Exclusive 2019 Trade Deadline Thread

Lowe bringing some heat
http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/25902818/nba-trade-deadline-preview-zach-lowe-expect

• We know the Hawks, Cavaliers, Bulls, and Grizzlies are selling their veterans with the zeal of Crazy Eddie. We know the Pelicans have been forced into holding trade talks for a future Hall of Famer; they have also made Nikola Mirotic, Julius Randle and E'Twaun Moore available, sources have told ESPN. We know that Bradley Beal, Kemba Walker, and Otto Porter likely aren't available, though Porter has drawn preliminary interest over the past few months from Utah, Portland, Dallas, and some other buyers, per league sources.

The Pacers sniffed around an offer sheet for Gordon. Utah could use one more infusion of talent. How fun could a Gordon-John Collins frontline look in Atlanta? Would Portland gamble on Gordon's long-term fit next to Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum? (They almost certainly wouldn't trade McCollum straight up for Gordon.)

The Blazers love Al-Farouq Aminu. They would aim to keep him. Aminu fits best at power forward -- Gordon's position. Then again, is there really a difference between a Maurice Harkless-Aminu forward combination and a Gordon-Aminu pairing? What about the Spurs (more on them later)? Dallas investigated Gordon's availability before the Porzingis deal, sources have said.

Gordon would mark a bold play for someone. But the Magic need him to stay competitive. They know his trade value will only increase as his contract declines and the salary cap rises.

• Portland stands a potential buyer -- an under-the-radar really good team with questions about its postseason viability. They have put their first-round pick in play, per sources around the league. They have investigated Porter's availability. Taurean Prince makes some sense; he's up for an extension this summer, and the Hawks have made him available, sources say. As a free agent non-destination, the Blazers value players whose rights they can control.

But the Hawks are asking a lot so far -- a young player and a pick -- and haven't gotten much traction on Prince trades, sources say.

Another off-the-beaten path name from Orlando: Evan Fournier -- a wing who could give Portland or some other team some shooting and playmaking. He has two years and $34 million left on his contract; if the Magic aren't thrilled with that deal, they could suss out his value.

 

We have shown interest in Porter?

I wouldn't trade CJ for Gordon but if we could get Gordon for cheap? Maybe, I still think he's overrated.

Prince still has another year on his deal. I know we could technically offer him an extension but most likely would just wait until he's an RFA.

Boo Fournier! His contract goes until 2021 so he doesn't make sense with the type of guys Olshey has been linked to and isn't in the same class as others would be that don't expire in 2020.

 

Hell no on Fournier. His contract expires in 2021 (his 5th year is a player option that he'll except).

He's a very bad defender, and has been extremely inefficient this year (52 TS%). He's extremely overpaid.

We need two-way players. Porter is the best one we've been linked to. Prince is kind of a two-way guy but his defense has regressed.

 

Pretty much verbatim what he has been saying in podcasts.

The Otto Porter stuff is new as is the Fournier thing. And how do we get Gordon without giving up CJ? He has been my target for a while now.

 

Can’t see Portland getting Porter unless Washington just wanted to dump his contract, which I doubt.

Gordon seems like a Lowe idea rather than concrete interest. Same with Fournier.

I think Prince is realistic but I don’t know how crazy I am about it. I would like it if we dumped a contract on Atlanta.

I just like Lowe saying our pick is in play. I mean it’s an obvious move but I haven’t seen it really reported yet. I also like that we’ve been connected to multiple players. Haven’t seen that in two, three years.

 

I was just explaining why the cycle goes on and on... Also @CupWizier, I defy you to deny these things: 1. Olshey isn't particularly active (that's the "do nothing" part); 2. Olshey tends to hold some sort of contempt for those who might question his 10-15 year plan (that's the "condescending" part); and 3. the "fuckass" part. How about I give you the "fuckass" part. It's rude. BUT when saddled with the first two, which are UNDENIABLE, I'd think you'd let me vent a little. I guess not.

Thing is, we all get that you are a company man. I'm honestly kind of that way too, I just happen to despise Olshey, and consequently some of his moves, so it gets muddy. I personally like you, and I know you're a bright, successful dude. The thing I don't get though is this insistence that Olshey isn't a conman GM who is riding Dame's success. Even if you like everything he's done, you at least have to acknowledge his failures, like say helping the team this summer, or using the TPE, or whatever. You might say "he tried" but this isn't kindergarten. You have to do. My point is: your position is set, with heels dug in, and I just don't see why. There is a reason to being disgruntled and it's okay! Even @hoopsjock has seen the shine wear off the Olshey! Discord might spread and fester, and while potentially ugly for a while and emotional at times, can eventually brings about change. And that would be good.

We have something going here with the Blazers, we just need a little push (like the push the Jazz MIGHT [don't get all weird on me for saying this!] get by swapping out Rubio for Conley, say) to propel us into the elite class in the NBA. I think it's okay to want more. I think it's okay to assess this team critically and say it needs more, ESPECIALLY after so few changes over the last few seasons.....anyways...I'll shut up now.

 

He's said it word for word the last few weeks. "pick in play" has been a common theme from him.

He's something I came up with after reading that whole article. I think the only way to land Gordon is by taking on that Fournier deal along with it.

To POR:
Gordon, Fournier

TO SAC:
Moe

To ORL:
Turner, Collins, Simons, Justin Jackson

Picks would also probably have to be exchanged.

 

Interesting about Boston isn't it @BonesJones . After that call, wish there were more details.

 

What call?

 

Is this a new call? Or how you heard previously the two teams have touched bases?

 

Why do they love Aminu so much?
I like him ok, off the court he seems awesome. Ive never really understood it every time I hear it. I think his contract is a strong one.
Im tired... Im not looking for an arguement just an explanation would suffice.

 

For sure. I can't figure out what it could possibly be but definitely seems to have some substance.

 

?

 

Dame for Kyrie!

 

However, according to Tim Bontemps of ESPN, the younger Celtics players have grown tired of the number of minutes that Hayward has been playing on a nightly basis.



That doesn’t sound good. I think Hayward is definitely available. Also 0% chance Olshey hasn’t fapped to his highlights before.

 

He was the only person that made sense even though the 'sauce' gave no details. Does Boston just keep going with it or admit it isn't working with all the other wing players they have?

Big risk to take on and even bigger contact.... but it might be the chance that a team like the Blazers needs.

 

Who knows, he picked Aminu in front of Hayward in the draft.

 

What do the Blazers need to do to sell the team?

 

I read that kind of stuff and get just a tiny sensation of excitement, but my Olshey pessimism is overwhelming any optimism I might gin up for the trade deadline

for one thing, I think all those reports of Portland being aggressive are mostly just spin coming out of the Blazer front office. Portland has a 1st round pick in the 20's so of course it's "in play". It would be stupid if it wasn't. That's not news

maybe I'm wrong...I hope I am...but I just can't help thinking that all these reports of Portland being active are from Olshey talking to lots of other front offices and essentially offering very little positive value, for substantially better value. Maybe this will be the deadline he does something significant but it may be all that happens, if anything, is a player like Baldwin traded with some cash for a far-future top-55 second round pick, saving the Blazers 3M in tax

 

If Olshey gets ownership ok to take on the final year of Hayward I could see it happening.

Dame
CJ
Hayward
Aminu
Nurkic

Looks pretty balanced. I’m guessing Boston would want Harkless instead of Leonard since they’re pretty set at center. So the second unit could then look like this.

Curry
Layman
Hayward
Collins
Leonard

Although if we could get away with not including a first in the Boston deal, we could then trade it for someone else. Mirotic for example. Now that’s a squad.

But what is this call you speak of? Can’t just throw that out there and not give an explanation sir!