Kevin Love AGAIN (with poll)

Once again, you make an assumption that the mandate has always been about saving money. What if it only became that after Cleveland said no, and there were no other deals out there to really improve the team? Look at the trades that were made. What did Portland miss out on? At the point, why wouldn’t you try and save some cash?

 

Nah, because he said elsewhere that when Bazemore was traded it ended the discussions and he also implied that in what you posted.

 

Because at one point this year we had 2 open roster spots and no center and still weren't willing to add someone to the roster to compensate for that.

Ever since Hood went down every single decision has been made to save money. I can't just ignore that fact.

 

So Ariza didn’t upgrade the team?

 

Did you just call me a fool

 

Do you believe everything a GM says? If the answer is yes then yes.

 

I think Ariza upgraded the team, but is it fair to say I think the sample size is still kind of small?

 

Didn't I say someone was lying too. That makes me not believing either one.

 

Ariza has been a good addition!

It doesn't change the motivation behind that trade being financial as well as upgrading which would be very difficult in a trade with Cleveland to accomplish the same result.

 

Btw there was an update on Skal yesterday, and he isn’t expected back anytime soon. So Portland shaved off their tax bill in return for a player that wouldn’t have helped them this season, and potentially also added a pick. Seems like good business to me?

 

I don’t see what’s wrong with upgrading your team while also saving money. That trade also added to the teams flexibility in the summer/next season. Good business.

 

It's a top 55 protected, 2024 pick from ATL. FWIW.

 

Yeah, go Atlanta.

 

We'll see if it "added" flexibility this summer. If they waive Ariza they have $1.8 million against the cap that they didn't before that trade so they would've lost a bit of flexibility. I don't get why you aren't understanding that Cleveland wasn't in the same position to save Portland money that Sacramento was though.

If Skal was traded because he wasn't healthy then fine but trading him and not using the roster spot literally doesn't change how many healthy players the Blazers have available.

 

That’s why they’re the Cleveland Cavaliers

 

Because you claim to be one of the experts in the forum and you know what goes on in the Blazers war room.

 

Would Skal’s cap hold of a little over 7 million going into free agency had any affect on our ability to do trades/use mid level and other exemptions this summer have been a factor in this?

 

We were prolly offering to take on Henson or Delly in addition, or some other salary filler combos.

 

Used the roster spot on who tho? It’s pretty clear that Stotts doesn’t trust new guys to play unless they’re proven players in the league. And Biggie to his credit has improved (this coming from someone that has been very anti Biggie for awhile now.) He’s been fine as Whitesides backup, and Nurkic should be back relatively soon. It’s also pretty obvious they’re committed to Simons and his development, and he’s played better as of late as well. Adding another wing would’ve meant sacrificing Trent and Littles development, and considering where we are this season, I’d rather not.

 

Yes, but as mentioned not only would Cleveland be getting nothing for Love (which they weren't willing to do) but that would also make them a luxury tax team when they are one of the worst teams in the league and not getting any incentive to do so. It makes sense from Portland's perspective, unless they wanted to avoid the tax moving forward which getting Love would make very difficult to do.