Do we want to make the playoffs or is this a year where perhaps we should take a step back to hopefully take two steps forward in 2014?
If the plan is to step back next season, then trading LMA for younger assets is definitely the way to go. Unless there's a step forward this year, I don't see him sticking around. Nope, for me, this is the year that the Blazers have to have a good summer and put the team in a position to make the playoffs and, perhaps, win a first round series.
Do you see this roster as having the assets to build a team that can win a first round series? I don't, but I'm not the keenest basketball mind on this board.
What is, and what should be are two different answers for me. A is really the only answer it can be, right? We don't have the assets for B, and C and D would mean losing Aldridge, which I don't think the team wants to do. For me anyway, it looks like NBA purgatory for the Blazers. Not good or bad enough to matter
I'm convinced Paul Allen's answer is Option A or B: Build on our current roster/trade some assets, use our cap space and go for the playoffs I think a better long-term plan would be Option D: Keep our cap space, trade some assets for future ones, develop our young assets and look toward 2014-15 That is most likely the "Trade LaMarcus" scenario. I get that most fans are probably tired of Option D. I'm kind of tired of it myself. But I think I have enough left in the tank to give it another round. Sadly, Paul Allen may not. (Edit: No pun intended. Freudian maybe?)
There is only one goal for any sports team, and that is a championship. If you're using phrases like cap space or concerned about paying the luxury tax, you're not serious about winning a championship and probably never will.
Trading LA for "young assets" is completely ludicrous at this point. He's proven, he's not injury prone and he's on a reasonable contract. He gets along with Lillard and the core of our players. We have enough "young players with potential", we don't need any more...at some point you just need to stop that line of thought and just build. The ONLY thing that would be worth it would be to tank for Andrew Wiggins...but then you have to shut down Lillard all next year, Batum and Aldridge..even then that's pretty much out of reach. What, so we can see another one of our players go far in the playoffs and wonder "why didn't he do that in Portland". We have money to get some more talent, we should do it. I think getting into the playoffs and past the first round is the goal. Obviously, a championship is the goal as alluded...but are we really that far talentwise from say an Indiana Pacers or a Memphis Grizzlies who are in the conference finals? Just get a few more pieces and tweak.
I say 1 or 3. You guys are worrying too much about LMA. We have him for two more years. If we fuck up this summer AND next summer then you can start worrying. We need two things, an exciting young SG to go with Lillard and Nic. (Trading up to get Oladipo would be ideal even if we use Wes, and a big space eater to do the dirty work in the middle. (along with Leonard) We can do it all this summer. If we can't get that young guard in the draft then draft another center. Next year would end up being another re-building year, but save the cap space and get a guard next summer. (And/or pray that Barton makes a big jump)
Rising superstar in the making in Damian Lillard. One of the best PFs in the league in his prime. Two very solid wing players who are good shooters and defenders Few spats of random young talent Just need a big man and some bench players and we're a team that can definitely compete out west. Most of the teams are on the decline when you look at it. Spurs will be done. Lakers are fucked. Grizzlies are peaked. Warriors are getting better. Thunder lost Harden. Clippers in disarray. We have an "ok" draft pick and some cap space to get some players. Its not a bad situation to be in. But yeah, let's just blow it up right now. smh, some of y'all never learn.
This is obviously correct, but while it has happened before...I think?, going from lottery team to NBA champions is a task that probably would fail miserably. You have to walk before you can run. Teams in the lottery should absolutely be building towards a championship, but not necessarily in one year. I do not think that the Blazers share my beliefs though
Crap! I meant to have the question be, "What do you think our goal should be for next year?" Sorry for the confusion. I was looking for opinions on what you would like to see, not what the Blazers will do.
Oh then that's different. Our goal should be option D. Lillard is the guy right now you can build around. Matthews and batum are basically 17 million dollars in glue guys, and LA is a 14 million dollar second option. The model is broken.
that depends on what Neal gets done in the next 1-2 months. If we can't get the parts we need and really compete then I think by the trade deadline we might think about making some huge changes - like trading LMA and others
I think you have to take advantage of an opportunity when it presents itself. Look at how Boston won its last championship. Ainge's strategy was to accumulate young players and tank. After he lost out on Oden and Durant, his backup plan of trading youth for future HOFers with limited time left played out perfectly.
Olshey has his work cut out for him, but if things break right then yes, I think it's within reach. Obviously, you don't have a good shot if you're a 7 or 8 seed in the West, but if you end up in the 5th or 6th spot it's doable. Get a serviceable center, a backup PG and add a vet or two on minimum contracts and beating the Nuggets, Warriors, Grizzlies or Clippers in a 7 game series doesn't seem out of reach. Of course, the Lakers, Jazz, Mavs and T'Wolves will be looking to join the party too, so as in all seasons, a good bit of luck and avoiding the injury bug will play as big a part as anything Olshey can pull off.
IMO we need some luck or have to gamble. The luck would be Howard goes to HOU and Asik becomes available, if we could get Asik for the #10 and capspace (maybe add filler?) that would be huge for us. The other choice is take a chance on Andy Varajeo, I KNOW he is a huge risk because of his injury history but frankly he's the only other guy that might move the needle enough for us - if he could stay healthy he'd be a perfect C. The good part about Andy is that it's 9 mil this yr and only 4 mil guaranteed in 2014.
I think bare minimum we have to make the playoffs. If they want to go all in and even go over the cap for a few years all the way down preserving cap space for next years free agency, whatever fine. I thinks its imperative that this team at the very least to get some playoff experience next year and at least get a taste of playoffs to motivate them for the future. Im afraid without playoff experience whatever plan they may have could backfire and start to get players and fans alike a little too disgruntled.
I agree that the other thing that needs to happen is a combo of a little luck and taking a chance somewhere.
