Another CHI/POR and add MEMPHIS trade

[cucad8]

So, I'll ask again Mr. Odd, who is it you would think we could possibly get. You expect better, better, better, all I am asking for is an example of someone you realisticaslly think we can get with our cap space that would be better, either as an indiviual, or for our team. Clearly, you think there are better options available, I am just curious who those players are.

[waverider]

So, I'll ask again Mr. Odd, who is it you would think we could possibly get. You expect better, better, better, all I am asking for is an example of someone you realisticaslly think we can get with our cap space that would be better, either as an indiviual, or for our team. Clearly, you think there are better options available, I am just curious who those players are.

You have asked the really KEY question? Frankly I don't think he or anyone else has a good answer for you. B Gordon would IMO be about as good as we could realistically hope for - and as the lakers found out TIMING IS EVERYTHING as they picked up Gasol for a song. The Blazers getting Gordon and maybe Lowry for a couple role players would be a STEAL and we still have TO and Webs. I'd throw in a lotto protected #1 pick as well if Lowry was included.

[Billy]

If Portland can get Gordon on the cheap I say do it. Otherwise I'm with Mr Odd as far as the cap plan goes.

This trade to me would help the Blazers in a lot of ways. I think for starters I've really opened my eyes to the fact that Brandon would excel with an aggressive guard next to him. Gordon certainly does that.

To me a potential sticking point would be Gordon's asking price on the FA market. If Portland can retain him for 7-8 million a year I think that's pretty reasonable. Anything more and it's throwing guys down the drain for Cardinal and Lowry. The problem is that his agent will know that and will undoubtedly hold Portland over the bucket to get more.

[cucad8]

I mean, forgive me, I'm not trying to say Ben Gordon is what will specifically put this team over the top, and that he is exactly what we need, or anything like that. I do feel he would fit well next to Roy, and be another great option for us on offense. Plus, if he doesn't fit, we don't resign him, and then we still have that cap space in 09, when he woul dbe unrestricted. I don't see that happening though. I am all for exploring other options but am curious who else people are looking at when they mention cap space. The normal asnwer usually avoids naming names, and just says hey, that's KP's plan, so if it is good enough for him, it's good enough for me. Kind of a cop out. But it seems like a lot still hold on to those Paul and Williams dreams. And, I'd rather blow the space now, and get someone to gel with us for these next two years as opposed to hoping that a franchise will let a franchise PG walk over to a rival two years from now.

[waverider]

"This trade to me would help the Blazers in a lot of ways. I think for starters I've really opened my eyes to the fact that Brandon would excel with an aggressive guard next to him. Gordon certainly does that"

Yep, our guards (ex Roy) suck at any consistent scoring. Blake is fine as a backup, Jack and Sergio blow IMO. Sergio may have long term potential but who knows. Roy/Gordon/Rudy/Blake would a really nice guard mix.

[tucson]

Ben Gordon is not a point guard and is a mediocre shooting guard at best. He's not worth what he will be asking for. He would do nothing to improve our team and hasn't done much with Chicago this year. Productivity wise he has been BELOW average in every year but last year.

On this team he would be as productive and Jack is now. Stuck behind Roy and Blake. He would be stuck behind Blake because he won't mesh as well with Roy as Blake does.

The All Star game demonstrates how good Roy can be if he has a quality playmaker where he doesn't have to be the point guard on this team.

[cucad8]

The All Star game demonstrates? Seriously? It also demonstrates how good Roy and Paul could be if nobody plays defense. I wouldn't look to the All Star game to demonstrate much of anything, honestly. As for Gordon beign as productive as Jack, really? Stuck behind Blake? Below average? He's a career 40% 3 point shooter, 85% FT shooter. 18 PPG for his career. Blake meshes well because he can dribble the ball up, and then be a catch and shoot player while Roy for the most part initiates the offense. Gordon could just as easily dribble the ball up and hand it off to Roy, but woul dbe a better scorer, and a much better option than Blake to create his own shot. I can't see how it would be possible he would be behind Blake on our depth chart.

[tucson]

I can't see how it would be possible he would be behind Blake on our depth chart.

It's possible
Blake is a Nate guy, Gordon isn't. Blake can play the point. Gordon can't. With Oden getting a lot of the defense's attention, Roy won't get as much. He'd be freed up to have more performances like the All Star Game when the opponents have to worry about Oden. Also, the All Star game was up tempo transition game where there's less defense than five on five. Roy does fine in a fast paced game as long he's not a point guard running the break.

Gordon is at best a small upgrade from Jack. Sure he can shoot free throws (Gordon 85.6% Jack 85.0%) and threes (much better than Jack). I don't like his 43.6% career shooting percentage from two point range. Jack career two point shooting percentage is 48.2%. Other than scoring, on a per minute basis Gordon's and Jack's numbers are very similar.

He's a better shooting guard than Jack, but as a point guard he's be no better. Even with all Jack's turnovers. I'd rather have last year's Jack over this year's Gordon. He just isn't worth trading anything of value to get him or pay him more than MLE.

And if Jack is stuck behind Blake, it's possible a player who's only small upgrade over Jack would also be stuck behind Blake.