Up Next, Free Agency...And We Need A PG.

[KF10]

But knowing that, why would we offer Artest for that package? If we are "handing" over the title to the Lakers, we should get MORE value then that. Besides, divisional trades (Which is the Lakers in this case) are unrealistic anyways.

But Ron really isn't worth much more. Odom, Farmar and a Thomas dump is overpaying as it is. Anything else and the Lakers won't bite. If we could get a good deal elsewhere, sure, but this is the best offer currently on the table for Artest.

True, under normal circumstances. But the Lakers has a good chance winning the title after obtaining Artest. This is one of VARIOUS variables that we just can't hand Artest over with this package. Even a Thomas dump. Again, this trade could have been fine under normal circumstances but there are variables present during ANY deal. Especially the Lakers/Kings trade proposals.

[Ballings7]

I'd rather get other PGs than Farmar... especially in the fashion we'd have to do it. Blech.

I'll pass on that tray....

[Cruel_Ruin]

I'd rather get other PGs than Farmar... especially in the fashion we'd have to do it. Blech.

I'll pass on that tray....

Like who exactly?

You seem to be waiting for that big, defensive, pass first PG that magically is going to fall into our laps. Going after Farmar would ensure that at least for the next year we have someone to man the spot, even if you don't want him as your starter for the long term. We're rebuilding, nothing is set in stone yet.

[BMiller52]

I kinda think we should go after Hinrich. Before last year when everything went wrong with the Bulls, he was looked at as a good player. He's a good defender. He's not much older than Martin, and 2 years younger than Artest. He's a good shooter, a decent distributor, and most importantly he can defend guys like Deron Williams well. If he plays like he does for most of his career he's a good player. He's never really played in a real offense either, and was a good PG without a real offense.

It definitely makes sense if Ron sticks around, because we'd immediately be a damn good team IMO. We'd be very good defensively 1-3, and he'd be able to do something Beno didn't which is knock down long range open Js. That's better floor spacing. Thompson should be able to contribute immediately considering he's a senior(only 21 though) and he has a lot of skills readily available to him, such as shooting/rebounding/passing/some post moves. I dunno if we'd trade Brad for him or what but Spencer can probably step in for Brad and do pretty much the same thing, but with more of a post game and less game overall right now. I think he's farther along than a lot of people would've anticipated at this point though.

Also, if we were starting Spencer/Moore or Thompson/Miller with Spencer as the 3rd big, we are basically still rebuilding because our young bigs are getting a lot of PT. I actually think Singletary could contribute right away off the bench also. So if our young guys ARE getting PT, we are rebuilding/improving right? And I actually think that team would be good at the same time. So it's a win/win IMO.

[KingInExile]

The Lakers are interested in Artest, so I think Artest/Kenny for Odom/Farmar is something I would do. Kick off the real rebuild.

Farmar looks more intriguing now. Knowing that Beno MAY walk. The trade is blah still. We just cant HAND the title over to the Lakers. With Artest in the Lakers, they are champions already. They know they cant slow down Pierce thus Artest is there.

Ultimately, I would say no to the deal.

Well, the entire league is handing a dozen of titles to Portland currently.

Oh really...what exactly have they won to date? Yeah, they have some scary talent. But until they can prove that they can win a title by, well, actually winning a title...they ain't done ****.

[deNIEd]

Oh really...what exactly have they won to date? Yeah, they have some scary talent. But until they can prove that they can win a title by, well, actually winning a title...they ain't done ****.

That's just being ignorant.

You can say the same with the Lakers, they haven't won **** with this current set of players. So why does giving Artest to the Lakers mean they'll win a title? Until Lakers + Artest actually win a title, they ain't done ****.

[Ballings7]

Portland is in position to be a legit contender down the line... but lesser, and greater variables are always looming. Relating to other teams, and relating to within their team.

Same thing with the Lakers from now on... especially with their above-average injury history. The latest in the mix being, Andrew Bynum.

Typically, nothing is guaranteed.

[KingInExile]

Oh really...what exactly have they won to date? Yeah, they have some scary talent. But until they can prove that they can win a title by, well, actually winning a title...they ain't done ****.

That's just being ignorant.

You can say the same with the Lakers, they haven't won **** with this current set of players. So why does giving Artest to the Lakers mean they'll win a title? Until Lakers + Artest actually win a title, they ain't done ****.

Quit being obtuse. You know full well I never said anything about the Lakers, so it's just plain dumb to bring them up. And you know full well that the point I'm making is that your hyperactive claims about how the Blazers being perennial champions because of their recent draft history is completely baseless because they have yet to prove they can even make it into the playoffs. Let them actually prove that they can actually win something before you go and award them a title.

[VeeJay24]

I think our targets should be in this order....................

Lowry- strong and physical, great defender and very, very tough, jumper is a concern
Conley- may be perfect because he is a penetrator and passer but his jumpshot is a concern
Critt- great size, great athlete, very quick and unselfish
Felton- not really flashy but he's solid and a good defender reminds me a little of Mookie Blaylock
Rodriquez- intriguing, compared to "White Chocalate", could be worth a shot since the Kings are rebuilding
Hinrich- if Hinrich is to be the one, The Bulls need to take at least one of our big contracts. Hinrich has a big contract plus he is a BYC player and is it worth it if the Kings are rebulding?

[pumuki]

The Grizzlies would love add Artest game to their frontcourt (and his expiring contract too !), would the Kings like something in the lines of :

Warrick + Crittenton + Jaric
xx
Artest + Douby

Regards.

[VeeJay24]

Since I have some time on my hands I'll do a trade for each guy

Lowry-
Sac sends Douby Mem sends Lowry It's that simple, if Memphis trys to hold out just add a 2nd rder.

Conley-
Sac sends Salmons Mem sends Conley & Warrick

Critt- Sac sends Salmons Mem sends Critt & Warrick

Felton-
Sac sends Salmons Cha sends Felton & May

Rodriquez-
Sac sends Salmons Portland sends Webster & Rodriguez

Hinrich-
Sac sends Artest & Miller Chi sends Hinrich & Deng (S & T)

[pumuki]

I think Memphis has no interest in Salmons or García or Douby (no more guards !), I only see Memphis trading for some frontcourt help like Artest or Hawes...

Something with Lowry/Warrick/Jaric for Artest may be appealing

Regards.

[VeeJay24]

I think Memphis has no interest in Salmons or García or Douby (no more guards !), I only see Memphis trading for some frontcourt help like Artest or Hawes...

Something with Lowry/Warrick/Jaric for Artest may be appealing

Regards.

Then, no thanks!!!! It'll have to be Moore or Williams

[KF10]

Since I have some time on my hands I'll do a trade for each guy

Lowry-
Sac sends Douby Mem sends Lowry It's that simple, if Memphis trys to hold out just add a 2nd rder.

I doubt that trade would happen. Mem values Kowry significantly than Douby. And Kowry is more proven than Douby at this point IMO.

Conley-
Sac sends Salmons Mem sends Conley & Warrick

Salmons does NOT have the value to net Conley and Warrick. You can net Warrick BUT NOT Conley. They are very high on him. So, no trade here.

Critt- Sac sends Salmons Mem sends Critt & Warrick

More realistic here. I would say is a fair trade but would they really want Salmons in that team. Knowing that they have the starting 1-2-3 down for the next decade? Conley-Mayo-Gay.

Felton-
Sac sends Salmons Cha sends Felton & May

They drafted DJ Augustine. So, that indicates something about Felton. But yeah, I think it is a fair trade but just take out May and add something lower value. But I think their Cha FO still values Felton high. So, eh.

Rodriquez-
Sac sends Salmons Portland sends Webster & Rodriguez

IIRC Blazers are high on Webster. So, no deal here.

Hinrich-
Sac sends Artest & Miller Chi sends Hinrich & Deng (S & T)
I could see we can net Hinrich in a variation trade between him and Miller. But the Bulls will not trade Deng straight up for Artest. So, no deal here.

Nice overall attempt on the trades. But trade value are off on several trades.

[m23uza1hem36]

Honestly, our best bet is via trade. I think Hinrich is definitely someone we should target.

[SacTown Kings]

Since I have some time on my hands I'll do a trade for each guy

Lowry-
Sac sends Douby Mem sends Lowry It's that simple, if Memphis trys to hold out just add a 2nd rder.

Conley-
Sac sends Salmons Mem sends Conley & Warrick

Critt- Sac sends Salmons Mem sends Critt & Warrick

Felton-
Sac sends Salmons Cha sends Felton & May

Rodriquez-
Sac sends Salmons Portland sends Webster & Rodriguez

Hinrich-
Sac sends Artest & Miller Chi sends Hinrich & Deng (S & T)

I don't see Char being interested in Salmons, they have G Wall and J Rich on the wings. Personally I am not into any of the pg's on Memphis. Portland is not going to send us Sergio and Webster for Salmons, I wish, but now ay they do that.

I think we should target Hinrich even though I don't think he is a great pg. I think he will do much better in a Princeton based offense where he would be more of a shooter than a distributor. However, I don't think we should give up much for him. Hinrich value was low before the draft, now that they have Rose it is even lower. I'd give them Douby and either Moore or SAR and a 2nd rounder but that's it. They could probably get a better deal elsewhere.

[Ballings7]

Hinrich being a decent PG doesn't mean insignificance... only so many "great" PGs, anyway.

[Smills91]

We should deal Shelden Williams for Crittenten.

[rpa]

We should deal Shelden Williams for Crittenten.

I'm not a fan of Crittenton but I wonder if we can get Conley from Memphis. They have 1 other PG (Lowry) and 2 young combo guards now (Crittenton--more of a PG--and Mayo).

My idea would be a 3 team centered around the Kings moving Artest (and maybe Shelden Williams) and getting Conley back. The Grizz would send out Jaric & Conley and get back expiring contracts and a rebuilding piece from the 3rd team. The third team would get Artest and send out expiring contracts and a rebuilding piece or 2. Jaric would goto either the Kings or the 3rd team (depending on what the 3rd team was giving up).

This, of course, assumes that the Grizz are still serious about saving money. Dropping Jaric's contract saves them some $15mil over 2 years.

[Ballings7]

Crittenton I see as a balanced offensive point guard.