Smith: Tom Penn on Shavlik Randolph
Brian T. Smith interviews Blazers VP of Basketball Operations Tom Penn about the addition of Shavlik Randolph. Smith writes...
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Blazers forward Shavlik Randolph, who was signed to a non-guaranteed contract Wednesday, was acquired by the Blazers with the team's second NBA hardship exemption. Randolph can remain with the team until injured players Rudy Fernandez and Nicolas Batum return.
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Smith also posted this welcome-back interview with Shavlik.
Update (1:30PM): As Tom Penn mentions in his interview with Smith, the contract guarantee deadline complicates this situation. Joe Freeman writes today that "it seems likely that Randolph won’t last past Jan. 6 with the Blazers."
Yes and no. It's unlikely (not impossible) that the Blazers went through all of this shuffling only to rent Shavlik Randolph for the 4 games between today and January 6.
The cheapest, most flexible approach for the Blazers regarding Randolph would be to waive him on January 6 and then re-sign him to a 10 day contract (or two) after he clears waivers, as they monitor the rehabilitations of Rudy Fernandez and Nicolas Batum. This approach would prevent the Blazers from paying Randolph a guaranteed contract while also extending his stay in Portland longer than just 4 games.
Update (2:05PM): As for the other hardship exemption, the best strategy would seem to be to wait until after January 10th no matter what, otherwise they'll have to waive that player to avoid guaranteeing his contract.
After January 10, the Blazers can re-assess their team health/needs, Randolph's contributions, and the rehabilitiations of Rudy Fernandez and Nicolas Batum.
One possible scenario for the second hardship exemption if Randolph succeeds in contributing: the Blazers could continue to re-apply for their second hardship exemption until Randolph plays through two 10-day contracts, or roughly the first week of February. At that point, the Blazers would have to guarantee Randolph's salary through the rest of the season; this is unlikely given that they have to waive him as soon as Fernandez and Batum come back. Instead of guaranteeing Randolph, they could let him go and use their other hardship exemption to sign another big man for up to two 10 day contracts, which would take the team through most of February. At that point, both Fernandez and Batum will likely be back.
The end result of this scenario would be renting a 16th body (first Shavlik, then the other player) for roughly two months without shelling out any guaranteed money.
It goes without saying that all of this is predicated on no other Blazer getting injured for an extended period of time. So knock on your wood.
-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter
about 2 years ago
Ben Golliver
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Welcome back, Shav!
Your stay may be brief, but we can certainly use what you bring right now.
Portland Trail Blazers, Future World Champions 2010-2021.
I know this is supposed to clarify things....BUT
If I’m reading it correctly, they can hold onto Shav until Rudy AND Nic are both back…
Sounds like no one is completely certain…I’ll ask Shav what he has been told…
""..Sometimes the songs that we hear are just songs of our own . . . "
well, it depends
let’s say the Blazers add a 17th guy (center) with their “2nd” exemption. Then, when either Rudy or Nic return (not both) the front office may have the choice to waive Shav or the “new center” depending on the team’s needs at the time. Then, when Batum or Fernandez are both back, they’ll have a decision to make re: the remaining exemption…to perhaps cut Mills or waive Shav or the hypothetical center
This is assuming there are no more long term injuries to another current rotation player in the meantime, of course (only if “our” luck changes…)
From Smith’s interview with Randolph, Shav said that he and the Blazers had been talking every “couple” days. I’m still curious to know why Portland chose Tolliver instead of SR in the first place, and what made them change their minds a few weeks later? (You wouldn’t think that the Przybilla injury would’ve made much of a difference, because SR isn’t really a “center” any more than AT is…maybe Tolliver didn’t “fit the culture”?) I doubt that Shav knows why he was “option #2” but it would be interesting to hear from KP/Penn re: their “fact pattern” for first signing Tolliver, then cutting him later to sign Randolph, when Shav was already available in the first place
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
we were a little surprised...
He and Tolliver were both in camp with Miami so there was room for side by side comparison…but Toll wasa shooting 40+% from 3 range in dleague, and Nate likes that stuff….IDK?…I was surprised a bit by THIS move, mostly cause they passed on him at first… it seemed like Riley had put him on a platter for KP….whatever…hope he gets a chance to help the cause, thats all…Tolly was 1/2 the price of Shav and until Joel went down , prob not thought there was as much need for presence down low?
""..Sometimes the songs that we hear are just songs of our own . . . "
I’m still curious to know why Portland chose Tolliver instead of SR in the first place, and what made them change their minds a few weeks later?
that’s the million dollar question. possible reasons…
1) przybilla / desire for stronger inside player than outside player
2) a powerful voice in the discussion greatly preferring tolliver to randolph for some reason
3) misevaluation of tolliver’s abilities
2) $$$ it was slightly cheaper to sign tolliver and before przybilla went down needs were more immediately short-term than they are now.
anyway you look at it the tolliver era was a failure. at least they got it right eventually.
by Ben Golliver on Dec 30, 2009 1:07 PM PST up reply actions
ps not aware of any personality/culture problem with tolliver.
by Ben Golliver on Dec 30, 2009 1:08 PM PST up reply actions
My million $ question.....
wouldn’t it have saved all of this by signing Collins instead of Mills with the 15th roster spot before the season started ?
"That's just how I get down"........ Andre Miller
Oden, Priz, and Outlaw weren't hurt at that time.
Also, there is more potential in PM than the there is in JC.
#52
Because Mills potential is doing exactly what to help now ??
And Nate plays rookie pg’s how much, without being forced to by injuries ???
In the last 3 seasons, the combination of Oden/Pryz remained healthy all season once. Rookie pg’s got no playing time Nate wasn’t forced into.
But I’m not a brain surgeon or KP :)
"That's just how I get down"........ Andre Miller
At the time, there was no reason to think the Blazers were cursed.
So…..taking a flyer on the potential of a PG at the 15th position was not really a problem. But when the grim reaper decided to make a cameo appearance in the Blazer locker room….that kind of screwed up their plans.
"I'm a man, but I can change.....if I have to......I guess." - Red Green
by antediluvian on Dec 30, 2009 3:21 PM PST up reply actions
Sorry guys, but there is no convincing me on this topic...
Blazer management had no reason to think the team is cursed with big men and injuries, really ?? Still not buying. Can you say Larue Martin, Sam Bowie and Bill Walton ??
Better safe than sorry is how I was raised. But again, it wasn’t my decision.
Maybe Mills " potential" will bring a trade for a center.
I’m out ,
Go Blazers !!!!
"That's just how I get down"........ Andre Miller
LaRue Sam and Bill still play?
I just don’t see that KP should be managing the roster based on the injuries of players that were in the NBA decades ago. You play the odds and try to win championships. You don’t look in the franchise rear view mirror for things that happened in the previous millenium. Trading Mills for a stiff (and KP would be lucky to get a stiff for Mills) would not benefit this team.
But that’s just my 2 cents.
"I'm a man, but I can change.....if I have to......I guess." - Red Green
by antediluvian on Dec 30, 2009 3:53 PM PST up reply actions
With the hindsight rule in effect, you may have a point, but
I still like the little Australian. You have to remember the Crocodile Dundee movies and some of the special powers that The Crock was able to gain from the Aboriginals. This is something more than brain surgery and more than the powers of the great KP : >)
#52
there was some debate whether KP and Nate even wanted to keep Mills
back on cut-down day, the consensus was that Nate would prefer to keep Udoka but KP was over-ruled by Paul Allen. Mills was also stubborn about accepting any offers to play international ball, even though thats what KP had in mind for Patty when he drafted him #55 (hence the comment: “he has a passport”)
I wasn’t a big fan of Collins, either. IIRC my vote at the time (between Collins, Udoka or Mills) was “none of the above!” Keeping the 15th roster spot “open” and looking for a better backup PF/C than Howard was my intention
But now Patty can finally get out on the court and be evaluated, for the first time since early July. Will he impress? Does a tiny shooting guard have a place in Portland’s long term-plans? Was the decision to keep him around to complete his rehab a wise one?
We’re all about to find out. If Mills looks OK to the Blazer’s brass, it may help grease the skids towards a Miller or Blake deal, at the deadline.
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
I really hope he plays well in part because...
….it may help grease the skids…..
Having a guard that can stay in front of his man for the most part, who will slow his man down enough to give Greg a chance to help is something that I have looked forward to for some time. I don’t know if Patty is that guy, but I do know he is quick and I would love to see us add another component to our future world domination.
#52
I'm not a big fan of small guards
We know that Mills is quick in straight-ahead speed and that the “redeem team” couldn’t trap him in Beijing. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that Patty has enough lateral quickness to stay in front of Aaron Brooks, etc. At his size, Mills will be easily “shouldered aside” by average-size NBA PGs, and unless he can “step around” picks, he’ll get smothered in PnR situations. And then there’s the clear-the-side-and-post-him-up opportunities for PGs like Baron Davis.
I foresee Mills as being a defensive liability, not an asset. Nate will have to “send help” when Patty’s in the game, otherwise he’ll get abused by most larger opponents. Of course, he’ll drive around them at the other end of the floor, so there’s a trade-off. And he’ll definitely increase the tempo when he’s put in the game, that’s something the Blazer’s need, as a change of pace for short spurts.
The hand-checking rules favor penetrators these days, but I always go back to playoff success as being the real goal…and besides Isiah Thomas and Avery Johnson, what small PGs have won a ring in the past 20 years? Size matters
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Most of what you are saying is quite solid.
I see Mills in the role of a change of pace guard. Offensively he is likely to create problems for opposing defenses. Portland, having shot blocking big men, may be able to cover for him to a pretty good degree if he can just slow them down a little bit. Also, I would imagine that his lateral quickness is not too bad—the real test comes when he actually gets some playing time—I am looking forward to getting a chance to see. It’s all good.
#52
not that exciting
not that any free player would be though. Shav isnt going to play and if he does, I doubt he helps much. Besides we are still playing great with all the injuries.
The Dude: Hey, careful, man, there's a beverage here!
by cavejunctionblazer on Dec 30, 2009 11:52 AM PST reply actions
So non-guaranteed contracts become guaranteed soon, right?
That article is confusing. Do players picked up after Jan. 10th on hardship exemptions automatically get guaranteed deals? Shouldn’t we be trying to keep some money free just in case the right trade comes along, hopefully including someone who can defend down low and block shots? That seems like a long term need in case Greg, Joel or both can’t give us that over the next couple of years. Can any of our Euros fill these needs soon? So many questions that need answering.
the key time period is Jan 6-10
“Non-guaranteed” players need to pass through waivers for 3 days, becuase whoever remains on the roster on Jan 10 gets a guaranteed salary for the rest of the season. I don’t think acquiring Shav (or anyone) right now will affect KP’s ability to “be flexible” and claim a player that he likes “better” off of waivers during that 3-day window.
At least that’s how I understand it. If anyone has more info, please share the knowledge
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Do players picked up after Jan. 10th on hardship exemptions automatically get guaranteed deals?
After the 10th, any team can sign FAs to a 10-day contract, as long as they have a roster “slot” available. If the team wants to retain this player after a second 10-day contract, then they have to guarantee his salary for the rest of the season. I don’t think there’s a limit to how many 10-day contracts a team can use, during the second half of the season
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
the cheapest, most flexible approach for the blazers is the following …
waive shavlik on january 6. re-sign him after he clears waives to a 10 day contract and see how batum/fernandez are progressing.
there wasn’t a ton of cap space to begin with so it’s unlikely this maneuvering will stand in the way of a blockbuster.
by Ben Golliver on Dec 30, 2009 1:23 PM PST up reply actions
as for the euros i wouldn’t expect any of them to come over next season
by Ben Golliver on Dec 30, 2009 1:25 PM PST up reply actions
knock on your wood
OK not the best line to end on… It opens it up for a lot of dirty jokes. I won’t indulge though. Giggity!
Wood is becoming a major theme of BE FPers
Disclaimer: everything I know about basketball I learned on Blazersedge.
What about Mills?
When will we be able to see Mills back on the team? I understand the going to the D League to get ready, but Pendegraph didnt. So why Mills? I can’t wait to see him play for us.
I think it has something to do..
…with the fact that of all the injuries we’ve had this year, our guards are all healthy. (Well, except Mills himself, that is.)
There’s no PT here for him right now.
Portland Trail Blazers, Future World Champions 2010-2021.
Shav was on my plane last night
I was waiting to get on the plane in Minneapolis and I saw this familiar face. I thought, “That looks like Shav, but it can’t be”. Then I saw him stand up and I realized it had to be. I recall from his previous stint with us that he hates flying and I think he was the last one on the plane and the first one off once we got to Portland. As soon as I got home I looked online and saw, sure enough, we’re signing him.
The dude is skinny. I could push him out of the post area (but I wouln’t ever get a rebound).
CTC, Baby...CTC
I will gladly admit ignorance
on the rules of the roster, but given that Mills was sent to the D-League, don’t the Blazers have an open roster spot they can just give to Randolph now? Granted, they still would have to drop and resign him to a ten-day to avoid the whole guaranteed salary aspect, but this should have nothing to do with the hardship exemption. Or does he still count as a roster spot?
Sending Mills to the D-League
doesn’t negate his contract. So they technically don’t gain an open roster spot. They do gain a spot on the bench, but he wasn’t going to get any minutes anyway at this point.
"I'm a man, but I can change.....if I have to......I guess." - Red Green
by antediluvian on Dec 30, 2009 3:24 PM PST up reply actions
That may be the most likely reason....
"I'm a man, but I can change.....if I have to......I guess." - Red Green
by antediluvian on Dec 30, 2009 7:37 PM PST up reply actions
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