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Fresh off today's wiretap:

"I think experience," said McMillan when asked about what the team really needs heading into next season. "We were one of the youngest teams in the league this year, and I think experience will help us. Going through this year has helped. We'll add on two young players in Greg (Oden) and Rudy (Fernandez) and perhaps a draft pick, so I think we need to add some experience to the roster."

"I won't get into that," McMillan said of possible moves. "But there are a number of options we can go to. We're going to have a draft pick, a pretty good pick (13 overall), and we've got some second round picks (33, 34 and 54) so Kevin will get into that pretty soon and we'll start talking about that."

Andre Miller for the 13th pick seems like pretty even value to me... I remember reading speculation about Portland's interest in Andre Miller throughout this season. He's kind of the perfect piece to add to that team. PG is the only position they really need, and he provides the veteran leadership they are seeking. In the rugged West, Portland needs to make this kind of move to get over the hump.

Miller is going into the final year on his deal, and he only expressed luke-warm interest in resigning here. He just seems destined for the west coast. No good GM would let an asset like Miller walk for free.

I'm not even suggesting that you necessarily draft at 13. But I would absolutely acquire that chip for Miller if it's on the table. Imagine entering the draft with #13, #16 and our bevy of young talent. These are the kind of pieces that can yield you a star PF via trade. Also, maybe it's time to see if Lou can really run the point. We all know Andre Miller is not the long-term solution at PG. I say flip him to POR for #13.

You would have to match salaries since Portland is over the cap (17M to Francis who they bought out.) Jack+Outlaw+Frye gets you to 9M.

Or better yet, you could package Miller + WG for Raef Lafrentz's expiring ($12 mil) + #13 + 2 second rounders. Not sure POR would do Jack + Outlaw + #13 for Miller..... Also, this clears more cap room for the Sixers. So say the match salaries... Would you do it?

This seems like the perfect match to me. Worst case scenario, you draft at #13 and #16, and end up going into next season with something like this lineup and insane cap space:

Lou
Iggy
Thad/Carney
Speights or Arthur (#13) / J.Smith
Sam/ Hibbert (#16)

Even if we can't resign Miller, he will be a vauluable expiring next season. If we have to trade him, I would rather use his expiring next year in part of a bigger deal to land a stud PF.

It is possible that his value as an expiring could tun out to be more than his value as a player. Look at how valuable Kwame's contract was in landing Gasol.

Yea, but this way you get Raef LaFrentz's expiring anyways. So it's a win-win. Then you flip Jason Smith for Kyle Lowry and use Evans to back up the young bangers. That team would be so much fun. From everything I've read, Speights has big-time potential, and looks like he could be a potential star PF. Maximize your assets!

There is no way I trade Andre Miller unless we are getting an absolute stud.

Fire BK wrote:Or better yet, you could package Miller + WG for Raef Lafrentz's expiring ($12 mil) + #13 + 2 second rounders. Not sure POR would do Jack + Outlaw + #13 for Miller..... Also, this clears more cap room for the Sixers. So say the match salaries... Would you do it?

This seems like the perfect match to me. Worst case scenario, you draft at #13 and #16, and end up going into next season with something like this lineup and insane cap space:

Lou
Iggy
Thad/Carney
Speights or Arthur (#13) / J.Smith
Sam/ Hibbert (#16)

I like it, even though losing miller would probably result in a 5 game decrease in the win column, atleast next year. No matter how good Lou is next year, there will be a huge void on the team without Miller's veteran leadershing [EDIT](wow, I'm not changing that, that should be a new word, leadershing...how the heck did I create a typo like that), uncanny passing ability, and money mid-range jumper.

I like the deal even better if we can get Jack (great 6th man, who can play the point, plays great d, and can hit the 3), Outlaw (Jump outta the gym SF, poor man's Josh Smith?) and the #13th...
______________

Andre Miller is too good for an end of the lottery pick like #13.

I agree with LW and SendEm. I pass on that proposal if we solely end up with a #13. Andre Miller is worth much more than an unproven young player.

If we could somehow agree on Rodriguez, #13, a future protected-first rounder and Ref's contract for Andre Miller and Willie Green, I would do it. Portland gives up pretty much but they still have their core players. I think they would do it.

Portland is going to be pressed to make a package deal of some kind. they have a pretty full roster already plus Rudy Fernandez and Petteri Kopenen (sp?) simmering in Europe, the number 13 pick in the first round plus three second rounders this year. James Jones is a free agent, but they want him back. Some combination of Webster, Jack, Blake, Rodriguez, Frye, Kopenen and draft picks will be moved at some point, probably for a starting PG and maybe a back-up bruiser. Miller and Evans might fit the bill, but I would have to see the package offered before I buy in.

I just lost my post, and am too lazy to re-type. Agree with the potential of this type of deal based on some of the points Skates made, but I just can't see it working out for both teams. Miller has great value, but to match up the salaries, you end up with something like Frye/Webster/Blake/#13 for Miller, which sounds more like a Florida Marlins fire sale deal than an NBA deal.

The general concept is interesting, and I do think Miller has to be part of the off season movement discussion as his value is very high, but I don't know if this can work. Portland has a ton of 'chips' to play with, so maybe a 4 for 1 isn't too crazy.

I agree either Rodriguez or Webster have to be included. They have the most potential of what we could receive for Miller. Rodriguez may become a good PG, and Webster a solid scorer and threat from long range.

eyeatoma wrote:-= original quote snipped =-
No matter how good Lou is next year, there will be a huge void on the team without Miller's veteran leadershing [EDIT](wow, I'm not changing that, that should be a new word, leadershing...how the heck did I create a typo like that), uncanny passing ability, and money mid-range jumper

To loosely quote the Sage Starbury- Sometimes you need to sacrifice leadershing to get youthier...

Then again, Marbury never knew much about leadershing.

I thought about this but it only makes sense if portland is under the cap. (Jack + 13 + cap space)

But this isnt the case. Maybe a 3 way?

I can guarantee that Rodriguez will not be traded to the Sixers even if it involves Iggy, Dalembert, Lou Williams, and Miller JUST for him. Familiarize yourselves with the current Rodriguez negotiations.

Nobody cares about Rodriguez

Moving Miller for 13 is ridiculous. Hell, look at last year's draft. Most of us would have moved Miller to Atlanta for the #11 (AC Law) and we see how that would have turned out. This year's draft isn't anything close to as deep hence moving into the lottery won't be all that hard.

If we move Miller this summer (highly unlikely), I imagine Stefanski will be seeking something more than just a pick for him.

On a related note, I read that Rod Thorn may also look to wheel and deal this summer. I'm all for a Jason Smith - Marcus Williams deal.

Yes...the Hot Rod discussions are pretty interesting. How many foreign players does Portland have in their back pocket? They must have at least 5 guys that are still their property.

No to Marcus Williams, especially for Jason Smith. I'm OK with dealing Smith for another big man, but you can't send him off for a questionable PG. I think we'll see in the playoffs how much we really would benefit from 2 more quality big men to work with Sam, and I think Jason still has some potential to be a contributing PF.

Yeah, Smith shouldn't be moved this early. Now Carney on the other hand....Let's just say we do a swap that we should've done in 06.