James Jones?

[2poor]

Portland fans, help me out here. He's having a great year I see, but what kind of future does he have with the team?

On last check, you guys are chock-full of wingers, and from what I understand, Pritchard is pretty high on Rudy Fernandez, another winger that'll be joining the club next year (and demanding PT).

What would it take to get him? Hornets could sure use him.

Rasual Butler (expiring) + picks is what has been floating around, how far off is this?

[Spykes]

Portland has no interest in moving Jones. It's no coincidence that the Blazers started on their hot streak when he came back healthy. That doesn't even take into account his presence in the lockerroom, which has been huge for the Blazers.

They'll likely resign him this summer if/when he opts out.

Bottom line: James Jones means more to Portland than he would to any other team, meaning it's nearly impossible to find a trade that would satisfy both teams. Just to give you an idea, Butler and some spare picks aren't even close to getting Portland to listen. He is leading the league in 3pt shooting after all...

[2poor]

What about Webster then?

(he was the guy initially rumored)

Or is the plan to keep all your wings and see where it goes?

If/When he [JJ] opts out, he's an UFA, right?

[Spykes]

What about Webster then (he was the guy initially rumored)?

Or is the plan to keep all your wings and see where it goes?

If/When he opts out, he's an UFA, right?

As of right now, I'd expect Portland to keep all their wings. Webster is probably the most available of them all, but I don't see Portland actively looking to move him. It would take a no-brainer for Portland to move Martell.

IIRC, James Jones will be a UFA, but Portland has his Bird Rights.

As far as Rudy Fernandez goes, Portland will be able to make room for him. He's more of a SG/PG anyway. The Blazers will likely have to make a choice between Jarrett Jack and Sergio Rodriguez, then Rudy will get the minutes of whichever they end up moving. Martell, Jones and Outlaw really won't effect Fernandez's minutes at all as both Martell and Jones play SF and Outlaw is primarily a PF.

[2poor]

So what, if anything, would it take in your opinion for the Hornets to get Martell then?

I'm just curious here, when I first saw the rumors pop up I thought it was all a pipe dream anyways.

[Spykes]

So what, if anything, would it take in your opinion for the Hornets to get Martell then?

I'm just curious here, when I first saw the rumors pop up I thought it was all a pipe dream anyways.

Which rumors are you talking about?

As for if the Hornets can get Martell, the honest answer is no. Butler and some picks won't get it done. For the Hornets to have any chance at him, it would need to be a 3 team deal. They simply don't have any parts that Portland needs/wants (outside of the obvious).

And really, right now, Portland isn't going to make any deals involving their rotation players. Kevin Pritchard has basically said as much. Any deals that might be made will happen in the summer, not during this season.

[breaker91]

My original post to your inquiry got lost somehow, but I agree with Spykes' views on Jones and Webster. However, I expect Jones to opt out and Miami to take a serious run at him over the summer. If we lose him, then Webster's value to PDX will increase.

To be honest I don't see the Hornets having anything they would be willing to give up that would compel the Blazers to move Webster. I don't see our GM making a move before the deadline. However, it is clear the Blazers do need to move some pieces out with Oden coming on board and Rather, I expect him to be active in the offseason and potentially using our pick and some of our young assets to move up in the draft.

[2poor]

There were just some light rumors floating around from some Hornets sources I have that they were interested in Webster and that the package would more or less be made up of Butler + '08 1st (and maybe '09 1st too). No word on if a third team would potentially be involved, but that would seem to make more sense.

I think given the right situation, Butler could be fairly productive.

edit: I should mention that this was just within the Hornets organization themselves, I'm not suggesting that they spoke with Portland in any capacity.

[Milkdud]

I cant see portland dealing Jones, right now the 3 point shot has been a huge weapon for the blazers during this hot streak. As far as long term if the blazers can come to a reasonable deal with Jones im sure KP is will do it. If anything the hopefully addition of Rudy next season will cause PT issues for Sergio/Jack before any of the 3 "SF" players.

[shrink]

Can I ask who you think won't be on Portland's roster next season?

If Jones wants to come back, and you keep Taurean Green and Josh McRoberts, that's 15 players right there, before your 2008 picks or your overseas stashes like Rudy Fernandez or Petteri Koponen.

[Spykes]

Can I ask who you think won't be on Portland's roster next season?

If Jones wants to come back, and you keep Taurean Green and Josh McRoberts, that's 15 players right there, before your 2008 picks or your overseas stashes like Rudy Fernandez or Petteri Koponen.

The only player Portland is for sure going bring in from overseas is Fernandez. Koponen is still a long way away from being brought over. Then there's Joel Freeland, who's a bit of an unknown in terms of if Portland will bring him over. They probably wont, but he has made some nice improvements, and if a spot is open, they might consider it.

It's next to impossible to say who won't be on the roster next year. Personally, I expect Pritchard to have his usual active Draft Day, which has been pretty consistent for him. I believe there is a potential for him to pull off a big deal of some sort using Raef LaFrentz's then expiring contract and some other pieces. As for what those "other pieces" might be, (as I mentioned earlier) I think you have to consider Jarrett Jack and/or Sergio Rodriguez to be on the proverbial trade "hot seat", and assuming Portland makes the playoffs, I think there's a strong chance the Blazers move their pick. Even if Portland misses the playoffs and has a low lottery pick, I still think there could be a chance the Blazers move the pick. I think Portland will strongly look at keeping McRoberts, but I could see them waiving Green (or use him in a trade). Webster might also be considered in a big trade, but Portland would have to be getting back a REALLY good player (who's preferably is a SF) for them to consider it.

[Tiggo Bitties]

McRoberts and Green will get released and Miles bought out before Portland starts trading players because of roster room. I also dont think we'll keep our draft pick this year.

IMO Jack is the most likely rotation player that would get traded this offseason but Im not sure they'll even do that until the team gets a good look at Fernandez playing at the NBA level.

[Spykes]

McRoberts and Green will get released and Miles bought out before Portland starts trading players because of roster room. I also dont think we'll keep our draft pick this year.

IMO Jack is the most likely rotation player that would get traded this offseason but Im not sure they'll even do that until the team gets a good look at Fernandez playing at the NBA level.

After reading up a little bit on McRoberts time in the D-League, I'm actually more inclined to agree with you on that. I don't know if Portland will out and out release those two players, but I think they're definitely candidates for trade filler. I would think that Portland likes having McRoberts here because of his friendship with Oden, but if his play/attitude down in the D-League doesn't improve, needing an extra roster spot could trump whatever positives keeping McRoberts might be.

[pardon_my_interruption]

James Jones is having a good year. But I think Blazer fans also need to realize that not only is he in a potential contract year (has an option next year), Portland also has a lot of wing positions that they will be obligated to fill next season.

That couple with the fact that he's viewed as a simple rotation guy in the same sense as a Matt Barnes, James Jones, in my opinion, doesn't seem to be a long-term fixture in Portland.

[pardon_my_interruption]

I actually could see Memphis making a run at Jones if he opts out.

He'd be a good 15-20 minute guy behind Rudy Gay off the bench at SF.

[Spykes]

James Jones is having a good year. But I think Blazer fans also need to realize that not only is he in a potential contract year (has an option next year), Portland also has a lot of wing positions that they will be obligated to fill next season.

That couple with the fact that he's viewed as a simple rotation guy in the same sense as a Matt Barnes, James Jones, in my opinion, doesn't seem to be a long-term fixture in Portland.

You really don't seem to have a good grasp on how much James Jones has meant to the Blazers. He's certainly much more important than a "Matt Barnes" type of player. Unless you really follow Portland closely, you won't understand that James Jones is more than just a 3pt specialist. He's a GREAT lockerroom leader and mentor, something that has been invaluable to the Blazers this season and will continue to be as they progress.

Not to mention, as I've brought out, Portland really doesn't have a lot of wing positions that they're obligated to fill next year. James Jones and Martell Webster basically make up Portland's SF rotation. Travis Outlaw primarily backs up PF. That's all of Portland's "wing" players.

The only player who Portland is going to be "obligated" to give minutes too is Rudy Fernandez, and he's a guard. Therefore, Martell, Jones and Outlaw will have no barring on getting him minutes. In all likely hood, Jarrett Jack will be moved and Rudy will get his minutes at backup SG and playing alongside Roy when he slides over to PG.

[pardon_my_interruption]

What's D. Miles' status? You also have a draft pick to deal with in 2008. With all the PG prospects projected to be gone (in an already PG thin draft), the Blazers are most likely looking at drafting another wing player or PF.

If it's a PF then cool.

If not, then that's guaranteed money that you will have tied up in Webster, Fernandez, Outlaw, Miles, and draft choice.

Be hard to justify signing James Jones to a 4 year, 15-16 million dollar deal which is probably what he's gonna start at in his demands since he is opting out of a current deal.

Again, just my opinion.

Either way, I'd love to have the personnel options Portland will have in the offseason in Memphis.

[Milkdud]

There is a fair amount of portlands roster that can be moved or dump to allow for Rudy and Greg to come in. Both Green and McRoberts I think could be let go or filler very easily. Reaf is another player that either could be trade bait or just cut if portland just wants to see if contract come off the books down the line, Miles also could be gotten rid of in a buyout form. As for players that are active members of the blazers both Sergio and Jack I think could go if situations called for it.

[Spykes]

What's D. Miles' status?

Miles himself claims he's ready to play. The Blazers (specifically Nate McMillan) won't play him until he can prove he deserves playing time over our other wing players. So the Blazers certainly aren't "obligated" to give him any playing time unless he proves he deserves it (which could be a long while).

You also have a draft pick to deal with in 2008. With all the PG prospects projected to be gone (in an already PG thin draft), the Blazers are most likely looking at drafting another wing player or PF.

If it's a PF then cool.

Personally, again, as I've stated earlier in this thread, I don't expect Portland to keep their pick... Especially if they make the playoffs. However, if they do keep the pick, a backup bruising PF (a la Paul Milsap) is their likely target.

If not, then that's guaranteed money that you will have tied up in Webster, Fernandez, Outlaw, Miles, and draft choice.

Again, you don't seem to understand the positions all these players primarily play. They aren't all SF's. Webster is definitely a SF. Rudy will only see minutes at PG and SG. Outlaw is a backup PF. Miles can rot on the bench for all we care. And finally, Portland's draft choice isn't even worth mentioning or considering in this discussion, as it could be anything at this point and time.

Be hard to justify signing James Jones to a 4 year, 15-16 million dollar deal which is probably what he's gonna start at in his demands since he is opting out of a current deal.

Again, just my opinion.

Either way, I'd love to have the personnel options Portland will have in the offseason in Memphis.

Again, it's really not hard at all to justify signing James Jones. I think I've laid out the reasons pretty clearly throughout this thread. I'm sure the Blazers realize he is going to get an offer around the MLE and I'm sure Paul Allen is more than ready to offer it up to keep him. He means that much to this team. Not only that, the Blazers (and really any playoff contender) need a consistent sharpshooter. They've needed that for years now. There is no real reason for Portland to let him walk.

[SchruteFarms]

I agreed with you Spykes. James is probably top 5 most important on this yeam right now. I see Webster, Jack, Sergio and Frye as being the most moveable. Outlaw and Blake were great value signings and will play an important role, and a guard rotation of Blake, Roy and Rudy should be just fine. I also agree about the need for a bruiser, someone like Glen Davis. Our problem is a good problem, and we have the right guy to trust with the decisions.