they just had him on. Two things stood out 1. Inferred the combine and individual workouts are overrated; they’re much more interested in how guys play in actual games. This would add credence to the Hutchison rumors. 2. Quotes: “This offseason we shift our focus to playoff caliber guys, guys that hit the benchmark with the body of work that can really perform come April, knowing the rebuild got done quicker than we thought. It’s time to think of playoff success rather than can we make the playoffs while retooling.” “One of the things we were too conservative with this past off season and at the trade deadline was we were probably far too protective of our draft pick and trade exceptions, and the tools we had to build the roster long term.” (Inferred that they didn’t think they were good enough to advance far in the playoffs, hence choosing to hold onto their assets.)
That tells me he would rather go all in on McLillard and trade a potential stud in Collins for veterans than trade CJ and try to get a more balanced roster
If they passed up using those trade exceptions at the deadline to acquire talent then he better use those before they expire.... Anyone know when they expire? Is it the draft?
Nope. Called Collins a foundational piece of their roster earlier in the interview. Said they want Zach closer to the basket Playing inside/out (instead of outside/in) next season and compared him to Aldridge, McHale, and Rasheed. What his quotes told me is our pick is in play as is the TPE and that they will be going after proven players (vets) this summer.
The big one is in late July (off the top of my head around July 25th or so). The smaller one is good until the Trade Deadline next year.
It seems to me the logical reason was that there wasn't a deal available that could have improved the team enough to warrant paying the luxury tax and then go into repeater tax territory the next year. Deals at the deadline do happen but the better deals are usually available during the off season.
I'm calling my shot right now: Courtney Lee will be a Blazer on draft day for the TPE and #24. And no I'm not saying that I like that move but it fits as a decent vet with playoff experience.
Yuck... talk about a deal the pushes the team further into purgatory. One of the worst proposals I have seen... give up a 1st to pay a non difference maker 2-3 time his salary in luxury tax
"Like Aldridge and Rasheed he has played for the Trail Blazers! Like McHale, he is skinny and white!"
We shouldn't have to include the pick. They should be willing to do it for the salary dump alone. It's not like the 32-year old Lee fits in with their rebuilding plans anyway. He's currently on their books for 2 more years and over $25 million. Hell, they should be willing to toss us a future 2nd just to take that $$$ off their books. BNM
All trade exceptions expire 1 year from the date of the original trade that created them. Here's all three of our currently available TPEs, with amounts and expiration dates. Trade Exception (Tim Quarterman, expiring 6/28/18) — $543,471 Trade Exception (Allen Crabbe, expiring 7/25/18) — $12,969,502 Trade Exception (Noah Vonleh, expiring 2/8/19) — $3,505,233 BNM
I seem to recall he's said as much in the past. That his team bases their draft decisions primarily on having watched the guys they are interested in games throughout the season.
Then NO & Stotts are not on the same page. Collins said earlier in the year that he's never played outside as much as he was in Portland & he was having to get used to it. Playing outside is not what Collins wants to do. He was 'coached' by Stotts to spend more time outside...
