Davis or Arenas?

[Wizenheimer]

OK, so with the possibility that Miles goes byebye along with his cap-hold, and that portland might have max-level cap space in 2009 without heavy sacrifice, how about a couple of all-star level PG's as possible targets.

Let's say Arenas gets smart (it's hypothetical remember) and doesn't opt out till 2009.

which player would be a better fit for the blazers?

Arenas is 2 years younger, has better shooting percentages across the board(substantially better at 3pt and FT's), and doesn't have the injury history of Davis.

But Davis is a better distributor and more like a PG then Arenas.

they would both have the potential to be disruptive and somewhat selfish.

But they would also both be a major upgrade in talent.

Which one?...I think I'd go with Arenas because of age and Davis's injury history

[Spykes]

I'd go with Arenas as well. They'd both be good fits around Roy, but I think Arenas' scoring ability and age would him the better fit.

Unfortunately, it looks like a lock for him to opt out this summer.

[Yangsing]

I'd be kind of weary of Arenas. He seems kind of injury prone to me.

[Spykes]

I'd be kind of weary of Arenas. He seems kind of injury prone to me.

Ya, it's true that they both definitely have their fair share of injury concerns.

[breaker91]

How about none the above? Both are great players, but with Roy, LMA and Oden as our core I'd rather we find a PG who fits into the system than take a high risk\high reward player.

[Wizenheimer]

How about none the above? Both are great players, but with Roy, LMA and Oden as our core I'd rather we find a PG who fits into the system than take a high risk\high reward player.

that's all well and good...except there aren't really that many around and none of them will be available in the 3 month window that portland has cap-space.

[breaker91]

-= original quote snipped =-that's all well and good...except there aren't really that many around and none of them will be available in the 3 month window that portland has cap-space.

Well there are other options (draft, trades). My point is we have other options so need to view the '09 FA market as make or break for solidifying this team's future.

[Wizenheimer]

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Well there are other options (draft, trades). My point is we have other options so need to view the '09 FA market as make or break for solidifying this team's future.

I agree there are other options and have been advocating them for a while.

However, the medical retirement of Miles, if it becomes fact, changes things in my view. For one, I believe it takes lafrentz's expiring contract off the table as an option. For another, KP has mentioned that 2009 cap-space about every time he gives and interview,

Now it's true, that the cap-space can also be used in trades, so a free agent isn't necessarily the answer.

But that 2009 summer is a short window of opportunity, and so it may very well be a "make of break" time if portland makes no significant moves this summer.

[cucad8]

My only real problem with the 09 cap space plan is the amount of other teams seemingly having that same plan. Now, we can all sit and think, who would possibly pass up a chance to play with Roy, LMA, and Oden, but I 'm sure for more money, plenty of guys will. And, just the fact that there are teams angling for space makes it more likely teams will be pushing up the cost of players, and people will be overbidding, meaning we will overpay for a 4th option, essentially. I think it makes way more sense to look into making atrade this offseason with Raef's expiring than hoping for next year, and watching prices skyrocket.

[DeezXXnutZ]

I can't imagine anyone voting for Baron..Arenas is hands down the all around better player in a landslide....

[d-train]

I like Arenas better. Arenas can be good with or without the ball while Davis is only good when he dominates the ball. They both have the negative of too often looking for their own shot first. I just believe Arenas is the safe bet and has the most upside. Arenas has never signed a contract then failed to earn his money. Davis has signed a big contract and gone years without earning his money.

[BlackMamba]

it's tough, they would both be great.

the pros arenas have are his age and that has better (slightely) shooting porcetnages than davis.

but davis seems to be a better ball handeler and passer.

[d-train]

However, the medical retirement of Miles, if it becomes fact, changes things in my view. For one, I believe it takes lafrentz's expiring contract off the table as an option.

I will say just the opposite is true (surprise huh). If Blazers can dispose of Miles's contract, they can now possibly use Raef's contract without killing the FA plan in 2009.

[Wizenheimer]

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I will say just the opposite is true (surprise huh). If Blazers can dispose of Miles's contract, they can now possibly use Raef's contract without killing the FA plan in 2009.

for what?

[zzaj]

I vote neither. Both are injury prone. Baron is old. Arenas is a headcase.

IMO, in it's prime the starting 5 of this team will have Roy at point and Rudy at the 2 anyway.

[blazerbasketbal]

I can't imagine anyone voting for Baron..Arenas is hands down the all around better player in a landslide....

what about defensively? baron can guard anyone from a 1 to a 4 (nowitzki, for example)

[PDXKnight]

I don't know how sold I am on the Arenas Idea. He's a great player but he'd have to be willing to take a reduced role and even then I'm not sure if I can see him helping the Blazers in the win column.

[d-train]

I will say just the opposite is true (surprise huh). If Blazers can dispose of Miles's contract, they can now possibly use Raef's contract without killing the FA plan in 2009.

for what?for what?

I don't have any specific deals in mind. I'm just saying with Miles's contract on the books, Raef's contract couldn't be traded for an obligation in 2009 without killing the cap space plan. If Miles's contract comes off the books, then Raef's contract can be traded and a year sooner than Miles.

[SinceClyde]

Wow im shocked at how many arena voters there are. You have two pg's. I'd say Arenas is a better scorer (although a chucker) and Davis is a slightly better defender and ball handler.

I voted Baron Davis simply because it's a better fit for the blazers, but I guess the poll was who people liked more.

[Wizenheimer]

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I don't have any specific deals in mind. I'm just saying with Miles's contract on the books, Raef's contract couldn't be traded for an obligation in 2009 without killing the cap space plan. If Miles's contract comes off the books, then Raef's contract can be traded and a year sooner than Miles.

theoretically, but he'd have to be traded for other expiring contracts in order for it not to impact the cap-space plan. Teams willing to trade an expiring contract or 2 are usually looking for some kind of return other then another expiring. Raef will have a 12.8 million expiring which is rather large.

Portland would have to add something to it, probably something substantial, and I can't see a reason why they would do that.

If portland adds back in a Miles-size contract through a lafrentz trade, then they are back to having 1-3 million of cap space and reaching max-contract level space will require gutting their depth.

But I know we view that differently. We agree that portland needs an infusion of talent, but a substantial portion of that infusion could come in the natural development of young players portland would have to sacrifice in order to clear cap-space.