Minor Shake-Up + Draft Day Deal
Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 10:48 pm
I don't really expect to see any of the larger trades that have been discussed (Devin Harris, Mike Miller, etc.) to materialize, but while I was sitting around thinking about the Blazers something of an idea hit me. Here it goes.
Deadline Trade:
Sergio, Jack, Frye to Miami for Udonis Haslem*
*Note, this deal falls something like $200k short on Trade Machine, but I don't really want to toss in McRoberts just to make it work. We'd have to pull what the Lakers did with Aaron McKie by creating an expiring deal with a retired player. For those of you who read the TrueHoop post a couple weeks ago, you know we can do this with Chris Dudley
.
From the Blazers perspective, this makes sense. Haslem, like Frye, has the ability to stretch defenses with his high-percentage jump shot, but isn't such a softy down low. He would provide a lot of help on the glass as well as defensively in the post. As for Sergio and Jack, they provide nice incentive for Miami, and I don't think they will be missed all that much. On the Miami board, reaction to this trade was positive initially, then lukewarm. It clearly saves them money and I think Haslem is expendable as they build around Wade, Marion, and a draft pick... especially since Frye is a very nice replacement.
Green becomes our backup point guard; there is no way he could be less productive than Sergio. His on-ball defense might be the best of all our PGs. Blake would also see an increase in minutes; fine by me.
Draft Day Deal:
Outlaw, #15, 2nd rounder to Milwaukee for Desmond Mason, #6*
*Note, these are of course hypothetical at this point. Mason has a nice expiring deal that fits with Outlaw's salary.
A guard of the Derrick Rose, Eric Gordon, Jerryd Bayless, OJ Mayo ilk is exactly what this team needs with Roy, in my opinion. Guys who can create their own offense, run both guard spots, and who are freakish athletes capable of locking down opposing PGs on defense. A whole new generations of Devin Harrises, if you will. The beauty is, it's a virtual guarantee one will be there at #6 or #7. My current favorite is probably Bayless.
Depth Chart:
PG - Blake, Bayless, Kopo/Green?
SG - Roy, Fernandez
SF - Webster, Jones, Miles
PF - Aldridge, Haslem, Freeland?
C - Oden, Joel, Raef
I definitely wouldn't hand the reigns over to the rookie over Blake in the first year, but look how explosive our new white unit is. Scoring everywhere and ample toughness in Joel and Haslem. Even with three high-profile rookies, I would argue the team above has more experience and poise than this year's team, primarily in virtue of Roy's and Aldridge's and Webster's natural progression, but also the continued presence of veterans Blake, Joel, Jones, and now Haslem.
Deadline Trade:
Sergio, Jack, Frye to Miami for Udonis Haslem*
*Note, this deal falls something like $200k short on Trade Machine, but I don't really want to toss in McRoberts just to make it work. We'd have to pull what the Lakers did with Aaron McKie by creating an expiring deal with a retired player. For those of you who read the TrueHoop post a couple weeks ago, you know we can do this with Chris Dudley

From the Blazers perspective, this makes sense. Haslem, like Frye, has the ability to stretch defenses with his high-percentage jump shot, but isn't such a softy down low. He would provide a lot of help on the glass as well as defensively in the post. As for Sergio and Jack, they provide nice incentive for Miami, and I don't think they will be missed all that much. On the Miami board, reaction to this trade was positive initially, then lukewarm. It clearly saves them money and I think Haslem is expendable as they build around Wade, Marion, and a draft pick... especially since Frye is a very nice replacement.
Green becomes our backup point guard; there is no way he could be less productive than Sergio. His on-ball defense might be the best of all our PGs. Blake would also see an increase in minutes; fine by me.
Draft Day Deal:
Outlaw, #15, 2nd rounder to Milwaukee for Desmond Mason, #6*
*Note, these are of course hypothetical at this point. Mason has a nice expiring deal that fits with Outlaw's salary.
A guard of the Derrick Rose, Eric Gordon, Jerryd Bayless, OJ Mayo ilk is exactly what this team needs with Roy, in my opinion. Guys who can create their own offense, run both guard spots, and who are freakish athletes capable of locking down opposing PGs on defense. A whole new generations of Devin Harrises, if you will. The beauty is, it's a virtual guarantee one will be there at #6 or #7. My current favorite is probably Bayless.
Depth Chart:
PG - Blake, Bayless, Kopo/Green?
SG - Roy, Fernandez
SF - Webster, Jones, Miles
PF - Aldridge, Haslem, Freeland?
C - Oden, Joel, Raef
I definitely wouldn't hand the reigns over to the rookie over Blake in the first year, but look how explosive our new white unit is. Scoring everywhere and ample toughness in Joel and Haslem. Even with three high-profile rookies, I would argue the team above has more experience and poise than this year's team, primarily in virtue of Roy's and Aldridge's and Webster's natural progression, but also the continued presence of veterans Blake, Joel, Jones, and now Haslem.