Can this Blazers contend for chip in the next 3 years?

[Marvin Martian]

I don't see it. They need an elite defensive anchor and they do not have the assets to get one in a trade. Therefore, they would have to start throwing out max deals to mid level Cs in the FA market if Leonard doesn't work out, thus compromising the future of their core.

[franktony]

The problem is that they lack a true defensive anchor and even though they have star talent, they don't have a superstar. You don't go anywhere when you don't have both things. Not to mention their pathetic bench.

2nd round exit at best !

[justinian]

isn't LMA on a surge of superstardom?

[OhMyBosh]

LaMarcus is not a first option. He’s a jump shooting big that needs a high volume of shots to get points. He’s not an ideal first option. His rebounding is also below average given his 38 minutes a game. Lillard on the other hand, can be the number one guy. They'll need a whole lot more consistency from Batum who is probably the most inconsistent player in the league next to Gallinari.

So unless they get the best center in the league in the next 3 years, they will not be contending.

[Br0ken_Sp0ke]

Nope, especially when LMA is not even going to be there in three years.

[zapatasblood]

No they will not. I just think Portland should look to move both LMA and Wesley and build around Lillard and Batum. They are the future not LMA and he one great trading chip to have specially since he is unlikely to force his way out anytime soon.

[pipfan]

Howard should go there-then they are contenders. He would fit perfectly. With no stud in the middle, second round exit looks about right

[Scalabrine]

---Blazers trade---
LaMarcus Aldridge
Jared Jeffries
---Blazers get----
Tristan Thompson
Clevelands 1st round pick (Top 3 protected this year, unprotected next year)
Mareese Speights
Omri Caspi
Luke Walton
Cleveland 2nd round pick (or maybe the 1st rounder?)

Cleveland:
Varejeo/Zeller
Aldridge/Jeffries
Gee/Miles
Waiters/Ellington/Gibson
Irving/Gibson/Livingston/Selby

Portland
Hickson/Leonard
Thompson/Speights
Batum/Caspi/Babbit/Walton
Mathews/Barton/Clavor
Lillard/Price

Then they would have two lottery picks this year. I would try to trade Mathews and Hickson for another pick or some young depth. Try to grab two of Noel/Zeller/Shabazz/McLemore/Porter and I think they are in a good position from their.

[thamadkant]

Suns offer

PG: Dragic
SF: Dudley
PG: Marshall
C: Gortat

For

PG: Lilard
C: Leonard
Filler
2013 pick

Blazers

C: Gortat/Hickson
PF: Aldridge/Hickson
SF: Batum/Dudley
SG: Matthews/Dudley
PG: Dragic/Marshall

That's a deep team....

[nyc6]

this isn't football

[SweetTouch]

Is there any way they can get Howard without losing LMA

[Woodsanity]

Sure if they had a healthy Oden and BRoy.

[StatLine]

A healthy core of Roy, Aldridge and Oden would have been conteders

[Fobbie]

Don't see how that is possible with OKC and LA Clippers still in the West.

[Johnlac1]

Sure they can. Their young players will have to develop, especially Leonard, and they'll have to pick up a few real good players. I don't know what their draft situation is, but if they continue stumbling, they'll get a good pick in the draft. I'd say they're surely bound to be better next year. They will have to keep Aldridge, but with the development of the young studs and the addition of some scorers it can be done. Because it has been done many times in the past.

[soda]

Yup. If two things happen:

A) if Leonard developes

B) if they can find a way to add more depth. The blazers are good up front, but they're also a ridiculously shallow team.

[CBA]

I suppose if Lilliard takes a leap into superstardom over the next couple years then they would have a fair shot to contend. Two stars, good roleplayers, and maybe a semblance of a bench sounds good enough to at least get them to Memphis' level.

[Bskey]

Some people don't really know what they're talking about when it comes to the Blazers situation, that's alright though.

The team is NOT stuck in mediocrity. The GM made sure that DID NOT happen. They were not trying to win this year, the GM expected lots of losses. He did not go after a bench this year. They aren't set up as a treadmill at all.

It can be argued that by over achieving the team is "ruining" the rebuilding plan but the fact that these guys are winning as much as they have without a bench says something.

So, are they currently built to win? Of course not. But with Leonard developing and getting a bench, if they can retain Aldridge they should be set up to compete. The plan was never for this year.

[RoyalWun]

No..the teams stuck in mediocrity with this roster maybe at best they become a mid tier playoff team in a few years..

I like Lilliard but hes more of an undersized 2 i dont see him being the type of player you build around to win titles more of a great 2nd or 3rd option,,

If i were the blazers id actually trade Batumn and LMA and rebuild because you can get a lot of good young talent and picks for those two

Lillard is in no way, shape, or form an undersized 2. You must not watch him at all.

And that's why you're not a GM. If you look at the Blazers win, the problem isn't on the starters but the bench.

[kidleader]

Lol at 90 percent of posters in this thread not even watching portland games and having no idea what they are talking about.