. He’ll be worth the gamble to rebuilding types if attached to a protected first-rounder. The Atlanta Hawks, Dallas Mavericks and Orlando Magic immediately spring to mind. So, too, do the Miami Heat if the Blazers are interested in expanding to a bad-salary swap for Hassan Whiteside rather than straight-up savings. @dviss Found it on Blazer's Edge but it's a bleacher report article
What? Barnes is an ideal secondary scorer who can do more than just stand outside the arc. Hes also a versatile defender who can defend on the perimeter and in the post. He’s overpaid but is exactly the type of wing we’re looking for.
Neil is full of shit. Uncreative shit. Expect moves for the likes of the Chris McCullough and Jeremy Lamb's of the world.
These surprised me a bit (although I have always thought Barnes was inefficient). Dallas already has a high pick. I don't think they are looking to move a guy they want to grow with their team anyways.
Passing doesn't mean you get more assists when you do what we did in the playoffs which was constantly pass the open shot for some god forsaken reason. We need people who don't mind shooting instead of people who just want to get the ball to CJ/Dame instead of taking the open shot.
Wait, are you offering to give him the Blazers? Why? Put him in the running, yes, but why does he get them?
