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Neil Olshey ready to focus on acquiring “playoff caliber” guys

By Nate Mann

PORTLAND, OR - APRIL 22: Neil Olshey of the Portland Trail Blazers and Bob Myers of the Golden State Warriors attend Game Three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs on April 22, 2017 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - APRIL 22: Neil Olshey of the Portland Trail Blazers and Bob Myers of the Golden State Warriors attend Game Three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs on April 22, 2017 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Neil Olshey said that the Blazers were too conservative at this year’s trade deadline and underestimated the level of competition in the first round of the playoffs.

President of Basketball Operations Neil Olshey spoke with ESPN’s Draft Combine coverage Thursday afternoon.

Blazers fans generally steer away from Olshey interviews. He’s programmed to select from a list of excuses and tout Portland’s regular season success while avoiding playoff-talk.

However, Thursday’s interview got him to say what we all thought at the trade deadline.

Olshey admitted to being too conservative at the deadline. He thought the organization protected its draft pick and trade exception too much.

The Blazers made one move to get under the luxury tax line. It sent Noah Vonleh and cash to the Chicago Bulls for Milocan Rakovic.

Olshey has already stated that Rakovic will likely never suit up for Portland.

Yes, the team benefitted from not starting the count on a potential repeater tax. But competing Western Conference teams made bigger splashes at the trade deadline.

Prime example: the New Orleans Pelicans traded Omer Asik, Jameer Nelson, Tony Allen and a first-round pick for Nikola Mirotic and a second-round pick from the Chicago Bulls.

Mirotic went on to average 18.3 points and 9.5 rebounds in the first round, helping the Pelicans sweep the Blazers.

Rebuild

Despite three straight playoff trips with this team, Neil Olshey continued to say it’s in the rebuilding process. Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum are in their primes…that’s hardly a rebuilding team.

He finally understands the need for change in order to advance past the second round of the playoffs.

The Blazers must encounter either Houston or Golden State, if not both, before the finals in the future. The President of Basketball Operations will now focus on finding “playoff-caliber” guys to compete with these juggernauts.

Next: Chandler Hutchison backs out of NBA Draft Combine

Olshey says he wants to acquire players capable of making the Blazers a deep playoff competitor. However, the only way to achieve such high goals is to move CJ McCollum.

First, no team will absorb Evan Turner or Meyers Leonard‘s contract without also receiving McCollum. Second, CJ is Portland’s only trade piece strong enough to return the “playoff caliber” guys Olshey seeks. (They’re not trading Damian Lillard.)

We’ll find out this summer whether or not Neil Olshey is serious with these claims, or if he’ll go back to make minor improvements and focusing on the “rebuilding process.”