Portland at Small Forward

 Henderson can play the three easily (maybe not well) and surely will…

 Henderson can play the three easily (maybe not well) and surely will…

 I see LaMarcus Aldridge staying, and if he does I think FA will have confidence in Portland. I don’t think Wes Matthews goes for 15 million per year, but if that is his asking price, Portland cannot pay that. I see DeMarre Carroll as a potential SG/SF option at 8-10 million per year. Danny Green is also an option at SG/SF at 6-8 million per year. Another option is Jae Crowder at SG/SF, but they will need to work on his shooting. If Aldridge leaves, Paul Millsap, or a trade for a PF from the Bulls could be an option.

 I see LaMarcus Aldridge staying, and if he does I think FA will have confidence in Portland. I don’t think Wes Matthews goes for 15 million per year, but if that is his asking price, Portland cannot pay that. I see DeMarre Carroll as a potential SG/SF option at 8-10 million per year. Danny Green is also an option at SG/SF at 6-8 million per year. Another option is Jae Crowder at SG/SF, but they will need to work on his shooting. If Aldridge leaves, Paul Millsap, or a trade for a PF from the Bulls could be an option.

If LMA leaves, Harris could be a potential pickup.

Also, Mason Plumlee will likely start at PF with Leonard at C.  Leonard really had a mini break out last season, showing he can shoot the ball well.

The big question is Vonleh.  He only saw 10mpg last season, so if he can see an uptick in playing time, he may be able to produce a little more.  The best thing is that he is only 19 years old!  Essentially, he is their lottery pick for this year.

If LMA leaves, Harris could be a potential pickup.

Also, Mason Plumlee will likely start at PF with Leonard at C.  Leonard really had a mini break out last season, showing he can shoot the ball well.

The big question is Vonleh.  He only saw 10mpg last season, so if he can see an uptick in playing time, he may be able to produce a little more.  The best thing is that he is only 19 years old!  Essentially, he is their lottery pick for this year.

 They should target Rudy Gay. It does not hurt one bit since they are clearly in a rebuilding stage.

 They should target Rudy Gay. It does not hurt one bit since they are clearly in a rebuilding stage.

 Portland’s moves all basically depend what their FA’s do and what moves Portland may look to make themselves. They could have a bucket load of cap space and have a top young All Star PG in Damian Lillard in place so could be an attractive move for a couple of good FA’s.

LMA has always talked about remaining in Portland but with Batum being traded the core has been broken up and perhaps Aldridge has indicated he is on his way. A lot is made of the 5 year deal a team can offer a player under Bird rights but someone like LMA had a big rookie deal, huge 2nd deal, will likely get max offers across the board so to leave an extra year on the table should not be a worry for him as he probably wants to really push for a title now as he is around 30. Also tax laws vary from state to state and the size of the potential market can boost a guy’s earnings off court too.

I personally hope LMA remains in Portland and solidifies his legend there.

Henderson is able to play at SF so he may well see good minutes there if Batum isn’t directly replaced.

 Portland’s moves all basically depend what their FA’s do and what moves Portland may look to make themselves. They could have a bucket load of cap space and have a top young All Star PG in Damian Lillard in place so could be an attractive move for a couple of good FA’s.

LMA has always talked about remaining in Portland but with Batum being traded the core has been broken up and perhaps Aldridge has indicated he is on his way. A lot is made of the 5 year deal a team can offer a player under Bird rights but someone like LMA had a big rookie deal, huge 2nd deal, will likely get max offers across the board so to leave an extra year on the table should not be a worry for him as he probably wants to really push for a title now as he is around 30. Also tax laws vary from state to state and the size of the potential market can boost a guy’s earnings off court too.

I personally hope LMA remains in Portland and solidifies his legend there.

Henderson is able to play at SF so he may well see good minutes there if Batum isn’t directly replaced.

 I don’t follow the Blazers as close as a Blazer fan would but to me Leonard seems more suited (with his 3 point shot) to play the 4 spot, with Plumlee at the 5. I like what the Blazers have been able to do so far this off season.

 I don’t follow the Blazers as close as a Blazer fan would but to me Leonard seems more suited (with his 3 point shot) to play the 4 spot, with Plumlee at the 5. I like what the Blazers have been able to do so far this off season.

 Jeff Taylor and KJ McDaniels. Both are young enough to be there through a rebuild and both have shown glimpses of putting it together. Also, both of their teams would have reason to not want to match a significant offer. Charlotte just added Batum to MKG at the 3. While Houston has Ariza and just drafted Sam Dekker and may be chasing a big  name FA (and would have to renounce their FA’s)

 Jeff Taylor and KJ McDaniels. Both are young enough to be there through a rebuild and both have shown glimpses of putting it together. Also, both of their teams would have reason to not want to match a significant offer. Charlotte just added Batum to MKG at the 3. While Houston has Ariza and just drafted Sam Dekker and may be chasing a big  name FA (and would have to renounce their FA’s)

He’d be a great fit, but Mo Harkless isn’t a FA until next summer 

He’d be a great fit, but Mo Harkless isn’t a FA until next summer 

 If the FAs are on the way out of Portland, it puts the Blazers in an interesting position do they try and rebuild this summer with their cap space or do they maybe look to give the younger prospects like McCollum, Leonard, Vonleh etc playing time with a view to getting a high draft pick next summer.

They will likely look to max out Damian Lillard this summer and may want to try and stay in contention to keep him happy. But they would hold Lillard’s RFA rights if he didn’t resign this summer and with the cap going up in 2016, he’d have to take a big hit to become an unrestricted FA in 2017 so Portland are in a fairly strong position with him.

 If the FAs are on the way out of Portland, it puts the Blazers in an interesting position do they try and rebuild this summer with their cap space or do they maybe look to give the younger prospects like McCollum, Leonard, Vonleh etc playing time with a view to getting a high draft pick next summer.

They will likely look to max out Damian Lillard this summer and may want to try and stay in contention to keep him happy. But they would hold Lillard’s RFA rights if he didn’t resign this summer and with the cap going up in 2016, he’d have to take a big hit to become an unrestricted FA in 2017 so Portland are in a fairly strong position with him.