Rip City Project
Fansided

Blazers, Rip City stuck on sideline as NBA evolves, revolves and changes around them

By Matt George Moore

PORTLAND, OR - JULY 7: General Manager Neil Olshey and Jake Layman of the Portland Trail Blazers pose for a photo during Layman's media introduction July 7, 2016 at the Trail Blazer Practice Facility 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 2016 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - JULY 7: General Manager Neil Olshey and Jake Layman of the Portland Trail Blazers pose for a photo during Layman's media introduction July 7, 2016 at the Trail Blazer Practice Facility 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 2016 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Portland Trail Blazers fans have every right to be frustrated by the continuing lack of positive action from the front office and general manager Neil Olshey.

Who would have thought that the Portland Trail Blazers would be less talented heading into July 2018 than they were when they got punked outta the playoffs by the New Orleans Pelicans?

Not me. Maybe not you. Maybe not even head coach Terry Stotts.

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I mean, most of us in Rip City knew the Blazers were pressed hard against the salary cap. We understood that Portland’s current financial inflexibility likely meant that no big moves were on the horizon.

But this? Did we expect this?

Ed Davis? Gone. Pat Connaughton? Gone. Shabazz Napier? Gone. Jake Layman? Still a Blazer.

It’s enough to make a person wish there was some new kind of emoji that expressed our shocking discontent. A combo-hybrid, facepalm-slash-exploding-head-slash-frowny-face-slash-angry-mean-mug-slash-shaking-your-fist-in-the-air-at-the-insanity-of-it-all kinda special Rip City emoji.

But no. There’s nothing. Just radio silence from President of Basketball Operations Neil Olshey and his gang of mystery incompetents.

Blazers’ (Non)Moves

There’s a lot happening in the NBA right now. LeBron James is heading to the Lakers (and a whole bunch of ballers are moving hither and thither in his wake).

But in Portland?

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OK, that’s not exactly true. Some things did happen.

Portland acquired two guards on draft night: Anfernee Simons and Gary Trent Jr. Of the two, Trent Jr. is more likely to see playing time in his rookie season.

The Blazers also extended a qualifying offer to Jusuf Nurkic.

Portland signed Nik Stauskas — ostensibly to replace Connaughton. (Why not just re-sign Connaughton?)

And … (checks notes) yup … ! That’s about it.

Woohoo! Ready for next season, Rip City?

Bold Moves Ahead?

We’ve been pleading with Neil Olshey to make some big moves to improve this team. (You do read us every day, right Neil?)

As Trail Blazers fans, we’re skeptical but optimistic. Perhaps these minor moves will add up to a big payday for the Blazers. Maybe Olshey will pull the trigger on a trade that includes CJ McCollum. Then we’ll be able to analyze these puzzling, baffling moves (and non-moves) with some perspective.

But is Olshey capable of surprising anybody?

Next: Blazers should consider trading CJ McCollum

Unless and until that happens, we’ll have to get used to the idea that First Team All-NBA player and franchise cornerstone Damian Lillard will continue getting his heart broken by an organization that can’t seem to field a team worthy of his talent and leadership.

We’ll also have to content ourselves with a team that — somehow, someway — is actually looking worse than it did heading into this offseason.

I never thought that was a possibility.

But with this team’s current front office, I guess anything can happen.

Just nothing good, apparently.