So drafting CJ opens up some questions about where our backcourt is heading next season. Outside of Lillard, what will our depth chart look like at the start of the 2013-2014 season? Will we keep Maynor? Will we trade Matthews? Will we go after someone like Tyreke Evans? is Barton the backup shooting guard? Right now the depth chart looks something like this: Lillard/McCollum/Maynor? Matthews/Barton/Crabbe?
No we won't tender Maynor an offer, we shouldn't commit cap space to him yet to be the 3rd PG when we don't have a starting center. I think we are fine in the backcourt, we can add a vet minimum guard at the end of free agency. A third PG who can defend and in a pinch run the offense. Batum and Clavier are the only SF, but Wes and Barton can play extended minutes there so the wing spots look fine. I'm really concerned about a defensive big I think that should be our #1 and #2 free agent signings.
The way I understood the pick, shouldn't it work something like - PG - Lillard/McCollum SG - Matthews/McCollum I thought that the McCollum pick wasn't so much of a back-up position behind Lillard or Matthews but rather a versatile pick that can play alongside either Lillard or Matthews, when a backcourt starter's getting some rest. I figured Lillard/McCollum/Matthews would really split the 96 minutes at both guard spots pretty evenly. Am I wrong in that assessment?
I think we will make a play for Evans. McLemore's draft slide was fortuitous for the Kings franchise as well as ours. Also, the Rockets will successfully land Dwight Howard and we will trade for Asik using Matthews and Freeland (or Matthews and Leonard if push comes to shove). Now, back to discussing the back court more specifically, I think Maynor is gone for sure. I think Crabbe catches on as the 4th guard and a defense-threes-athleticism specialist. He's flat-out better than Barton, who will be buried deep on the bench. I could see us taking another flier on Elliott Williams since it should be dirt cheap and, frustratingly, we still haven't really seen what he can do.
I admit Barton showed a few flashes last year, but I still haven't seen enough to think he's a rotation player on a team with anything but a historically laughable bench, which we had. He's not a pure shooter and McCollum was drafted to be a way, way better version of the "offensive spark" role.
Lang Greene @LangGreene 58 minutes ago Portland won't issue Eric Maynor a qualifying offer making the guard an unrestricted free agent this summer according to my man @Ben Golliver We have too many SGs and no backup PG. I can't help but think there's a trade planned.
We now have some ability to maintain quality guard play for 48 minutes with some good shooters and ball handlers. How miutes shake out isn't important.
I hope the Blazers keep Maynor, we need another competant ball handler. CJ McCollum looks like a TO machine, better suited to be a SG.
Maynor would have to sign up for a very limited role here behind Lillard, McCollum, and Matthews in the pecking order. Given his size and P&R game, it seems like McCollum is more than adequate for the 10-12 minutes Lillard sits.
Olshey said that they had decided not to keep Maynor before the draft. I don't think they want him back under any circumstances.
Absolutely agree. I hated his game. Reminds me of an inefficient Outlaw who can't shoot. Didn't see any flashes from him to lead me to think he'll be any more than a 10th man. I like Crabbe better.
I think it is Lillard l McCollum Wes l McCollum l Crabbe I do not particularly see how we can land Tyreke with our given situation, with us needing to focus on C.
I think we use Matthews and Leonard for a center. We will still have significant cap space to get Evans and even another role player.
After a decent start in PDX, Maynor was a non-factor for much of his stint. 10.6 PER 18.6 USG 20.7 TO% 100 Ortg 114 Drtg .016 WS/48 I have to think that McCollum at the very least can give the Blazers next to nothing, which is what Maynor ended up doing for the team.
I guess I don't see what center we can bring back with those 2 pieces that matters. I will probably kill myself if we go for Gortat. Asik and Matt Barnes is pretty much my ideal off season at this point. or Pek and Matt Barnes or Mike Dunleavy Jr, I suppose.
