My guess for Portland's center next year: Al Horford

If Neil believes Vonleh is the future ar PF I'd target a veteran big.

Joakim Noah would be my choice.

 

Now your talkin! Noah on this team would be epic. Just wonder if he can stay healthy.

 

Funny. Antonio Harvey just compared Harkless to Green on the Blazer pre game radio show. They were discussing combo multi position players. Nice call Orion Bailey!

 

I don't see Neil targeting a 30+ year old player in free agency.

 

I think the right 30+ year old player could make this team a legit contender.

 

But It's dilusional!!!

Do you think Noah is that though? We already have an aging big with injury tendencies.

Noah has never played 82 games. He played 67 two years ago and 29 so far this year. His pts per game and minutes per game has been cut and he still cant play consistently.
Every time this young team would start to get something going it would turn on them because Noah is out for 5 games...

No thanks. IF we are going to bring someone on who is older, he at least has to be able to be a consistent contributor. Noah is no longer this.

 

I will say this though . It was pretty glaring tonight how we need that solid big in the paint. Not sure why Aminu was on Towns at the end of the game. Why not Plums or Davis?
Is this where we miss Meyers? Would he have been able to block the shot or alter it or something?

 

Definitely need some rim protection. Though it'd do no good sitting on the bench. . .
so it was strange Stotts had Aminu on Towns when they only needed a two to win.

For defense I'd have rolled with:
Crabbe Hendo Harkless Aminu Davis

 

The guy our Point Guard has dunked on 2x?

 

Larry Sanders is not on your list.

 

Haha! Classic post.

 

I can't stand that dude! If he became a Blazer, I would have to find another team to cheer for.

 

One more name to consider (although it would require a trade): Bismack Biyombo. It would be like having a more athletic Przybilla/Dudley, or Theo Ratliff without the offense. He's a shotblocking machine.

 

Uhm no trade required, The Bismack has a player option that he will exercise this summer so he will be a UFA

 

Agree (except the trade part as @Blazinaway pointed out.). My preferred 'realistic' targets are: Biyombo (age 23), Turner (age 27), Ezeli (age 26), and Fournier (age 23).

 

Yeah if we get a one dimensional center I'd rather he be defensive than offensive. Offense is not this teams problem; we will likely be top5 next year. We need some defense.

 

Defense? Rim protection?

Festus.

Ezeli.

FG% allowed: 43.8%
Ranks #1 Points saved per36: 4.49

You look deeper into his numbers and he has more of an actual impact than Whiteside.

 

Really no Whiteside?? I think realistically he's the best available center that be willing to come join the Blazers. He's basically everything that Greg Oden was suppose to be. He'd give us an established anchor down low and allow us to delegate the us of our free cap for some combo guard who excels at defending the perimeter. I know hes not ideal for our system but we can't really be selective here either. If the Blazers offered Roy Hibbert a max, I can't seem them not doing the same with Whiteside whos tiers better than Hibbert ever was. Hassan does so many things well that the blazers lack or and need. All my votes are for him.

 

I like him too, however injury history is big problem and if gets paid around 15 mil per which is possible that is a big risk IMO

 

Yeah he has played much better the second half of the season. Just put up empty defensive stats at first; doing it in a useful team concept now. Still can't pass worth crap. He is averaging less than half an assist. He has 2 or more assists five times the entire season. Has that ever happened with a player averaging 14/11?

Still he has legit talent that few players posses and a max deal for him is "only" a little over $90 million. Sounds ridiculous but remember Batum is eligible for $150 million from Charlotte.

The talent is there with Whiteside; it all comes down to character evaluation. Will he be a guy who slacks off after getting a massive contract? I could certainly see that happening. There's a ton of risk. If it ends up being a bad deal thats the type of move that haunts a GM for a decade.