What if the Blazers don't like any of the FA's?

d-train · Post #1 » by **d-train** » Sat Jun 20, 2009 4:53 pm

It was a couple of years ago when the Blazers positioned themselves for salary cap space in 2009. At that point, you could only guess which players would actually be FA's. Many of the FA possibilities used options to become FA's in 2008. And, a few more that could be FA's in 2009 or 2010 either have deteriorated as players or have become unlikely for 2009. It's possible the short list of top FA's for 2009 don't appeal to the Blazers.

sabi · Post #2 » by **sabi** » Sat Jun 20, 2009 5:01 pm

Then we trade and absorb more salary than we send out

BlazersRizing · Post #3 » by **BlazersRizing** » Sat Jun 20, 2009 5:48 pm

then we better pray Bayless turns out to be a stud FAST and grabs the starting PG job by all-star break.

PDXKnight · Post #4 » by **PDXKnight** » Sat Jun 20, 2009 5:49 pm

If we don't like the FA class, I think we could assume that KP would be trying to move up in the draft. That said, I get the impression that it would be more of a matter of how much KP likes the FA class vs how much more (or less) he likes some of the prospects he could potentially land in the draft.

Soulyss · Post #5 » by **Soulyss** » Sat Jun 20, 2009 7:22 pm

I think we will find out in about a week

JD45 · Post #6 » by **JD45** » Sat Jun 20, 2009 9:10 pm

I think cap space is more for trades than free agents anyway.

blazers73 · Post #7 » by **blazers73** » Sun Jun 21, 2009 10:48 am

I think cap space is more for trades than free agents anyway

For this year, I agree this fits Portland's situation better.

TBpup · Post #8 » by **TBpup** » Sun Jun 21, 2009 2:52 pm

http://www.orlandomagicdaily.com/?p=433&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1

"[T]o other teams, is [Hedo] Turkoglu really worth close to eight figures? John Hollinger's Player Efficiency Rating isn't perfect, but it's probably the best method we have of comparing players. Turkoglu's PER this season was less than Travis Outlaw, Marvin Williams, Grant Hill, Rudy Gay, Anthony Randolph and Richard Jefferson. And PER often punishes player who are shut-down defenders - something Turkoglu is not. We all know the intangibles of Hedo Turkoglu - his ball-handling skills, his abilities to create mismatches, his knack for shooting well in the clutch - are why he's so valuable to the Orlando Magic. But it can't be ignored how much Turkoglu fell off from last season to this season ... It's not like 30-year-old players regularly bounce back after down years. It's hard to imagine the Magic, or any team, think Turkoglu's career year of 2007-08 is the norm. The Turkoglu we saw this season is likely what most people expect out of Turkoglu going forward. Is 16-5-5 with a poor shooting percentage worth $10 million?"

A PER lower than Travis? That is NOT worth $10MM a year.

:starwars

Post #9 » by **Billy** » Sun Jun 21, 2009 4:29 pm

I go back and forth frequently about Hedo. IMO the only way it makes sense is if Portland feels that they are going to be in a spot where the addition of Hedo gets them over the hump starting next season. Otherwise why pay a 30/31 year old guy 10 million per @ likely 5 seasons when the likelihood of him actually being worth that kind of money based off performance is going to drop dramatically over the next few years. If Portland feels they are in that spot IMO that means that they've addressed a few other problem areas (PG and backup PF). I really don't see too many ways in which Portland can nab Hedo and address those other spots. Hedo IMO is a luxury--not a necessity.

kumquat · Post #10 » by **kumquat** » Sun Jun 21, 2009 4:33 pm

If Portland doesn't feel safe giving a contract to Hedo over the next 4/5 years, what would Orlando be thinking. I'm fine with Hedo and a 4 year contract. He's not the type of guy who relies on his athleticism.

As for Bayless. I'm confident he will succeed, he's got a crazy personal drive. He might not be the perfect PG, but at least you know he's going to give his all.