The Trail Blazers are looking to make trades to upgrade their roster, Sean Meagher of The Oregonian relays via an NBA-TV interview. Portland retained Jusuf Nurkic with a four-year deal and added guards Seth Curry and Nik Stauskas in free agency. They also used a slice of their mid-level exception to sign second-rounder Gary Trent Jr.
“There’s a great foundation there, we need to continue to add veterans,” Trail Blazers GM Neil Olshey told Leigh Ellis of The Starters. “The draft was the draft, we didn’t have a lot of resources in free agency – we had the tax-payer mid-level, we broke that up – and now we’ll go into the rest of the offseason looking to make trades to bolster the top nine guys in our rotation.”
In other news around the Northwest Division:
- The Timberwolves valued veteran power forward Anthony Tolliver as much for his defense as his 3-point shooting and veteran leadership, coach Tom Thibodeau told Jerry Zgoda of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. Tolliver signed a one-year, $5.75MM contract after a solid season with the Pistons. “We wanted to address the defense of the second unit, and we think he’ll be a great fit,” Thibodeau said. “Whatever he’s asked to do, he does it. He always stars in his role. We can’t have enough guys like that.”
- Nerlens Noel was recruited by Russell Westbrook and Paul George to join the Thunder, he told Nick Gallo of the Thunder’s website. Noel signed a two-year deal with a player option, adding depth to OKC’s frontcourt. “They called the night of free agency when I was meeting with coach Billy [Donovan],” Noel said of the Thunder’s 1-2 punch. “They told me, let’s get it done and that we want to do special things this year. I definitely felt where they were coming from. I gave it a little thought and with as much love as they showed, it became an easy decision.”
- Thunder guard Andre Roberson says he’s on track to be back in action for the start of the season, according to Brett Dawson of The Oklahoman. He ruptured the patellar tendon in his left knee in January. Roberson is able to do some light shooting and ball-handling drills but hasn’t started running.
So Westbrook and Paul George told Noel that they want to do some specials things this year. Like what? Try not to get smoked in the first round of the playoffs? OKC will slip further this year.
Man I hate to judge a man that I don’t know but it says a lot to me that PG13 was fine with being an afterthought when it comes to contending for a championship. I wish him luck in OKC
Why do you think he doesn’t want to win? You really think Russ feels like he can’t beat GSW? Okc should be good this year and anything can happen.
No one expects OKC to make the western conference finals, much less bother golden state
Anthony Tolliver will end up being a quiet huge addition for the twolves
Until Wiggins decides to start maximizing on his talent, the Wolves won’t see much improvement this season
Hopefully that light shooting was free throws.
I do like the partnership of Westbrook & PG13, seems to work well on/off court, as recruiting is an important part too, you see everyone likes to feel needed, wanted & loved, just like Noel did. Also I think OKC will be competing, maybe are not top contenders for the championship, but they will compete & give it a good go on the playoffs. At the end of the day who really competes for the ring, GSW, Lakers maybe Houston or Philly? So in your opinion Chris all the players should wanna go to one of those 4 teams, the rest is pointless… sorry I cannot understand this point of view, winning a championship have to be a rarity that most stars retire without, not easy to win, if many win it you devaluing it, people can be happy making it to the playoffs & competing to go as far as they can.
Oklahoma City is one of the smallest nba cities. They loss to the Utah Jazz last year in the first round. The team chemistry didn’t look great. They don’t have many upcoming talents. His family and friends wanted him in LA. He signed a contract that won’t even maximize his earning potential. Man I could really just go on with how nuch better the Lakers would’ve been as a choice. Hell I could’ve even understand him wanting to be the king of the Knicks or Clippers. Barring something wild he’ll live the next few years of his life being relatively irrelevant in the nba scheme instead of contending. Is this team any better than the Pacers teams he led? Not much if at all
Man don’t you know a lot… Can you read people’s minds…?? Jeez what a good talent to have!…