Now Nurk is back, there's just no role for Whiteside. The fact that Stotts even talks about playing the two of them together just shows the dilemma he's in: it's a stupid idea, it doesn't work, and the only reason to consider it is if you're trying to accommodate two players who both need playing time but can't work together (like Frank Lampard and Steve Gerrard on the England team about 15 years ago). Everyone can see that, right? With that in mind, what happens to Whiteside? My guess? We just let him go. All NBA teams are facing huge financial hits and are looking for ways to shed salary, and this is an easy one.
I agree that if there is not some spectacular transformation and the Blazers don't go on some huge run in the playoffs Whiteside is most likely gone at the end of this season.
Don't be surprised that Whiteside won't be getting the minutes that he thinks he should deserve. He doesn't look like he lock in on the defense end I know it was just scrimmages maybe he changes when the games start counting but right now I think Stotts will go with Nurk and Zach at the starting 4 and 5.
I'm sure after this season, Whiteside will want to find a starting role, and I'm sure some team out there will be able to offer him similar to what we'd be willing to pay, but with more PT. I'd happily take him back if he was willing to accept coming off the bench, getting 20 minutes a night, but I doubt he's super interested in that.
maybe can sign and trade for a second rounder. IMHO many free agents are looking for and or likely to receive single season contract offers, and the cost of ownership including potential disgruntlement are not worth it. would be better, again IMHO, pursuing a legit PF w/ a 3pt. shot. Saric wouyld be a better fit and likely available for the same or less money in the coming free agency market. perhaps another possible might be Millsap if we were willing to commit to a longer contract. long term i really like Gabriel's fit as both a backup PF, small ball center and SF though Naz will earn playing time soon too i hope.
The whole Whiteside situation will be very interesting. I prefer that we do not bring him back. It’s obvious that he does not play well with Nurkic. And with Collins also stealing minutes at center, there’s simply not a role on this team that he’s gonna like. I do understand the narrative that we should bring him back as an insurance for Nurkic. Which isn’t a bad idea, but as we saw this year his stats did not match his impact. I much rather have a guy like Aron Baynes who play with energy and intensity. I think Baynes would be perfect for this team. Then with our MLE we should get Marcus Morris as he a big combo forward that we need. Dame/CJ/Simons CJ/Trent/Hood Morris/Hood/Little Collins/Morris/Gabriel Nurkic/Baynes/Collins Then that would not be including our picks. I would release Ariza in this scenario to save money. But this team would be very good. Could easily be a top 3 team in the west
That doesnt make sense. The other team would just sign him outright if they could absorb his contract without sending anything back.
Bjelica fits into our trade exception and SAC has a logjam of bigs. We could try to trade our 1st this year for Bjelica and one of SACs 2nds. In that scenario I'd still try to keep Whiteside and roll out a bench of Trent/Hood/Bjelica/Whiteside. Note - Thatd be our bench without even using our MLE.
First of all, I have no idea what the new CBA is going to look like and there will be one. I don't know if we'll have the same roster (I don't mean like a league wide fantasy draft or something) I just don't know if there will be a negotiated salary cut by percentage or an unlimited open amnesty clause or what the solutions may be. If things look kind of the same as they do now, I would definitely pay to keep Whiteside. We keep Nurk's minutes a bit lower and have the best back up 5 in the game. Our rim will always be protected. I think that is how we'll see it played during this restart so we'll have a lot more insight on this, if the league resembles what it looks like now, in the offseason.
8 points 8 rebounds 1 steal 2 blocks in 18 minutes. 3/3 FGs 2/2 FTs. That's about the best backup center production you can get.
Whiteside is better than nukic. Scotts better get his head of his ass and forgot loyalty and be real damn coach. Both CJ and Nurk need to come off the bench
