This could be a free agent, TPE trade, and/or a draft pick, but assuming we keep the team as is (no reason not to) who do you see Portland realistically (Lebron lol) pursuing? I think we’ll be looking to add another wing to either start or be a primary bench option. I’m ok with it being a rookie because I don’t necessarily think it has to be someone we’d have to lean on heavily. If we can find a wing version of Zach in the draft, that’d be great. The flip side is I also believe we’re entering a window to truly contend. Relying on another rookie to fill a significant role might not be in the teams best interest. Allen will pay for a winner, so a free agent could be an option as well. The problem with that is I don’t see any prospective free agent that would be a big enough upgrade to justify the tax they’d come with. I believe the TPEs will eventually expire, but I do think theres a chance the Vonleh one could be used to target a rookie scale player a team may be looking to dump for whatever reason. Justice Winslow? So with that said, I think we’ll bring back all our free agents, keep our pick, and add a veteran free agent without using the tax MLE. Somone like Vince Carter for example. He’d be an upgrade over Connaughton, is great in the locker room, and wouldn’t get in the way of say a Chandler Hutchison carving out a role.
Draft (realistic targets): 1. Grayson Allen, potential Connaughton replacement/upgrade. 2. Landry Shamet, big PG who can shoot, can play with either Dame or CJ. Defense may be an issue but that’s most rookies. 3. Hamidou Diallo, two way guard, really like his defensive ability. I see a little bit of Jimmy Butler to his game potentially. Draft (trade up/probably not realistic): 1. Michael Porter Jr, he barely played and was rusty but I see him as a better Brandon Ingram long term. Probably would be the biggest godsend for a #3 option on a playoff team. 2. Mikal Bridges, probably the most pro-ready player in the draft. I like guys who play 3+ years and still are lottery guys. Would fit in with what we go for in the draft. 3. Luka Doncic, nuff said. TPE: 1. Courtney Lee, 3&D upper level bench player. Would fit a need. 2. Terrence Ross, local kid who still has potential, like his athleticism and a good locker room and living around familiar faces may reignite his career. 3. Dion Waiters, the epitome of the modern day 6th man. Would Miami do it though? Probably not. Trade (posted earlier): 1. TJ Warren, the Suns probably are gonna look to move him with Jackson emerging. I think a two way player like him would be a great fit with our team and he will only be making ~11M per season so we could probably do ET, Swanigan, and our 1st rounder for TJ. 2. Tobias Harris, unless the Clippers see him as a cornerstone piece I think he should be available for a draft pick and young players. 3. Kevin Love, now... this is only if LBJ decides to leave Cleveland but I imagine Cleveland would be looking to offload him for a couple draft picks and solid players on decent contracts back. Now, would Cleveland be interested in 2019(fullrights)/2021(lottery protected) picks, Aminu,ET, and Swanigan for Love and Korver? Idk. Free Agency: 1. Vince Carter, obviously retirement may happen but I think he’d be a great guy to have. He can still play at a decent level for 15-18 min a night too. 2. Omri Casspi, great shooter, long, would get minutes and not be expensive. 3. Channing Frye, just because I love the guy, champion, great locker room guy, can space the floor if needed to play.
Grayson Allen - HELL NO. Don't want him anywhere near Portland. Landry Shamet - Cant defend. Hamidou Diallo - His only positive NBA quality is athleticism, but his athleticism doesn't help him accomplish anything more on the basketball court. Cant trade up past 10 at best, and even that's unrealistic. All three will go in the top 10. TPE Courtney Lee - Isnt worth $12M (which to PA is $25M+ with the tax). Not much better than Pat and declining. Terrence Ross - Wouldn't play in our rotation so what's the point? Dion Waiters - Inefficient scorer who can't do anything else, sucks at defense, thinks he's Kobe, and will cause problems if he doesn't get 15+ shots a game? C'mon now. TRADE: TJ Warren - Not a plus defender, doesn't space the floor, never passes. No thanks. Tobias Harris - Hell YES (for the right price) Kevin Love - Cleveland would never do that trade. It's be hard to land him. Free Agency: All those guys are fine if we have an open roster spot.
It’s the Draymond effect, if he’s dirty for you... and plays well. You love him. Besides, I think we need some more players who have an edge to them. As long as it’s only on the court.
Hezonja could probably be had for the tax MLE. I don’t want to to put too much into his numbers with Orlando, even with the added minutes. He’d probably do better in a more structured system like Portland’s. That being said, I’m still not sure he’d be worth it.
I highly doubt that one. That price range is where I see established players like Tyreke Evans landing.
Orlando didn’t think he was worth 4m. Can’t see why anyone would think he’s worth double that. I guess we’ll find out.
