Trail Blazers Free Agency: Harkless’ Unorthodox Path
Trail Blazers Free Agency: Is Harkless going to follow Tristan Thompson’s lead?
Ever since the free agency standoff bubbled to the surface, both camps have been quiet until recently. It was revealed that Portland’s General Manager Neil Olshey and swingman Maurice Harkless are locked into a staring contest – daring the other to blink first. In an obvious attempt of posturing for his client, Harkless’ agent blinked first.
Among everything quoted, the most deliberate information Harkless’ agent revealed was there’s still a chance Harkless accepts the one-year qualifying offer. It is also clear that they’re in no rush to get something done. It appears that Harkless wants to stay in Portland, but he doesn’t like the offers he’s heard thus far.
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It’s obvious now that Olshey has been advised to stay below the luxury tax line (or this deal would already be done), which seriously restricts how much he can offer. Olshey’s remaining 9 million dollars before reaching the luxury tax line has to feel like an insult, especially after seeing the contracts handed out so far in free agency. As of now, Harkless and his agent have a good idea of what he’s worth and he certainly feels like he’s worth more than what’s available on the current market.
The scenario is starting to take the same path Tristan Thompson took with the Cleveland Cavaliers last offseason, when both sides endured their own agonizing stalemate. Thompson was adamant about getting a max contract with the Cavaliers and let the October 1st deadline pass without agreeing to a deal (even bypassing the Cleveland’s qualifying offer). When the deadline passed, the Cavaliers essentially called his bluff and Thompson lost his leverage of signing the qualifying offer and leaving for a new team the following year. It was a gutsy move that still worked out in Thompson’s favor. He received his max contract but he had a secondary advantage – the Cavaliers were a team that were willing to pay anything to break Cleveland’s championship drought (sharing an agent with LeBron James doesn’t hurt either).
The game might be similar for Harkless but the rules are a little different. The Blazers aren’t in serious contention like the Cavaliers were and retaining Harkless won’t move the needle in either direction.
Instead, re-signing Harkless would be in line with Olshey’s mission of asset gathering. He’s already assembled the deepest team he’s had so far in Portland and getting Harkless back at 9 million per year would be a major victory.
Olshey can also decide to renounce his rights and let Harkless freely choose his next team. However, that goes against the idea of not letting assets get away for nothing. This becomes a huge pill to swallow when you consider Portland’s struggles when it comes to attracting top level free agents.
Olshey’s best play is to stick to his guns and hope Harkless takes the 9 million dollar deal or signs the qualifying offer. The same is true for Harkless. He needs to hold his ground and wait for Olshey to cave, even if he has to go all-in like Thompson did last year.
Next: Are The Blazers Being Overlooked Again?
The situation brewing appears to be unavoidably destined for the deadline – or later – unless someone flinches. Harkless and his agent have already shown their hand and appear ready to see this to the end. So who’s going to flinch next? Will it be the slick and savvy general manager or the young and talented forward still trying to prove himself?