Posted 01/28/2013 2:54 PM

Completely agree with you here Tobyus, JJ is a big part of our success and putting up better numbers than Hibbert, that's a stat that says it all!

Posted 01/28/2013 3:01 PM

I agree the only way trading JJ makes sense is if you can get something for him like a draft pick and then resign him next summer. Basically, trade JJ miss the playoffs and then resign him. That would help us the most but it probably is not very likely so just hold on to him and trade Freeland and other bench players without expiring contracts not named Barton or Leonard. 

Posted 01/28/2013 3:02 PM

I have been saying this all along!

Posted 01/28/2013 5:54 PM

I don't see a see trading away a pick and then just letting JJ walk away. Just sign the guy to a new contract and figure out how to improve the bench.

Posted 01/28/2013 7:37 PM

"JJ Hickson plays BLAZER basketball" That's the key, that's it. He's gotta stay (and eventually come off the bench) for the same reason that Wesley Mathews stays a Blazer; the players they are, their heart about it, is essential to Portland Blazer Basketball. Couldn't agree more.

I get what people are talking about with JJ's trade value from his exceptional play and currently low contract price, but that's the same reason he's best to stay here. Let's just hope he'll accept a role as 6th man next year, and the Blazers FO use the same logic they did when keeping Batum; he's talented, he's Portland-personality, he stays. Hopefully not for that price, lol.

Seriously though, he's gotta stay. #wheresJJ #HERE FOR GOOD

Posted 01/28/2013 8:15 PM

I am not a fan of simply trading JJ for "value" or simply letting him walk.  The Blazers have deciencies at Center, SG, and PG.  JJ is simply too small to defend the paint and rebound versus legit centers.  It puts a strain on LA.  JJ has his strengths, and he has his weaknesses.  I want to keep JJ.  But if keeping him means the Portland misses out on signing say, Pekovic, I'm not for that.  I think JJ is a good fit playing 25-30 minutes in Portland.  My feeling on JJ has very little to do with whether or not I like him, and everything to do with trade-offs and improving the Blazers.

 

Would you give up Batum for Durant?  I really like Batum, but that's a no brainer.

Would you give up Pekovic for Hickson?  I really like Hickson, but that's a no brainer.

Posted 01/28/2013 10:19 PM

I assume you meant Hickson for Pekovic.

Its all going to come down to how much are the blazers willing to pay JJ.

Posted 01/28/2013 10:44 PM

Ya, as well as "deficiencies"  oops

Posted 01/28/2013 10:59 PM

Sign JJ and then do what with the remaining cap? We are losing 4 bench players, it's hard enough to replace them with what's left of money, let alone "improve"

I'm a fan of JJ, but if people keep making statements about keeping him then I would love to hear a solution (thought out, contractually). I have said to not trade him but this team has a gaping problem and unless Olshey pulls off magic before this trade deadline, I don't see a way we can significantly improve the bench AND resign JJ.

Although I for one am someone who is open to hear a solution

Posted 01/28/2013 11:08 PM

If we can trade JJ for: 1) A Starting defensive Center or 2) 1-2 quality bench players- If not, then NO dont trade Hickson and sign him.  

Its not like the only way we can gather assets is to trade Hickson. 

Look at the Cavs they basically got a bench from giving up Jon Leur. 

But Hickson does have a lot of problems, with his D and his passing. But if you cannot get equal or more value back then keep him, because he of all the things he does great. Like rebounding, hustling, brings chemistry, fan favorite.

Wonder how Olshey approaches this. He gives the feeling as if Hickson wont be a Blazer for to long.

http://www.blazersedge.com/2013/1/28/3926824/transcript-blazers-gm-neil-olshey-talks-potential-for-roster-moves

"Can you survive with a 6'9 center?" - Neil Olshey

Posted 01/29/2013 1:50 AM

I'm all for bring JJ back but, it definitely shouldn't be this teams first priority the only way I see JJ coming back is if he's willing to take less money because Olshey is not gonna just gonna throw any kind of deal at him especially when we have more concerning area to fill and the way that he talking about having cap flexibility next summer I won't be surprised if JJ doesn't come back because of a better deal he gets elsewhere and also LA wants to play with a 7 footer beside him BDawg had one of his quotes saying that in the "What to do with JJ thread" and with LA being one of the main cores of the team the Blazers are gonna to do what it takes to show LA were going in a good direction because LA has the chance to walk pretty soon also and if he doesn't like what he's see I would be surprised if he does and then were really screwed so Olshey and the Blazers have some choices to make and you have to remember the best decisions isn't always gonna be the popular ones.

Posted 01/29/2013 10:33 AM

Seriously, thank you Tobyus

 

Posted 01/29/2013 11:43 AM

I say keep JJ and give him what it takes to resign him to a long contract next year and trade LA.

(my ears are already burning)

Posted 01/29/2013 1:19 PM

its you opinion... i respect it, but i dont agree

i think that´s not the way things will go...

Team will be around Lillard, Batum and Aldridge for the next years. So none of them will be traded, i think. Mathews and Hickson are important pieces. But as we need a big man to pair up with LA, Hickson may be negotiable, not now, but for next season. Right now, JJ´Hickson isnt the main issue... the problem is that our bench is one of the weakest of the league,...

Posted 01/29/2013 6:02 PM

Posted By benh7777 on 01/29/2013 11:43 AM

I say keep JJ and give him what it takes to resign him to a long contract next year and trade LA.

(my ears are already burning)

This is plausible only depending on the cost of JJ he would need to come in significantly cheaper than LA if we are going to benefit from this or we need to get some really good lottery picks from him.

Posted 01/29/2013 6:29 PM

Posted By benh7777 on 01/29/2013 11:43 AM

I say keep JJ and give him what it takes to resign him to a long contract next year and trade LA.

(my ears are already burning)

Your ears are buring when people say "do what it takes to resign" JJ, and trade LA?

 

Or they burn when people say keep LA, AND accept the reality that keeping JJ has on the Blazers future to obtain a Center, SG, and PG this off-season?

Posted 01/29/2013 7:14 PM

i like jj hickson alot. but im all for making our team more deep and adding a center and if getting a starting center next too LA means we have to get rid of him im all for it . hes a good player but we need too put a 7 footer next to la , so we can have a twin towers. but if he wants to resign for cheap and come off the bench and play 20 games a game im fine with that too but idk if he would do that cuz his stock is only rising .

Posted 01/29/2013 9:58 PM

26 points 15 rebounds wooooooohh

Posted 01/30/2013 7:37 AM

Posted By Siccolo on 01/29/2013 9:58 PM

26 points 15 rebounds wooooooohh

ENOUGH SAID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He has earned his keep.

Posted 01/30/2013 10:09 AM

The question has now turned to not whether JJ can guard a 7 ft center but whether a 7 ft center can guard him? For everyone that clamours for the 7 ft center we do have one of those guys on the bench now in Leonard. JJ is putting up incredible numbers and making a huge difference on this squad. Kamen isn't even getting Meyers Leonard minutes in Dallas and look at Kamen's stats. JJ all day long! Spend the 13 mil on 3 good bench players and call it a day

Posted 01/30/2013 1:18 PM

Kaman is a poor defender, especially with Dirk on the floor.  That is why he was benched.  The Dallas game is a poor example to tout JJ at center.  Brand is an old PF, and the two other centers I couldn't remember their names without lookin it up.  Dallas is 19-25, and 5th worst in the west. 

 

Ask youself if your goal for this team is to beat Dallas in the regular season in dramatic fashion, and finish the season fighting for an 8th seed?  Or if your goal for this team is to beat the Clippers, OKC, Memph, SA... in the play-offs?  Portland really needs a starting center, and a back up SG and PG that can push the Blazers into the top of the west.  The Blazer rarely blow teams out - a rare occurrance for this Blazer team.

 

@ Riverman - It would appear you are suggesting Portland can sign JJ and have $13 mil left over.   If the Blazer sign JJ for $8 mil, that leave 5 mil to go find 3 bench players that will somehow push this team from strugginly for a play of birth, to top in the western conference?  Let's use some real numbers and put the "wants" in line with what can acctually be accomplished.

 

 

 

Posted 01/30/2013 1:47 PM

BF...no I understand that JJ is part of that cap but with his Bird rights we can exceed the cap if I'm not mistaken and also doesn't the salary of say 3 players that will be let go also work into the math? It's not a flat # until the subtractions are included if my thinking is correct. I'm not sold on the definition of true center translating to playoff success anymore. Bogut, Kaman, Nene, Howard, Hibbert, Asik, etc...you don't have to have Shaq anymore to compete in the league. Speed, free throw shooting, rebounding, athleticism, and health are really important. LaMarcus is like Tim Duncan...doesn't call himself a center but can and will play center when needed. Lamarcus is a matchstick shy of 7 ft and Leoanard is 7'1....we're just not that undersized. With our size comes speed that guys like Pryzbilla just can't produce. We're also healthy. Look at the history of the true centers currently on the court and show me how many stay on the court....it's a very revealing stat. I have no problem calling JJ a starting 5 and playing 2 combo PFs all season long in staggered rotations where JJ is sometimes a 4 sometimes a 5. I'm in favor of signing a big guy to stagger in the rotations but not breaking the bank for a marquis center. We need to upgrade Jeffries Babbit and Smith. That's where I'd put the money.

Posted 01/30/2013 2:20 PM

Hickson's cap hold is $7.6 mil.  That mean $13 mil minus $7.6 mil =  $5.4 mil.  Why would it matter if Portland can exceed the cap to sign him when his cap hold takes away $7.6 mil before Portland would even be able to sign another free agent?  It still leaves the Blazers with 5-6 mil with no real starting center, no 6th man - lacking depth at PG and SG.

 

I understand your point of view on centers.  I just don't see it that way.  As exciting as this season has been, this Portland team is not a championship team.  How does maintaining almost the same team as this year move Portland from fighting for an 8th seed, to leading the West?  I want to blow every team out early and often.  Portland is so far away from that.

 

 

 

Posted 01/30/2013 2:26 PM

Posted By riverman on 01/30/2013 10:09 AM
The question has now turned to not whether JJ can guard a 7 ft center but whether a 7 ft center can guard him? For everyone that clamours for the 7 ft center we do have one of those guys on the bench now in Leonard. JJ is putting up incredible numbers and making a huge difference on this squad. Kamen isn't even getting Meyers Leonard minutes in Dallas and look at Kamen's stats. JJ all day long! Spend the 13 mil on 3 good bench players and call it a day

I respect you contributions, but I would not agree that the question is whether a 7ft center can guard JJ.  Like I almost felt like you weren't being serious.

And as I think I mentioned already, Kaman is a scorer.  He's never been a good defender.  That's why he's on the bench.  He and Dirk have not played well together defensively.

Posted 01/30/2013 2:35 PM

With the cap going up to at least 60 million and maybe higher Portland would have 7 million in cap space and a 2.5 million room exception, in addition to a 2.25 million trade exception for Felton although I am not sure of the expiration date by maintaining JJ's bird rights. This is essential since it would allow the Blazers to either exceed the cap to resign him or to exceed the cap to trade him. 

The sign and trade options are essential for navigating the cap so we would still have plenty of options available. We could explore a sign and trade for Pekovic, which is unlikely considering his importance to Minnesota and our history with them. We could also try and work out a sign and trade for Tyreke Evans who would be the perfect sixth man for the Blazers cause of his willingness to attack the basket and his position flexibility. 

Since Lillard is not a good defender getting a nice defensive back up PG would be smart. My option would be CJ Watson who is a solid defender and has a good 3 point shot. He is also playing for the minimum now so even with a slight raise he would still fall under our 2.5 million room exception. If he would play for the minimum again then we could use that money on someone else like Matt Barnes. 

The team has plenty of options without just casting out JJ. The one thing we should try and do though is sell off Freeland as he would offer valuable cap space next summer and a nice trade exception if we did not take anyone back as well. 

Basically if we time things right we can completely rebuild the bench next summer and keep JJ. We could sign someone like Matt Barnes and Brandan Wright early in free agency, then sign and trade for Tyreke Evans, resign JJ Hickson via his bird rights and then add someone like CJ Watson via the room exception. Additionally, if we dealt Freeland then we could use his trade exception to add another player via sign and trade. It is especially important to note that cap holds are not considered in sign and trade deals. 

So we have plenty of options so lets not be hasty.

Posted 01/30/2013 4:59 PM

Claiming JJ's Bird Rights means a cap hold of $7.6 mil goes on the Blazer's books.  That cuts into the assumed $13 mil in cap space.  Although JJ's Bird Rights grants Portland to go over the cap to sign him for any amount over his cap hold of $7.6 mil, it does not prevent JJ from signing with another team as he is an unrestricted free agent this summer.  Hope this helps.

Posted 01/30/2013 6:40 PM

Of course it does not but I think JJ will be looking to stay here since he has so much success here so not renouncing would still allow us the needed flexibility. Since most big acquisitions are done via sign and trade our true cap space is really not an issue unless we are trying to sign someone outright.

Posted 01/30/2013 8:20 PM

I think length of contract, playing time, roster, fanbase and coaching staff are going to be contributing factors for free agents to want to be here. JJ says he wants to be here. Olshey's a pretty smooth salesman. The competition for the rotation spots in the NBA is going to heat up with the salary cap and luxury tax. Job security in the NBA has value. Somehow after being waived by Sac...JJ had an eye opening experience at how quickly your value can plummet. If it really is a culture of team we're building here, guys will want to play here. To me, that's how you build a contender. I believe LaMarcus and our top players are all on the same page with this. I truly credit Stotts with this unity and focus. Because of it, JJ has flourished. His defense and all around game is improving before our eyes. In the end, JJ will decide where to hang his hat. I hope it's here.

Posted 01/30/2013 9:33 PM

Posted By riverman on 01/30/2013 8:20 PM
I think length of contract, playing time, roster, fanbase and coaching staff are going to be contributing factors for free agents to want to be here. JJ says he wants to be here. Olshey's a pretty smooth salesman. The competition for the rotation spots in the NBA is going to heat up with the salary cap and luxury tax. Job security in the NBA has value. Somehow after being waived by Sac...JJ had an eye opening experience at how quickly your value can plummet. If it really is a culture of team we're building here, guys will want to play here. To me, that's how you build a contender. I believe LaMarcus and our top players are all on the same page with this. I truly credit Stotts with this unity and focus. Because of it, JJ has flourished. His defense and all around game is improving before our eyes. In the end, JJ will decide where to hang his hat. I hope it's here.

LeBron went to Miami to play with Bosh and Wade, and took a small pay cut.  After the success and fight the Blazers have shown, as an opponent, how could you have played against Portland and not want to be a part of this team to help make it better?  There are so many holes an incoming free agent could fill.  BUT, there's a trade off.  I don't know many people that would turn down millions for loyalty to a basketball team.  I don't think JJ will or should turn down millions simply to play for Portland.  It's just a job, and basketball at that.  And I think its pretty seflish for a fan to expect him to take millions less.  And in that respect, Portland can't afford JJ.  Blazers need to be able to pay him like a back up PF.  There's are too many NBA teams under the cap that would offer more than that price.

Posted 01/30/2013 10:42 PM

Agreed that's my only stance on JJ, Olshey had better be a good sell man to convince JJ to come back for less money because that's what I said the only chance that JJ will resign with us because Olshey is going to try and stretch this cap space as much as he can to get the help this team needs and if JJ really wants to be here then it should be no problem for him to take less money but, I just don't see it when other teams have better offers out there and plus he'll most likely be a starter on that team at his natural position.

 

No one denying that this guy can play and has been one of the reasons why we are where we are but, you just have to be realistic on what can happen in the off season we are not gonna be the only team that's gonna be after JJ and with Olshey talking about cap flexibility I just don't see him giving JJ the deal that he wants. So if he's a "True Blazer" then it should be no problem to come back for less money and if he does I'm all for it because he can help this team going forward.  

Posted 01/31/2013 2:25 AM

Posted By cmeese47 on 01/28/2013 3:01 PM

I agree the only way trading JJ makes sense is if you can get something for him like a draft pick and then resign him next summer. Basically, trade JJ miss the playoffs and then resign him. That would help us the most but it probably is not very likely so just hold on to him and trade Freeland and other bench players without expiring contracts not named Barton or Leonard. 

I agree with everything except giving up on talent that hasn't really settled into the nba game not even nowitzki was playing incredible ball this early in his career when he came over here averaging 8.2 pts and 3.4 rbds give the kid time to settle in it'll take a little bit 

Posted 01/31/2013 2:35 AM

lol @ talk about keeping jj and trading aldridge after the guy just hit a game winning basket from 3  

Posted 01/31/2013 3:13 AM

^Preach!

Posted 01/31/2013 10:05 AM

Technically he hit a game tying three and the a game winning jumper. Of course he should have never got the game winning chance but it is nice to see an official miss call go our way.

Posted 01/31/2013 3:31 PM

Posted By Blazer Fanatic on 01/29/2013 6:29 PM

Posted By benh7777 on 01/29/2013 11:43 AM

I say keep JJ and give him what it takes to resign him to a long contract next year and trade LA.

(my ears are already burning)

Your ears are buring when people say "do what it takes to resign" JJ, and trade LA?

 

Or they burn when people say keep LA, AND accept the reality that keeping JJ has on the Blazers future to obtain a Center, SG, and PG this off-season?

Burning because most are against trading LA.

If Portland could get a true center, improve the bench, and add a decent draft pick by trading LA and moving JJ to PF I would be all for it.

Posted 01/31/2013 4:47 PM

idk I love jj but he is very limited especially when it comes to ways to score then LA is  

Posted 01/31/2013 4:48 PM

jj can't spread the floor while LA can and he can score in the paint just as good as jj if not better 

Posted 01/31/2013 8:29 PM

If we can bring him back as a high energy 6th man, im all for that. As for making him a center, best to trade him. JJ does well against other converted forwards, he does not do well against centers. This might be due to the fact he is a 6-9 PF.

Posted 01/31/2013 8:36 PM

I agree with what you said here. I think JJ is a great high energy 6th man on this team. Or, a starting Forward on a team that needs one. As far as "this is a job" and "they should take the money"? well, depends on what type of player you are. The Birds,Magics, and Michael's have left. Those guys wanted to win at all costs. This is why they stayed on the same team for their careers. Question is, what type of player is JJ? it is not selfish of a fan at all, this is why we are fans. We are a fan of the guy who wants to win, not for the guy who wants to be on MTV cribs. Without us, he gets zero dollars. So, the question really becomes: what type of player is JJ? 

Posted 01/31/2013 11:53 PM

@ LTG - I don't agree with that argument. To say JJ doesn't want to win if he leaves for $8 mil over staying in Portland for $4-5 mil is a false equivilance. Magic, Michael and Bird all got PAID. Ever heard of Larry Bird Rights?  I think it's disingenuous to suggest that JJ doesn't want to win if he chooses to get paid significantly more somewhere else.  He deserves it.  He deserves to start at his natural possition.

Posted 02/01/2013 9:59 AM

Posted By L.T.G on 01/31/2013 8:36 PM

Question is, what type of player is JJ? it is not selfish of a fan at all, this is why we are fans. We are a fan of the guy who wants to win, not for the guy who wants to be on MTV cribs. Without us, he gets zero dollars. So, the question really becomes: what type of player is JJ? 

 I think the question is not about JJ but LA. The main reason I think it's wise to trade LA now is because I don't believe he would resign in Portland if there were other teams interested, say like Dallas. In a year and a half Dallas will be looking to replace Dirk, who better than LA? And really, how could it get better for LA? If Portland doesn't make the playoffs again next year or is an early exit, LA is gone and Portland is back to rebuilding again.

Posted 02/01/2013 2:55 PM

The question remains what can you get for LA though basically to trade him you need to get an NBA ready piece and at least 1 lottery pick or 2 mid level 1st rounders. 

Someone who I would consider making the deal for would be Derrick Favors, he is young a good rebounder, can score and is an excellent defender. His upside is certainly similar to what LA gives us and with the extra draft picks we could build the bench as well. LA for Favors, Marvin Williams and 2 first round picks would be good. 

Since we messed up this draft or at least pick 11 another trade I would consider would be Andre Drummond, Rodney Stuckey and a first for LA. Drummond would give us a legit defensive center who has a better offensive game than expected and someone who has the upside of Dwight Howard, Stuckey is a throw in to match salaries but he would immediately improve the bench. 

I would suggest trading LA for Anthony Davis but since the Hornets have zero bad contracts to throw in that just does not seem like a reasonable destination. 

The last deal would be interesting as well adding Larry Sanders and Monta Ellis for LA. Sanders is obviously the defensive center this team needs and Ellis would certainly have all the shots he could want as the teams sixth man. All of these trades are intriguing but I am not sure any of them make us better anytime soon.  

Posted 02/02/2013 12:54 AM

Posted By benh7777 on 02/01/2013 9:59 AM

Posted By L.T.G on 01/31/2013 8:36 PM

Question is, what type of player is JJ? it is not selfish of a fan at all, this is why we are fans. We are a fan of the guy who wants to win, not for the guy who wants to be on MTV cribs. Without us, he gets zero dollars. So, the question really becomes: what type of player is JJ? 

 I think the question is not about JJ but LA. The main reason I think it's wise to trade LA now is because I don't believe he would resign in Portland if there were other teams interested, say like Dallas. In a year and a half Dallas will be looking to replace Dirk, who better than LA? And really, how could it get better for LA? If Portland doesn't make the playoffs again next year or is an early exit, LA is gone and Portland is back to rebuilding again.

You don't believe that Portland will give their 2 time All-Star an extention?  And you honestly believe Olshey would not match an offer for LA as a restricted free agent?   Sound like wishful thinking from a hater if I'm being honest.

Posted 02/05/2013 10:22 PM

I agree with a lot of you j.j. is amazing and we would not be where we are with out him he is a great starter and would still be good if coming off the bench. i hope j.j. stays he is one of my favorite blazers he hustles and plays hard and he is loved here in Portland and i'm sure he doesn't want to leave since hes playing his best basketball her

Posted 02/06/2013 1:34 AM

  You are right !!

He is my second favorite player.

He seems to always be in the right place,he works hard,etc.

 

He's the type of player Portland has been looking for in previous years.

 

Don't let this guy go,please ! 

Posted 02/09/2013 3:10 AM

but is horrible trying to defend larger c's 

Posted 02/10/2013 2:01 PM

I just heard a rumor that hickson, smith, and babbit could go to houston for toney douglas, terrence jones, donatas motiejunas, and there 2015 1st pick (lottery protected) 

Posted 02/10/2013 2:35 PM

i would try to add a PF from houston, G. Smith, Morris or Patterson...

Posted 02/10/2013 5:46 PM

yea patterson would be a decent bench piece