Where The Trail Blazers Stand Going Into The Free Agency Period
by Storyteller on Nov 26, 2011 7:14 AM PST
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Hallelujah! The lockout is over! It looks like free agency and training camps will begin on December 9th (missing my birthday by one day, but I’ll take the gift anyway….) We don't know all the details about the new agreement yet. But we do have a good idea of where the team stands, salary-wise, as they enter the free agent period. So, after the jump, I'll give a summary of the team's position, followed by a bit of analysis:
CURRENT CONTRACTS
Portland has 10 players with fully guaranteed contracts. Here, to the best of my understanding, is how they count against the cap:
Additionally, Portland has 2 players with contracts that are not guaranteed. Here is how they currently count against the cap, although they could be cut for cap savings:
Some of you will correctly point out that, up until recently, I had also included Ryan Gomes as a committed salary for the Trail Blazers. However, after going back and reading Article XXVII of the previous CBA, I recently came to realize that I had mis-interpreted the rules of setting off salary as it applied to Gomes. Assuming that the rules of set off will be the same under the new agreement, I now believe that his contract with the Clippers allows Portland to set off the entire amount of salary that was guaranteed when he was waived in the summer of 2010. Or, in layman’s terms, Gomes’ contract no longer counts anything against Portland’s cap. For more information on the rules of set off, I would point you to Larry Coon’s excellent FAQ on the previous Collective Bargaining Agreement.
To summarize, Portland is currently committed to $70,034,204 and has 12 players on their roster. This puts the team well over the anticipated salary cap of $58,044,000 and leaves them with only 3 open roster spots. It also puts them very close to the anticipated tax threshold of $70.307,000
DRAFT PICKS
Nolan Smith, as a 1st round pick in June’s draft, can be signed using the rookie player exception, based on a rookie scale amount. We don’t know exactly what that scale amount will be, although under the previous CBA, he could have made as little as $898,480 and as much as $1,347,720 in 2011-12. It’s rumored that rookie scale amounts could drop a bit under the new agreement, so a rounded guess of about $1.2 million sounds about right at this point.
2nd round draft pick Jon Diebler signed with the Greek club Panionios in August. As Portland probably did not have a roster spot available for him this season, this was probably for the best, both for Diebler and the for the Blazers.
Portland also holds the draft rights to previous 1st round picks Victor Claver and Joel Freeland. Neither is expected to sign with the Blazers this season.
Additionally, Portland holds the draft rights to previous 2nd round picks Doron Sheffer, Federico Kammerichs, Marcelo Nicola and Nedzad Sinanovic. None are expected to sign with the Blazers this season.
FREE AGENT RIGHTS
Portland has given Greg Oden a Qualifying Offer, so he is a restricted free agent. The Blazers have full Bird Rights on Oden.
Portland has given Patty Mills a Qualifying Offer, so he is also technically a restricted free agent. However, Mills recently signed with Xinjiang in China and the contract reportedly has no opt-out clause, so the assumption is that he will not be available to Portland this season. The Blazers will retain Early Bird Rights on Mills going into next season as long as they make him another qualifying offer at the end of the season.
Portland also holds Non Bird Rights on unrestricted free agent Travis Diener.
MY ANALYSIS
It’s important to remember that, with 12 players already on the roster, that only leaves room for – at most – 3 additional signings, unless the team waives one or more players that are currently under contract.
I don’t think it’s unreasonable to assume that Nolan Smith will be signed to a rookie scale contract. That brings the roster to 13 players.
There has been a lot of debate over the last few months as to what the Blazers should do with Greg Oden. There are essentially 6 possible options for Oden and the Blazers – and I have seen/heard proponents of nearly each and every one:
- Portland can withdraw the qualifying offer and allow Oden to leave as a free agent.
- Oden can sign the $8.79 million qualifying offer and be under contract for one year. He would then become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
- Portland can sign Oden to a contract different from the qualifying offer, one that represents more or less money than the qualifying offer for one or more years.
- Oden can sign an offer sheet with another team. Portland then matches the offer to retain Oden.
- Oden can sign an offer sheet with another team. Portland then chooses not to match the offer.
- Oden signs no offer this year. Portland would then have the choice of whether or not to make him another qualifying offer in June.
Personally, I believe that the Blazers should seek to get Oden under contract for multiple years – either by him signing a direct offer from the team or by the Blazers matching a reasonable offer sheet from another team. However, I don’t think they should follow this path at any cost – if Oden demands a maximum or near-maximum contract offer or signs an offer sheet for that level of money, Portland will probably not bite. But if I had to guess, I’d bet that Oden is on the Blazers’ roster this season. That would give them 14 players on the roster.
Assuming all of this happens, the question would be what to do with that 15th roster spot? The franchise has some options:
- They could leave the spot open and only carry 14 players on the roster.
- They could sign a single free agent using the MLE or another exception.
- They could waive Earl Barron and/or Chris Johnson to free up another roster spot or two, which could be either filled or not filled (as long as the team met the minimum roster size rules of the new CBA).
YOUR TURN
So, understanding where the franchise sits, what do you think they should do during this short free agent period?
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Comments
Wow...
Not sure I can even comprehend an nba season right now…
My take?
Zers keep CJ and deal Camby for a cheaper C…
Just wow. The next couple weeks are going to rock my face off. Time to pull my twitter acct out of retirement!
2011/2012 - Return of the mythical Groden... Sec310.
now all we need
is for Comcast and DirecTV to come to terms
“When you wish upon a star…”
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
by two4larue on Nov 26, 2011 1:13 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Heck, Comcast can't even get their own channel in HD across Comcast in the Northwest
I can’t imagine they’ll get any other deals done.
But this would be a VERY good time to work out that deal. They were banking on a big payday as the Blazers went further in the playoffs, and that hasn’t happened. This would be a good time to cut their losses and get it done.
My recommendation? Mail the executives at Comcast
And yell loudly on Twitter and Facebook, where Comcast pays close attention. A coordinated campaign is your best bet.
I agree
Blazers should definitely keep Chris Johnson & trade Marcus Camby before he is able to hit the court for the Blazers- I might have a different opinion if we were conference title contenders(or if he was getting paid a reasonable amount for his late-career production), but with his salary we have to make a move before an injury doesn’t allow us to.
I wish him a happy career as a Boston Celtic.
Get it done... Paul.
Curious who you think we can get from Boston for that money?
$10-12 million is a lot to move in a trade and for Boston to offer for an end-of-career injury-prone center. My bet is we keep Camby at least until the trade deadline as Oden is unavailable.
I'm talking about Marcus Camby signing with Boston
after whoever he lands with doesn’t resign him, because they only acquired him for the contract coming off the books expiring contract.
Or if you want to talk dream land
Batum, Matthews & Camby to Boston
for
Rondo & Jermaine O’Neal(Welcome back Jermaine ! ha.)
http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=d6v4l7u
Get it done... Paul.
Too much for Rondo
Hes a good point guard and a darn good defender but I question his toughness, and his lack of shooting ability makes me think we could do better for Batum, Matthews and Camby… like, say, Andrew Bogut.
Unsigned second round picks
“None are expected to sign with the Blazers this season ever”
Well, maybe Sinanovic who is playing well in Spain now in a mini-JoelP role. One can dream of a future GM profiting from a move like half a dozen GMs ago. But although they are part of the full Blazers player accounting, it’s Freeland and nothing else playing into the decisions of the next 2 years.
Good thing they drafted Claver, eh?
Man, what a bust that ’09 draft was! Buford/Spurs got more value at 37 than KP/Paul got at 22+31+33
Which is why San Antonio >>> Portland for the last decade plus
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
I never understood just wasting a1st round pick like that.
I was appalled at the time.
ignacio
San Antonio is very good at drafting
That being said, they’ve made plenty of mistakes too. What really made them greater than the Blazers is lucking into a David Robinson injury for the season of the Tim Duncan draft. The Indianapolis Colts are having similar luck now.
I'd gladly settle for a Tony Parker drafted by Portland
the Spurs were beaten to the punch on Batum in 2008, or otherwise they’d have Nic too
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Similar Luck
I see what you did there…
by StellarN00ntide on Nov 26, 2011 8:49 PM PST up reply actions
Yeah, and a "lucky" ping pong ball...
Never forget watching ML Carr up on the podium, with the Celtics having the #1 pick, all ready to start waving championship towels again, and… no…
read a lot of conspiracy theories after that one..
???
What is this “GM” you speak of? I am not familiar!
Seriouly though, where's Waldo?
by halfasiansensation on Nov 26, 2011 9:30 PM PST up reply actions
B-Roy
The 15 million dollar question is: Will they use the amnesty clause on B-Roy this year?
IMO we will without question use the amnesty
on B-Roy I mean com-on 12 mill+ over the cap with a 15 mill$ player with up and down knees. I don’t think my fragile heart can take more Brandon Roy injuries I think its time we part ways and if he gets sign to another team best wishes I will be there to give you a SO when you return.
by GreenRiddler on Nov 26, 2011 8:28 AM PST up reply actions
Let the dust settle
Getting rid of Roy’s contract would be great, but why jump into the craziness right now when instead we can be a big player during the suddenly near summer? My biggest issue is whether we’ll get comparable productivity from the player we get after amnestying Roy.
Camby and Roy
Right now, those are the questions. That’s $26 million for two players who aren’t likely to give us $26 million in production. I’d swap both for one solid front line player to play with Aldridge, particularly given that Oden isn’t back yet, and it would be optimistic to think we’ll get more that 20-22 minutes a game this season – even if he comes back, stays healthy, and can get into playing shape.
Keep them both for this season if you can still
Sign Landry as a free agent. The blazers can’t afford to give up veteran bigs, in a short season.
by odensraven on Nov 26, 2011 8:27 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
I disagree keep Camby and use money saved by Roy to sign Landry
by GreenRiddler on Nov 26, 2011 8:29 AM PST up reply actions
Don't need roys money to sign Landry...
The MLE will do the trick
by odensraven on Nov 26, 2011 3:47 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Camby and ROy
Camby is a 10million expiring contract. That is pure gold whether we use now or at the trade deadline, which is when we will almost certainly use it. BROY, unfortunately will be waivd so we stay far enough below the luxury tax to allow us felxibility
The luxury tax this year is the same as last year so not so tough to swallow
The reduced mid-level is more important.
Right
If the ‘super luxury tax’ started this year, the Blazers could have faced a $35+million tax bill if they kept everyone (including Oden) and used the MLE. Now, keeping everyone and using the MLE probably means a $15 million tax bill.
Starting 5
Would anyone be upset if we ran the following out game 1?
Pg Felton
Sg Matthews
Sf batum
Pf Wallace
C Aldridge
Bench
Guard smith
Forward babit
2011/2012 - Return of the mythical Groden... Sec310.
Raises Hand
I think Batum should be moved to the bench and we will have camby a tthe 5 and Crash at the 3
by GreenRiddler on Nov 26, 2011 8:24 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Crash will break down if...
He starts at PF during back to back to back games.
by odensraven on Nov 26, 2011 10:24 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
and Aldridge will break/wear down if...
he starts at C all season
by Jackalope 66 on Nov 26, 2011 12:01 PM PST up reply actions
2 people would be
wallace and aldridge
dinasour type of guys choir boys
by mittsabishy on Nov 26, 2011 9:29 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
I WOULD BE...
That team is even more fragile then Greg’s knees…
LMA is a 4 not a 5… GW is a 3 not a 4… Matthew OR Batum should be starters but probably not both. And that’s not even mentioning counting on Luke Babbit to contribute when…at least to this point… He hasn’t.
So go ahead and count me in the YES I’d be upset crowd!
#7... GO BLAZERS!!!
Worst case scenario
Remember, the blazers are over the cap. They will need to cut some salary and that might mean we lose Camby and Roy. All I’m sayin is that if we started the season with lma at post, it wouldn’t be the end of the world. Not sayin we don’t make moves and come in with a better starting five. Just sayin I’m jacked even if we do roll out our playoff lineup from last year… Bottom line… GO ZERS
2011/2012 - Return of the mythical Groden... Sec310.
Oh I'm "jacked" about any Blazers team that takes the floor...
…But the line up you suggest leaves out a lot of better options in my opinion. Heck I’d rather see a front court of Chris Johnson, LMA and GW then force both the latter out of their natural positions.
I tell ya one thing I’m NOT jacked about though… “ZERS”!.. I know it’s all about personal choice and freedom of speech and all but I seriously and acutely dislike that term. It just doesn’t sound right…. But I digress.
I still haven’t heard any details regarding the magic amnesty clause. From what I understood before there would be an extended period of time to use it. In that case I would keep BRoy until we see what he has… and what Oden has. It’s not my money but $15mill. for a #7 who can even semi-consistently give game 4 type performances is a better value then almost $9 mill. for a guy who may never play…From the info above it appears that getting under the tax line is pretty realistic and I’d hope that is the goal until time is taken to evaluate how best to use the amnesty… if there even is one.
#7... GO BLAZERS!!!
Go Blahs!
That doesn’t sound right either.
"Anybody might guess beforehand that there would be blunders of the ignorant. What nobody could have guessed, what nobody could have dreamed of in a nightmare, what no morbid mortal imagination could ever have dared to imagine, was the mistakes of the well-informed." - G. K. Chesterton, The Common Man
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Game 4 was a special performance
It was one of the all-time great performances by anyone… almost as good as Jordan’s shrug game. Game 3 was old BRoy and what we can hope for from him semi-regularly. If he can do that every other game, he’d definitely be worth keeping around… just saying, noone can produce game 4 semi-consistently. You’d need Jordan or Wilt just to think it MIGHT happen.
It is still a soft cap
There is no little additional incentive in this CBA this year than the last CBA to get under the cap. We will be over the cap no matter what but will we be over the tax? My take is yes, this is a free year to play out our present contracts and sign Greg to a multi-year contract. Next year on the tax is the same but we lose Camby. The third year is when the whammy comes and that will be the interesting one.
I like the idea Batum backing up the 3 and the 2, unless Roy is healthy
Now all we need is the rest of the roster to get into "how can everybody help Nicco and Oden" mode. -- Oden Mad, Oden Smash! Sep 29, 2010 7:47 PM
This isn't 2k12
that lineup works great in a video game. Only works good against golden state and the Twolves in real life.
Not exactly
Miller, Andre – Matthews, Wes – Batum, Nicolas – Wallace, Gerald – Aldridge, LaMarcus (unit) was the second most used lineup for the Blazers in 2010/2011 – and one of the very best
Law of Logical Argument
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
by blacknoiseNW on Nov 26, 2011 12:38 PM PST up reply actions
...or how big a jump...
Law of Logical Argument
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
by blacknoiseNW on Nov 26, 2011 1:14 PM PST up reply actions
Well, according to your link, the best lineup possible is...
Johnson, Armon – Fernandez, Rudy – Matthews, Wes – Aldridge, LaMarcus – Cunningham, Dante
So, we need to resign Cunningham for C.
Faith applied reasonably is practical magic.
by Matthews vs Roy... Fight! on Nov 26, 2011 4:14 PM PST up reply actions
I'd be happy with that
I liked how he was playing prior to the Wallace trade, we could very much use him off the bench
I JUST WANT MY BASKETBALL BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
by Sean in Vancouver on Nov 26, 2011 9:21 PM PST up reply actions
It's my Birthday today!!
God and David Stern really love me!
by Sheedwasright on Nov 26, 2011 8:37 AM PST via mobile reply actions
So you're the one DS loves.
There can only be one.
Now all we need is the rest of the roster to get into "how can everybody help Nicco and Oden" mode. -- Oden Mad, Oden Smash! Sep 29, 2010 7:47 PM
Jeff Pendergraph!!
How has no one said this yet?
I wanted to but hit cancel since it's sadly so obvious
I hope they look at other options too for the main backup C/PF spot, though I’d swap him in for Earl Barron in a heartbeat
would you really keep Earl Barron over anybody?
by hoodieNation on Nov 26, 2011 10:53 AM PST up reply actions
i'm on board with hanging onto CJ
but Barron needs to go.
by hoodieNation on Nov 26, 2011 10:57 AM PST up reply actions
First,
of course they reached a deal just in time for holiday shoppers to buy gifts with NBA logos on them. Doesn’t excuse bad behavior in the first place.
The 10 under contract. Then Nolan,Greg,CJ ,Diebler. 15th spot Pendy. If I can’t have Dalembert.
It’s a free agent market right ?? Mr Allen PLEASE get a big man if you want a ring.
just win baby !
by FrenchieFan on Nov 26, 2011 11:37 AM PST up reply actions
Thank you !
Please tell me we dont have Diebler and Deiner. 2 Blake jrs in this bleeping collection of pg musical chairs. LOL
just win baby !
by FrenchieFan on Nov 26, 2011 11:44 AM PST up reply actions
There are better options between Dalembert and Pendergraph
Samuel will wind up on the east coast, if the money is equal
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Pay him more.
Let be play GM :)
Now back to the pgs, I thought we had the rights to DieBler too ?
Maybe time to clean the toy box out and look under the basket for awhile.
LA may be a future hall of famer, but he won’t get us rings alone in the front court.
just win baby !
by FrenchieFan on Nov 26, 2011 11:54 AM PST up reply actions
the Blazers aren't going back deep into luxury tax land
those days ended 5+ years ago
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Well if no Dalembert, then Pendy,
knows Nates system, isnt a stranger to Buck. Most importantly, not an NBA player under contract and could work out with training staff and players NOW no ??
He’s my choice until they could see what shakes loose in free agency. There will then be a trade deadline correct ?
That’s when the Reno boy’s can possibly turn into a veteran player ?
just win baby !
free angency will begin soon enough
there’s no reason to sign Jeff unless all the veteran options are snapped up by other teams, first
which very well could happen, seeing Portland has no GM
but I would be disappointed if they settled for (hometown discount) Pendy with players like Hayes still on the table
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Pendy isn't from Portland,
he’s stuck around for a reason. Nate knows what he’s getting.
If Hayes and Landry were such good options as bigs, (imo only), Houston would have done better without Yao.
Individual stat comparsions here will not change my opinion. How did they do in the playoffs ? They didn’t even make it.
Now if Dalembert does end up in NY, and Turiaff shakes loose, I’ll take him too. I can live without Diebler and Diener.
just win baby !
I don't agree with this:
If Hayes and Landry were such good options as bigs, (imo only), Houston would have done better without Yao.
You can’t go from a dominant #1 scoring option, to two role playing backup post players & expect anywhere near the same results.
Turiaf is a good call though, but I bet Tony Parker recruits him to play for San Antonio if thats the case.
Get it done... Paul.
4s
Both Hayes and Landry are closer to 4s than 5s (just like Aldridge and Camby). Signing either of them would merely duplicate our positions of strength.
by Jackalope 66 on Nov 27, 2011 10:29 AM PST up reply actions
Hayes can defend centers
Chuck’s only 6’6, but he’s built like a tree stump. There is no one on Portland’s roster like him, only Oden comes close
Landry is a duplicate, and shouldn’t be added to the Blazer’s roster, IMO
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Regarding these two players
Your so right about Chuck, he is a beast.
However I think if Paul Allen is trying to pull off a big trade this season, Carl Landry adds the most value to a potential large deal.
I'd rather have Hayes
but at a mini-MLE pay level, Landry would be one hell of a value buy. Not so sure you can get either at that level, however.
I know what we'd be getting with Pendergraph, as well
and it’s not Hayes-level defense and rebounding
I’m interested inTuriaf as well, as far back as June 2009 Roy was requesting a player like Ronny be added to the Blazer’s roster. Even after Jeff and Dante were drafted, the need was still there. It still is
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Maybe he's not.
I’m not a Houston fan.
If I can’t have Dalembert, I will be happy as long as LA has a back up that isnt already on the roster.
Pendy over a guard. Plus Turiaff or Hayes is really whats needed.
just win baby !
by FrenchieFan on Nov 27, 2011 11:09 AM PST up reply actions
Speed isn't Hayes' game
His first name is Chuck, not Bob (google Bob Hayes)
CH plays near the basket and he’s physical in the post without being a foul collector. He can push out just about anyone in the league not named Oden
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Hayes is still improving
Has made impressive strides as a passer through his career(2.7 Assists per game, career high), which was a necessary step for him due to his size to become a truly valuable role player. 52% from the field on a career high 6.3 attempts per game, his 8 rebounds a game also a career high. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hayesch01.html
Sign Chuck.
Forget about Jeff Pendergraph and Dante Cunnigham, who are scrubs.
The same goes for Chris Johnson, who’s another scrub getting too much love.
This team needs to quit employing scrubs. For once, the front office has to finally address the roster’s pitiful frontline depth by bringing in quality backups at the 4 and 5 spots.
"I Am Mine"
I agree about Pendy & Cunningham, but..
While Johnson had a small sample size in the playoffs, he was playing quality minutes against Finals MVP Dirk Nowitzki & the NBA champion Dallas Mavericks when the minutes really mattered.
He is able to play solid man defense against stretch 4’s, he also has the athleticism & range allows him to be a very good weak side zone defender. Not only that but he isn’t afraid to throw it down off a good setup from a drive or an alley oop(hoping we continue to rely on it). I’d much rather have CJ’s skillset on our team then Pendy or Cunningham honestly & I beleive he will find his niche in the NBA much like Chuck Hayes(Hayes/Johnson would be a fun Thick N Thin defensive post duo to get thrown at teams we blow out..)
For how cheap his cost is & the role he carved out as a 5th big man on the roster, he isn’t a scrub, thats a role player. For spot minutes, any championship contender would welcome him with open arms to their bench units – Miami sure could have used him against Dallas.
Christmas......
Is my birthday…. This will be the best Christmas ever! We gotta go with CJ at some level. He has even bulked up a little and was looking like he’s ready to play at the LA charity game. I can’t imagine life without BRoy, but I’ll have to start thinking that way. Good thing Wes Money is in the house.
KennyP
by ontheblock on Nov 26, 2011 8:52 AM PST via mobile reply actions
And mine is Christmas Eve ;-)
CJ and Pendy, please. Both looked great at LMA’s charity game, and Jeff has bulk and badassery.
Yeah...
I was born on July 12th… YIPEEE!
Seriouly though, where's Waldo?
by halfasiansensation on Nov 26, 2011 9:39 PM PST up reply actions
I agree 100%
Does anyone know if the amnesty is actually IN the new deal?.. Or if the “time released” twist was included?
#7... GO BLAZERS!!!
Both have been reported in this CBA
But we have 10 years to exercise the one amnesty cut and no jump in luxury tax rate for two years.
Wait, 10 years?
That would require teams to be allowed to amnesty a player that isn’t currently signed. Wasn’t that a limitation on amnesty?
Yes it was. No one has 10 years because no contract lasts that long.
"You're not too smart, are you? I like that in a man." - Matty Walker in Body Heat (1981)
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Nov 26, 2011 9:35 PM PST up reply actions
Didn't Magic Johnson once sign a 25 year deal?
IIRC, Jerry Buss was still paying Earvin for “personal services” up until a few years ago
There’s one strategy that we will never see again, at least not as part of an official contract
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Wasn't that settled in 1994 when Magic Johnson got a percentage of the Lakers?
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1355/is_n11_v86/ai_15597538/
In 2010, however, Johnson reportedly sold off his remaining shares of the franchise.
http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/news/story?id=5700193
"I Am Mine"
Yeah, I guess earning a million a year
didn’t look as good in ’94 as it had a decade earlier.
For some odd reason I don’t keep up with the L*kers, unless they’re playing Portland
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
The last report was
that waiving a player under amnesty would have to be done before the start of the regular season.
If this is still the case, Portland would have until Dec 25 to waive him under amnesty. But they could also keep him this season and waive him before the start of the 2012-13 season or the 2013-14 season….
But no waiving under amnesty mid-season.
by Storyteller on Nov 26, 2011 10:54 AM PST up reply actions
wow, waving Roy on Dec 25?
that would be brutal, and it sounds just like something the uber-sensitive Blazer’s front office would do
Roy has to prove he can play hard 4-5 times a week on those cronic knees. Last spring was not promising, Brandon’s productivity took a big drop and he only had 2-3 outstanding games (but who can forget the finish against the Mavs?) It’s not going to be an easy/popular decision, but Paul’s made the local fans unhappy in the past (Adelman firing, etc) when he felt it was the right thing to do
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
They'd probably waive him long before the deadline, if they plan to.
The only reason they’d wait is if they see problems in training camp or the abbreviated preseason.
Would this be a one-time option, but can be used in any offseason?
Or do they get a new one each offseason? I presume it’s a one-time thing but haven’t seen any confirmation.
all previous reports
were that amnesty was once per team over the life of the CBA, and had to be done in the offseason
"But if Ding Dongs and prime rib were the path to NBA pivot stardom we'd all be wearing the uniform." -Dave
geez it kinda ruins the amensty for me
i wanted to see him play for a couple months. if he was still incapable of performing at a high level—hes gone. But, if he comes back able to kill it, keep him.
by cavejunctionblazer on Nov 26, 2011 1:03 PM PST up reply actions
Even if he plays alright, your never going to get the play out of him to justify the money
As much as it pains us to do we need to free up that money and use it for players that will help us at a cheaper price
With no hard cap that may not be an issue
What I mean is that having Roy takes up a roster spot (as does Barron) but not what we can pay another player.
Waive Baron and sign Pryzbilla
How long do we have to name our amnesty clause victim?
The Dude abides.
by BrewDude on Nov 26, 2011 9:06 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
Przy +1
If Joel wants to give it another go
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Sorry, can't risk more bad knees.
Now all we need is the rest of the roster to get into "how can everybody help Nicco and Oden" mode. -- Oden Mad, Oden Smash! Sep 29, 2010 7:47 PM
I understand some people seem more injury-prone than others...
…but every ambulatory human being (any capable of playing in the NBA anyway) has two knees, and seeing as they are all built more or less the same way, they are all susceptible to catastrophic injury.
Bad luck? Well, nothing we can do about that…
by StellarN00ntide on Nov 26, 2011 8:55 PM PST up reply actions
Greg had the same m/f surgery on the other knee in 2007
and he didn’t have any difficulties with that knee, afterwards. Could he become re-injured again? Sure, all NBA players carry that risk. But Oden has meniscus and Roy does not, which puts them in 2 different risk categories, going foward. Greg is also a beast of a center, they are much more rare than all-star shooting guards
Do the Blazers “owe” Roy for his past accomplishments? Sure, and Brandon will be paid handsomely by Paul Allen, regardless if he remains on Portland’s roster in 2012 or beyond. Should the Blazers financially “penalize” Oden for the games he hasn’t played? If they do, there’s little doubt that another NBA team will step in and reward Greg for his potential.
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Predisposition
Some knees are predisposed (either due to genetics, childhood diet, previous injury, body weight) to be weaker or stronger than others. I have serious doubts either Oden’s or Roy’s knees will suddenly turn stable.
by Jackalope 66 on Nov 27, 2011 10:32 AM PST up reply actions
If Joel Przybilla tries to rejoin the team, he should be put down like Old Yeller.
All kidding aside, though, retirement is in order for Przybilla.
"I Am Mine"
So who's calling the shots right now?
Where does the search for a new GM stand?
Paul and Bert, who else?
Blazers call off their search for a GM a week before the new CBA is tentatively agreed upon?
The irony never ends
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
"We been brain trusted!"
Now all we need is the rest of the roster to get into "how can everybody help Nicco and Oden" mode. -- Oden Mad, Oden Smash! Sep 29, 2010 7:47 PM
I guess part 2 of the question is, what's Paul Allen's health?
There are rumors that he’s looking to sell both the Blazers and Seahawks, is that related to his health? Maybe he will just muddle through the free-agency period with an interim GM, and then allow a new owner to hire a full-time GM?
The lack of a GM is a disaster
ESPN has been running a list of winners and losers; we are definitely in the list of losers if for no other reason than we have no GM to work around the clock at understanding what the CBA means for free agents and for running a cost/benefits analysis on Roy and Oden. Who is doing this for every other team? The GM. Who is doing this for the Blazers ? ? ?
by Jackalope 66 on Nov 26, 2011 10:08 AM PST up reply actions
The Blazers have an in-house capologist
Joe Cronin is his name
No doubt they need a real GM ASAP, but at least they have someone to crunch the numbers
And they can always hire a consultant, or three
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
they can always hire a consultant, or three
I propose that storyteller be one of the 3
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
by two4larue on Nov 26, 2011 10:15 AM PST up reply actions 2 recs
they also have
a real life “Money Ball” guy…I met him at the practice facility last week…
I don’t see them winning the title immediately. Nicolas Batum
Is his last name something like Kah?
I was wondering if he would be consulted by the Vulcans again, after he mentioned the Blazers went against his advice to draft Oden instead of Durant
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Yeah, him too
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
I love you storyteller. Great work as always.
DUDE! Im sorry I never got back to you about the nebraska / Ohio state game! I had checked out from all sports blogs getting fed up with the lockout and totally missed ur message. Just recently saw it. Man that game would have been epic too to watch with a fellow fan!
we miss you round these parts, dario
come back to b edge!
"If I had a dime for every basket I made today, you'd still suck!" - from the book 'John Dies @ the End'
by sammymohawk on Nov 26, 2011 10:30 AM PST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
No worries, my friend
Just glad we weren’t watching the Northwestern game together….
by Storyteller on Nov 26, 2011 10:47 AM PST up reply actions
Money wise
If they can move Matthews to save cap space do so and start Batum at SG. Find a stiff of the month for your center.
It’s the new NBA.
I think everyone was just going to pretend like
this comment wasn’t here.
by AR-15 on Nov 26, 2011 11:44 AM PST up reply actions 2 recs
yeah, lol why in the world would Portland move Matthews?
by hoodieNation on Nov 26, 2011 11:51 AM PST up reply actions
but they still have Born and Buchanan
Mike and Chad were most-responsible for bringing Wesley to Portland
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Game wise
Hell no! I’d rather have Batum be a backup sf and sg. We$ was a godsend last season and his ankle is better now.
Logjam
Matthews-Roy-Wallace-Batum (Elliott Williams?)
96 minutes to go around, if they’re all healthy that’s a problem. Nate will probably play Gerald/Nic some at the 4, but that’s not a playoff-series-winning solution
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
I don't agree.
I happen to like Gerald at the 4 against a lot of teams. Does he match up with Pao? No. Does he match up with jeff green? I’d say so.
by Oden Mad, Oden Smash! on Nov 26, 2011 10:37 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
the problem
as we learned late last year, GW really doesn’t like to mix it up inside. He’d rather slash from the perimeter and leak out on the FB
small lineups are useful during the regular season, but it takes length and bangers to prevail in May. Something Portland hasn’t done for 10+ years
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
I'm in agreement here.
Wallace wants to be a 3, and tends to succeed there the most. You always want to put players in a position to succeed. Unfortunately it means a move to the bench for Nic Batum, which could become a story this season, unless Nate decides to use the compressed schedule to his advantage at the SF position, which is very possible.
yeah i agree
GW doesnt like to play center or pf, hes said so b4. I hate the fact we have so many players playing out of position. LMA and Camby both are PF not centers. We need 2 good centers. I hope Oden recovers, but we need a FA big ASAP!
by cavejunctionblazer on Nov 26, 2011 1:09 PM PST up reply actions
Well I wouldn't bet on Roy playing a lot of minutes
So really just Batum Wallace, Matthews Williams. Batum might be able to play some 2, depends who we are playing against.
I'd rather Nic defend the perimeter than the post
and (if reports from France are true) Batum may have developed enough handles to play the 2
Roy will play because he’s is being paid. His knees will determine how much, not Nate
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
sign Chuck Hayes or Ronny Turiaf
The front court needs a banger, Oden and Camby are perennial health risks. LMA doesn’t need to be playing center or constantly defending the strongest beast on the other team
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
How bout ERIN Gray?
I think she’s a better scorer… But he’s a little better rebounder…
#7... GO BLAZERS!!!
by Ilikeemall on Nov 26, 2011 10:27 AM PST up reply actions 3 recs
I think her spandexability
expired about 20 years ago.
by TheThinWhiteDuke on Nov 26, 2011 4:27 PM PST up reply actions
I've been hoping for no more than a 50 game season...
and no season at all if that’s what it would take to really “fix” the NBA. But, I guess we can’t always get what we wish for. Duh!
I’m tired of the Roy situation, and if the Blazers can move him and save a boat load of money at the same time, I say DO IT!
Not sure about the rest of the roster moves. I think I’d pretty much stand pat with the squad with the exception of Roy. I do know that I like Chris Johnson’s game a lot and hope they keep him.
If we stand pat and just waive Roy
we are going backwards. Explain why that would be a good idea?
Happiest morning of the year so far!
Actually really like the 12 we are committed to. Sign CJ, waive Barron, then go after Chuck Hayes or Carl Landry. I was really excited the past couple of weeks seeing Crawford’s interest in being in Portland, but sadly I see no room for him without some changes being made.
Can't have both Roy and Crawford on this roster
and they couldn’t defend anyone as a backcourt combo, regardless
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Yet they would be fine.
The reigning champions had a starting backcourt of Stevenson and Kidd.
by Oden Mad, Oden Smash! on Nov 26, 2011 10:40 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
Jason is a HoF PG
Sure Kidd is old, but he was draining 3’s like nobody’s business against Portland, last April
LMA is no Dirk
A Roy-Crawford backcourt would put a healthy Oden in instant foul jeopardy. I’d prefer Portland’s perimeter defense to be more like a web than a sieve
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
With the timing of the rumor and the capitulation of an agreement, it makes sense
I imagine Allen may have been considering selling the Blazers all along, and was using selling the Blazers as a bargaining chip to get a better deal for the owners than they eventually achieved. Well, thanks for all of the good years, and I’m not sure that I will prefer someone else who isn’t using Blazer ownership as a means to play out an ego chess match, because they may not care as much about winning.
Faith applied reasonably is practical magic.
by Matthews vs Roy... Fight! on Nov 26, 2011 9:59 AM PST up reply actions
the trade for Gerald Wallace (who's salary exceeded the luxury tax) was even more telling
but who knows? The lockout may have soured PA. We should find out fairly soon
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
i would like to see laundry And pendegraph
i was never a big jp fan but he was looking really good at uop
The way I see it without knowing all there is to know
Drop Barren. Pick up Pendergraph or Joel. Keep in mind the chance of Freeland coming over next year. We could possibly trade Armon Johnson if we keep smith because we have Williams to look at. I don’t have the foggiest who to trade him for though.
hg
no MD's up in here
I JUST WANT MY BASKETBALL BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
by Sean in Vancouver on Nov 26, 2011 9:35 PM PST up reply actions
Our line-up for this year IMO should be
to begin with Starting 5Felton
Wesley
Wallace
LMA
Camby
second unit
Smith or Armon?
BRoy
Batum
C Johnson or Babbitt?
Greg.
special units
Felton
Wesely
Batum
wallace
LMA
I haven’t any idea how to obtain this
hg
One lineup I am most excited for allows Roy to hide on defense.
Roy
Batum
Wallace
Camby
Oden
/drool
by Oden Mad, Oden Smash! on Nov 26, 2011 10:42 AM PST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
When Roy is on the floor, he needs good defenders and floor spreaders
Batum and go both, Matthews is now the team’s best floor-spreader
I’m sure we’ll be hearing the “Roy as PG” chant starting up, but that is not his mindset. When Brandon turns the corner his eyes are fixed on the rim, and when he’s cut off, his thoughts go immediately towards the corner
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Batum and go both
“Batum can do both”
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
I dont see Roy starting,
in a second unit with Nolan and Nico, we don’t have to label who brings whe ball up the floor. I’m not worried about Roy or Nicos offense. Nolan will get in where he fits in.
Tired of the pg musical chairs. Let’s talk about getiing LA some help for the long haul. I want rings !!!
We can now hide Roys D. Defense wins championships.
just win baby !
Defense and rebounding wins championships
the Blazers are below-average at both. A healthy Oden signed long-term is primo
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Reality is,
Oden spends more time on the bench than on the court. If the Blazers want rings, they have to be prepared for that when Camby retires. Sooner, rather than later.
Priority# 1 should be a big man. I can be a puppet and spam just like anyone else to fill the gm role for a month.
just win baby !
by FrenchieFan on Nov 27, 2011 10:57 AM PST up reply actions
I would sign another veteran big man in addition to LMA, Camby, CJ and Oden
perhaps I haven’t made that clear?
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
At least once in a home game
I would love to see Felton or Smith, BRoy, Batum or Wallace, LMA and Greg playing together. For no other reason then to fullfill my dream.
Even now if both Greg and BRoy are healthy enough that would be a great line-up.
Of course Greg and LMA together would be awesome in the middle.
hg
I like Nolan as our backup pg from the get go myself
Armon may or may not get first crack at it, but ultimately I think it’s Nolan either way so we may as well just skip the second string Steve Blake/Andre Miller charade
"If I had a dime for every basket I made today, you'd still suck!" - from the book 'John Dies @ the End'
by sammymohawk on Nov 26, 2011 10:46 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
bad news for Armon
The kid has some potential as an NBA backup, but as soon as Portland drafted Smith and signed Felton, AJ’s PT went from slim to none. The lack of a summer league this off-season was another nail in his Blazer coffin. He’s been working out in Reno—yikes!
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
He's not working out in Reno, he's coaching
Which, frankly, isn’t a terrible use of his time. More NBA players should consider coaching in the offseason.
he needs to be playing PG against his peers
6 months of lost developmental time is an eternity for a young PG
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
and I hope AJ was working on his right hand
during those coaching drills
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
yeah but he's coaching freshmen in high school
Which, if I remember clearly a few years ago, is more focused on teaching fundamentals and identifying athletic potential than it is on actual basketball concepts relatable to the NBA game
If you weren't a jail blazers fan...
you aren't a trail blazers fan.
by rudy fernandez forever on Nov 26, 2011 11:50 AM PST via iPhone app up reply actions
yep
NBA players never need to work on fundamentals
I JUST WANT MY BASKETBALL BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
by Sean in Vancouver on Nov 26, 2011 9:37 PM PST up reply actions
AJ should have gone to the dribble specialist
that Bayless used a few years ago
It’s a nice story that Armon wants to hlep coach the kids, but he would have been better served playing pick-up games against NBA-caliber competition. Court vision and “making the right decision” as a 20+ year old PG can’t really be developed playing against 15-17 year olds
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Maybe he realizes...
he may need a backup profession?
AJ does not need help dribbling. He has the best handles on the team, hands down.
His problem is driving to the right and limiting turnovers. The driving issue is more about footwork and body positioning than dribbling for him. The turnover issue is the real biggie, and you are right that he needs experience for that. The development of EWill will determine if we have room for that project.
Faith applied reasonably is practical magic.
by Matthews vs Roy... Fight! on Dec 1, 2011 2:57 PM PST up reply actions
Yeah, it *is* too bad. He has serious handles
and a strong work ethic. It is way too early to throw in the towel on him, but the Blazers have 2 better bets already, so they should trade him.
Faith applied reasonably is practical magic.
by Matthews vs Roy... Fight! on Nov 26, 2011 4:23 PM PST up reply actions
I think AJ will have an NBA career
but he’d be better off going somewhere he can play. Soon
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
If Oden can play, he starts!
Now all we need is the rest of the roster to get into "how can everybody help Nicco and Oden" mode. -- Oden Mad, Oden Smash! Sep 29, 2010 7:47 PM
TIme for Changes
Ok, here is my take (for what its worth). Honestly, just happy we can all have a take
1. Christmas must bring the Amnesty Clause, not the Santa Clause for BROY. Sorry, but its true, we can, under the new CBA rules, have this much salary for the 7th man (I put Nic at 6th)
2. GO is the real challeneg. He will get a offer, do we match? It depends on the amnesty clause rules, I have heard multiple variations. ROy goes first, but do we get to use it agaiN?
3. Probabaly go after Carl Landry with Mid level for beef up front.
4. Keep Camby for sign and trade. The melo rule still in place, so valuble trade chip. Also, if the amnesty clause is transferable, may be only reason to keep a BROY (albeit unlikley)
5. Dont be surpirse if they go after Crawford as 6th man off bench if they dump roy. He plays 1 and 2 (came in as PG). That lineup of Canby, LA, Wallace, Wes, Felton with Crawford, Nic, CJ, maybe a GO is just plain ole filthy
6. Depth will be a huge thing with all the back to backs. We will need guys like Patty, Nolan Smith, Babbit and dont forget the wild card, Elliot Williams, to contribute on any given night to spell the starters.
7. A GM may be nice, maybe
Let the fun begin
We don't have patty until the end of March.
Faith applied reasonably is practical magic.
by Matthews vs Roy... Fight! on Nov 26, 2011 4:24 PM PST up reply actions
If Mills is "the answer" next March
then I don’t want to know the question
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
by two4larue on Nov 26, 2011 4:32 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
One amnesty clause during the life of the CBA
It can be used next fall so no need to exercise it until they see Brandon play a season. GO cannot be used because it is a contract after July 1,2011
We have a reduced ($3M) mid-level. Will that get Landry?
Cannot get Crawford and Landry. Most likely Crawford will get full mid-level from a non-tax team.
Patty cannot sign – belongs to the Chinese Flying Tigers.
I could be wrong....
..but I’m not sure this is 100% right…
•Portland can sign Oden to a contract different from the qualifying offer, one that represents more or less money than the qualifying offer for one or more years.
My understanding is that initially, if the Blazers make an offer, it had to fit the definition of “Qualifying Offer”, which fell into two specific definitions. There was a 1 year possibility, which was the offer The Blazers did tenure…and there was a longer option for more years at a ridiculous amount…BUT at least at first..those were the only two offers The Blazers could make. They could not initially sign Oden to a different contract than the qualifying offer. My understanding is that IF Oden accepts the qualifyer, once he is signed to it, then for the year he is The Blazers player, they could THEN attempt to extend him or resign him. In other words? If Oden accepts the Qualifyer, The Blazers have a season to try to convince him to sign an extension or longer contract. But that would entirely be up to Oden.
So I think it’s technically incorrect to say Portland can sign Oden to an contract other than the qualifier. I think it’s more correct to say, If Oden accepts the Qualifier, Portland can THEN attempt to renegotiate and resign Oden to a contract other than the Qualifier.
"Mother Nature started this fight, I think it's about time we ended it!"
They can make him a different offer now. So can any other team (with cap space or exceptions).
But if he doesn’t like it, they can’t pull back the 1 year QO that will make him an unrestricted free agent in 2012
That's not my understanding....
I believe The Blazers can initially only offer the qualifier. Oden is in control of either accepting it or rejecting it….
If this wasn’t the case? Why would The Blazers make the 1 year qualifying offer? Because quite frankly it sucks. 1 year for 9 million dollars and then you become an unrestricted free agent? Is a poor deal for The Blazers. If you had the option of making “any” offer to Oden, other than one restricted by the definition of Qualifier, I think you would make it.
You might be able to make simultaneous offers? Like here’s the qualifiying offer…AND we would like you to consider this offer as well…..BUT I think from the Blazers P.O.V. Oden must decide whether he wants to accept the qualifier…and renegotiate…or reject and take restricted free-agent offers from other teams…I do not think the Blazer ’could" simply NOT offer the qualifier and present whatever deal they wanted to Oden.
"Mother Nature started this fight, I think it's about time we ended it!"
yes they can
the Blazers had to make him the QO before the close of business last season, or else he would be unrestricted.
Once December 9 rolls around, they, like every other team, can make him any offer they want that fits within the cap rules. This will be available simultaneous to the QO, which continues to sit on the table for him.
"But if Ding Dongs and prime rib were the path to NBA pivot stardom we'd all be wearing the uniform." -Dave
Norsk has it right, Krang
The QO was made so that Oden would be a restricted FA. If the QO was not made, he’d be an unrestricted FA.
If Oden accepts the QO, that’s his contract for the year.
As a practical example, remember Rudy Gay. On June 30, 2010, the Grizzlies made Rudy Gay a 1 year QO in the amount of $4.4 million. He then became a restricted free agent on July 1, 2010. On July 8, 2010, he signed a 5 year contract for $82 million with the Grizzlies.
The QO is an offer, no more, no less. It can be accepted or rejected.
by Storyteller on Nov 26, 2011 10:46 AM PST up reply actions
Okay...
…minor point…BUT what I’m asking is, or thinking is I thought Greg had to accept or reject the Qualifier first…I know if he accepts it? THEN The Blazers could make any offer they want to Oden….
I understand that simply making the Qualifier is the action that makes Oden a “restricted” free-agent. But my point is the leverage, or choice is all with Oden. The Blazers cannot…initially…say…here’s the Qualifier..BUT….we don’t really mean it…here’s the offer we are really making…
The Blazers HAD to make a decision as to whether to offer the Qualifier, and once offered it is real, tangible and on the table. The next move is Odens….not The Blazers.
Yes the Qualifying OFFER is an offer….that’s my point. But once made, it’s real. And again….if the Blazers could initially go outside the definition of the Qualifying Offer and " Sign Oden to a contract different from the qualifying offer ". Why wouldn’t you do it? The Qualifying offer as it stands…is NOT advantageous to The Blazers.
It’s semantics and a minor point. But The Blazers do not initially have the leverage to “sign Oden to a contract different from the Qualifying offer”….First Oden has the choice to accept the qualifier or reject the qualifier. Then the Blazers I think are free to TRY to sign Oden to an offer different from the Qualifier…but it is significant that the leverage and choice is now Odens….not the Blazers.
"Mother Nature started this fight, I think it's about time we ended it!"
It doesn't work that way. The Blazers can make another offer to Oden on Dec 9.
Both the QO and a new offer will be on the table simultaneously.
"You're not too smart, are you? I like that in a man." - Matty Walker in Body Heat (1981)
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Nov 26, 2011 11:07 AM PST up reply actions
It's just the other way around
Except that yes, the leverage is all with Oden
The QO will indeed sit there on the table with the Blazers not able to unilaterally able to pull it back (for quite some time at least, and that time is closer to the playoffs than to Christmas).
While the QO just sits there, Oden and his agent will file other offers for longer-term deals from teams around the league and the Blazers, if there are any. If he decided he doesn’t like to accept one of those, he takes the QO. If he does accept one of those, the Blazers will have a week to match that offer and the QO sitting there becomes irrelevant.
If I'm understanding your question
the answer is that Portland can have more than one offer on the table to Oden. They can simultaneously offer him $8.8 million for one year (the QO) and $40 million for 4 years and $22 million for 2 years (or whatever combination of offers they want to make).
If Oden takes another offer, then by definition he’s rejecting the QO. But the Blazers don’t have to wait for him to make a concrete decision about the QO before making any other offers they want to.
by Storyteller on Nov 26, 2011 11:10 AM PST up reply actions
What we don't know is how long the Blazers gave Oden to accept the QO.
Under the previous CBA that could have been as short as October 1 or as long as March 1. I would think they gave him the entire time limit (March 1) so he wouldn’t be inclined to take the QO (which is not in their best interest). Nevertheless, we don’t know that for sure. (If they gave him a date prior to Dec 9 – again that seems unlikely to me – then we don’t know how much time the CBA settlement would provide him after Dec 9.)
"You're not too smart, are you? I like that in a man." - Matty Walker in Body Heat (1981)
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Nov 26, 2011 11:19 AM PST up reply actions
It is out there until they withdraw it or he signs an offer sheet or another contract with Portland
The QO can be pulled at any time until he accepts it but I do not believe there is a predetermined time at the time of the offer (except informally they can say accept it by X date or we withdraw it then. For GO the QO gives him the best of both worlds.
There is predetermined time if the Blazers set one when they made the offer.
Larry Coon’s Salary Cap FAQ
Q.37
A qualifying offer cannot be accepted after March 1. Teams may place a shorter time limit on their qualifying offer, specifying any date between October 1 and March 1 by which it must be accepted. If the deadline passes and the qualifying offer is neither withdrawn nor accepted, then the player continues to be a restricted free agent. The team and player are also still free to negotiate a new contract after the qualifying offer ends — the deadline only affects the player’s ability to accept the qualifying offer.
"You're not too smart, are you? I like that in a man." - Matty Walker in Body Heat (1981)
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Nov 26, 2011 9:27 PM PST up reply actions
That's fine...
I did ask above if Portland could simultaneously tender 2 offers.
I wasn’t a 100% sure Portland could offer the Qualifier AND also put a different self defined offer on the table.
I thought last October when The Blazers decided to not extend Odens rookie contract, they limited themselves to the constraints of the parameters of making a Qualifying Offer. Which I thought was a restrictive definition as to what initial offer the Blazers could make.
I did not know, that before Oden made any formal decision about The Qualifier, and once free agency starts…that The Blazers could act like any team on the open market…and simultaneously have not only the Qualifier on the table BUT another offer as well.
It’s not typical that teams make simultaneous offers.
But bottom line…the next move is Odens…it’s techinically incorrect to say The Blazers Can Sign him to an offer other than the Qualifier. They evidently can make OTHER additional offers….but whether they can sign him to those offers is entirely up to Oden and his desires.
"Mother Nature started this fight, I think it's about time we ended it!"
"I believe The Blazers can initially only offer the qualifier."
This was true through June 30th. Once the free agent period starts, Portland will no longer be limited in offering ONLY the QO.
by Storyteller on Nov 26, 2011 10:51 AM PST up reply actions
If Oden accepts the QO, the Blazers can still negotiate an extension, correct?
Law of Logical Argument
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
by blacknoiseNW on Nov 26, 2011 1:36 PM PST up reply actions
Nope
If he accepts the QO, he’ll be an unrestricted FA next summer. No extension possible.
He could still re-sign with Portland next summer in that scenario, but couldn’t get an extension before then.
It would be a very risky move by Greg, too.
If he plays well, he’d get a big contract. But any further injuries would seriously hurt his next offer. On the other hand, if he takes a decent offer now over, say, 3 years, he’ll get significantly more than the QO, plus some job security and peace of mind.
So as I've said - if he takes the QO he won't play until March.
And then he won’t play back to backs. He’ll play low minutes, sit out some games for soreness, etc. Play just enough for 3-5 weeks to show the league he is ready for a big contract as a UFA in the summer and he still gets $7.1M (66/82 * $8.8M) for this year.
"You're not too smart, are you? I like that in a man." - Matty Walker in Body Heat (1981)
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Nov 26, 2011 4:21 PM PST up reply actions
Can't rule it out, but it would be a risk for Greg if he got injured.
Also, I’d question his ethics in that situation. That’s nor far from what Vince Carter did in Toronto. Unless he re-signed with Portland, he’d be persona non grata here from that day.
Yeah, that kind of finagling would not play well in Portland.
With that said, I wouldn’t blame Oden if he pulled that stunt.
You got to do what you got to do.
"I Am Mine"
The QO locks him in for the season, no?
Similarly, Portland cannot renegotiate Babbitt’s deal to 00.00 dollars this season, even though it seems like a much better offer from a Blazer perspective. A deal’s a deal.
/s
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Nov 26, 2011 10:31 AM PST up reply actions
Great roundup, as usual. Thank you for all that you do.
The roster has some athletic ability at PG, wing, and in LaMarcus, but I fear Nate is far too stubborn to give Felton the freedom to run the floor. It looks like another half court, limp into the playoffs Blazer team that fails to develop any of its youth, including Nic Batum and Nolan Smith. Only injuries to Roy and Camby (which are far from far fetched, really) could cause Nate change it up, but even a lineup with Gerald at the 4 might be suspect to long possessions that yield poor % outside shots much of the time. Outside of LMA and Roy on 2 days rest, this team just doesn’t have any offensive pop.
I’ll hope for more, but I’ve seen this act too many times to think differently.
/s
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Nov 26, 2011 10:29 AM PST reply actions
But let's suppose, for a second, that Roy does miss some time. Who gets his minutes?
Williams? Armon? Nolan? Nic at the two more?
I say play Nic 30+ minutes a game, no matter what. It’s time to see what this young man is really made of. We all know that’s not going to happen though…
/s
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Nov 26, 2011 10:35 AM PST up reply actions
Matthews, Batum and Wallace should all play 30+ mpg
High 30s for Wesley and Gerald
It’s a 2-3 logjam that amnesty would solve. No one knows how “ready” Elliott Williams will be
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Not so sure...
Remember that run with LMA going beast-like last season when B.Roy was out? I think we may see a lot more up-tempo, high-flying Blazer basketball like that this season.
"Coach said to always be careful around Greg, because Greg costs a lot and even the slightest amount of basketball can damage him." -- The Onion
My hope is that Nate will let Felton run PnR with LMA
fingers crossed, but more likely we’ll see Roy and the 1-4 cross-overs
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
I am thinking we will have both
Last year in the play-offs our high flying act was limited tremendously because the Mavs tightened up on their turn-overs and they got most of the rebounds. Therefore we need a better half court game with floor spreaders when that happens.
We only need three guys to fast break, If Camby or and Greg are healthy and can get the rebound we can be off flying; with Mathews healthier ankle, him and Batum can be both. High flyer’s and half court spacers..
hg
"I think we may see a lot more up-tempo, high-flying Blazer basketball like that this season."
Nope, not going to happen.
Coaches dictate pace, end of story.
With Nate McMillan as coach, Portland will be at or near the bottom in pace factor each and every year.
I’m more than satisfied with that, too.
"I Am Mine"
between LMA, Crash, Nico, Wes, and Ray
I feel ok about what we’re bringing to the table
"If I had a dime for every basket I made today, you'd still suck!" - from the book 'John Dies @ the End'
by sammymohawk on Nov 26, 2011 10:55 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
i'm very excited to see what Felton can do
moreso than any other Blazer at this point.
by hoodieNation on Nov 26, 2011 10:59 AM PST up reply actions
No matter what,
I’m going to pledge to myself to enjoy my team and not take them for granted.
NBA basketball. It’s far from perfect, but the Blazers are always perfectly lovable to me.
/s
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Nov 26, 2011 11:15 AM PST up reply actions
I KNOW!
I’m just beside myself with excitement that we get to talk about THIS instead of the lockout, Patty’s adventures, and so on. Gonna feel like Christmas all the way til’ Christmas!
Not obsessed with a championship. Just love watching basketball.
by ericbenjamin on Nov 26, 2011 11:06 AM PST up reply actions
What I think is going to happen? I have NO idea!!
Especially with No GM STILL
What I hope will happen:
Blazers are able to sign Oden to a 3 year contract just shy of $8 Mil a year, but load it with incentives if he accomplishes things (LIKE PLAYING IN GAMES OF BASKETBALL).
Blazers Release Barron
This should leave two spots, so my hope is they are able to sign two decent (like potentially could be a starter on lower tier teams) players with experience, one in the front court, one in the backcourt (Maybe too expensive but I like the Jamal Crawford talk and someone like Glen Davis, Chuck Hayes, DeAndre Jordan, Carl Landry, ect.) People will call foul for the Elliot Willams and Nolan Smith, but I don’t like relying on two unprovens completely for our back ups. They can learn from the vets and earn their time if their play warrents it, or be a vital piece in bringing us something else in the future.
OR (Dreaming Here)
Nene and Nuggets can’t work something out, we are able to work a double sign and trade with Oden (Maybe Nolan, Elliot, or Luke) and Nene being the central pieces (JUST NOT INCLUDING BATUM!)
OR (Completely Delusional Here)
Howard and Magic are coming to the realization they are going to have to part ways. Oden comes back and does well and we are able to work a trade with those two under the understanding Howard (and Oden if needed contract wise) will sign extensions with their new teams!!!! (Batum or Wallace might have to go here, but this is one of the only conditions I would OK it, obviously if that were to happen resign the SF of the two left)
I think if you read the fine print of the new CBA
there’s a clause that says Howard will become a L*ker, and The Magic will get little in return
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Great work, Storyteller.
Here’s what I’d like to see:
1. Find GM ASAP.
2. Amnesty Roy.
3. Sign Oden to multi-year contract.
4. Waive Barron, but keep Chris Johnson.
5. Sign Landry and possibly Crawford.
6. Prepare for dominance.
"Nicolas! You're the strongest boy in the world!"
Isn't "Fire Nate" somewhere on this list?
Or, are we waiting for the scrappiness?
I'll give him one more year.
Never been a big Nate fan, but I’d like to see what he can do with a (hopefully) healthy lineup for once.
"Nicolas! You're the strongest boy in the world!"
What's Oden's Value?
How much would you be willing to give up for the risk you’d be taking on Oden? Signing him to a multi-year contract could seriously hamstring us for the length of those “multi-years” if his knee goes out again. I’d switch out your #3 with a “Sign two decent, healthy bigs.” Landry doesn’t count . . .
by Jackalope 66 on Nov 26, 2011 2:40 PM PST up reply actions
We're talking about this over in the other fanpost too.
3 years and 8-10 million seems like a possible offer. If things go bad, it looks like the CBA gives the ability to spread that out over a longer period of time.
Per year?
Since that’s what Bargnani or Noah make. And a healthy Oden is in that price category.
Which makes it extremely risky re-signing him now, or matching an offer by a GM “having” to spend a lot of money now with a massively raised minimum salary floor for a roster. Say, Sacramento or Indiana throwing a 30-40 million offer at him.
Oh yeah, sorry, I meant per year. 3 years and 24-30 million.
It’s a very risky signing by Portland, mitigated by the ability to spread it out.
Like you, I’m wondering if another GM will make a bigger offer now that they’re forced to spend more money. Indiana comes to mind even more than Sacramento.
Everything depends on whether or not Paul Allen has decided he wants to sell the Blazers.
If he wants to sell he will start putting the team into a better financial position. That means a low offer (if any) to Oden and no match if he gets a high offer from another team. It means amnesty Roy.
On the other hand, if Paul still wants to take another shot on the Blazers then he will offer Oden a big contract, and keep Roy for this year to see what happens to his knees (he can amnesty him next year if Roy can’t contribute).
Either way, he still has to decide if he wants to trade Batum. If he thinks Wallace will stay (not opt-out next summer) then he may want to package Batum and Camby (for a salary match) to pickup a big addition at the trade deadline (if there is a trade deadline this year). That’s risky because Wallace could decide to leave anyway. So more likely he would go through this year with Batum and Wallace and then decide what to do next summer depending on whether Wallace opts out or not, and depending on how Batum plays this year.
"You're not too smart, are you? I like that in a man." - Matty Walker in Body Heat (1981)
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Nov 26, 2011 11:45 AM PST reply actions
Elliot Williams
The lost man… Does he become our defensive 2 off the bench? Kinda interested to hear/see where he’s at at this point…
2011/2012 - Return of the mythical Groden... Sec310.
I don't even know what Elliot brings to the table other than extreme jumping, lol.
Looking forward to this year.
by hoodieNation on Nov 26, 2011 12:23 PM PST up reply actions
Yeah I'm really curious about Smith and Williams
I have such low expectations of Williams, and I’m very curious why people are high on Smith.
He has class and craft.
Smith is the type of horse you want to bet on coming into its first maiden race.
Now all we need is the rest of the roster to get into "how can everybody help Nicco and Oden" mode. -- Oden Mad, Oden Smash! Sep 29, 2010 7:47 PM
I'll need to see it in action.
I’ve seen plenty of players have plenty of class and craft, but crash in burn in the NBA. It would be great if he turns out to be a steal.
Whoopie!
For Thanksgiving, my family wrote down all the things we are thankful for and hung them on a small tree at the center of the dinner table. My family came first, but having a basketball season is pretty damn close!
One championship in my life time, is that too much to ask!
PF/C FA Types
Dante Cunningham (RFA)
Pendergraph
Chris Wilcox
Josh McRoberts
Craig Smith
Leon Powe
Kris Humphries (dude needs a small market team like PDX needs a healthy Oden)
D.J. Mbenga
Shelden Williams
Samuel Dalembert
Kyrylo Fesenko
Joey Dorsey
Reggie Evans
Tony Battie
Malik Allen
Jared Jeffries
Carl Landry
David West
Aaron Gray
Jason Smith
Dan Gadzuric
Brandan Wright
Spencer Hawes (RFA)
Hamady Ndiaye (RFA)
Alexis Ajinca
Erick Dampier
Juwan Howard
Jamaal Magloire
Hamed Haddadi (RFA)
Theo Ratliff (may be retired as a museum exhibit)
Joe Smith
DeAndre Jordan (RFA?)
Chuck Hayes
Nene Hilario
Brian Cardinal
Tyson Chandler
Melvin Ely
Brian Scalabrine
Kurt Thomas
Joel Przybilla
Kwame Brown
Glen Davis
Nenad Krstic
Troy Murphy
Josh Powell
Etan Thomas
Hilton Armstrong
Jason Collins
Law of Logical Argument
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
I wouldn't mind looking at Kris Humphries
especially since he won’t be coming with extra baggage now lol. Without looking at stats it seems like he was a double/double guy.
by hoodieNation on Nov 26, 2011 1:14 PM PST up reply actions
This list doesn't inspire a lot of excitement
But Humphries is probably on a lot of short lists, along with oft-cited Hayes and Landry. I think there are better fits and better value, though (Hayes is good value – but not Humphries or Landry).
Pendergraph had a better rookie campaign than most give him credit for – particularly offensively. Defensively – well – he was a rookie…
My short list (in order):
Jared Jeffries
Julian Wright
Chuck Hayes
Craig Smith
Fesenko
Law of Logical Argument
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
by blacknoiseNW on Nov 26, 2011 1:33 PM PST up reply actions
Take Wright off that list...booboo
Law of Logical Argument
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
by blacknoiseNW on Nov 26, 2011 1:35 PM PST up reply actions
isn't Jeffries a SF?
and sucks? lol… maybe i’m thinking of somebody else.
by hoodieNation on Nov 26, 2011 3:03 PM PST up reply actions
Jeffries can play C,PF,SF...
…but he sucks at all 3. Has a big rep as a defensive player,but he’s pretty average,not much shot-blocking.
Has a horrendous offensive game,cannot make shots,esp in close and fumbles away waaay too many passes.
lol
yep, same guy i’m thinking of. “defensive” player that sucks on D and even worse on Offense and has no position.
sounds like a max contract player to me.
by hoodieNation on Nov 26, 2011 6:31 PM PST up reply actions
Jeffries' plays better D than you give him credit for
…and the Blazers do not need anyone that needs touches…for what it’s worth – Jeffries makes his teammates better by playing good D and scrapping hard. That’s why when he is on the floor his teams outscore the opponent….
Law of Logical Argument
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
by blacknoiseNW on Nov 26, 2011 7:37 PM PST up reply actions
Jared Jeffies sucks at defending the post, though, and is a pile of crap on offense.
Besides, Jeffries lone skill on defense is an ability to switch and defend the perimeter with his length. Jeffries, however, offers next to nothing as a post defender, weakside help defender, or defensive rebounder.
To put it simply, Jeffries is garbage. Burning garbage at that.
"I Am Mine"
Jeffries, when paired with guys that can score (like Carmelo/Stoudemire)
is an effective 4. Rotation defense is what the Blazers play. It’s a specific type of player for a specific role. Chuck Hayes is probably a better fit, regardless – because he can score the layup better than 50%.
Law of Logical Argument
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
by blacknoiseNW on Nov 27, 2011 1:55 AM PST up reply actions
Although I agree Jared Jeffries would be a fit within Nate McMillan's SOS ...
pressure defense and its constant switching off of picks, that’s not a good trait in my book. As I see it, Jeffries basically taking Earl Barron’s spot on the roster would be a pointless move. Yet, on an amusing note, a third-string frontline of Chris Johnson at the 5 and Jeffries at the 4 would be one of the thinnest duos in memory.
"I Am Mine"
Kwame!
Y’all will probably call it crazy, but Kwame stays healthy, and he plays solid defense. If that keeps Aldridge at the 4, that would be good enough for me.
by Jackalope 66 on Nov 26, 2011 2:42 PM PST up reply actions
I could live with Evans.
But not for the full MLE.
"Anybody might guess beforehand that there would be blunders of the ignorant. What nobody could have guessed, what nobody could have dreamed of in a nightmare, what no morbid mortal imagination could ever have dared to imagine, was the mistakes of the well-informed." - G. K. Chesterton, The Common Man
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M. Thornton is a guard
Law of Logical Argument
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
by blacknoiseNW on Nov 27, 2011 1:50 AM PST up reply actions
Nic as point forward for the bench?
Kind of a nutty idea but it’d be interesting to let Nic completely run the offense from the 3 and give him two shooting guards. More minutes for the guards and giving Nico the reigns completely for the bench squad.
Could cause issues but I’d love to see it tried out of pure curiosity.
his coach used to be a 6'5 swingman who distributed the ball well
but I suspect Smith and Johnson will compete for those minutes
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
My Predictions
-B-Roy amnesty clause used
-GW traded for expiring contract
-Pryzbilla resigned
-Cap room for 2012 summer free agency (CP3, Deron Williams, Dwight Howard, many others)
Pryz will retire
and we wouldn’t be able to count on his health anyway.
by Jackalope 66 on Nov 26, 2011 2:44 PM PST up reply actions
We Need a post lockout JD
or atleat one spot to contain all this overwhelming action. Yay! or Nay?
One day this place is a virtual ghost town and the next its like NYC.
by cavejunctionblazer on Nov 26, 2011 1:50 PM PST reply actions
doesn't anyone know
there’s a football game going on?
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
theres been a few comments on that last night
but yeah what a bummer
by cavejunctionblazer on Nov 26, 2011 2:06 PM PST up reply actions
sure gonna miss andre miller
his 0.9 second inbound lob to Batum for the win vs the Spurs, that was just about as perfect a pass that is possible.
by cavejunctionblazer on Nov 26, 2011 2:25 PM PST reply actions
just started the post lockout Mega drawer for that very reason!
by cavejunctionblazer on Nov 26, 2011 2:39 PM PST up reply actions
maybe we can get all this stuff into 1 mega post?!
by cavejunctionblazer on Nov 26, 2011 2:41 PM PST up reply actions
this post is too long
shouldnt it be combined wtih the other post lockout stuff into one massive drawer? Nay? Should I delete the mega post then?
by cavejunctionblazer on Nov 26, 2011 2:47 PM PST up reply actions
This post is fine
Posts don’t reach long until they pass 750 comments. Let’s keep the Blazer talk over here, and OT talk over in the JD. Besides, I’m sure we’ll see more front page posts this weekend.
Looking at the mega JD, yeah go ahead and dump that one.
But if you’d like to make a different, it’s cool, just something OT. We’ll have plenty to talk about on the front page for a while.
cool.
my bad. Ill delete it.
A mega drawer could be a good idea soon though because this is becoming crazy! All these comments get harder to scroll through in multiple posts. Plus the fan post bar is filling up pretty quick.
by cavejunctionblazer on Nov 26, 2011 2:54 PM PST up reply actions
This is very uncrazy right now. :)
It’s much crazier in midseason. I’m used to modding 500-1,000 comment posts, sometimes more.
i hear ya-
im trying to follow all the comments in each post so switching between them is a slight hassle. But no worries, at least now we have some bball to make comments about, instead of just wondering when the lockout would end.
: )
by cavejunctionblazer on Nov 26, 2011 3:00 PM PST up reply actions
:) i'm kinda surprised how happy seeing all the comments are making me
I’ve missed this
by hoodieNation on Nov 26, 2011 3:05 PM PST up reply actions
We're only a month away from gameday threads.
Maybe less if there’s a reason to do one for a preseason game.
Larry Coon analyzes the new CBA. It’s not really worth a fanshot since it’s not really new info, it’s just a timeline what’s coming up next.
your link reminded me that the lockout wasn't all bad:
by hoodieNation on Nov 26, 2011 3:16 PM PST up reply actions
Yeah I saw him on ESPN this morning, and immediately thought, "I didn't miss this part"
Then ESPN showed the “Top NBA plays of last season”, and it was a bunch of cherry-picked “superstar” dunks combined with one or two actual good plays (like McGee’s block of Wes last season), and thought “I didn’t miss this either”.
that wasnt even a block
it was the first blockstealsnatch ever!
by cavejunctionblazer on Nov 26, 2011 3:25 PM PST up reply actions
Owners have a lot to prove in the life of this CBA-Matt Moore
Decent read, short and concise.
by cavejunctionblazer on Nov 26, 2011 3:44 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
Yeah the PBT guys really, really hate the owners
I’m not sure if they actually think the owners are in the wrong, or rely on players/agents for breaking news. But they’ve been grumping on the owners for months.
totally
I like his point though, that basically, time will tell who the real bad guy is here. They obviously suspect the owners, but truly, only time will tell.
by cavejunctionblazer on Nov 26, 2011 3:51 PM PST up reply actions
I'm not sure we'll ever know who the bad guys are here
Partially because I’m not sure either side is necessarily bad. Both sides were trying to maximize profits. PBT seems to really be into the “owners are running their business poorly!!” argument, but there’s no real sign the majority of owners run a business any worse than any other sports team. Every sport has bad signings (and the owners may as well sign a few bad contracts, they have to pay a specified about anyway), and the whole front office and arena management is pretty standard.
I don’t blame the players for doing what they can to maximize their income (even if I think they did not actually do so). Nor can I blame the owners for doing the same (especially considering that many seem to legitimately be in the hole).
So I just can’t see where PBT is coming from in general. Their columns felt very anti-owner for months, to the point the commenters were calling them out on it.
agreed- they are definitely anti owner
But I do feel time will tell however. Meaning that, financially my guess is that all this haggling both sides cost them a considerable amount of revenue. That is completely unrecoverable. So, eventually, by the numbers themselves, we will see if this new CBA is a success or not, and if it was worth all those unrecoverable losses.
by cavejunctionblazer on Nov 26, 2011 4:11 PM PST up reply actions
Heres a question
Is a Tyson Chandler or Nene to exspensive if we amnesty BRoy? Or are they just all around to exspensive
by cavejunctionblazer on Nov 26, 2011 3:58 PM PST reply actions
Too expensive either way
The only thing we might do this year to get a major change on a position (i.e. likely a big man or some other star) is package Camby and other attractive pieces in a lopsided deal, with new rules not requiring contract values to match as closely.
Which also means: More trade machine posts that are legal :-)
Which can be a plus or a minus depending on how much thought people put into it and enjoy thinking about these things.
dude whats that rock in you picture there
its way cool. i like big cool shaped rocks.
by cavejunctionblazer on Nov 26, 2011 4:18 PM PST up reply actions
first twss of the season
deserves to be green
I JUST WANT MY BASKETBALL BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
by Sean in Vancouver on Nov 26, 2011 10:44 PM PST up reply actions
So according to sbnation
The so-called Carmelo Anthony Rule did not survive in the NBA lockout deal. That means that teams over the salary cap can trade for 2012 free agents like Dwight Howard and Chris Paul and maintain the ability to re-sign them next year.
Is that Bad? Why?
by cavejunctionblazer on Nov 26, 2011 4:27 PM PST reply actions
Interesting thing
is that the Carmelo Anthony Rule would not have prevented Carmelo Anthony from going to the Knicks since he would have signed there as a free agent anyway. It just would have prevented the Nuggets from getting anything. It would have prevented the Blazers from re-signing Camby though.
i keep dancing on my own.
Yeah, he would have signed with NY anyway, but for no more money than any other team with cap room
Except the Nuggets of course, who could have paid him more to keep him. Which left everyone on even ground, except his current team. I think everyone accepts that if a player wants to go to a given city, he’ll go there. The key was to not allow top-revenue teams pay more than any other team for player coming into free agency. I think they were willing to give up on that one to get a season started though.
sure
but the Nuggets also could have deprived him of the ability to make that money. Really, by trying to punish the player you’re punishing the team because you are taking away one of their contractual rights.
i keep dancing on my own.
Well it's only a contractual right until the CBA changes. Then it's not a contractual right anymore.
If a player wants to lose money while forcing his way out, hey that’s his right. But if he wants to make the most possible money, he can stay with his current team. I absolutely appreciate the concept of what they were trying to do. But I can see why they were fine giving in on that point.
I see the perceived slight in terms of guys like Melo having their cake and eating it too by going where they want and also getting paid like they stayed. At the same time, really the only beneficiary is the front office of the small market team, which doesn’t have to make a tough decision and is spared the blowback of either trading their star or risking letting him walk. It’s just taking away an option.
i keep dancing on my own.
What I really like?
How instantaneously we all get back into this stuff. ;-)
it's like riding a bike
I did have to look up a few player names today, but even the minute trivia will return in time
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Dang.
I was starting to get to know my family and this happened….
"Anybody might guess beforehand that there would be blunders of the ignorant. What nobody could have guessed, what nobody could have dreamed of in a nightmare, what no morbid mortal imagination could ever have dared to imagine, was the mistakes of the well-informed." - G. K. Chesterton, The Common Man
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by T Darkstar on Nov 26, 2011 6:04 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
haha
yeah i’ve been cooking and cleaning, building things, and losing weight… now I can finally stop doing all that crap!
by hoodieNation on Nov 26, 2011 6:36 PM PST up reply actions
lol have fun explaining that one to your doctor
I JUST WANT MY BASKETBALL BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
by Sean in Vancouver on Nov 26, 2011 10:47 PM PST up reply actions
Tell 'em you'll see 'em again in May
unless I miss my guess and Nate rediscovers the key to playoff victory
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
ooooh 300 comments
hasnt been a drawer like this in awhile
by cavejunctionblazer on Nov 26, 2011 8:16 PM PST reply actions
any guesses what our very first move will be?
What will be the first thing the Blazers do?
-amnesty roy?
-sign greg?
-get a gm?
-make a trade?
-sign free agen?t
-waive players?
-others?
that was all I could think of real quick
by cavejunctionblazer on Nov 26, 2011 8:24 PM PST reply actions
I hope they'll make an offer to a veteran FA PF/C on Dec 9
that would be a signal (to me) that Paul is serious about winning, and the front office has a clue re: roster construction
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
8 days after my 33rd bday
that will be 1 sweet present
by cavejunctionblazer on Nov 26, 2011 11:23 PM PST up reply actions
Thanks for the summary
There are many issues to work out for the team and almost no time to work them out. Chances are the free agent period has already started (under the table) with such a short time to work on this.
There is some confusion about the salary cap and luxury tax in these comments. The rules for this year and next are essentially the same as last year except we do not get the full mid-level but only $3M for 4 years and we have the amnesty option. I know some are anxious to get rid of Brandon but there seems to be also a sense of seeing what he does this year. I fall into this camp because he is going to be better than nobody or anybody we can sign for the veteran exception. The luxury tax does not ramp up until 2 years from now so it does not hurt much to wait.
We should be able to resign Greg and maybe Nic this fall. I am in favor of waiting on Nic until we see what he has.
I think we offer the $40M for four years to Greg, Doubt anybody can give him more. We are in no hurry since he cannot play for at least a month or two.
My question is
With Allen going on a hard stance in the CBA talks, will he spend money over the salary cap and pay the luxury tax?
B-Roy and Blazers
B-Roy was only effective last year in two roles. Getting hot and saving the Blazers. Or running the point. The former role was inconsistent and it made for bad basketball, and he won’t play the point this year. Unless he is vastly improved in athletism and humility Roy won’t have a role and would inevitably cast a shadow over Aldridge and the rest. Just the facts.
Whether Aldridge plays the 4 or 5 it doesn’t matter. He’s an average rebounder and needs help on both ends in the paint. Who cares what number is assigned to the two players underneath so long as they can be effective and get rest.
Aldridge brings a dominant force, but the Blazers need to be a complete team to compete. A guy like Millsap or that level next to Aldridge would put us on the contending stage for real, not just in the minds of Blazer fans.
Whether Aldridge plays the 4 or 5 it doesn’t matter.
Who he defends does matter. Ideally, a stout interior defender/rebounder should play alongside Aldridge. Like Greg Oden, or like…Chuck Hayes
Camby was a nice stop-gap, but he’s an off-the-ball rebounder who will go to the floor for loose balls (and get himself dinged up…) I’m talking about a player who rarely leaves his feet, the kind that skinny leapers bounce off of, in a scrum
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
You rock Storyteller!
I’m way behind, and thanks to you and the other articles posted here, catching up!
A couple of questions I didn’t see answered anywhere above…
1) The MLE… $5M.. does the “exception” part mean this doesn’t count against the cap and/or the tax? (Why is it different than just signing a free agent?)
2) If you trade a player, is there any reason the receiving team can’t amnesty the player they received in trade? (My thought here is that, since amensty applies against the tax and the cap, and the Blazers won’t ever get near the cap, that trading BRoy to a team that wanted to get under the cap might make sense – the other team under the cap, our team perhaps gets a guy with knees?)
3) What is the minimum salary you can sign somebody for? (Chris J looks cheap at $788,872, but what is that compared to?)
4) Does timing matter? (I.e., if we amnesty Roy, deal Camby and by trading that 24M get “under the cap”, could we then do something that we can’t do now when we are over the cap? (And, then sign Nolan, Greg, Chris, a free agent… etc. to go up to the tax threshold?)
Thanks man, this is awesome!
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