James Jones?

[AZ BLAZER]

There were just some light rumors floating around from some Hornets sources I have that they were interested in Webster and that the package would more or less be made up of Butler + '08 1st (and maybe '09 1st too). No word on if a third team would potentially be involved, but that would seem to make more sense.

I think given the right situation, Butler could be fairly productive.

edit: I should mention that this was just within the Hornets organization themselves, I'm not suggesting that they spoke with Portland in any capacity.

See, here is where I call BS! They can not trade consecutive first round draft picks, and I am sure if your Hornets sources were "in the know," they would at least know that!

[AZ BLAZER]

I actually could see Memphis making a run at Jones if he opts out.

He'd be a good 15-20 minute guy behind Rudy Gay off the bench at SF.

Sure, Memphis may make a run at him. Big deal. Why would Jones want to go to that mess over Portland? You say that Portland only sees him as a rotation player, but then propose just 15-20 minutes per as Gay's back up. That is rotation also! I am positive he would rather be a rotation guy on a playoff and contending team than in Memphis. Add to that he constantly raves about how he loves the team and his role, I would expect a fair offer to keep him happy in Portland.

[2poor]

See, here is where I call BS! They can not trade consecutive first round draft picks, and I am sure if your Hornets sources were "in the know," they would at least know that!

uh, I meant one or the other. I was simply stating the theoretical packages, I kind of assume that since I'm on a trade board for an NBA site, that people are aware of the Stepien rule.

thx.

[candy for lunch]

http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazer ... .html#more

I wouldn't fret about the future of Trail Blazers forward and resident sage James Jones, who has the option to become a free agent after this season.

Even though I was chastised Friday by teammate Steve Blake for doing so, I probed Jones on where he stood regarding his $3.2 million player option, and Jones indicated he has every intention of staying in Portland.

However, that revelation didn't come before taking a little razing from Blake.

"Come on J-Quick, you can't be asking about contracts right now,'' Blake said passing by. "It's too early.''

It may be, but Jones took no offense, even though he called the question "premature''.

"For me, it has always been about just thinking in the near future,'' Jones said. "If an opportunity presents itself for me to opt out and stay here, cool. Or if it doesn't present itself - an opportunity for me to opt out _ and I stay here, that's fine too. But either way it goes, I want to stay here.''

Jones, who is leading the NBA in three-point percentage (52.7 percent), makes $2.9 million this season. Next season he has three options:

1. Exercise the option on his contract and play for $3.2 million next season.

2. Opt out of his contract and sign a free-agent contract with another team.

3. Opt out of his contract and negotiate a new deal with the Blazers, who would own his Bird Rights, meaning the team has right to match any other offer he receives.

I think it's a safe bet the end result will be either option 1 or option 3. The Blazers love Jones _ "We don't win that (Miami) game without him" general manager Kevin Pritchard said _ and Jones loves this Portland team.

"I like it here,'' Jones said. "I won't say (that he is coming back) no matter what, but I like it here. This is a place for me. I've had a lot of success here. It's different going someplace and winning and actually going someplace and helping teams win. I'm about winning. Because at the end of the day, if you are not about winning, you can be bing-banged around from place to place.

"But if you are winning, you can pretty much find a home and be stable. Right now, I've been on three teams in five years and I'm kind of looking for a little stability.''

[Wizenheimer]

There were just some light rumors floating around from some Hornets sources I have that they were interested in Webster and that the package would more or less be made up of Butler + '08 1st (and maybe '09 1st too). No word on if a third team would potentially be involved, but that would seem to make more sense.

I think given the right situation, Butler could be fairly productive.

edit: I should mention that this was just within the Hornets organization themselves, I'm not suggesting that they spoke with Portland in any capacity.

Spykes has done a real good job of analyzing the situation. I'd add that when portland was 5-12, they would have been a lot more open to trades then they are after winning 19 of 22. Especially considering that team chemistry is apparently so good.

I would anticipate that portland's GM will be active again this off-season, most likely on draft day. And depending on what James Jones does may determine who portland might be willing to move.

Obviously, for the right deal almost anybody on the roster other then roy-aldridge-oden would be available.

But not for Rasul Butler. Frankly, any one of webster-jones-outlaw is better then Butler. And it wasn't too long ago that Byron Scott was badmouthing his bench and that includes butler.

NO and Portland aren't good trading partners from portland's perspective...unless of course you guys are growing tired of the way Chris Paul dominates a game!

[Wizenheimer]

http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2008/01/jonesing_for_james.html#more

.....edit....
Jones, who is leading the NBA in three-point percentage (52.7 percent), makes $2.9 million this season. Next season he has three options:

1. Exercise the option on his contract and play for $3.2 million next season.

2. Opt out of his contract and sign a free-agent contract with another team.

3. Opt out of his contract and negotiate a new deal with the Blazers, who would own his Bird Rights, meaning the team has right to match any other offer he receives.

.''

I could be wrong, but I don't think that part is correct. Jones isn't on a rookie contract and would be a restricted free agen, he'd be unrestricted. So I don't think Portland could simply 'match' the offer and keep him. Jones could go where he wants no matter what Portland offered him. At least that's the way I understand it.

[Billy]

To me, the argument that Portland NEEDS to move Jones because of roster space is a pretty weak one. Simply because teams don't just shed important contributors to make roster spots open--especially when there are players that are contributing much less that could just as easily go (McRoberts and Green).

But really, there is very little I can say that Spykes hasn't already covered. Jones realistically means more to Portland than he would to many via trade. Not to say he's untouchable, but they certainly aren't looking to downgrade just because a pick or a Euro might be coming over next year.