The MLE & 2008 Free Agents

[Wizenheimer]

I know the cap-space option still seems to be the priority in most minds. But assuming that circumstances either dictate otherwise, are there any free agents this summer that Portland could/should take a run at?

And by 'circumstances', I mean it's quite conceivable that KP will jump the gun an off-season early on making major additions to the team and be active this summer. It's a small window of time when he'll have Lafrentz's expiring and probably portland's last lottery pick for years. He could trade both along with other players to move up in the draft, bring in some young vets, and consolidate the roster or any combination thereof. And considering that he'd almost certainly have to take back a bad contract to do so, the cap-space option could be dead anyway.

Or maybe he'd make moves such that adding an MLE-level player this summer wouldn't really impact cap-space in 2009. And maybe even a BAE-level player could help

Anyway, are there any free agents on this list that would be worth adding?:

Unrestricted:

) Malik Allen. A 6-10, 255 banger-type that many have asked for. Earned $770,000 this season so he'd probably come cheap. He's not better then Frye though, just cheaper. 3 years, 1 million/year, only 1 year guaranteed?

) Eduardo Najera. This guy could certainly help the blazers, especially if KP trades Outlaw or Webster, or Jones opts out and demands too much. Najera is that physical, energetic, hustle guy that portland lacks. And he can play effectively on both ends of the floor. He's making 4.9 million this year, so the MLE, and perhaps even a little less might secure him. Definitely worth considering.

) Matt Barnes. He's come back to earth this year and playing at a much lower level. Doesn't seem to fit the culture in portland either, especially considering Portland's current SF rotation. Not worth considering.

) DeSagana Diop. Somewhat similar to Pryzbilla, even in injury history. More athletic then Joel and a little better hands for the ball. Still, Portland has Oden, Joel, LMA, and Frye. Diop isn't really needed.

) Jannero Pargo. He's not pure UFA in that he has a player option. Would certainly be better at PG then Jack or Sergio, at least through next season. He's making 1.8 million so he'll want more. I'm not sure he'd be worth it. Probably not worth considering.

) Fred Jones. Hmmm. It's probably true that if portland wanted a 'tweener' guard then Jones would be better in that role then jack. He's certainly a capable perimeter defender. Might be worth considering...but would he consider portland?

) Beno Udrih. He's only making $550,000 this year and it sounds like the Kings like him. Only average assist/turnover ratio but he's a good scorer and OK defender at PG. If portland has trouble upgrading PG rotation, could he be an option?

) Kurt Thomas. Did someone say "banger"?

Resticted:

) Josh Childress. Not a good 3 pt shooter, but he seems to do everything else better then Portland's SF options. Atlanta may not try too hard to re-sign him either.

) Craig Smith. Minnesota is shooting for cap-space in 2009 as well. How will they react if Smith gets a 4 or 5 million a year offer?. Does portland have room for him? he certainly brings something to the game that portland lacks.

It's actually a pretty slim free agent market this summer, Although I was only considering those that could be had for the MLE or less. But there are still some players there that could definitely help portland. They aren't worth the price if no moves are made by KP this summer. But if he does consolidate the roster, using the MLE could be a viable option.

[JD45]

Diop has terrible hands.

But he is bigger and more athletic than Joel. He would be a good pickup as a backup C if Joel was traded.

[Jsun947]

To me our line-up has to begin here, and then fill in the gaps with the players we currently have on the roster, upgrades via trades, signings, or draft picks...


Oden/Przybilla
Aldridge/Outlaw
???/Jones
Roy/Rudy
???/Blake/Sergio

To me Jack and Frye will have to go.
Webster i'm ok with starting again next year if we can't get an upgrade at SF.
I also don't mind seeing blake starting while our draft pick comes off the bench at PG.

Whoever we get through FA has to fill roles at those ???... Not be another 2nd option. We have plenty of depth and doing that just waste or cap space.

[breaker91]

I'm not sure where he'd fit in the rotation, but I would like a vet who can bring some energy to floor like Najera.

Joel brings toughness, but he needs to guard the basket. I'd like to have someone who can get in the grill of the opposing players and contest them before they get into the paint.

[Mr Odd]

Najera is probably the best fit with need.
Ive always respected that guy. You look
up the word "scrapper" & youll see his pic.

But as far as FAs its slim pickings on who
the Blazers could actually get. Im just
hoping Pritchard can put some trade
together where he lands a good PG.
One who breaks down defenses &
makes good choices. I know thats
going to be really tough to get tho.

[BlackMamba]

in recent days we've talked about how the blazers rotation has to be a 8, 9 players max, and cosidering roy, adlridge, oden, joel, blake, martell & outlaw thats 7 players, 2 c, 1 pf, 2 sf, 1 sg, 1 pg.

so the blazers might need another guard (mainly a pg) and maybe another combo forward.

so, of the list i think najera would be that combo forward. all the others i don't think could be a good fit for what portland lacks/wants.

[d-train]

I like Kurt Thomas but he is getting old.

[d-train]

Adam Morrison has a team option that might not get picked up. What has he done to prove he is worth over $4 million?

[d-train]

Here is some names in addition to the ones Wiz mentioned.

Chris Duhon
Viktor Khryapa
Devin Brown
Walter Herrmann
Ronald Murray
Jarvis Hayes
Mickael Pietrus
Chuck Hayes
Gerald Green
Kareem Rush
Sam Cassell
Quinton Ross
Alonzo Mourning
Jake Voskuhl
Royal Ivey
Bostjan Nachbar
Jannnero Pargo
Carlos Arroyo
Gordan Giricek
Michael Finley
Brent Barry
Franciso Elson
Roger Mason

[Spykes]

There's really no one at the MLE level I want to see the Blazers sign in this years FA market.

Unless Pritchard completely throws out the 09 cap plan by trading Raef for a player locked into a long contract, I'd rather the be frugal with FA's this summer.

[Khazim]

In the event that we were to make a major consolidation trade and needed someone to help fill out the bench, I would love to have Khryapa on our team again.

[Mr Odd]

I kinda like Jarvis Hayes but hes not what we need spot wise.

[Spykes]

In the event that we were to make a major consolidation trade and needed someone to help fill out the bench, I would love to have Khryapa on our team again.

I agree. He should come pretty cheap too.

I'm gonna post some quick thoughts with the names on d's list. All of this is assuming we make a "major consolidation move" like Khazim mentioned and we've thrown out the cap space idea:

Chris Duhon - Could be a good fit if we move some PG's this summer. Won't come cheap, but won't be overly expensive either. Probably in the 3 mil range.

Viktor Khryapa - See above.

Devin Brown - He's a journeyman SG. Not really needed in Portland and not hard to find should we ever need one.

Walter Herrmann - Interesting prospect. Had some nice games before the end of last season. Isn't getting any minutes with the Pistons, so his value should be low. Probably could sign him for around 2 mil. Wouldn't mind giving him a shot.

Ronald Murray - Yuck. Pass.

Jarvis Hayes - Ditto.

Mickael Pietrus - He can be a nice player, but he'll probably be pretty expensive. Near the full MLE is my guess. At the very least, I'd expect him to get a deal like what Travis got last summer. I'd probably pass.

Chuck Hayes - Good rebounder, but woefully undersized at only 6-6. I've heard good things about him, but I'm not all that interested.

Gerald Green - If we can get him cheap, around 1 mil, I'd definitely give him a shot.

Kareem Rush - Meh. No thanks.

Sam Cassell - He's gonna stay with Celtics and likely only play one more year.

Quinton Ross - Not worth much more than 2 or 3 mil. 3 is probably on the high end. A rail-thin SG/SF who's never shown a ton of progress over 4 years. I wouldn't bother.

Alonzo Mourning - He's done for.

Jake Voskuhl - No. Over 30 and he can't get more than 10 minutes on a bad NBA team. Not worth a roster spot.

Royal Ivey - No thanks.

Bostjan Nachbar - Nachbar has played pretty good for the Nets at times. He'd be a good depth guy to have at the right price. Not quite sure what his value is on the FA market though. I'd guess around 3 mil.

Jannnero Pargo - He's a cheaper version of Duhon imo. If I remember correctly, the Blazers made him an offer a few years back before he decided to sign with the Hornets. Probably not worth more than 2 mil.

Carlos Arroyo - Been in the league 6 years and been with 5 teams. He's a prototypical journeyman PG. Decent backup if you can get him at a discount. Like Pargo, probably not worth more than 2 mil.

Gordan Giricek - No thanks.

Michael Finley - He'll either retire, resign with the Spurs or sign for a year with Dallas to retire a Mav. Not an option for Portland.

Brent Barry - He'll retire a Spur.

Franciso Elson - Elson would be a nice 3rd bigman to have. He's a decent defender and can hit an open jumper. Wouldn't break the bank for him, but if we needed a little depth up front after a trade, he'd be a decent option.

Roger Mason - Meh.

[Mr Odd]

I thought I read Duhon has some issues.
Im not sure he would fit the "new culture".

I could be wrong on that tho.. .

[Spykes]

I thought I read Duhon has some issues.
Im not sure he would fit the "new culture".

I could be wrong on that tho.. .

Duhon recently had a few suspensions by the Bulls. The first was an unexcused absence of some sort iirc. Then the 2nd one was because he told the media that he realized he wasn't part of the Bulls future (which he's not), and Paxson got upset about the comments. Nothing too serious. It's something that happens a lot when teams go through a rough year like the Bulls have.

[JD45]

-= original quote snipped =-



Duhon recently had a few suspensions by the Bulls. The first was an unexcused absence of some sort iirc. Then the 2nd one was because he told the media that he realized he wasn't part of the Bulls future (which he's not), and Paxson got upset about the comments. Nothing too serious. It's something that happens a lot when teams go through a rough year like the Bulls have.

I have read that Duhon is a party animal. His game has not developed because he puts staying out all night ahead of rest and extra practice.

[Khazim]

-= original quote snipped =-



I have read that Duhon is a party animal. His game has not developed because he puts staying out all night ahead of rest and extra practice.

I'd take him on my team.

[Spykes]

I have read that Duhon is a party animal. His game has not developed because he puts staying out all night ahead of rest and extra practice.

I hadn't heard anything about that, but I'll take your word for it. If that's true, then he probably isn't a good fit.

[b_roy7]

I actually like Hayes, he's a nice rebounder off the bench. I'd like to see the Blazers get him for about 2-3.5mil.

[Milkdud]

As far as overall talent I think Boki could be a FA steal for some team. He is a surprising finisher and a very solid shooter. Portland doesn't really need another SF so I don't see him coming to us.