The Daddy goes to Portland

[sunshinekids99]

Now I know the Heat could still make a run and make the playoffs. But lets say they are still having a rough time of it come trade deadline time, could they possibly try and move Shaq? He's obviously on the downswing of his career so maybe now is the time to get something back for him? Here goes nothing.

Miami Trades:
Shaq
Smush Parker
Alexander Johnson

Miami Gets:
Raef Lafrentz
Joel Prybzilla
Martell Webster
Sergio Rodriguez
2 Future First Round Picks

Why for Miami? Perhaps it is time to move on and try and get younger. In this deal they do get that done. Webster 22, Rodriguez 22, Pryz 27, plus two first round picks. Joel gives them a defensive minded center, something Shaq has declined in. Webster is a nice wing player that can really shoot the ball. Rodriguez is a young point guard that could replace Williams next season. They also get a very valuable contract for next season in Raef Lafrentz.

Miami Roster:
Pryzbilla/Blount
Haslem/Lafrentz
Webster/Wright
Wade/Davis/Cook
Williams/Rodriguez/Quinn

Inj-Zo
Would need to cut 1 of the following players
Earl Barron
Luke Jackson
Joel Anthony


Portland Trades:
Martell Webster
Joel Prybilla
Sergio Rodriguez
Raef Lafrentz
Two Future First round picks

Portland Gets:
Shaq
Smush Parker
Alexander Johnson

Why for Portland? Yes they do give up some young talent, but why not try and win this season? Shaq gives them a third scorer to go with Roy and Aldridge. Plus it gives the Blazers someone who knows what it takes to win come playoff time. They also get Smush Parker in this deal, who when is head is right can play in this league. Parker could be a valuable player off the bench. Another positive to this trade would be next season Oden could learn quite a bit from Shaq. It could also limit all the pressure that will be on Oden.

Portland Roster
Shaq/Frye
Aldridge/McRoberts/Johnson
Outlaw/Jones
Roy/Parker
Blake/Jack/Green

Inj-Oden and Miles

[sec-106]

Pass for Portland.

[BBallFreak]

I'd rather wait for Shaw to expire than take on Pryzbilla's long contract.

[shrink]

I can't see POR wanting to add a $20 mil/year for a three-year roadblock to Greg Oden.

[BBallFreak]

First of all, it will only be two years as Oden isn't playing this season. Second of all, the entire point for Portland is to have Shaq as the ultimate tutor for Oden.

[shrink]

I think you can find coaches a little cheaper than this.

[BBallFreak]

I think you can find coaches a little cheaper than this.

I'm not denying that.

[sunshinekids99]

Shaq can still play in this league. Sure he's not what he used to be, but he's still a solid big. Another reason I thought of this deal was that Oden seemed to have some stamina issues at times when he was at Ohio State. So I figured there would plenty of time for both of them next season.

[candy for lunch]

Shaq is falling fast and Smushie is worthless. No thanks.

[Spykes]

Easy no for Portland.

Also, there's no way the Heat get that kind of return for Shaq. Especially not right now. 2 Firsts, 2 young talents, a solid C in Przybilla and a near expiring contract in Raef. There is NO WAY Shaq's value is that high. None.

And for the record, I'm someone who has historically be in a favor of making a move for Shaq. But this one is really awful for Portland.

[loserX]

I suspect Miami wouldn't have TOO much trouble finding a 3rd team to take Przybilla for shorter contracts...defensive centres are a hot commodity pre-deadline. (Utah would definitely be interested, but I don't know that we have good fits with Giricek gone.)

But I agree with Spykes...Shaq won't command this kind of value if he is dealt. FOUR good young pieces? Unlikely, even with Lafrentz and Przybilla as the ballast.

[BBallFreak]

I suspect Miami wouldn't have TOO much trouble finding a 3rd team to take Przybilla for shorter contracts...defensive centres are a hot commodity pre-deadline. (Utah would definitely be interested, but I don't know that we have good fits with Giricek gone.)

But I agree with Spykes...Shaq won't command this kind of value if he is dealt. FOUR good young pieces? Unlikely, even with Lafrentz and Przybilla as the ballast.

I agree. It's definitely overpaying on their part. If they were to find a taker for Pryz, I'd be great with Frentz, expirings, and a prospect (either Webster or Jack) as the basis for a deal.

[sendai91]

Had the chance to see the Blazers in person last night, very scary team and between them and the Jazz the western conference powers over the next several years. My spin is why would the Blazers pay $35 mil + to Shaq over the next two years only to take pt away from Oden and even Aldridge? The Blazers are scary good without him, no good reason to take this gamble for the Blazers, very high risk for little return.

[Spykes]

Had the chance to see the Blazers in person last night, very scary team and between them and the Jazz the western conference powers over the next several years. My spin is why would the Blazers pay $35 mil + to Shaq over the next two years only to take pt away from Oden and even Aldridge? The Blazers are scary good without him, no good reason to take this gamble for the Blazers, very high risk for little return.

Taking on Shaq also means that the Blazers have to throw away their 09 cap space plan for him. 2009 is the only chance Portland will has at having enough cap space to sign a big FA before they have to resign Roy and Aldridge. It's a very small window of time, and taking on Shaq's contract while getting rid of LaFrentz's completely closes that window.

While Shaq would be a nice help for Portland imo, he's certainly not worth giving up the Blazers one big shot at a FA.

How about this deal?

POR Trades:

Joel Przybilla
Darius Miles
Martell Webster
Jarrett Jack
Cash Consideration

POR Receives:

Shaquille O'Neal
Smush Parker

MIA Trades:

Shaquille O'Neal
Smush Parker

MIA Receives:

Jarrett Jack
Martell Webster
Stephon Marbury

NY Trades:

Stephon Marbury

NY Receives:

Darius Miles
Joel Przybilla
Cash Considerations

Why for Portland?

They get Shaq to mentor Oden and help Portland's rebounding woes, and they do it without hurting their 09 cap space plan that badly.

Why for Miami?

They get two solid young players in Webster and Jack, and they get some cap space a year early to try and build around Wade again in 09 by taking on Marbury's contract.

Why for NY?

They get a defensive center who's proven to be a good compliment next to Zach Randolph. Miles is close to returning to the basketball court as well, and could be helpful when he's healthy. Portland sends the some extra money to compensate for the Knicks taking on some added salary.

[PhilasFinest]

Shaq is pretty much done...and Portland has Oden next year.There front court is set with Oden and Aldridge so i think this makes 0 sense for them.

[TGM]

First of all, it will only be two years as Oden isn't playing this season. Second of all, the entire point for Portland is to have Shaq as the ultimate tutor for Oden.

Shaq being a top 50 player doesn't translate him into the ultimate tutor.

Shaq was so good primarily because of pure size dominance.

Give any all-star bigman today Shaq's frame in his prime, and i would guarantee you they would have just as much success. Shaq's biggest strength is something you can't teach. Its called 325 pounds of muscle and a bigger frame than Dwight Howard.

This trade is horrible for Portland, even if the two first round picks were removed.

[giberish]

With the way Shaq (for the worse) and Pryzbilla (for the better) have been playing this season, it's debatable whether Shaq or Pryzbilla will be the better player over the next 2.5 years. Shaq would clearly be more of an offensive force, but Pryzbilla would be more of a defensive presence.

While LaFrentz helps balance out the contracts somewhat adding Shaq kills Portland's 09 FA plan. I'm not sure Portland would give that up to make a swap of backup centers even if the young talent and draft picks are removed.

Pryzbilla is perfectly capable of playing 15-25 mpg behind Oden (if Oden's minutes are limited due to conditioning or foul trouble). Pryzbilla sometimes struggles to be effective over bigger minutes due to foul trouble (and perhaps conditioning), but Shaq has the same limitation.

[TradeMachine]

I'd rather wait for Shaw to expire than take on Pryzbilla's long contract.

Przybilla has a very reasonable contract for his production. He's a better defensive presence than Shaq (now), and a terrific rebounder. On the season, he's averaging 5pts, 7rbs, and more than a block a game in about 21 mins. Also, his impact on the game goes further than the numbers as he is one of the best in the league in drawing charges and alters a lot of shots around the rim.

What other center, not on a rookie contract, can give you that much for the salary he's owed?

[NBAMAN2006]

I really dont think I would deal Joel straight up for Shaq, let alone add in 2 1st round picks and 2 very promising young players.

[BBallFreak]

Shaq being a top 50 player doesn't translate him into the ultimate tutor.

Shaq was so good primarily because of pure size dominance.

Give any all-star bigman today Shaq's frame in his prime, and i would guarantee you they would have just as much success. Shaq's biggest strength is something you can't teach. Its called 325 pounds of muscle and a bigger frame than Dwight Howard.

First of all, it was not my assertion that Shaq would tutor anyone, it was the OP's.

Second of all, Shaq's frame certainly didn't hurt him, but you're really understating what made Shaq great. It wasn't just the fact that he was big. Greg Ostertag was a mountain. It was the fact that he was that big, that strong, AND the fact that he had some of the best footwork in the game. He was deceptively quick.

Also, Shaq is one of the smarter basketball players out there. He really does have a great understanding of the game.

What other center, not on a rookie contract, can give you that much for the salary he's owed?

Why does it matter to Miami if they're trading Shaq?