"Jim-my But-ler" (clap...clap...clap-clap-clap) "Jim-my But-ler" (clap...clap...clap-clap-clap) That would make for good theater no matter how much some stick-in-the-mud's may think it makes no difference. It would still be fun!
I don't get why are people against this possible trade? Do you want exit in 1st round again? Or 2nd, it's the same honestly. With Jimmy, at least, we can compete for WCF.
If it's a trade where we keep CJ then yes that's WCF esque. If we lose CJ in the deal I beg to differ.
I would trade CJ for him now. I got a feeling we could compensate for CJ leaving by plugging in one of our good bench shooters (Stauskas, Curry) but the improvement at small forward from Butler acquisition would be just amazing.
Here's why I think it is a win: Blazers are better with Butler just from a defensive standpoint and it's not like Butler can't score It gives the Blazers a real shot to be a contender...which I don't believe they are now Even if Butler were to leave, the Blazers save almost $30M on the cap and with CJ, it's not like they were knocking on the Finals door If Anfernee is going to be the star Dame things, it allows him a back up role at times Doubt it happens with ownership the way it is now, but I think it is worth the chance and if it doesn't work out, Portland isn't any worse off than they have been when they've been getting swept in the 1st round.
At some point you need to take a risk. Toronto have done it with Kawhi and our move would be just the equivalent, Butler’s impact here could be really significant and if we don’t make that move we are basically stuck being a good but not great team. Besides, competitiveness of Lillard and Butler would be unmatched in the league. They are two proper alphas who are desperate to win. Butler’s defense is also elite and we are starving for an elite defender. Between Stauskas, Curry, Trent and Simons we have multiple players to plug into CJ role and develop.
Of course there is no guarantee we become great but I think it is worth the shot. Also, if we trust Dame to be the leader we all think he is, he can get the best out of Butler. With Butler at SF (or maybe you go big and play him at SG and leave Harkless/Layman at SG, I think what Sauce, Curry, Trent, Simons add to what Butler brings would MORE than make up for CJ's absence.
It remains to be seen if Kawhi move was a good move. If they don’t win the title and he walks, they are lotto team next year with no hope in sight.
Giving an asset like CJ away for a one year rental is stupid IMO. I would much rather have CJ on the team than the money we'd have if he wasn't. People need to stop acting like losing CJ for cap space is a good move. It's asinine.
No, it’s asinine to think it’s a good move to commit nearly 1/3 of your salary cap for the next 3 years to an undersized ISO ball chucker who doesn’t play defense
We'd still have almost $100 million in salary with only 9 players. Those 9 don't include Stauskas, Curry, Aminu, Layman, and Baldwin. Projected Cap in 2019-20: $109 million Current Draft Position (obviously subject to change): 22nd which is roughly $2 million for next year. That gives us less than $9 million dollars in cap space to re-sign/replace 2 starters (Butler and Aminu) and 3 rotation guys (Stauskas, Curry, and Layman who is starting but only out of necessity I think). If Butler walks then Aminu and Layman are the only two of those guys we have Bird Rights to go over the cap to re-sign. Baldwin we'd have Early Bird Rights but not full. So looking ahead to the roster for next year: Dame Turner Harkless Collins Nurk Leonard Simons Swanigan Trent #22 Pick We'd have 5 spots to fill with not a lot of options. Tax wise it's obviously a much better place to be in but overall talent on the roster it would be hard to possibly lose half of our rotation. With a couple of really good moves it could work out but for those thinking we are currently wasting Dame's prime going down this road seems more likely to turn out to be an even bigger waste.
I think the key would be what Dame thinks on a potential move. I know he is tight with CJ but if he felt that taking chance with Butler gives us a better chance at seriously competing, he might go for it. Assuming he, and the Blazers did well, hopefully Butler would sign on for more. If we stay the course, we stay competitive for Dame's career but I don't see us challenging for anything serious. If we had Butler, I think we are at least in the "can they compete?" discussion. Gramps...
It's okay if Butler is a 70 game rental because Portland will have cap space. It will let them sign a superstar better than CJ in free agency.
Dude, you think rounding 28-29% up to 33% is the same as rounding 33% up to 50%... you must have a high IQ... Haha
