Portland Trail Blazers – Why “Rebuild” Is Not A Bad Word

The decision has been made. The mourning process in Portland has begun. LaMarcus Aldridge is headed to San Antonio. While a lot of people are dreading the “R-word”, there are some definite benefits to rebuilding.

Around the league there are teams in various stages of rebuilding. The Philadelphia 76ers, the Boston Celtics, the Los Angeles Lakers, the Orlando Magic. All teams that are acquiring young talent, draft picks, and assets to become a contender in the years to come.

With four of the five starters from the Blazers’ rosters headed to other teams, General Manager Neil Olshey and gang find themselves in the middle of a complete rebuild.

There have been a few moves made in Portland that have kick-started the rebuilding process. Bringing in young talent like Mason Plumlee and Noah Vonleh are great ways to build depth with the potential upside to become starters or even difference makers in this league. Olshey has been very prudent in the way he has built the team and spent the money available to him.

As we sit, the Blazers have 14 players on the roster, their average age only 24 years old, they have the most cap space in the entire league (over $21 million) and an All-Star point guard in Damian Lillard.

While this team is going to take a definite step back from where they have been the past two years, they are set up to develop into something special. The past two seasons, the Blazers have had consecutive 50+ win seasons and made the playoffs in the toughest conference in basketball. It sure feels like an eternity ago when Lillard hit “the shot” to beat the Houston Rockets in the first round of the 2014 Playoffs.

Realistically, this team, as presently constituted, will not make the playoffs. As a fan, that can be a tough pill to swallow. They may only win 20-30 wins this season. That’s a lot of depressing nights for fans. But the benefits reaped from a few down years may far outweigh the downfalls.

Last season when the Blazers traded for Arron Afflalo and Alonzo Gee, they sent the Denver Nuggets Will Barton, Victor Claver, Thomas Robinson, and a 1^st Round draft pick. That 1^st round draft pick is lottery protected for the next two years. What that means is, if the Blazers miss the playoffs and find themselves in the lottery, the top 14 picks of the draft, that draft pick stays with the Blazers. If the Blazers miss the playoffs the next two years, they keep their picks, and then instead of owing the Nuggets a 1^st round pick, they owe the Nuggets two-2^nd round picks.

Adding two high draft picks in the next two years, to an already talented and young roster is how a team in a market like Portland rebuilds. Figure in the caseloads of cap space that the team will have in the next few years, and this team could really reinvent itself as a contender, quickly.

This league has turned into such a guard-centric league. Luckily for the Blazers, they have a young, All-Star point guard to lead them into the future. By signing Lillard to a contract extension, he will be in Portland for the next 6 years. Having that undisputed leader on and off the court is invaluable. He is the captain of this team and will lead them into the future.

So while, this season may be difficult, heck the next few seasons may be difficult as fans, there is light at the end of the tunnel. The Blazers are run by a very intelligent and confident group in the front office. The young core and monetary flexibility the team currently has lends itself favorably to a quick rebuild process. There is optimism around the league of what the Blazers are doing. Rival executives are reportedly very impressed with what Olshey has been able to do to set up this rebuild. Now if some of that optimism could rub off on this fan base, it could be a fun few seasons getting to know and watch this young team.