Portland's last piece - Indiana's first step

[farzi]

I thought we were done with FORD TO PDX!!!!

[Spykes]

Portland will have cap space, but its kinda a year too early to have it. I wouldn't be at all surprised that if Portland made no moves they look to add talent via a trade and pick up the options on Blake and Outlaw. I still expect Frye, Diogu renounced but I think Portland looks to cash in on a team saving 10-12 million in a trade and the Blazers take advantage.

I completely agree. It'd be great if Portland could have cap space in 2010, but there's just no real conceivable way for the Blazers to make it happen thanks to Roy and Aldridge.

I think as the deadline gets closer, Pritchard is gonna make a hard push to find a team that wants to dump a very good player for very little and use Raef's contract as the main piece of the deal. And Raef's contract is gonna be the most attractive expiring contract on the market this year thanks to the insurance on it.

Frye and Diogu are definitely gonna be renounced, if they're even still on the roster by the end of the season.

And regardless of if Portland moves or keeps Raef, I think the Blazers are picking up the options on Blake or Outlaw. There's only 1 player who'll be on the market this summer worth the full max imo, and he isn't planning on leaving his current team (I'm talking about Kobe when he opts out of his deal this summer).

As for the deal, the Blazers somehow get two starters for none of theirs. I understand Portland has assets, but the best piece going back to Indy is what...Webster/Outlaw? I think Indy passes because they give up guys they could get expiring deals for and are much worse off.

Again, I have no problem with Indy passing here. Not convinced any of the pieces coming into Portland are good fits. I think the Blazers would be better off seeing what else they can get Raef's expiring deal and some young players. Honestly, I think I'd rather just see Portland keep Raef's contract than make this deal. I'm not knocking the players, just don't think they're pretty poor fits what Portland needs at PG and SF.