He was able to dump an old worn out KG and some for #1's. I know he's blown it and his selection of Stevens hasn't panned out. Seems most GM have good moves and bad. I'd rather get a younger GM that has the ability to attract FA's and/has connections already with agents. Someone like Jones from Phoenix or Battier from Miami or their coach for the GM job as he's probably tired of coaching anyway.
Just read that Tatum's choice for a new head coach is no other than Evan Turner....that would be a hire nobody saw coming
"Fresh off announcing his departure from his role as Boston Celtics president of basketball operations, Danny Ainge reportedly may have his sights set on working for another organization. Appearing on The Ryen Russillo Podcast (starts at 6:30 mark), Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer reported that Ainge would like to work for the Utah Jazz or Portland Trail Blazers. O'Connor added that Ainge has interest in the Jazz, "but Utah won't hire him." His interest in the Blazers depends on what direction the team goes with general manager Neil Olshey after this season. Portland's outlook beyond this season is very uncertain. Shams Charania and Sam Amick of The Athletic reported last month that head coach Terry Stotts is likely to be fired unless the Blazers have a long playoff run. It's unclear if Olshey, who has been Portland's general manager since June 2012, is also on the hot seat if the team has an early postseason exit. The Blazers currently trail the Denver Nuggets 3-2 in their first-round playoff series. They will host Game 6 on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET. The Jazz seem to be in a much more stable position after posting the best record in the NBA during the regular season. Executive vice president of basketball operations Dennis Lindsey and general manager Justin Zanik are both in their second seasons in those roles." https://bleacherreport.com/articles...ed-in-jazz-blazers-jobs-after-leaving-celtics
I would expect Ainge being a devout Mormon, UTah could be interested as well. A theocratic run city/state has a bunch of pull with Mormons.
That would suck for Blazers... He has 3yrs left (to 2024), assuming ~$8M/ea. Paul Allen spent about that amount eating Crabbe's contract (via Nicholson - $20M + tax implications). They can pay that amount again to get rid of Olshey ($24M). As a side note... We are STILL paying the cap hit on that contract (all the way through '24 season). Fortunately Varejao's contract is finally off the books.
With Danny’s Boston connections maybe he turns CJ+ into Jaylen Brown. Dame Powell/Ant Brown/Nas RoCo Nurk/Collins
It doesn't matter what GM we have. We aren't going to attract any coveted free agents. We need a guy who can build through drafting and trading, and that's it.
agree, draft & trades are critical, however, I just think if you look at the teams that contend now FA signings will also be important unless you want to simply get close. Its the same importance as to keeping a player like Dame or any other drafted or traded player on your team, must be able to keep them by not just money but for other reasons that may separate you from other clubs. I sometimes feel like Portland is a junior training ground for players and management. But, I guess the whole league id like that to some point. Just my own personal take.
https://www-blazersedge-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.blazersedge.com/platform/amp/2021/6/2/22465899/danny-ainge-boston-celtics-news-portland-trail-blazers-transactions?amp_gsa=1&_js_v=a6&usqp=mq331AQFKAGwASA=#amp_tf=From %1$s&aoh=16227358349761&csi=0&referrer=https://www.google.com&share=https://www.blazersedge.com/2021/6/2/22465899/danny-ainge-boston-celtics-news-portland-trail-blazers-transactions O’Connor: Danny Ainge Might Have Interest in Blazers In the wake of changes in the Celtics front office, Kevin O’Connor suggests Danny Ainge might by open to an Oregon return. “He has interest in Utah, it’s just that Utah won’t hire him. “And that there’d also be some interest in Portland if Neil Olshey were to move on from that franchise and we’ll see what happens there with the rest of that Blazers, Nuggets series.” “But, you know, Ainge is from Portland, maybe that could be another opportunity for him but either way there’s no guarantees here that he gets a job immediately.”
Ainge is from Eugene...not Portland...he went to South High School here in Lane County...his dad did as well.
