Okafor has a reputation as a horrible defender, Nurkic doesn't. That, and the 1st rounder, were probably the difference.
Neil made the correct trade this time. I don't see another trade until this summer. I think he going to see how the teams does with Nurk has there center before he pulls the trigger again.
Let's go through the roster and guess who's going to stay and who's on their way out. Dame, CJ, Nurkic. Forget it. Harkless- young, great contract. Probably a lot of teams interested, but I think he stays. Not untouchable however. Aminu- Our most valuable/realistic trade asset right now. Attractive to anyone in the playoffs with his defensive versatility. Locked up on a great contract. Still only 26. I think he will be traded. Should fetch a protected first and/or a younger player (Oubre for example.) Crabbe- His shooting would be hard to replace, but 18m for a backup is a luxury that Olshey probably wouldn't mind getting rid of. Good enough to start on numerous teams. I think eventually he'll get moved, but maybe not until the summer. Davis- Under contract for one more season. Dirt cheap. Ideal role player, should be attractive to anyone really, especially a team in need of rebounding (Boston?) I think he goes. Leonard- Would probably have to attach a pick to shed. Not a great idea to sell low. Best bet would be to hold onto him and hope, at the very least, he gets out of his shooting funk. Ezeli- Stays unless needed to match salaries. Gone in the summer. Turner- injured, but wasn't going anywhere anyway. Stays. Vonleh, Layman- cheap, young, worth developing. They stay. Connaughton, Quarterman- non guaranteed for next season. Could be throw ins in a trade. Connaughton goes. Quarterman stays. Napier- don't care. So pretty much Aminu and Davis are my bets to be moved this week. I think eventually we'll trade one or both of our lower first rounders as well, but maybe not until draft night. Watch for Olshey to add a fourth first round pick to his arsenal
I could see Toronto interested in Aminu. Gives them someone to throw at Lebron. I know he's unguardable, but Aminu stands a much better chance than anyone else on their roster. He has that Nigerian connection with Ujiri as well. Maybe something like their first round pick, sullinger, and Caboclo/Wright? Similar to the Nurkic deal, we save money, collect another first, and get a younger player.
You guys overvalue our forwards and centers. They were substitutes until we got them, and will be after they leave. Other teams know this.
Plumlee will become the next Steve Blake....we'll sign him every couple years and keep trading him for picks and players until he ends up playing in Australia...if he sucks it up for the rest of the season, we might get him cheap this summer if Denver lets him walk! (please....no serious responses to this attempt at humor!)
Orlando has no former Blazer starting. New York traded Robin Lopez because they had a better center to start. Chicago is starting Lopez but is trying to trade him. Plumlee is projected to back up Jokic, but Denver has about 5 big men injured so they started him for one game. Besides, now, we're talking about our other forwards and centers, not Lopez and Plumlee.
To be fair Plumlee was not "over valued" by most here, he is and was a productive player who started,. The rest of our bigs have really sucked this yr and I am specifically talking about Meyers, and Ed Davis/Vonleh to a degree. IMO Meyers has negative value, Davis/Vonleh maybe have a little value but not much. I think Aminu even with his sub par yr vs last still has decent value because of his contract, defense and versatility, Harkless probably has the most value of this group IMO.
Afflalo started for the Knicks...now starts for the Kings...we have teams that do fall for our players...Luke Babbitt in Miami..Tim Frazier in NO..Channing Frye in Cleveland...Wes Mathews in Dallas, Nic in Charlotte...Lamarcus in Texas.....we make teams great again!!! Earl Watson is even coaching! Ronnie Price started last year...Will Barton starts once in a while..Trob comes off the bench...we are the greenhouse of the league! Gerald Henderson and Sergio in Philly...we've even stashed jewels in Russia and Europe like Freeland, Diez,Rudy, Claver....!
Okafor is a crap rebounder...not something you want in a PF/C. Nurk is a good rebounder and has shown some ability to be a good shot blocker and passer. I think Okafor is a more talented post player, but Nurk is bigger and didn't look like a slouch in that area either. I've also heard that Okafor has attitude issues, so the tilt goes to Nurk. I think it's better space wise, to have your c be the low post guy.
