I see the Blazers spending the biggest piece of their cap space on a wing scorer (Redick or Mayo), and the next biggest piece on a C to replace Hickson and continue to rotate with Leonard (Mozgov or an aging Jermaine or even Pekovic if they can fit it in). For the first time in recent drafts (and now that we're clearly going to keep our pick by tanking), there's not any one position that stands out as a need, so the Blazers should literally take whatever player their scouting says has the best chance of ever becoming All-Star caliber. The position that would make the "least" sense is PG, but look at the buzz the Clippers have been able to generate since taking a high-upside PG 18th overall in 2010 and slowly working him into the rotation. They could have traded him for an All-Star already. I see this as our "top 9" legitimate rotation players. Claver, Freeland, Barton, and Babbitt (if the latter is re-signed) will continue battling for scraps. PG - Lillard, Maynor SG - Mayo, Matthews SF - Batum PF - Aldridge C - Leonard, Jermaine ** - Rookie at position TBD
That would be kind of giving up on a promising 20 year-old lottery pick, would it not? And there aren't any obvious, young, defensive anchors out there this year, a la Roy Hibbert.
we could use the capspace as a part of a trade with another team. for example if HOU gets Howard this summer we could trade our lotto pick/and or Leonard for Asik and a TE. Leonard's still very raw and IMO is for now at least a few more years, we at least need a solid very in here while he develops - and ""if he develops. Gotta have a solid C for this team.
and by the way if I went after a guard, I'd go after Jarrett jack. He's having a terrific season, shoots better percentages than Redick from 2 and 3pt, avergaes 2 more APG (6) is less minutes, they are about the same age and I think Jack will be cheaper, I think Redick and Mayo get overpaid
Somehow I just don't see a big time free agent signing here ... even if there were a big name out there this summer. I think that cap-room is going to come into play for some kind of lopsided trade if I had to bet.
Seeing how far away Leonard is I think you have to make a strong pitch to Pekovic. BPA, say mid-lotto, you have to look at Bennett, Len, Olynyk, etc. Also, go after Evans. He has the skill-set that, according to Jaynes, Neil is looking for to pair with Lillard -- a SG who can create for himself and others. Bring over Kostas Papanikolaou. PG: Lillard | Maynor SG: Evans | Matthews (6th man) SF: Batum | Papanikolaou PF: Aldridge | Olynyk C: Pekovic | Leonard
I'll take your word for it that Jack has better percentages than Mayo and Redick, but he still strikes me as a far less dangerous scorer. He's a fantastic combo guard at running a team, but I think Mayo or Redick would be better to pair with Lillard. I want those guys running off screens and catching and shooting for the most part.
Personally i'd like to see our draft pick (if we get it) be traded away for a center. The Market this summer isn't that great for C's and our biggest need is at the C position. Our next biggest need is a player who can create for himself and others on the bench, be that a PG/SG or a SG/SF whoever that may be. Hypothetically i'd like to see this Pick traded to suns for Gortat, sign Jarret Jack, sign Kyle Korver and grab some journymen bigman with our veteran min like Ronny Turiaf.
... Come on now Zagger. If Olynyk was good enough to make a top 20 player expendable then he wouldn't be there for our pick. I know your high on him but thats a little to high, why not say something like "makes Aldridge expendable in a year or two if he develops correctly". Give yourself some wiggle room.
Is Papanikolaou supposed to be better than Claver as soon as he comes over? This one's got to be a joke, right?
Global moderator??? HOLY SH@#$%@#$%@#$%!!!! Kidding... everything's great. I finish school in May then move home (West Linn) for bar prep, but only briefly. Job's in smogville, USA.
