I could see Minnesota wanting Harkless instead Aminu. He’s younger and under control for an extra year, and is probably the better SF to replace Wiggins. Portland might prefer it as well since they’re already thin in the front court. Thibs doesn’t like Dieng either but he’d fit in Portland next to Collins. These are all pointless because Olshey is on vacation. Dame CJ Wiggins Aminu Nurkic CJ Curry Trent Collins Dieng
I thought the reason we let Ed Davis walk was because we wanted Collins playing inside more. Dieng is a lesser version of Ed who happens to make 4x as much and, like Ed, would force Collins to play on the perimeter. We would have been much better off just keeping Ed. I was also surprised to learn that Dieng is less than 5 months younger than Ed. I get that taking on Dieng's massive contract is the price we'd pay for the privilege of taking on Wiggins' even more massive contract. We end up taking on more salary for a MUCH longer time period. I know Wiggins is still young, but I don't think he's worth it. He's been in the league for four full seasons as a starter averaging 36 MPG, but is still pretty much the same inefficient, 1-dimensional player he was as a rookie. He's had plenty of opportunity to breakout, but hasn't (i.e. this is no Jermaine O'Neal situation where he's suddenly going to breakout in his 5th season). BNM
Dieng has an effective mid range shot, so no, he’s not like Ed Davis. His game would not prohibit Zach from playing inside more, unlike Ed.
Your point is valid. The weird thing about Dieng's game is all throughout his career, he has shot MUCH better from 10 - 16 feet than from 3 - 10 feet. I'm guessing most defenders see how poorly he shoots closer to the basket and don't bother challenging his shot when he moves out beyond 10 feet. If that's the case, it wouldn't open things up for Zach inside, but unlike Ed, Dieng could make them pay for not challenging his mid-range shots. Dieng also isn't as good defensively, or on the boards, as Ed, but my real objection is the contract. Not so much the amount as we'd also be getting rid of Turner and Meyers, but the length. All of our current bad contracts expire in 2020. I'd hate to extend that out another year for Dieng and another 3 years for Wiggins. BNM
Why? We’re not getting any free agents, ever. Well, not unless you want more Evan Turners. Wiggins is still young and Dieng shouldn’t have a decline while under his current deal. The bet Portland would be taking is that they could elevate Wiggins’ game. There’s enough there to sacrifice future cap space that we’ll most likely never use. At some point we’re going to have to take risks if we want to make a significant leap, and this one doesn’t even involve touching the core.
Wiggins is unhappy that he's not getting enough touches in MIN playing with Butler and KAT. Either he'll be equally unhappy in POR playing with Dame and C.J., or he'll be taking shots away from two much more efficient scorers. It's actually stunning that a guy can score that much and still have a negative VORP. For the record, VORP stands for value over replacement player, and by replacement player they don't mean an average NBA player, they are referring to a 12th man/G League call up level of replacement. BNM
https://www.blazersedge.com/2018/9/18/17873308/how-do-the-blazers-get-jimmy-butler-to-portland How do the Blazers get Jimmy Butler to Portland? Are the Blazers capable of securing a package for the disgruntled Minnesota wing that doesn’t include CJ McCollum?
Portland receives: Butler, Taj Gibson Minnesota receives CJ McCollum, Harkless. Do it Neil pull the trigger!
I don't like it. If we trade for Butler I want Butler, Harkless, and Aminu at the 2-4 because of how much defensive switchability they'd have.
McCollum has more trade value and a lot more salary than Collins, and the last trade is the only realistic one.
Neil would, Thibs wouldn't. No way in hell does he give up the only two of "his guys" that actually play for him. Giving up Butler is going to be hard enough for Thibs. I can't really seeing him giving up both Butler and Taj unless he gets an offer he can't refuse. C.J. and The Mercurial Moe isn't such an offer. BNM
It’s such an obvious move. Even if Butler leaves after a year. At least we clear a bunch of salary. But you know Neil will never do it. Probably thinks CJ is better than Butler too.
