Cap Space?

If that is true, then it might make sense to amnesty him to avoid tax this year and have a little more flexibility for a free agent. But it also takes away the amnesty that might be used next summer to add even more cap room. If Allen doesn't mind the taxes, I think they should save the amnesty clause as I don't think there is much to get out there right now. I doubt Blazers are aggressive in getting free agents right now as they will want to wait and see what they got going into the summer with cap space, IMO.

 

Well Tom Penn would know. I am a little surprised. Yesterday still using the amnesty on him was my first thought. But the more I thought about it the more I doubted the rules would allow you to both. If you can then I agree that it would be best to do it.

The only other player I can see saving the amnesty for would be if Wallace's skill for some reason took a nose dive this year. His player option of 11.4 is a lot. But we have seen no reason to think his skills will deteriorate that quickly.

 

If Paul Allen was willing to eat the luxury tax this year amnesty could be great long-term insurance for Wesley and Aldridge. No I don't expect either to be injured, but heck with our recent luck I almost feel like its 50/50. Wes was quite limited by an ankle injury last season and LMA just had surgery on his freaking heart.

 

If you have the amnesty next summer and all the big contract players are keepers, you could even use it on a player like Nolan Smith if he doesn't work out. Are those contract a 1-2 million. Does Babbit have another season guaranteed? Not much but it could end up making a difference.

But reading through this thread, TE may have changed my mind with the idea that insurance pays no matter what. If amnesty Roy, that prevents the possibility of Roy getting that itch and trying to come back putting the Blazers on the hook for the salary (like Darius right).

In the end I believe there will be a lot of good will between Roy and Blazers, Roy will retire with dignity and as a Blazer. (medical retirement while not being waived)

Good Points TE

 

I thought of LMA, but if his heart fails.......he will either be dead or would have to retire. But I guess you are right his contract is 4 more years. Anything could happen.

I am flip flopping all over the place on this one. I guess it still comes down to who could they could get this year with the full MLE. I guess holding on to it would be a safer bet.

Is Landry any better for us than Murphy? I still have high hopes for Freedland next year. He should be a consideration in this decision.

 

Can you really use it on Smith. I don't think his contract was in effect before the lock out.

 

I don't know, haven't really studied it. Now that you bring that up, it doesn't sound like it. Just overall, nice to have an amnesty with luxury tax becoming harsher, was my thinking. Roy would never try to come back, right?

 

Unless we're chasing CP3 (if available) or Deron next summer I say we do two things:

1) Re-sign Nicolas Batum to a long-term deal
2) Trade(s) to bring back in a legit PG

 

Smith signed his rookie contract yesterday... so no, you can not use Amnesty on him

 

So what PG's are a significant upgrade over Felton but more attainable than CP3 or Deron?

 

I think Steve Nash will be a free agent, but he will be old enough to be my grandpa by then.

 

If Wallace picks his player option, and we resign Batum to a contract starting at 9 mil per year, we'd be at 43.2 mil per year with only 6 players under contract. That's enough to offer a max and fill the rest with scrubs.

I don't see many realistic options though. There are some very good restricted free agents like Brook Lopez and Russell Westbrook, but I'm sure their teams would match.

 

I wonder if brass would use cap to take back a bad contract and a high draft pick?

 

done

 

I'd like to keep Wallace if we can actually add a top flight free agent. What kind of market would Wallace have? I doubt he gets max money, but some team might offer him a full MLE. I would love to get Deron Williams. It probably wouldn't happen but he would be my top choice.

If we can keep a core of Wes, LMA, and Wallace, I think adding Deron and maybe a big man would be huge. That team would compete in the west. Maybe make a run at Kevin Love or Eric Gordon. I don't see Howard coming here. We're too low profile, but Deron wants to win. He might be more amicable than Dwight or CP3.

 

Sounds good . . . but Cuban is targeting Deron too. Teams will be clearing cap space and Deron might be the only big free agent left.

 

Can Dallas get under the cap? Why would Deron want to go there when their window is rapidly closing? Dirk is how old now?

I would say our team would seem more appealing with Aldridge, Wallace, Wes, and Batum. Especially if we tank this season and get a decent draft pick

 

Yup. A horrible record would be a great advertisement to Williams about what a great core Aldridge/Wallace/Matthews/Batum is.

 

Oh those guys will be held out for the season with fake injuries. Don't worry.