Trade Rumors: is this the Blazers and Hawks???

[Butter]

A Portland beat writer, Jason Quick talked about a rumored trade discussion with an East coast team yesterday. Here is a link to the podcast:

http://blog.oregonlive.com/blazers/2009/01/jason_quick_chat_1.html

This is one Blazers fans recap of the podcast:

Quick: Blazers in talks with East team for PG and SF
by Spykes on Thu Jan 29, 2009 9:34 pm

Quick talked about trade rumors that he's hearing that aren't in the media yet. He said the Blazers are talking to 2 teams right now. One is a minor deal with a Western Conference team that doesn't look like it'll get done. The other is a very serious deal with an Eastern team that the Blazers have had conversations with in the past that would bring a PG and a SF back that could push the Blazers into championship contention. The deal would involve Raef's contract and 2 players in the Blazers rotation, but no starters would be involved.

Thoughts about what team that might be?

This is the RealGM thread discussing this deal on the Blazers board:

http://www.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=875965

In the preseason, there were rumors that the Blazers had interest in Mike Bibby. There are some Blazers fans who believe that the Hawks are the most likely team involved in this Jason Quick rumor. Admittedly, his rumors are a bit sketchy in the past, but it makes for some interesting conversation. Raef Lafrentz's deal is a pretty valuable asset IF a team wants to save some $$$. Here is Chris Sheridan's take on the value of Lafrentz's "super-expiring" deal.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/s%20...%20ets-090130

Bottom line, many Blazers fans think it would be deal for Bibby and Marvin Williams because they believe that both players may bolt in the off-season. Depending on the Blazers filler that was added, is this a realistic deal? With the success that the Hawks have had lately, I am not sure myself.

I look forward to your feedback.

[RyGuy24]

(Marvin, not Mike).

[Butter]

(Marvin, not Mike).

whoops, Mike Bibby and Marvin Williams are now Mike Williams I guess...

[JoshB914]

If we trade Marvin/Bibby for a large expiring contract and a couple of rotation players I'm not going to be happy.

[td00]

Bibby is exactly what the Blazers need, and I thought this might be a possbility if we didn't get out of the gate well, but he is still valuable here, and has made a huge impact on this year's success.
Would the Hawks be doing this in a $$ move? It could happen, but that would truly ignite the fan base here. IMO, Bibby isn't going to get the ## he is making today, and this trade from a basketball improvement does not make sense for the Hawks at this stage.
This deal only benefits the Blazers, because it is going to take Aldridge coming here IMO to make sense if Bibby and Marvin are headed out of town.

The Hawks are going to have an interesting offseason if they stand pat.]

Would anyone do a LaFrentz/Aldridge for Bibby/Marvin? All the backcourt minutes go to Flip and Acie then?

[Butter]

Bibby is exactly what the Blazers need, and I thought this might be a possbility if we didn't get out of the gate well, but he is still valuable here, and has made a huge impact on this year's success.
Would the Hawks be doing this in a $$ move? It could happen, but that would truly ignite the fan base here. IMO, Bibby isn't going to get the ## he is making today, and probably not make sense for the Hawks at this stage.
This deal only benefits the Blazers, because it is going to take Aldridge coming here IMO to make sense if Bibby and Marvin are headed out of town.

The Hawks are going to have an interesting offseason if they stand pat.

In the Mid-seasons Grades thread on your Hawks board:
http://www.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=875389

The most common feedback that I was seeing was that Bibby had been a very pleasant surprise, but that Williams hadn't really fulfilled his potential this year. Most people said they were happy that he'd added a 3 point shot, but that he faded on both ends of the court, and that he wouldn't likely ever be an all-star.

I am not trying to be a homer Blazers fan, but that doesn't sound like something that would be worth giving up Aldridge for. To be fair, it is very common for players to go to another team and really blossom, but it seems like Williams is getting a lot of opportunity in Atlanta.

[HoopsGuru25]

I have no inside knowledge but I'm pretty sure the team Portland is talking to is Milwaukee.

[Skyhawk1]

Why do the Blazers want a SF? Don't they have Outlaw( who's better than Marvin btw), Webster, Fernandez(more of a SG but still can play there since Roy is almost untouchable at SG, the french guy Batum can also play there. I don't get it. Now, I see they might have a need for a PG, even though Blakes has done a good job. I would look at a deal such as Pryzbilla+Outlaw+Rodriguez for Bibby+Marvin, but again, I don't understand why the Blazers would go for it.

[Butter]

I think it is very unlikely that the Blazers would trade Joel Pryzbilla. He's obviously not an All-Star, but he's invaluable backing up Oden. While Oden has finally started showing signs of life, I don't think the Blazers are ready to pull the plug on Joel yet.

Regarding the SF spot, I think Outlaw is viewed as a better fit at PF. Webster is hurt, Rudy is exclusively a SG, and Batum is likely the answer in the future, but I think he'd be better coming off the bench.

[Baddy Chuck]

Would the Bucks have anything that could get Marvin Williams? We could throw expirings (Jones, Lue) along with a pick or prospect (Alexander, Sessions, Villanueva). Maybe (probably not interested) we could do some type of a Jefferson/Williams swap?

If we trade Jefferson (whether to a third team or to you guys) I would love to bring in a guy like Williams. Im not sure how you guys would feel about it (if you think you'll sign Williams fairly cheap or if you fear he'll leave) but something like a Jones/Alexander/2nd for Williams maybe? It would give you guys a prospect at the three and could cut enough money to let you resign Bibby, sign Childress (not sure if you guys still want him back), your picks and maybe even another player without going over the cap.

[JD45]

Why do the Blazers want a SF? Don't they have Outlaw( who's better than Marvin btw), Webster, Fernandez(more of a SG but still can play there since Roy is almost untouchable at SG, the french guy Batum can also play there. I don't get it. Now, I see they might have a need for a PG, even though Blakes has done a good job. I would look at a deal such as Pryzbilla+Outlaw+Rodriguez for Bibby+Marvin, but again, I don't understand why the Blazers would go for it.

Outlaw is really a PF/SF tweener. Lacks ball handling and lateral quickness of an ideal SF, yet lacks bulk of traditional PF. Great run and jump athlete with nice jump shot. Biggest weakness is brain lock. So, I think Williams is a more rounded player with more upside than Outlaw.

Batum looks like he can develop into a very good role player. But he is 19 and very raw. He has a long way to go. Who knows where Webster is. Hopefully will return to the court before the year is up. And he is really a SF/SG tweener.

[tester551]

With the financial issues the Hawks ownership are having, a trade of Bibby + Williams for Outlaw + Rodreiguez + LaFrentz + Pick at least seems PLAUSABLE.

Atlanta would be taking back approximately $3-million less in salary. So this would save them roughly $5.5-million this year ($1.5 from the ½ years salary difference + $4 from LaFrentz insurance). Ultimately, CASH IS KING!

As a Blazer fan, I don't see the Hawks resigning Bibby. So the trade really boils down to Williams for Travis + Sergio. That is close to being a fair trade IMO. When you consider that Atlanta would have two productive young talents under contract for next year for only $5-million (when it would cost $8-10 million to resign Williams), the trade it at least plausable.

[tontoz]

I could see Bibby being dealt but i don't think marvin will dealt unless we get something really good in return. Marvin isn't a great player but he is a good defender and his offense is making steady progress.

If Marvin is included then there is a safe bet Fernandez and/or Prz is involved. JJ could then play the 3. I haven't watched fernandez much so i don't know whether it would be worth it.

[HoopsGuru25]

Tester- YOU don't see the Hawks re-signing Bibby so he doesn't factor into the trade? Do you not realize how dumb that sounds?

[parson]

So, the premise is that, because the Hawks are in need of money (and saving money), they'll give up on this season and give away talent for nothing more than money and a little talent from POR (stress the word "little").

That kind of thing happens all the time in pro sports nowadays, so it's possible, but it is certainly stupid for the Hawks. For one thing, they'd never sell season tickets again in ATL. For another, they'd throw away playoff earnings. Finally, they'd guarantee that Joe Johnson leaves year-after-next.

Besides, it makes more sense to me that POR would talk to PHI. There's been alot of talk about Miller being on the trading block.

[Skyhawk1]

[quote="JD45] Outlaw is really a PF/SF tweener. Lacks ball handling and lateral quickness of an ideal SF, yet lacks bulk of traditional PF. Great run and jump athlete with nice jump shot. Biggest weakness is brain lock. So, I think Williams is a more rounded player with more upside than Outlaw.
Batum looks like he can develop into a very good role player. But he is 19 and very raw. He has a long way to go. Who knows where Webster is. Hopefully will return to the court before the year is up. And he is really a SF/SG tweener.[/quote]
If you want a SF with ball handling skills and lateral quickness you should look somewhere. Marvin doesn't have either. He's too big/heavy/slow for a SF, but is very soft/weak for a PF. I haven't seen the Blazers play nearly as much as you have dude, but from what I've seen, Outlaw is the better player.

[HMFFL]

The first team that comes to mind for me is Miami and a trade that involves Shawn Marion. Raef LaFrentz, a talented young player and maybe a draft pick.

[tester551]

With the financial issues the Hawks ownership are having, a trade of Bibby + Williams for Outlaw + Rodreiguez + LaFrentz + Pick at least seems PLAUSABLE.

Atlanta would be taking back approximately $3-million less in salary. So this would save them roughly $5.5-million this year ($1.5 from the ½ years salary difference + $4 from LaFrentz insurance). Ultimately, CASH IS KING!

As a Blazer fan, I don't see the Hawks resigning Bibby. So the trade really boils down to Williams for Travis + Sergio. That is close to being a fair trade IMO. When you consider that Atlanta would have two productive young talents under contract for next year for only $5-million (when it would cost $8-10 million to resign Williams), the trade it at least plausable.

OK. I took a second look at what teams have committed to salary for next year. In looking at Atlanta's payroll, you are actually in a fairly good position. When I was posting this, I was thinking you had around $60-mill committed for next year (when it is really about $40). Based on that, I no longer think Atlanta is involved.

[killbuckner]

The team that comes to mind for me is Chicago. Hinrich and Deng would seem to be great fits next to Roy.

[raleigh]

There absolutely NO reason to expect that the Hawks won't make every reasonable effort to re-sign their starting PG and SF.