Portland in "asset acquisition" stage

[Lucky17]

New Blazers' GM Neil Olshey is ringing the bell.

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/221497/Olshey_Sees_Blazers_In_Asset_Acquisition_Phase_Of_Rebuild_Plan

“I think that the point that this organization is at right now is an asset acquisition phase. We've got to rebuild our assets and at that point, either guys are going to make your team and contribute because they were drafted or you're going to be able to use those assets to generate a deal to bring players in from the outside from other organizations to rebuild the roster,” Olshey said. “But I think the roster is a work in progress at this point. I think we've got a lot of raw materials and we do have some building blocks with guys like Wes (Matthews) and Nic (Batum) and LaMarcus (Aldridge) and some young players who are yet to develop to their potential yet, and we're going to get in the gym and work with them"

Olshey indicated he will select the best available player rather than draft according to positional needs. The Blazers will have four draft selections in the upcoming draft, including the No. 6 and 11 overall picks.

“I think everyone has to look at the draft as a player acquisition vehicle and the more assets you can acquire in this league, the more flexibility you have to build the roster and accelerate the growth to become more successful quicker. We were on one path with the Los Angeles Clippers a year ago, building through the draft, building with youth and when an opportunity came in to go after a franchise-level player, we had the assets to do it. So that's really what the draft is about. It's not about filling needs."

The Blazers have the #6, #11, #40, and #41. A lot of picks, but beyond Wes Matthews, Aldridge, and a presumably resigned Nic Batum, they don't really have all that much in terms of building blocks under contract next year (although they do have a ton of players on expiring deals who might conceivably be brought back, like Thabeet or Jonny Flynn).

I wonder if a possible minor trade between Boston and Portland on draft night might work in both teams' favor.

Boston sends E'Twaun Moore, #20, #21
Portland sends Kurt Thomas, #11, #41

Thomas' deal expires next season. I've long wanted him on the Celtics for his toughness and rebounding (I think he a great frontcourt partner with Garnett). I don't expect him to play major minutes, but 10 a night doesn't seem outlandish. Consolidating the two picks to move up to #11 also would help bring in a rookie of potential impact.

Portland gets to move one of those extraneous pieces in Thomas for a young, cheap asset in Moore, and gets two 1st rounders to draft additional assets, per Olshey's wishes. Or, if Portland is indeed keen on moving up to the #2, they could potentially package some picks with the #6 to send to Charlotte to land the guy they really want.

[ManUp]

Moore is a scrub until proven otherwise. He was the 55th pick in a weak draft and is very unlikely to stick in the league. I highly doubt the Celtics even resign him next season. I don't know what Portland is trying to do, but let's not pretend Moore has any value to them. I'd trade Moore straight up for #41 in this draft, the Blazers would not.

I just hope that the Blazers get worse before they get better. If that happens Aldridge might ask for a trade. I'd hope the Celtics have the pieces to get a deal done if that were to happen. Rondo and Aldridge would make a great duo and we'd be a star away from having a core that could contend.

[Lucky17]

Moore is a scrub until proven otherwise.

One GM's trash is another GM's speculative roster addition.

[Celtics18]

Too bad he called Batum a building block.  He's a guy I wouldn't mind making a run at this off-season. 

[sofutomygaha]

One GM's trash is another GM's speculative roster addition.

Yeah... but so is the entire D league and a big crop of soon-to-be-undrafted's in a super deep draft. Those guys can be had for free.

[Gainesville Celtic]

Moore is a scrub until proven otherwise.

One GM's trash is another GM's speculative roster addition.

Are you still harping on my pickup of Metta World Peace in the Lucky17 H2H league? 

[Lucky17]

One GM's trash is another GM's speculative roster addition.

Yeah... but so is the entire D league and a big crop of soon-to-be-undrafted's in a super deep draft. Those guys can be had for free.

Actually, they cost cap space. Another bonus of trading Kurt Thomas is potential cap savings for the Blazers.

If they decide to keep Moore, Blazers trim a modest $500K off their cap. If they decide to cut Moore, they save over $1.3 million.

[Moore's contract is fully unguaranteed before July 30, meaning the Blazers could give him an extended tryout in summer leagues before making their decision.]

[Steven17]

thanks a lot

[freshinthehouse]

.

Boston sends E'Twaun Moore, #20, #21
Portland sends Kurt Thomas, #11, #41

I would happily pull the trigger on a deal like that.  Then pry the #10 from NO when we take on one of their bad contracts.  We'd have to quality picks, and we'd still be able to field a quality team for the next couple of years.

[mctyson]

Boston sends E'Twaun Moore, #20, #21
Portland sends Kurt Thomas, #11, #41

Why would Portland trade down from the lottery in what is perceived to be a loaded draft, and give up their relatively high 2nd round pick, to acquire 2 1st round picks 10 spots later and a rookie backup PG?  Why would they do this? WHY?

When you make trade proposals, we obviously know you want the Celtics to score big.  But you have to make it a deal for the other team too.  Like, instead of including our late 2nd round pick from last year who barely played, include our 1st round pick who barely played. That's what Portland would want.

If Boston completed this trade on Draft Day, I would be squealing in joy like a pig.  And if I were a Trailblazer fan, I would be getting my pitchfork ready.

[Lucky17]

Boston sends E'Twaun Moore, #20, #21
Portland sends Kurt Thomas, #11, #41

Why would Portland trade down from the lottery in what is perceived to be a loaded draft, and give up their relatively high 2nd round pick, to acquire 2 1st round picks 10 spots later and a rookie backup PG?  Why would they do this? WHY?

When you make trade proposals, we obviously know you want the Celtics to score big.  But you have to make it a deal for the other team too.  Like, instead of including our late 2nd round pick from last year who barely played, include our 1st round pick who barely played. That's what Portland would want.

If Boston completed this trade on Draft Day, I would be squealing in joy like a pig.  And if I were a Trailblazer fan, I would be getting my pitchfork ready.

1. Asset acquisition: you turn the #11 into two 1st rounders. Along with the #6, that gives Portland three picks in a deep draft class.

2. By trading Kurt Thomas, you free up anywhere from $500K to $1.3 million dollars of cap space that you can use to resign Batum and/or add another free agent.

3. You get a free look at Moore. Eliot Williams is Portland's only backup SG under contract for next season.

All three motives comprise the rebuilding process that Olshey envisions: moving extraneous pieces for young assets that can be developed or traded down the line.

[LarBrd33]

Moore is a scrub until proven otherwise.

A Man after my own heart.