MIN/POR/PHX - value?

[TrentTuckerForever]

Portland Trail Blazers

Out - Batum, Felton, Johnson
In - Nash, Ridnour

WHY FOR THE BLAZERS - A shot at a ring. Nash is 38 and an expiring contract, but since they didn't extend Batum it's conceivable that Gerald Wallace is their priority in the offseason. Nash is a big enough upgrade over Felton that the Blazers would contend this year. Ridnour protects Nash from having to play too many minutes.

Wallace/Babbitt
Aldridge/Smith
Thomas/Camby
Matthews/Crawford
Nash/Ridnour

Minnesota Timberwolves

In - Batum, R. Lopez, Johnson
Out - Williams, Ridnour, Tolliver

WHY FOR THE WOLVES - Lineup balance. Batum starts opposite Johnson, giving the Wolves the defensive wings they're going to need if Love and Pekovic are the long-term 4/5 starting combo. Lopez provides another defensive big off the bench. Long term there's cap room to extend Batum as part of the team's core.

Batum/Beasley
Love/Lopez
Pekovic/Milicic
Johnson/Ridnour
Rubio/Barea

Phoenix Suns

In - Williams, Felton, Tolliver
Out - Nash, Lopez

WHY FOR THE SUNS - Kickstart a rebuild. Turn Nash into the 2nd pick of last year's draft (Williams and Gortat would complement each other well, BTW). Felton and Tolliver are expiring, like Nash.

Hill/Webster
Williams/Frye
Gortat/Tolliver
Dudley/Brown
Felton/Telfair

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachi ... Id=72ffmuy

If the Suns do nothing at the deadline, they suck less because Nash is playing so well. In this scenario they suck more (better pick), and get a highly regarded prospect for their trouble. No-brainer for them, IMO. I think this is great for the Wolves and Suns... not sure about the Blazers even though they're getting the best player in the deal.

[[RCG]]

I think it is fine.

[big3_8_19_21]

I have a hard time seeing the Blazers give up Batum for a 38 year old PG, even if it is Nash. I do agree that I think the Suns and Wolves do it, though.

[shangrila]

I'd rather pursue Batum in the offseason rather than giving up Williams this early.

[Narf]

Too much for Nash
Not enough for Batum

[TrentTuckerForever]

I have a hard time seeing the Blazers give up Batum for a 38 year old PG, even if it is Nash. I do agree that I think the Suns and Wolves do it, though.

Thanks for the feedback... I agree with this, actually. It's a bold, "all-in" kind of move that would be hard to see a team without a general manager making.

Batum started at off-guard for the Blazers last night, BTW. 22 points and 8 rebounds. I hope Shangrila is right and we take a run at him in the offseason - he'd be perfect for the Wolves.

[SO_MONEY]

I just don't know if Batum is worth that much kind of a ransom for a player who can be really tentative and is due a big contract. I know a bunch of Minnesota fans have him highly rated and even I do to a degree. Ridnour with the second pick in the draft is just too much to ask while getting nothing more in return, R. Lopez is due a contract too and I don't know if he would be a guy who I would want to re-sign. I would much rather see how the market pans out and see who may drop in value...I think this FA one or two will.