NateB -- for once I agree with ya -- L.Mark -- would be an interesting signing he has his limitations but NeO does like to try and go after players who maybe did not live up to expectations and he would would fit that bill. i am not saying he has been bad but just a little underwhelming kind of like Collins was for us just for different reasons.
I'd take markanen, but I dunno about his fit. Would be best IMO, as a 6th man, but doubt he wants to sign up for that.
I will say this Dame did not come out and say anything damning about the FA's signed but I think like us all he knows that the only way to really shake things up is via Trade . I think the comments he made was a veiled way to tell NeO -- Hey is this the best you got ? -- so the next week maybe 2 and as much as I hate to say it could be telling about Dame's future in Portland. I do not dislike the deals NeO has done but he has yet to do anything the shifts the power in the west and that is what Dame wants to see happen not solid small moves . --- Come on NeO - I realize you have to not panic so you can maintain some leverage and not seem desperate and I do kind of wish Dame would not have said anything cause it MIGHT make NeO's job harder. However at this point you might have to overpay even if it means giving up a Little or an extra 1st round pick or both cause if you show Dame your trying you might buy another year but at this rate he might just demand a trade by the deadline if not sooner.
I can't remember what the official numbers were from earlier in the thread, but I believe we were about 6 million below the apron as things currently stand. We can S&T for Markkanen using just DJJ, and offer him 4 years, about 52 million. If we add in Elleby, we can offer him 4 years, 60 million. A first year deal starting ~14 should keep us still about 3 million below the apron, giving us enough room to sign one more vet FA. Lillard/Ant McCollum/McLemore Powell/Snell/Little RoCo/Markkanen Nurk/Zeller It's not a title winning threat necessarily, but I like the offensive firepower it could have. Could see Markkanen getting a decent amount of time at C, stretching the floor.
Dennis Schroeder — one year deal, contract year and we can at least for one season end the sad experiment of Anfernee Simons getting PG minutes
Markkanen would be a great addition. Not sure why people aren’t more open to it. Shot 40% from three, 24 year old, huge dude. Would seem to be a big man for today’s NBA.
I know there's no money left but Schroder will get paid and the Lakers will get something more because of it.
If I ran the Blazer organization I would legit form, hire, create a group that was responsible for ‘marketing’ Portland as a FA destination. First - figure out what the real barriers are. Is it just too white? It’s the whitest in the league, but we have a lot of guys who love it and stay forever. How can we leverage Nike and adidas within the rules. What are guys saying who recruit players, cuz it ain’t working. Come up with a sales pitch or something. There has to be a better way to tackle this. Greet them at the airport with women like it’s college hoops. Who’s touring these guys around, who’s showing them the city when they arrive? How do we treat them when they play here as a visitor? Turn over every rock. Or….just sit back and complain about it
Good thinking. Marketing is what the NBA is al;l; about but I dont see Seattle/mothership marketing their Blazers much?
