I think this is a possibility. Bobby Marks tweeted out what the luxury tax looks like for this season. GSW- $185M BKN- $122M LAC- $54M (w/KL) LAL- $36M UTH- $29M MIL- $29M $9.5M distribution to the 24 teams below With each team that goes above the tax, the non tax teams not only pay but will get a bigger distribution of tax money. Do you really see the Blazers not only paying the tax but also giving up this distribution? Add to that what some teams did to future drafts as well as a few others that are not paying the tax yet. Portland is not a market that can risk it all for a three year window by trading multiple years of draft picks. NO values CJ probably more than anyone else in the league. CJ has never complained about his role. Since he has never been on an allstar or all league team, he will not trigger huge contract bumps like Lillard. CJ/Norm/Roco/Simmons/Nurk not paying the tax draft capital and/or whatever else Philly gives in order to get Lillard I could see that as our next big move and waiting until after the Olympics makes perfect sense.
Well Olshey told us that they were all in on winning and they would go as far into the tax as it takes... and Olshey always tells the truth. That being said, with as many expiring contracts as we have we could always shed enough salary at the trade deadline to get under the tax if winning all of a sudden wasn't the main goal.
that would be incredibly disappointing if we suddenly become worried about the tax. From all indications, this was the year we would be spending like mad.
I hate to say it but, IMHO, Dame is gone after the olympics. He clearly said he wants to play with a really athletic big. He flat out said it in a press conference. Ain't seeing that in portland. I don't blame Lillard for this at all. I will always be a big Dame fan. Neil made the moves he wanted to and it really was a big fuck you to everyone.
Kemba had a player option for next year so his buyout might be close to his salary this year. Love is guaranteed a lot more and will get less in his new contract. Doubt Cleveland goes this route.
given what I have seen "so far" I am fine with a rebuild, we will get a lot for Dame and I am tired of the treadmill first rd exit and watching Neil doing the same old dumpster dive shit every summer - come on surprise me Neil!
Nothing we've done has changed my mind about Neil gearing up to move CJ, Simons and DJJ. Especially with the acquisition of multiple shooting guards.
He ain't playing second fiddle to anyone. He's an Alpha. So stop looking for him to go somewhere else, where he will be the second option.
The hysteria is the stuff you would find on the Fox News Facebook page about cancel culture. No way is Olshey finished. Not at all.
Would Love fill Zach's position of hurt big man in street clothes? I am fine leaving that position empty.
