First, we would need to send players to match with Aldridge's salary…the only way we can do that is by sending like 4 guys over to them. Second, if Portland has to take on that much salary, they won't do it unless they are getting young talent that can help them in the future….they won't do it for Ariza, Papa, and other scrubs…because that just eats their cap space without adding any value to the team. DMo and Clint will at least give them a nice start to their "rebuilding".
I'd argue that the Blazers going back into the cellar hinders them a lot more than a 7 mil contract for Ariza. Give Portland max cap space, are they favorites to sign Love if he leaves Cleveland? No, of course not....and they aren't terrible yet. Lose LMA for nothing and we're talking about a really terrible team, who will want to play there? Sure they'll have money, but if you don't have top tier FA's willing to pick you, it's kind of pointless right?
If Portland is not retaining LMA…then there is no reason for Portland to want Ariza. They just got rid of Batum, probably because they knew LMA was a goner. And Batum and Ariza bring similar styles of play.
Players would choose the bigger markets....and there's like 20 teams in bigger markets than Portland. If any of them have the cap space, Portland is hosed.
That's why they'll suck…but get a high draft pick. And Lillard will bring a lot of attention from FAs in the future…maybe not this offseason, but at some point. Give the Blazers a lottery pick, if they hit on it, they are right back on the NBA map because they'll have a young stud, Lillard, Mathews, and max money to spend….there would be at least a couple players willing to take that. Blazers basically need to rebuild before being a destination for a top FA.
Its very simple why they would want ariza. Trade chip. Think what they got for batum who was EXPIRING. a last years top10 pick with high potential (if hes not dump as rocks). They can get a late lottery pick just fine for him in february. And they have a good pitch to get free agents this year. An all star in their team and a winning culture. Much better than new yorks if you ask me.
Salaries would have to match…so if we are getting LMA, we'd have to give up an almost equal amount in contracts. We could find a 3rd team, but we'd be giving up 3 or 4 players to make it happen regardless.
Whatever, we are kind of going in a circle. I say we just improve our pg position and sign Smith back and go to war.
Ariza isnt an expiring contract until next offseason, so no point in taking him on right now, unless it comes with DMo and Clint. Otherwise, it hurts them.
I like LMA and want him here, but if we have to gut our team I am out in the department of wanting him.
And thats exactly why they are trying to strike in free agency this year before the playing fieldis even. Now few teams have capspace so they can get monroe or kanter or harris.
As trade chip an expiring contract is wotlrth much less than someone who is locked fr two. Batums contract<< arizas contract as trading chips. Ofc that wouldnt be enough to entice them to not go in free agency. You must add dmo and capella.
Im sure he's available…and the price would be less than LMA…so not sure how likely it is, but PG needs to be upgraded, specially in the west, going against Curry, Parker, Paul, etc...
Reports are that the Raptors were exploring trades for Lowry…that's what Im going off of. In any case, its bed time…we'll see what happens.
