I just examined some data: https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/duranke01/gamelog/2018 I looked at if any teams had multiple games during the regular season where Durant had a negative +/- Only three teams did this: Portland, OKC, Utah The Portland ones he still scored 40+ points each game and with OKC and Utah, they held him somewhat in check. So if we do trade for someone, it should be someone from OKC or Utah that could guard Durant.
Defense especially in the NBA is a team thing. You have to have good defenders obviously but, you have to good schemes, communication, chemistry, and effort from all 5 guys. You can’t guard great offensive players in the nba on an island.
One guy rarely if ever mentioned; Andrew Wiggins. There are reports that Butler has issues with him, etc. He’s overpaid. He’s also got a poison pill contract that makes a trade tough. BUT I think Wiggins would like Portland and I think Stotts/Dame would be good for him. Thibs is an awful fit for a guy like Wiggins. Butler ain’t much of a leader either. Wiggins and Dieng for Turner and Aminus expiring works, as long as we bring in a third team (Dallas) to take Leonard in exchange for our pick. Thibs loves Turner and Aminu fits what he likes as well and is an expiring. Wiggins ain’t perfect but I feel like Portland would get the best out of him. When he’s on he’s a perfect third piece.
He's RFA but I don't think Milwaukee are matching a max offer if he gets one, and he probably will get one from Sacramento, Atlanta, Chicago or Dallas.
Minnesota isn't trading Wiggins for Turner and an expiring.. he may not have a ton of value, but still.
I think it's not that far fetched that they will try to dump him at some point. He's going to make: 2019: $25.3M 2020: $27.3M 2021: $29.3M 2022: $31.3M 2023: $33.3M That's a behemoth of a contract and it's not really likely that he will live up to this price. Turner is terrible but he has just two years left compared to five and Aminu only one. If you don't think Wiggins is going to turn good then that's a fair deal to make and get out of his contract. Problem is they offered him that deal only a few months ago, they must still see something in him or it makes no sense. If we take Dieng's terrible deal which runs until 2021 and is between $15M and $17.5M each season that's another incentive.
Givony on Zach Lowe's pod said this is unlikely and doesn't believe that Denver would dump a pick just to rid themselves of a 1 yr deal. He said Connely likes the draft too much to do it.
They'll likely trade down with it. Lots of teams have interest in #14. Ultimately, I think Portland trades #24 or a 2019 1st to get #14 and Faried, and then uses 14 in another deal.
If we could be convinced he was moderately healthy, Chandler Parsons seems like an Olshey move. If he could stay on the court that would be great. If Biebs or Turner could be included then it lowers the risk.
We can't use the trade exception in a trade where we send salary out? Is that correct? Does that mean we are limited to this list? Not that it is a terrible list as there are a couple names on there that would be interesting. 90. Tyson Chandler $13,000,000 $13,585,000 $0 $0 $0 90. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist $13,000,000 $13,000,000 $13,000,000 $0 $0 92. Eric Gordon $12,943,020 $13,500,375 $14,057,730 $0 $0 93. Kenneth Faried $12,921,348 $13,764,045 $0 $0 $0 93. Thaddeus Young $12,921,348 $13,764,045 $0 $0 $0
Pretty much every player making <12.9 mil for 18-19, we can take on. https://www.basketball-reference.com/contracts/players.html Names that I'm interested in: - either Bogdanovic -CJ Miles -PJ Tucker -Covington -TJ Warren
Looking at the list of players available for TPE, there is no one available that will change Portland’s fortunes... especially for 3x the salary with luxury tax, I just don’t see an attainable player that will make a difference on this team... the only way to improve is to trade CJ
