How Can We Benefit?

[cucad8]

So Gasol goes to the Lakers, seemingly for cheap, Shaq to Phoenix for Marion and Banks. Other teams might start to get desparate. Dallas, San Antonio(unlikely), Utah, Denver, G.S., Houston, really anyone ahead or around us in the East that might think they have a chance. Likewise, maybe Detroit, Boston(also doubtful, but who knows), Cleveland, Orlando, etc. Anyways, you get my drift, teams making a push to win now could be willing to move a younger valuable piece to make a push for this season.
I am rtying to think, how can we sneak in and benefit off of another team's desparation? Joel seems to be about the only veteran we have that would be of any use to a playoff team, and I kind of like him as a backup C next year. Plus, we would be really hurt this year in the middle.
James Jones could entice a number of playoff teams. I know a lot of us have fallen in love with him, but I think ultimately, we view Webster being able to shoot how he is this year, and next year, who knows how roles change, with Rudy coming over, with Oden coming back, possibly moving Outlaw to SF, and taking away Jones' minutes. Or, if he even re-signs with us, or stays hurt. Either way, he helps us now, but a trade could help us more next year and beyond.
Anyways, just trying to figure out a way we can hop in here. Everyone needs defense and rebounding in the middle, just about, and everyone always wants more 3 point shooting. Is there anyone else we can move? And what might we be able to get? Just speculating, and looking towards the future, not saying I want to move anyone specifically, or necessarily.



edited to put into paragraphs, man that sucked to try to read, sorry about that, at work.

[Telfaire]

I think only Utah is likely to trade for Przy.

[cucad8]

Any idea what Utah was rumored to be giving up for Foster?

[SoHo]

I agree that Utah might want Pryz, but I don't think that's really a trade we want to consider. Unless we want to keep playing Frye out of position at Center next year we are going to need someone to back up Oden and I think Pryz is the perfect guy to do it.

Jones would probably be a lot easier to sell, but once again I don't think that's a smart move.

If we are going to make a move it should probably be something similar to the NJ/Dal deal where we consolidate by sending out a few young players for one better player that fits our future.

Otherwise we should look to facilitate trades with a piece like Jack in exchange for dumping Miles. For instance if Cleveland makes a trade for a PG, then try to dump darius on them in exchange for Snow, in turn we help them land a PG by giving the third team Jack or something like that.

Trading Pryz or Jones would likely land us either a) capspace or b) prospects neither will really help us more than those two players. I think our veterans are the last players we should be looking to trade (unless by veteran we mean Miles and LaFrentz)

[cucad8]

I agree it could end up being very detrimental to us to trade away our veterans PAr of my thought with Jones was the potential we did not keep him for next year. If KP was already thinking along those lines right now, it owuld be smart to move him and get what you can for him, IMO. The few extra wins he gains us over a prospect isn't really worth it, if KP doesn't see him on the squad nextyear. My thought with sending out Joel was finding a way to replace him with a possible younget version in either that deal or a subsequent one. If there were a deal to get done with Dallas, including Joel, while possibly getting back someone like Diop might be beneficial to us. Anyways, was just kicking around ideas, since there are rumors flying everywhere, and a few deals being made.

[BlackMamba]

well, those teams making "desperate" runs are either old and their window is about to close unless they win now, or like the lakers, are "young" and could take advantage of some team falling apart.

but the blazers are very young and very talented, in 3-4 years many of the above teams mentioned will be batteling for a playoff spot or even for a lottery pick, and the blazers will be the perennial nba championship team and would want the vets we could be trading now.

[PDXKnight]

well, those teams making "desperate" runs are either old and their window is about to close unless they win now, or like the lakers, are "young" and could take advantage of some team falling apart.

but the blazers are very young and very talented, in 3-4 years many of the above teams mentioned will be batteling for a playoff spot or even for a lottery pick, and the blazers will be the perennial nba championship team and would want the vets we could be trading now.

Agreed. Przybilla and possible Jones may be nice pieces as the Blazers contend for a title (and are leaders as it is) so unless KP can get a PG, SF, or very talented player in return, it doesn't make any sense to trade them.

[cucad8]

Well, in regards to Jones, it seems like we like everyone of the pieces on our team. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but things are going to get pretty crowded next year. The assumption is Pryz at the backup 5, so that makes either Frye backup 4, and Outlaw backup 3, or Outlaw backup 4, and Jones backup 3. Or Frye and Jones. Or, Frye at the 5, Outlaaw the 4, and Jones the 3. Basically, we can go 12 deep, but if we can consolidate talent, it makes more sense to do that, IMO. And if a team got desparate, and was overpaying, was curious about possibilities.

[Spykes]

We're going to have to figure out who we want as our backup C this summer. That'll be between Frye or Przybilla. As I've stated before, our PF minutes are going to be wrapped up in Aldridge and Outlaw for the foreseeable future. Then obviously Oden is going to take up a fairly large chunk of minutes at C, leaving only backup minutes there. That leaves too few minutes to realistically play 2 behind Oden. So one of them has to go.

Personally, I'd keep Przybilla. He's the more expensive player, but remember that Frye is going to be up for a extension soon anyway, and while I don't know if he'll get the full MLE, the difference will likely be fairly minimal between the 2 players. So money really isn't the issue here, it's who would be a better fit. I'd rather have a defensive rebounder than a scoring PF/C behind Oden.

Then with Jones, I think the team has to seriously look at his knee injury. When we all thought it was completely healed and he was leading the league in 3pt shooting, he was a no-brainer to resign. Now? I don't think it's that easy to say anymore. It appears that knee has been a nagging concern for some time. It would probably be best for the Blazers to let him test the FA market and see what kind of offers he gets. If they're reasonable, then bring him back. If a team desperate for the shooter does what Toronto did with Kapono this summer... Then the team has to seriously look at letting him walk.

[Village Idiot]

With Phoenix taking on all that salary, $20 million additional in 10/11, I don't see them keeping the Atlanta pick which will probably be around #16.

I can something like this going down:

Portland trades:

2 2008 2nd rounders, the two highest of New York, Memphis and Indiana's and a 2011 1st-lottery protected.

Phoenix trades:

2008 from Atlanta via Phoenix

[mojomarc]

With Phoenix taking on all that salary, $20 million additional in 10/11, I don't see them keeping the Atlanta pick which will probably be around #16.

I can something like this going down:

Portland trades:

2 2008 2nd rounders, the two highest of New York, Memphis and Indiana's and a 2011 1st-lottery protected.

Phoenix trades:

2008 from Atlanta via Phoenix

This only makes sense if we're going to package our pick with the Atlanta pick to move up, and even then adding the 2011 pick seems pretty close to too expensive. I'd much rather look at a future second instead. After all, with Phoenix's salary status, having 2nd rounders that they can use on Euros and park them for a few years is really a perfect situation.

[Village Idiot]

Yup. The thought was to combine the two mid 1st round picks and maybe Jack or Frye to move up and get Bayless, Gordon, Rose or Mayo

[valleyman33]

We're going to have to figure out who we want as our backup C this summer. That'll be between Frye or Przybilla. As I've stated before, our PF minutes are going to be wrapped up in Aldridge and Outlaw for the foreseeable future. Then obviously Oden is going to take up a fairly large chunk of minutes at C, leaving only backup minutes there. That leaves too few minutes to realistically play 2 behind Oden. So one of them has to go.

Personally, I'd keep Przybilla. He's the more expensive player, but remember that Frye is going to be up for a extension soon anyway, and while I don't know if he'll get the full MLE, the difference will likely be fairly minimal between the 2 players. So money really isn't the issue here, it's who would be a better fit. I'd rather have a defensive rebounder than a scoring PF/C behind Oden.

Then with Jones, I think the team has to seriously look at his knee injury. When we all thought it was completely healed and he was leading the league in 3pt shooting, he was a no-brainer to resign. Now? I don't think it's that easy to say anymore. It appears that knee has been a nagging concern for some time. It would probably be best for the Blazers to let him test the FA market and see what kind of offers he gets. If they're reasonable, then bring him back. If a team desperate for the shooter does what Toronto did with Kapono this summer... Then the team has to seriously look at letting him walk.

I think If you are thinking about backup center, you have to remember that Oden is not going to just walk in and be the guy right off the bat. Don't get me wrong, I think he will be a great player, but next year will be in essence his rookie year. I expect him to foul out a lot, and be in foul trouble a lot, so whoever is his backup is going to play lots of minutes. I think that guy has to be Joel, but unless someone better comes along, we are gonna need Frye's offense to backup Aldridge. I would not let either of those two go without someone similar or better coming back on any trade.

[cucad8]

Wouldn't Outlaw be backing up Aldridge, though?

[Spykes]

I think If you are thinking about backup center, you have to remember that Oden is not going to just walk in and be the guy right off the bat. Don't get me wrong, I think he will be a great player, but next year will be in essence his rookie year. I expect him to foul out a lot, and be in foul trouble a lot, so whoever is his backup is going to play lots of minutes. I think that guy has to be Joel, but unless someone better comes along, we are gonna need Frye's offense to backup Aldridge. I would not let either of those two go without someone similar or better coming back on any trade.

Oden will have foul trouble, but with Joel there and Aldridge being able to play C some as well, Frye really is not going to see many minutes at all. We'd be better off moving Frye and giving what little minutes he might get to someone like McRoberts (if we keep him).

And as mentioned before, Outlaw backs up Aldridge at PF this year and will continue to do so next year.

It's pointless to have a player as good as Frye shoved so far down the bench. Might as well trade him while we can get something for him.

[Milkdud]

I think Jones could be a really attractive player for a bunch of teams making a playoff push. Of course alot of that comes down to where his knee is gonna be at. I really enjoyed Jones success but frankly I dont look at him as a long term player.

[UGotThrilled]

Jones still has a good five years in him before I think he will really begin to decline. I wouldnt freak out if he were traded, but I do think that he did kind of jump start our winning streak when he joined the team. I think we all know that our team relies a lot on shooting, and Jones is key to filling that role.