https://theathletic.com/2477983/202...to-shake-things-up/?source=emp_shared_article I'll just pull out the quotes. “We had to shake things up,” Olshey said. “Things were starting to look stale.” “Our job is to make our team better,” Olshey said. “We think our team got better.” “We don’t take any step back offensively, and I think he will infuse the defense with more energy,” Olshey said of the 6-foot-3 Powell. “To have a shot creator, as well as a catch-and-shoot guy who can defend the one-through-three … it’s going to be a big addition for us.” “I couldn’t rely on Nurk’s return to kick us into gear,” Olshey said. “We have too much invested into this season.” “We know with our owner, she will do whatever it takes to win,” Olshey said. “Finances will never impede our ability to compete, and we will be aggressive in the summer. But we felt we needed to shake things up now.” Olshey also noted that Powell isn’t just a shooter. He attacks the rim and draws fouls, a skill that wasn’t a strength of Trent. Powell this season is 141-of-163 (86.5 percent) at the free throw line; Trent has attempted 75 free throws, making 58 (77.3 percent). “That’s the three-guard lineup on steroids,” Olshey said. “He’s a really good two-way player, kind of what we need,” Stotts said. “His shooting numbers speak for themselves, but what he can do defensively on the perimeter is something that we really need and value. He is going to have a major role with our team.” The hope is that Powell is exactly what the team needs and falls in love with Portland and the culture, where playing basketball takes precedent over nightlife and weather. If not, and they lose him? “We’ll find a way to work around it,” Olshey said. And on the buyout market:
I don't buy this narrative that Powell is a two way player. I think he's a better player on both ends than Trent, but marginally on defense.
Not sure an extra 100k or whatever is gonna make the difference in a guy signing in Portland, but it can’t hurt I guess. I think Harkless is a lock if he gets bought out.
It's actually not a bad move considering the constraints he was dealing with. This deal saves money while making us slightly better in the short run. But god, the selling. It just reeks of used car salesman.
idk, he had a good rep in Toronto. He at least takes it seriously. — For the most part, Powell's sales pitch always revolved around his defense. And that may still hold true. He blends intensity and anticipationwith quick feet and hands to apply on-ball pressure and off-ball activity. "Ever since I've been [at UCLA], I've been a lockdown defender," Powell told CBS Sports' Sam Vecenie. "The guy who guards the best player. I always have a chip on my shoulder no matter who is in front of me. To lock them down and take them out of what they want to do. I take a lot of pride in my defense."
That's probably the best Olshey excerpt I've read or heard since he's come here. Almost comes off...honest? No belittling tone and no shots at the fanbase or media. Are we sure this came from Olshey? I like the move on paper. Trent was likely to leave this off-season and Olshey apparently learned from his dealing with Aldridge. It would be harder to swallow if Trent was still clipping around 45% from three, but he's not that guy yet. There was a recent post on the forum about what the team needed most. Three point shooting imo. We live and die by it, so the more good shooters we have the better. Powell appears to be an upgrade there, at least for the immediate. If he can handle the ball and attack the hoop, that could help with the Dame doubling. But it sounds like he can consistently hit the kick-out threes, and that's my main concern. If we can use him to defend hot perimeter players, even better. On paper, this looks like a good move and I'll give Olshey due credit on this one. Doesn't move his overall needle that much, but it's better than the way it's been pointing.
They had to fucking shake things up and so they made a two for one deal that got us a minor bench upgrade? This is typical Olshey. The guy acts like he makes big changes if he makes any because he's fucking allergic to actually changing things. Also him talking about next season already is such bullshit. The guy should be fired right now for that. You just had a chance to make this season the best it can be and you're talking about ownership giving you funds to make us better next fucking season. Not impressed, ever, with this bad used car salesman.
I’m not a big a Olshey fan but in fairness, he got us the best player out there on the trade market (outside maybe Vucevic). A great wing defender, a better 3 shooter than the wildly inconsistent Trent. I think Powell will help us out more than Gordon who I never understood the hype on.
I completely disagree, Gordon is a much better player. My complaint is not the move though. My complaint is that this move to upgrade our bench is Olshey's version of shaking things up. My other complaint is that Olshey seems to think and maybe does have a lifetime pass. He just gets to say "next season" whenever he wants. For a GM that isn't saying he's in a rebuild, next season should never be what he's talking about. Thinking about, of course but today was your day to have an effect on this season... you got a guy who will be unrestricted in the off season so today you didn't do anything for next season... so why are we talking about it? It's because Olshey is habitually passing the buck or kicking the can down the road or without metaphor trying to distract from what he hasn't done with promises of what he will do.
Interesting note about being $2.7 under the tax line and able to outbid other teams that only have the $2.5M player minimum to offer. What exception would the Blazers use to offer more than the $2.5M minimum? The two trade exceptions the Blazers have are too small. That leaves using part of the bi-annual exception ($3.6M). I guess the only draw back to using the bi-annual exception is that we would lose the ability to use the full amount next year. I guess we'll see if that additional $0.2M is able to entice a 'top tier' buy-out candidate, rather than just using the $2.5M minimum to put an extra body at the end of the bench.
Buyout players don't care about the money. It's my understanding that unless the new money exceeds the old money they don't see any of it. That's why they never seem to care about it, not because they're all of a sudden not about the money but because it actually doesn't matter financially.
