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Jul 10

Ford: Trail Blazers Could Be A 'Real Option' For RFA Robin Lopez

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By caseyholdahl

On ESPN.com, Chad Ford puts together a "best of the rest" list as it pertains to both restricted and unrestricted free agents. And after Monday's report that the Pacers would match an offer to restricted free agent Roy Hibbert, Ford writes that restricted free agent center Robin Lopez, currently with the Suns, might be Portland's next best bet:

Lopez doesn't have nearly the same reputation as his brother Brook, but he can be a force defensively and had a very solid 15.25 PER last season. For all the teams that missed out on the big fish in free agency, he might be a nice consolation prize. With the right offer, the tight-fisted Suns might not match. The Blazers could be a real option here.

Robin Lopez played in 64 games last season, averaging 5.4 points and 3.3 rebounds in 14 minutes per game. A player like Lopez, someone who could hold down the middle while Meyers Leonard becomes accustomed to the NBA game, might make some sense now that Hibbert is reportedly off the table.

Ford also notes that Nuggets center JaVale McGee, also a restricted free agent, though he also notes that's not a likely scenario.

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20 Comments

Sweeeet

by Siccolo on 7/10/2012 9:29 AM
I like Lopez as long as we can get a decent deal with him. Is he a guy that can come in and be a factor immediately? Yes. Is he a guy we want if we're looking at the big picture? No. Is he a guy we can expect to show up every night and produce? No. Is he a guy that we want to mentor Meyers Leonard? Likely not.

I'd go with him if we desperately need a center, but he wouldn't be my first pick

by Herr on 7/10/2012 9:31 AM
I don't think we need a center to come in and "mentor" Meyers Leonard (or a PG to "mentor" Damian Lillard). We just need a guy with NBA experience who can play so none of the rookies get thrown to the wolves, as it were.

by caseyholdahl on 7/10/2012 9:33 AM
NAwwww
go for his brother Brook

by cocothunda72 on 7/10/2012 9:46 AM
Hes a younger better Pryzabilla. Defensive minded...brings toughness. If we go after him we need to go after a back up for Aldridge. Maybe HUmprhies, Carl Landry, Wosh we can get back Hickson.

Dame/Smith
Wes/Barton
Batum/Claver
LA/Hickson or Landry
Robin Lopez/Leonard
This team might be more deep then it wouldve if we have got Hibbert. GO BLAZERS!!!!!

by Siccolo on 7/10/2012 11:32 AM
"Hes a younger better Pryzabilla. Defensive minded...brings toughness. If we go after him we need to go after a back up for Aldridge. Maybe HUmprhies, Carl Landry, Wosh we can get back Hickson."
... and how about DeJuan Blair of the Spurs? He's tough at the defensive end, and can score too. He could give some rest to LMA.

by Silent Fan on 7/10/2012 12:11 PM
olshey said he only wants someone who is a real franchise changer not some mediocre guy who eats up cap space and i feel like lopez is exactly that. he has not a lot of upside, is not really good and we would have to pay him enough so the suns won't match. the only deal we should sign him to would be a one year deal so we can try to go after good free agents again next season

by lrac on 7/10/2012 12:11 PM
"... and how about DeJuan Blair of the Spurs? He's tough at the defensive end, and can score too. He could give some rest to LMA."
Totally forgot about him. He would fit greatly. I wouldnt give more than Babbit and a future second rounder for him.

by Siccolo on 7/10/2012 12:33 PM
@ Casey, couldn't agree more :) ALL of our rookies (Will VERY much included here ;) ARE going to b good to great NBA players; I can feel it! Like Irac said to add to this direction, let's sign Robin Lopez (we don't need/want Brook; his play doesn't= the $ it takes to get him) to a 1yr. deal; this season is Robin's trial period (he's cheap & he plays w/ a chip on his shoulder; IF he doesn't play this way... it was only 1yr. & we gave Meyers a good practice dummy ;) w/ us & next season if there's a good 5 to bring in (provided Meyers takes longer to develop), then we can OR IF Robin REALLY proves himself (& again IF Meyers takes longer to come around), then we can sign him to a longer deal.

by Simpson on 7/10/2012 12:57 PM
I agree with ya casey... I think Lillard may shine in baptism by fire, he says stuff like criticism fuels him, but yeah, center position is a little worrisome. Robin... man, I don't know.

by Nicolas Johnson on 7/10/2012 3:15 PM
I agree with Simpson. I would sign him for 1 year, see how it pans out then sign him to a longer year. Then next year we can go after some a good free agent next year. I like the Blazers upcoming season. Dont know why people are thinking were going to be horrible. I would be surprised if we arent fighting for the 8th seed next season.

by Siccolo on 7/10/2012 6:22 PM
If this great summer turns into Robin Lopez it was a complete waste

by cmeese47 on 7/10/2012 10:05 PM
I Really Hope they go for Javelle......... I have a feeling that he & leonard would play well 2gether, alongside L.A. & can u imagine that level of defense, & athleticism together..... Keep JJ & maybe Joel for show'n em' the ropes, but let the young guys w/ the talent play!!! ;)
Griffin, westbrook, durant, kyrie, even Rose have only been in the league 1-3 yrs. tops & are all superstars... why??? Bcuz of talent level & their teams PLAYED Them & Let them learn & grow ON The Court!!! ; )
Kids start play'n when they're in grade school & have learned the game their whole lives...... this isn't the 70's Nba anymore.. ;
These kids are at a higher basketball I.Q. level than most realize & are way more ready than the media knows or reports... ;
They physically get stronger over a couple yrs, & learn the speed & system, but w/ real talent like all 3 draft picks have, could make an immiediate impact, if given the chance...
Javelle should be #1 F.A. option - Kaman next, who played amazingly well last year & i'm surprised N. Orleans is letting him go w/ no thot...
Either of those guys would be a Great Fit... not feel'n the lopez thing. ;

by Drummer05 on 7/11/2012 12:25 AM
I agree with you Casey, we just need some experience to stop Lillard and Leonard from being thrown to the wolves. I think Lillard will learn the ropes very quickly, but still need to have someone with more experience than Nolan to rescue Lillard in time of need.

Siccolo: your line-up is OK, but I would put in EWill ahead of Burton. In fact, I think Burton will have a stint in our farm team the Idaho Stampede. But if Burton can learn to knock down the outside shot with more consistency you may be right, nevertheless, as far right now, IMO, EWill is the 2GDofTF.

To All: Casey, IMO, hit the nail on the head, we need especially an experienced center to stop Leonard from being thrown to the wolves. It would be better to be an elite center, but if Leonard is our CofTF, a good reliable center with experience will do. A signing of Przybilla would be good enough.

CMeese47: I can't agree with you about the summer being a waste. With our rookies and a chance to shore up our perimeter shooting and another consistent scorer and rebounder, the hope of EWill and whoever else we bring in to add depth will make the up coming season a success or at least better then last year, Heck just not resigning Raymond and Jamal will make this summer a success.

by Hg on 7/11/2012 5:11 AM
@ Hg, Love u sir but Will's last name is BArton not "Burton" ;) Hahaha! We've gotta get our guy's names right BUT other teams guys... close counts ;p'

I agree w/ u on Prz but as our last good option (no disrespect Joel ;)

by Simpson on 7/11/2012 7:20 AM
@Simpson: Thank you for the correction, would you like to guess how many times I missed spelled Przybilla. I agree with you on last good option, but he won't squawk about playing time, he wouldn't care if he didn't get to play all the games. he is a good locker room leader and brings toughness. but I would want to make him the main back up center. Just have him on the roster to show toughness.

by Hg on 7/11/2012 7:58 AM
Both Lopez brothers are injury prone. Brook was a college bench player..mediocre at best. We're talking today with Javale McGee who's a better choice. Clean bill of health is the way to go with bigs. Now we have Freeland coming over and he's experienced enough to help Leonard out. I think we need to find a coach who's uptempo and can succeed in the small ball game. I"d rather have Thabeet than Brook Lopez. Freeland, Thomas Leonard and Pryzbilla could handle the load in the paint. That's a lot of fouls and Thomas and Freeland can also play the four spot to rest LA...I'm glad we've got Freeland and Claver coming in.

by riverman on 7/11/2012 10:16 AM
Leonard is not going to get calls as a rookie and will probably be saddled in foul trouble a lot this season.

by riverman on 7/11/2012 10:18 AM
correction, Robin was the bench player...I always mix up their first names

by riverman on 7/11/2012 10:31 AM
Robin is a weak player at best and to get him will cost us far more then he is worth. His brother is unproven since his injury so don't take the risk............ Does no one remember a guy named ODEN no not Thor's dad. I'm talking about the injury plagued center we just cut last year after carrying him for several seasons.

by mbmurr1 on 7/11/2012 2:08 PM