Trail Blazers owner Jody Allen is pushing for Spurs assistant Becky Hammon while president of basketball operations Neil Olshey prefers Clippers assistant Chauncey Billups to be the team’s next head coach, Marc Stein of the New York Times hears. The team is conducting second interviews with both candidates with Mike D’Antoni reportedly also in the running.
We have more from the Northwest Division:
- There’s a strong possibility CJ McCollum will be traded this offseason, Jason Quick of The Athletic opines. Dealing McCollum is the most logical way for the Blazers to improve, or at least shake up their roster. Olshey seems more open to breaking up his star backcourt, which has posted a 15-30 record in the playoffs. However, with three big years left on McCollum’s contract, it’s tough to know what the Blazers could get in return.
- There were a number of reasons why the Timberwolves didn’t tank, most notably to find out how D’Angelo Russell and Karl-Anthony Towns would mesh down the stretch, according to Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic. They also wanted to establish a culture of expectations for their youngest players. Minnesota had to convey its pick at No. 7 to Golden State after failing to move into the top three in the lottery.
- Without a first-rounder, the Timberwolves will look to free agency and the trade market to shore up their roster, Chris Hine of the Minneapolis Star Tribune writes. They’re particularly intent on upgrading the power forward spot to become a better rebounding team.
So McCollum for Simmons? (Add draft picks and swaps where necessary)
I’d rather just keep Simmons for another year and see if he actually buys into this offseason shooting program. I think adding CJ is a lateral move.
So after 8 years you think that Simmons is going to learn how to shoot?
Ok…
BTW do you really think that Klutch is going to let the Sixers devalue their client further?
Simmons is gone, its just a matter of where and who Philly gets back.
So what horrible contract will Philly get in return for him?
How about this?
Simmons for John Wallet
Both are point guards
If Rockets trade other players for Ben Simmons, Simmons and John Wallet don’t fit.
Wallywood, obviously Andrew Wiggins.
Oh my gawd. How is Wiggins a terrible player? But, you are a Red Sox fan. You guys blew a wad on The Panda; you guys were incredibly stupid.
Vince, Wiggins has a terrible contract, I didn’t say terrible player.
Some teams have pockets full of money like the Red Sox 5 years ago. Sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn’t. I think the Red Sox rebounded from signing the Panda when they won the World Series in 2018.
I think CJ’s ball handling, moving without the job, and being able to score on his own would help Curry and Embiid. This will improve their stale offense. I don’t consider it a lateral move but a short-term gain, risking the future that Simmons figures it out.
Curry and McCollum are the same player, they’re not a fit next to each other. Both undersized off-ball SG’s (by NBA standards) Even less of a fit than CJ is next to Dame. They’d need to bring in a PG still. Lowry, might work, but that sends Curry to the bench.
They’re not the same player at all. Curry is an excellent spot up shooter but can’t really get his own shot. CJ can create his own and also run the point if he has to for stretches as shown when Dame has been injured. How does Simmons work with Dame?
CK Rebel, are you kidding me. Seth Curry was in the minor leagues 4 years ago… trying to find his way on an NBA roster. He has a nice jump shot and a nice little NBA contract now.
CJ McCollum is one of those guys where you figure he’s an All-Star but the Blazers only get one guy per year so he’s out. The man can score at will and is the secondary big gun with the Blazers. The Blazers are amazing and I think they were the third seed a year or two ago because of CJ mccollum’s expertise on the floor. He might not really be a point guard but the man can score.
The only time CJ McCollum and Seth Curry should be in the same sentence is this: “Seth Curry is no CJ McCollum.”
Curry has grown a great deal as a player in the last 3 years. He was lights out in the last series but his D can be exposed. He should move to a 6 man and Maxey should start. Morey will make some good moves.
Hey Spike. I will give the 411 on this site. They are great tracking player movement, which will never find on ESPN. The Disney Channel, ESPN, as evidence by Stephen A, that they only like Star Powered players. Hoopsrumors talks about all NBA players. The most frequent posters on here are hung up on what the Disney Channel says. They really don’t know what they are talking. One example is Marty McRae. He insists that Steve Kerr is diminishing the career of Steph Curry because they don’t run enough Pick and Rolls. If you have ever watched Steph Curry, the dude doesn’t need a Pick and Roll. Just watch videos of Steph Curry shooting 3s.
A great deal of people post on here without any background or have even played the game.
@vince you mean Strike Four
I believe Jody Allen is a she, not a he.
As Ed McMahon would say, you are correct, sir.
Yes you are correct sir. Mr. Paul Allen regrettably passed away and his SISTER Jody now is in charge.
Yes Jody Allen is a She
Finkel??
CJM might be a good add, but they guy they should look to move for him is Harris. It goes against the modern mantra of trade no player unless he wants out or you want him out.
The biggest reason the Wolves didn’t tank was that the GM remade the entire team, and odds were against keeping the pick even if they had the worst overall record. Top 3 protection was for the prior draft rules.
Olshey should give the Owner what she wants, on the condition that he doesn’t get fired if the team doesn’t get any better with her hand picked HC.
I think CJM should of been traded long ago.
I agree. He’s been very good when Dame has been out. He deserves a chance without Lillard
He was a real trade asset two years ago, and there was interest one a year ago. At this point, I think it’s likely down to a few teams that might chance him being able to transition to a full time PG. 3 years/ 100 mm can’t be justified for an undersized 2G, or a combo.
CJM seemed to be relieved he got the extension offer about two years ago. He can take some blame for continuing his predicament, which he understood to be the case early on, in talking about his chances of making an allstar team.
On the Timberpuppies:
Gee,
Dana Gauruder, Jon Krawczynski & Chris Hine
Why can’t you tell us something that the ENTIRE WORLD doesn’t ALREADY KNOW ????
Marc Stein: “In Portland, there is a growing belief that Jody Allen, the team’s owner, has a strong interest in Becky Hammon”…
[About Lillard]: “we await an updated preference”
Pretty vague, but that explains some things if so. No reason to interview 25 if it’s GM vs owner.
Olshey should hire Hammon and blame the boss if it does not work out. There is no good reason to be hung up on Billups who is not special or proven or experienced.
Lillard would seem to be a good star to win the lockerroom with. Is he? Would he want to leave if Hammon is hired?— Does Olshey worry about that?
Billups is a special leaders. To say he is not is utter ignorance of his career and who he is. That said Becky Hammon can handle any basketball job she amazing person