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I like Portland's rumored offer to Phoenix.



Joel Freeland
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Joel-Freeland-1055/

The Portland Trail Blazers have made a strong play for Amare Stoudemire, discussing a package that includes LaMarcus Aldridge, Jerryd Bayless, and Raef LeFrentz's $12.7 million expiring contract, a person with direct knowledge of the talks told CBSSports.com Tuesday.

The Blazers, among the most active teams in the league as the Feb. 19 trade deadline draws near, have joined Chicago, Miami, Detroit, Toronto, Golden State, and New Jersey among a growing list of teams that have discussed acquiring Stoudemire from the Suns.

Several team executives told CBSSports.com that no clear front-runner has emerged as Suns president Steve Kerr tries to extract the best possible offer for Stoudemire, whose stock has fallen as Phoenix continues to struggle in its adjustment to a new style under coach Terry Porter.

The Blazers lost any chance of being a major player in free agency this summer when Darius Miles came out of medical retirement and joined the Memphis Grizzlies. Losing $9 million of cap space they thought they'd have, the Blazers are looking to make their splash now via the trade route. The Blazers have four extra second-round picks in the next two drafts to offer, plus the rights to British big man Joel Freeland, taken by Portland with the 30th pick in the 2006 draft. Freeland, playing for Gran Canaria of the Spanish League, is part of the discussion between the Blazers and Suns, the person with knowledge of the talks said.

http://www.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entr ... 3/13515062

I think that's the beast offer Phoenix can get outside of landing Beasley from Miami. If they do that, its Kerr's first good move as the GM.

If I was Portland I wouldn't be making that trade. Aldridge is great young player and I think he is too much to give up considering where Amare is at the moment (attitude, no defense etc). If they could move Raef a couple of draft picks and a rotation player they should do it.

Ed Pinkney wrote:If I was Portland I wouldn't be making that trade. Aldridge is great young player and I think he is too much to give up considering where Amare is at the moment (attitude, no defense etc). If they could move Raef a couple of draft picks and a rotation player they should do it.

I agree. Amare would demand too many touches in the front court and Oden would have to play the same role like Przybilla. In the long run Aldridge is the perfect compliment to Oden and will be cheaper than Amare as well.

I don't know if there may be chemistry issues in Portland's lockerroom though.

will any of the 3 be bought out by phoenix ? I'm hearing rumours abut hornets trading chandler,maybe posey could be included (hope) and bought out, maybe Ainge has some info about some players being FA, then spurs might trade for vince carter although it's a longshot. the next two weeks are crucial.

Not a chance I would do this if I was Portland. No problem giving up the Raef contract and Bayless, but no chance I give up Aldridge.

I love Amare but I think that Oden and Aldridge are a perfect tandem, why fix what isn't broken? They have Roy as a primary option. Guys under 30 just aren't as willing to give up touches as guys looking down the mountain.

Amare makes the most sense for the Bulls but this is certainly the best package.

Ed Pinkney wrote:If I was Portland I wouldn't be making that trade. Aldridge is great young player and I think he is too much to give up considering where Amare is at the moment (attitude, no defense etc). If they could move Raef a couple of draft picks and a rotation player they should do it.

Agreed. Amare plays little to no D and isn't exactly the rebounding machine Aldridge is. He also has a huge ego and bad attitude and could be a huge chemistry disruptor on the young Blazers...if I'm POR, I pass...

Amare can play D he just isnt this season i live in phx and watch the suns alot, If i am portland i definitly strongly consider this deal, listen Aldridge is nice, but hes not a force like Amare is, if it was Amare for Aldridge straight up in portlands pov you do that in a heart beat, but including the recent top 10 pick bayless makes it a tougher decision, I actually like it from both sides.

If I am Portland, I am worried about messing up the great chemistry that team has by bringing in Amare. It seems his ego could not handle being around Nash and Shaq. How would he feel sharing the limelight with Roy and Oden? Not sure. If I am Portland, I am trying to make a move for Caron Butler or Richard Jefferson. It will cost less and addresses their needs.

The only way I see Portland making this trade is if they know something about Aldridge i.e. health issue that we just don't know about. Other that that Aldridge too me is a younger version of KG.

Frank Lucas wrote: Other that that Aldridge too me is a younger version of KG.

I guess to you he is a younger version of KG. To the rest of the sane world, he is more of a good shooting power forward with a high BBall IQ who doesn't rebound or defend.

I agree with many of you saying Portland really doesn't need to make a move. Aldridge is a stud plain and simple. Then they have to give up Bayless too? Don't get me wrong, Amare is a very nice player but there is nothing saying Aldridge won't be the player Amare is in 1-2 years. He's definitely cheaper. I think Portland should stay put or try to had an All Start caliber SG with Bayless and Raef and a pick in exchange. The Bulls definitely seem like the best fit for Amare to me.

Big gamble by Portland. Amare may not want stay in Porltand...

Just to clear a couple of things up. Amare is a much better rebounder than Aldridge and force in general. Neither is a defensive player. But Alridge has a much more skilled offensive game he has range and ability similiar to Duncan or Gasol offensively. Amare can do some things off the blocks as well but he has much more of a traditional back to the basket and high post game of a center not a PF. While Oden is not an offensive force yet if he is ever going to be he is obviously going to be a traditional low post center. It is somewhat like watching Perk and Al vs Perk and KG. That is what has happened with Shaq and Amare they can't help each other and while Amare would be fine in POR, Oden may never get any traction offensively.

I agree that a perimeter player should be what POR is after depending on the status of his health Monta Ellis may be had on the cheap in a 3 way deal.

they should get a PG, too bad they didn't trade for billups, that team would have been crazy and Detroit would be be building with some nice young assets.
They should trade for gabe pruit, j/k. Actually they should get Starbury, kidding again.

I really can't figure out if who would help them, I want to say earl watson is the guy for them.

avi623 wrote:If I am Portland, I am worried about messing up the great chemistry that team has by bringing in Amare. It seems his ego could not handle being around Nash and Shaq. How would he feel sharing the limelight with Roy and Oden? Not sure. If I am Portland, I am trying to make a move for Caron Butler or Richard Jefferson. It will cost less and addresses their needs.

Exactly. Just what I was saying ealier...

Amare was ment to be a blazer.

Comparing Amare to Aldridge is like comparing Pierce to Q rich, there are only a couple of players really better then them at there positions, though they are not the very best, however the lessor player has some major problems and while they do alot of the same things just are not as good.

Lets compare amares stats last year to Adlridge's (this year the suns have just been dysfunctional and Aldridge's stats were actually slightly better last year then this year.

Amare 25 and 9 on 59% shooting in 34 mpg
LaMarcus 17.8 and 7.6 on 48% shooting in 35 mpg

Thats the differnce between a Force and a good player, even this year with Amare not getting nearly as many touches he is scoring more at a higher percentage.

I like this deal for the suns becuase Aldridge is a solid big who compliments the rest of the team well, and the suns get bayless, i would prefer not to trade Amare but if we have to i think this is the best deal. As the Blazers, Amare is a premier 4 a a large upgrade over Aldridge, they still need to upgrade the PG spot but they have the assets to do that as well, this trade puts them 1 piece away from being a contender regardless if oden ever turns into a beast or not.

It may not be such a bad trade for the Blazers. I know he's very overrated and can't play D, but he can still score and with Oden and Prez getting his back, his crap D won't be exposed as much.

The bottom line is, even though Aldridge is a very nice player with a lot of upside, he's not the offensive force Amare is and I doubt he'll ever get there. If you pair Amare with Roy, they'll be tough match for any defense.