Trade to get into play-offs: Yes/No?

Butter · Post #1 » by **Butter** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 11:45 am

How important is it that the Blazers make the play-offs this year? We heard everyone from KP down to fans talk about the reasons that this season is only about developing/evaluating talent in preparation for Oden/Rudy's arrival next year. However, I don't think that anyone would have anticipated the success that the Blazers have enjoyed most of this year.

On this road trip, the Blazers lack of an inside presence offensively/defensively has been exposed. Should the Blazers try to make a deal now to help make a run at the play-offs, or should they just stick with the plan to "bake the cake" and if they make the play-off's its an added bonus.

The one point that I would like to add is that if they do make the play-offs, it would certainly help to develop that young talent. Play-off experience this year could really pay big dividends next year when the Blazers might be in a position to win a play-off series.

zzaj · Post #2 » by **zzaj** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 4:11 pm

Honestly, I don't know if they could. Most players that are better than joel offensively and at least as good defensively are going to cost way to much to this team. And that's not even talking the gamble of breaking up team "chemistry".

I say stay the course and develop the outside game, and continue to work on the inside (psst...LaMarcus) so that next year the Blazers have some options in their attack similar to Orlando.

Post #3 » by **BlackMamba** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 4:55 pm

i don't think the blazers are in that much of a rush to make the playoffs.

honestly, the only thing missing from this team is oden, and if the blazers are doing this great without him, they would deffintelly be better with him.

i think we can have the luxury of one more year with the same roster plus oden and rudy and see if that is the team the blazers need to be a playoffs and title contender, or if there are some moves needed to be made.

Wizenheimer · Post #4 » by **Wizenheimer** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 5:01 pm

I think this question, in a fundamental way, boils down to the same result as the one of portland adding a PG.

There are a passel of teams looking for 'inside scoring'. Toronto, chicago, NJ, ...the list goes on. Why are teams looking for that?...the same reason many are looking for a good PG: there aren't many around.

I don't know who you could identify as an inside scorer and say they would be a reasonable target. But I guarantee portland would have to give up a lot to get one. Just like they would if they tried to trade for a PG.

I really am not sure just hoe big an impact Oden will have once he starts to develop. But i don't think porland wants to gut their depth now to aquire a player that may end up redundant when oden 'arrives'.

Most teams don't have a stable of inside players. Utah has Boozer and Millsap...Okur isn't one; Phoenix has Amare and occasionally Marion; San Antonio has Duncan and occasionally Oberto (20 minutes)...elson plays less then 15 minutes.

Let's see what Oden brings and how it impacts portland on both ends of the floor; or what another off-season and a year of work and maturation will do for LMA. Maybe circumstances will work out that portland takes a run at Brand or Boozer if they are FA in 2009...I don't know at this point. 14 months from now it will be a lot more clear.

BigOrangeBalls · Post #5 » by **BigOrangeBalls** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 5:12 pm

BlackMamba wrote:i don't think the blazers are in that much of a rush to make the playoffs.

honestly, the only thing missing from this team is oden, and if the blazers are doing this great without him, they would deffintelly be better with him.

i think we can have the luxury of one more year with the same roster plus oden and rudy and see if that is the team the blazers need to be a playoffs and title contender, or if there are some moves needed to be made.

I agree 100%.

I would argue a trade would disrupt things and actually reduce the chances of getting into the playoffs.

EFx2 · Post #6 » by **EFx2** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 5:24 pm

I also wonder if there is anyone out there that is worth the effort and at the same time wouldn't disrupt our future plans for the team. I don't think it's worth it. Playoffs or the lottery .. either way I am already impressed this season.

SabasRevenge! · Post #7 » by **SabasRevenge!** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 5:24 pm

IMO LaMarcus seems primed to make some major strides over the next few months. His rekindled willingness to take it inside and his desire to become more of a banger inside are promising. Maybe he hasn't lived up to some of the sky-high 20/10 expectations, but the guy has to be a front runner for MIP this year. I fully expect his game to continue to grow over the next several years.

I'm also of the opinion that Greg will come in and be pretty effective next year. He will absolutely be able to finish inside if he gets the ball deep and his range isn't limited to the low post. I believe he'll be physically able to do pretty much whatever he wants against most opponents next year and he's a lot quicker than the few bigger 5's. His defensive and rebounding presence will be huge, but I believe he'll contribute more than expected on offense.

I say keep what we've got into the summer.

Pinot love · Post #8 » by **Pinot love** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 5:51 pm

We really could use someone like Glen Davis, Paul Millsap, even Jason Maxiell now and in the future.

Wizenheimer · Post #9 » by **Wizenheimer** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 6:08 pm

Pinot love wrote:We really could use someone like Glen Davis, Paul Millsap, even Jason Maxiell now and in the future.

I'm sure their current teams feel the same way.

however, if it's a concern I will point out that Brandon Bass will be an unrestricted free agent in 2009.

Pinot love · Post #10 » by **Pinot love** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 7:06 pm

Wizenheimer wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

I'm sure their current teams feel the same way.

however, if it's a concern I will point out that Brandon Bass will be an unrestricted free agent in 2009.

I'm sure they feel that way about some of our players as well.

I'm not big on Bass. He needs to show a better inside scoring game. At this point he'd likely cost to much for what he'd bring to a team.

Norm2953 · Post #11 » by **Norm2953** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 7:10 pm

Actually, I'm of the opinion we should look to make a move
for a guy in his early to mid 30's who is playing on a bad
team and can play a specific role for this team.

The deal would not be a big deal and for a decent price perhaps
using Raef's expiring contract but if we can package 2 guys who
are not playing many minutes for someone who can help a
young team for the next 1-2 years, go for it for of all of our hopes
for Oden and Rudi, it's no sure thing either player will be playing
for us in November 2008.

Butter · Post #12 » by **Butter** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 7:41 pm

I guess the other option is just to cut some of the dead weight. If there was someone in the D-league that could be helpful (they probably wouldn't be in the D-league), but they could cut Green or McBob.

Napoleon7 · Post #13 » by **Napoleon7** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 8:45 pm

If there was a trade that would improve our position significantly for the next 10 years then I say make the trade.

Making a trade just to make the play-offs this year is too short sighted and should not be condsiered at all.

Post #14 » by **mojomarc** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 8:47 pm

There are only two reasons to absolutely make a trade, and making the playoffs this year isn't one of them. We'll either make it or go to the last couple weeks of the season with a shot of making it, and in either case I think the team will learn a lot about themselves.

The two cases are: 1) you can trade Miles for a contract expiring in 2009, in which case you would be idiotic not to do it; or 2) the player being offered in return is going to be a better player for us not this season, but next season and the season after that and the season after that than the players we're giving up. Example of case 2: if the Hornets thought they had no chance of keeping CP3, so they offered him up to us for Travis, Sergio and our pick. I say "yes please" to that one.

Yadadimean · Post #15 » by **Yadadimean** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 9:06 pm

Wizenheimer wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

I'm sure their current teams feel the same way.

however, if it's a concern I will point out that Brandon Bass will be an unrestricted free agent in 2009.

sign me up! I've been on the Brandon Bass Bandwagon for a while now. I've been trying to think of trades that would work for us and Dallas but I had a hard time giving up anything more than Frye and a 2nd rounder or two. But the fact that he's a FA in 09 combined with the fact that he addresses a specific need makes him a great guy to target. He should also come relatively cheap. He might be a guy to go for after we get whatever max FA we target. He doesn't need to be a great scorer. I'd think if we got about 6-8 points and 6-8 boards a night he would be exactly what we need off the bench and would be a nice contrast to LMA's game.

Butter · Post #16 » by **Butter** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 9:21 pm

Napoleon7 wrote:If there was a trade that would improve our position significantly for the next 10 years then I say make the trade.

Making a trade just to make the play-offs this year is too short sighted and should not be condsiered at all.

I totally disagree. The point of this season was to evaluate talent and to give the young guys experience. My point of shooting to make the play-offs wasn't out of some wide-eyed hope of winning the championship this year, it was to accomplish that second goal. If the Blazers get into the first round, I think they would benefit dramatically from that play-off experience, even if they were swept.

In addition, I'm not talking trading any of the core parts of this team. I mean, lets be honest, not everyone is going to be on the team next year. Its not possible, because their going to have to open at least one roster spot for Rudy.

Why not move some minor pieces, focus on getting into the play-offs, and let this young team get a taste of how different they are from the regular season.

Napoleon7 · Post #17 » by **Napoleon7** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 9:59 pm

Butter,

I couldn't agree more that the experience gained by making the play-offs would be a big plus for this team. I am a season ticket holder and I can tell you I would absolutely love to see the excitement generated amongst the fan base by making the play-offs.

My point is the IF a trade was to occur the underpinning reason of the trade should not be this years outcome, but the trade should have a positive benefit for this team for the years to come.

Butter · Post #18 » by **Butter** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 10:15 pm

Napoleon7 wrote:Butter,

I couldn't agree more that the experience gained by making the play-offs would be a big plus for this team. I am a season ticket holder and I can tell you I would absolutely love to see the excitement generated amongst the fan base by making the play-offs.

My point is the IF a trade was to occur the underpinning reason of the trade should not be this years outcome, but the trade should have a positive benefit for this team for the years to come.

N7, NOW you and I are on same page. The only difference is that I'm not all that worried about the player they bring in as much as the benefit to the core players.

Post #19 » by **Mr Odd** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 10:59 pm

Napoleon7 wrote:If there was a trade that would improve our position significantly for the next 10 years then I say make the trade.

Making a trade just to make the play-offs this year is too short sighted and should not be condsiered at all.

+1

I voted to not make a trade just to make the playoffs.
HOWEVER if we can get someone really good without
trading Roy, LMA, Oden or Jones then I would do it.
But chances are of that happening are really low.

Post #20 » by **Spykes** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 11:10 pm

It all depends on what gets offered. Personally, even with all the success we've had this season, I still think it's a year about "development". Basically, that means there's only a small handful of players I'd give up at this point and time... Those players; Raef, Miles, and Green. I'd also consider moving our pick with enough protection on it.