an absolute monster. He will walk for free next year, but if we can make playoffs with Whiteside and nurkic, and also zach be back in march, i think we be a serious threat to anyone. Just dont see how trading whiteside can benefit us with nurk coming back on minutes restriction. As of now Hassan is best Rim protector in nba
Maybe we can keep Hassan and Nurk will be the backup center for 15-20 each night. But we have to trade Bazemore for an upgrade at small Forward
I think it might be complicated. I don't think they can play together. Nurkic is probably not very effective unless he is playing with Lillard. Whiteside will feel most involved and motivated if he is starting and playing 30 minutes. Not sure how this would work.
Whiteside is the rare big that actually can cover for the defensive deficiencies of our guards. We haven't seen that since Ratliff or maybe Camby for stretches. I love Nurk, but he's got to come off the bench for the rest of the year.
I don't think they can play together either. Whiteside has earned the starting spot. This is a game of "what have you done for me lately"? Nurk will not be happy coming off the bench if he thinks he is 100% healthy. Starting both of them is nice in theory, especially against a huge line up like LeBron, AD, and Howard etc. Most likely scenario is that Hassan leaves in the offseason to a team that can pay him since Portland, cannot in my opinion. He will want 20+ a year. So if Baze is gone that is some wiggle room but then who else to sign to solidify PF and the horrible bench. Nurk is cheap at, what, 12 a year?? If both Hassan and Baze move on to greener pastures then Neil has some cash to play with. But what if Nurk is not the same?? Trade Nurk...?
This will work for the remaining of this season once Nurk comes back, while he plays himself back to his level and shakes off the rust. I don't expect Nurk to demand to be starting as soon as he comes back. Once next season rolls around however, if we want to keep both, Nurk will not be happy with being on the bench, as he should. He is way above back-up big man level (as is Hassan) So we will have to figure out something else. The most realistic outcome is that Whiteside sign elsewhere this offseason which is kind of a bummer since we get nothing out of it. Really ? I thought Nurk was doing that pretty well too
Yup. We're in trouble with one of them if we keep both. We're screwed if we get nothing for Whiteside. Whiteside is a $27M expiring. Why in the world wouldnt we trade him. Why does OP think we "can't" trade him?
Whiteside has 2 things going for him. 1. He's taller than Nurkic, so he gets more easy rebounds, because neither teammates nor opponents contest them, relinqishing the stat to him. 2. He hangs around near the basket more than Nurkic (see below). This puts him into position to extend his long arm over an opponent dribbling in circles under the hoop, who can't find an opening of sunlight in the overhanging branches to put up a shot. Both centers arrived here unfocused as to knowing a role, so defaulted to paint protection. Blazer coaches needed a season to expand Nurkic' offensive movement and passing. Given more time, they'll do the same with Whiteside. The current temporary stylistic difference will vanish, as will the advantage in retaining both. Therefore, don't keep both.
since Portland traded for Whiteside I've been thinking there was never a plan to trade him for another player because of how that would impact next year's cap & tax situation. At this point, I'd be surprised if Whiteside is traded
Unfortunately you’re right. I love the idea of Nurk and Whiteside being able to be the centers because that would be a heck of a pairing but it just doesnt make sense.
Jody has shown no signs of pinching pennies, and wouldnt have paid an extra $10M+ to bring in Whiteside if she wanted to let him walk for monetary reasons.
that trade was made nearly 6 months ago, fresh off the Blazers being in the WC finals. The thinking then could easily have been replaced by the realities of the team now, and that risking repeater tax for a team that is miles from being a contender would be foolish. we'll see if they trade Whiteside or not. As I said, I'd be surprised if they do, and even more surprised if he was traded for a longer contract
Whiteside is playing at such a high level that the Blazers have to look at trades to get an impact player that could put the Blazers into the championship contender category. That should include considering a blockbuster trade of many variations, including keeping whiteside and trading nurkic if that gets us what we want. A target for me is Karl Anthony Towns. He’s not a primary ball handler (like AD) so his impact on a team without a star guard is diminished, but put him together with Damian Lillard and nurkic or whiteside , and I think that’s a very high talent level for the team on both offense and defense. I’d trade whiteside or nurkic and McCollum to get him or someone like him (age/offense/defense). A better #2 player than McCollum.
Only his mama loves Jusuf Nurkic more than I do, but dam Whiteside is playing good. Real good. Really really good. I can't help but wonder if its the "contract year" performance we're seeing, or if this level of intensity and consistency is for real. I just wish they could keep both, but history and my loyalty to Nurk tells me Whiteside being traded will be for the better in their 2021 championship season.
There are three optimal, but highly unlikely, scenarios with Whiteside. 1) Nurk comes back in January and is in playing shape by the trade deadline, and Whiteside gets traded for a major rotation player on a 3-4 year contract. 2a) Nurk has a comfortable rehab period backing up Whiteside, and a sign and trade is arranged or 2b) Whiteside starts feeling his age, and signs a reasonable 4 year contract with the expectation of coming off the bench sooner than later (Maybe 21-22 season?). I don't see any of these happening, so we will have plenty to bitch about. Still, nothing as terribly frustrating as the RLEC, because we got a rental at a position and time of need.
Because Trading him will make you much worse this season and entering playoffs. You are delusional if you think Nurk will be his former self after he comes back. Nurk will come off bench and probably play 15-20 min for rest of year. Trading Whiteside accomplishes nothing for a deep playoff run. The reason we traded for Whiteside is because we knew we be without a center the whole season, and thats includes Nurk coming back in February healthy but really he be at 50% of conditioning. Bottom line is let this year play out, and hassan walls free, but to think we will get anyone for him that will help us in playoffs this year is a pipe dream
One thing to note is Olshey has already said the plan is to go forward with the idea that next years starters are Nurk, Zach, Hood, CJ and Dame. I know a lot can and will happen over the next few months but it sounds as if he knows keeping Hassan is not going to happen and if thats the case it seems a little silly to get nothing for him this summer. I think Hassan’s been good this year and He’s done what theyve asked but my guess is from those comments they are planning to trade him and baze too more than likely.
