honestly.. what would you trade for tyrus thomas?

[Pinot love]

I think you guys are selling Noah short. No, I don't want him in Portland, but he has actually been playing pretty well in Chicago when he's given minutes. Plus, I kind of like him because he apparently called out Ben Wallace for being a lazy ass, which reminds me a bit of Roy calling out Randolph last year.

I want Noah's aggressiveness in Portland, even Jordan needs the late Rodman. Other than that, agreed 100%

[omeloon]

The thing with Chicago vs. Portland is that I hope Portland isn't scared to trade away their youth if they can bring in a reasonably young talent upgrade to a position of need. Chicago needed a big man that could score, but didnt want to give up any potential to get that.

The Blazers are going to be overloaded with youth next season. If they can package a few guys like Outlaw, Webster, Jack, Sergio, their pick, and/or Frye for someone like Felton, Granger, Calderon, or Deng, they should definitely do it IMO. I think it would be perfect if the Blazers had a trong core of about 6 or 7 young guys, and then brought in a bunch of veterans to keep the team smart and on top of things.

Oden, Joel
Aldridge, veteran FA, this year's rookie - forget name
--, Outlaw OR Webster
Roy, Rudy
--, Blake, Sergio

I like idea of Jack, Webster, and draft pick for Calderon... or add Miles for Hinrich?? Frye, Jack, and pick for Felton?? I don't know if any team would give up their PG, but I would be looking for something similar if possible.

Webster + Jack for Granger?? WOuld Indy do that??

[Fitz303]

^^Some pretty good ideas. The Granger and the Calderon ideas would both be extremely nice. Getting Granger would be phenomenal, but Im not sure Indy would go for it

[Spykes]

I don't see Felton being a great fit for Portland.

Hinrich maybe, but he's a big risk. He's been in a slump all season long and he has a big contract attached to him. If he could return to his old form, he'd be a decent fit next to Roy... But I've never been a fan of his ability to pick up fouls like a bigman.

Calderon is an interesting idea, but I don't expect us to make a serious run at him. I mean, as good as he's played this year, I don't really feel that he's a big enough upgrade over Blake to justify what we'd have to pay him this summer.

I'm a big fan of Granger. I'd love to bring him in, but I don't see the Pacers being interested in dealing him. I expect they'll want to build around him and Dunleavy.

I also really like Deng, but I don't see anyway the Blazers can get him without overpaying. If the Bulls move him, they'll want a bigman in return.

As for Portland being "scared" to move some of their players, Kevin Pritchard has never shown to be the type of GM who's afraid to make a trade. I really don't see the Blazers moving Outlaw unless is a no-brainer deal. It'd have to be something really special for Portland to consider it, because Outlaw really means a lot to this team right now. The rest of the pieces that you listed (Webster, Jack, Sergio, Frye, and/or our 1st rounder) all have potential for being moved in a deal to bring in a player we need.

[mojomarc]

If KP were afraid to make a trade, we'd still have Zach Randolph on the team.

[swede]

heh, mudsucker.

[omeloon]

If KP were afraid to make a trade, we'd still have Zach Randolph on the team.

I don't think he's scared to make a trade, I'm just not so sure he will jump at chances to trade potential for better fits and upgrades. He moved Randolph because it would give more opportunities to his players with potential.

I have a feeling Portland isn't really actively looking for trades right now. That might be a great thing because of how everything is going, but I don't think anyone's value is going to get much better than it is right now.

Blake, Jack, Sergio, Roy, Webster, Rudy F., Outlaw, James Jones... good luck keeping all those guys happy with playing time next season w/ basically three positions available for all eight. Not all those players will be able to contribute to the best of their abilities given the log jam. Would KP trade any two or three of those guys for a clear starter at the PG or SF positions? Right now I sort of doubt that, but who knows.

[Pinot love]

If we give up:

Webster - we lose the purest looking shot since Ray Allen and an underrated athlete who many develop in to a dangerous penetrator.

Outlaw - we lose a guy who can score on anyone anytime at an efficient rate, a potential beast on defense, a guy who still can and probably will get much better

Sergio - we lose a guy I liken to Nash, but without the amazing shooting ability. His distributive skills are that good and if he can become a dangerous finisher and decent shooter he can meet that comparison.

James Jones - we lose the guy who gives us toughness on the perimeter and everywhere else. If you watch this guy play closely, and it may just be due to a contract year, he really plays old-school Pippen-esque ball. He puts in so much effort, intelligence, guile, craftiness and has the super soft touch with the sharp edges of Reggie Millers "stay away from me or I'm going for four" style of shot.

Blake - we lose a really likable guy, a team player who can run a half court offense and make big shots, a la Steve Kerr.

There is just so much going there and so much to risk that the player(s) we acquired would have to be perfect. So few I can think of might give us an opportunity to be better including the net loss if we trade. We only sort of need a PG (a Derek Fisher would be perfect). We do need a banger who can take it to the hole.

[Pinot love]

Oh and we have to get Miles out on the court before we really consider any deals anyway.

[omeloon]

If the Blazers stay with the players they have, there will be no love lost from me and I will fully understand. Like I've said a few times, if I was KP, I don't think I'd know who to trade. I'd probably keep the team together and hope for the best.

That being said, there won't be a better time to trade anyone than this season or this summer at the latest. There will be a lot more competition next season, and who ever loses out on the battle for playing time will probably see their value drop a fair bit.

There are so many teams looking for a shake up that there probably are a few players available that usually would not be. The Blazers should not feel like they need to trade anyone, but I have a feeling they may regret not completing any sort of trade

[omeloon]

Oh and we have to get Miles out on the court before we really consider any deals anyway.

Who do you think the Blazers will sit to showcase Miles??

[Pinot love]

-= original quote snipped =-



Who do you think the Blazers will sit to showcase Miles??

Whoever they'd sit when Rudy(21 yrs) is in? So many young players willing to give for the greater good. It won't matter much in the short term