Intriguing idea from Portland Fans..

[NashtyNas]

They have much interest in Richardson, and if the Jazz match on Millsap, which 80% of Jazz AND PDX fans think will happen, they're willing to trade either of Webster or Outlaw straight up for Richardson. I think that bodes VERY well for Phoenix fans, the franchise, and most of all, Robert Sarver. With either of those acquisitions, it's an ~8mil INSTANT savings, + another 3-4 because we're going to be out of the lux tax gauranteed. Also, if its Outlaw, we save 14 next season with no Richardson on the book. What do you guys think, any possibility of this happening? Rich seems like a good fit because he would be their starting SF right away and bring much needed scoring help, and PA has no problems paying him.

[lilfishi22]

hmmmm, I'd be down for that. Seems too good to be true though and despite how logical it may sound, it's probably too out of this world for Kerr to conceive so he'll pass on it.

[WTFsunsFTW]

We would need a solid SG back. And outlaw is a solid 3, and Webster may be fighting with Tucker for playtime.

JRich is going to play great next season, and all of you are going to forget how many trade scenarios you tried to put a $12M legit vet in.

[alldayeveryday]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2DHNLPtW7Q&feature=fvst

pack a gum.

[NashtyNas]

We would need a solid SG back. And outlaw is a solid 3, and Webster may be fighting with Tucker for playtime.

JRich is going to play great next season, and all of you are going to forget how many trade scenarios you tried to put a $12M legit vet in.

You seriously don't know anything about the Blazers if you think Webster will be competing with TUCKER for minutes . Webster is an above average talent with a great shooting touch, size, lateral quickness, BBIQ, and scoring ability. He's an average defender, better than Richardson, and can play the 2/3. He would easily start if he were to be acquired for Richardson to still allow Barbosa to come off the bench. No matter how great Rich plays this season, it's the 14mil he's owed next season that we're all worried about. We don't mind having him, but we don't want his salary next year because it's going to jeopardize us signing another good FA (not max, but a level or 2 down).

[BobbieL]

They have much interest in Richardson, and if the Jazz match on Millsap, which 80% of Jazz AND PDX fans think will happen, they're willing to trade either of Webster or Outlaw straight up for Richardson. I think that bodes VERY well for Phoenix fans, the franchise, and most of all, Robert Sarver. With either of those acquisitions, it's an ~8mil INSTANT savings, + another 3-4 because we're going to be out of the lux tax gauranteed. Also, if its Outlaw, we save 14 next season with no Richardson on the book. What do you guys think, any possibility of this happening? Rich seems like a good fit because he would be their starting SF right away and bring much needed scoring help, and PA has no problems paying him.

Do you have a link to the Blazers interest in J-Rich. That just doesn't seem possible with Brandon Roy at the 2 guard - and if the Blazers are paying anybody $14m at the 2, its Brandon Roy

Second, the Blazers would have to throw in a player like Prybilla to make the cap savings work - Suns and Blazers both over the cap - so that means, the % rule (and I really don't know if its 75 or 85 plus the $100k - but its one those two percents) -- so Webster and Pryz for JRich or something along those lines

[Fo-Real]

Dude, I dont think the Blazers are over the salary cap, so wouldnt that mean they can willingly absorb J Rich, if they want to.

[rsavaj]

Yeah they're not over the cap yet until they sign Milsap

[BobbieL]

Yeah they're not over the cap yet until they sign Milsap

Thanks for the clarification. This has proven two things:
1) Pritchard did a good job of getting rid of bad contracts like Zach Randolph when he got Lafrentz

2) The blazers have so many young players on rookie deals -their payroll, even with Paul Allen - is manageable. You get that Sarver - young players have good contracts - better then selling off in the long run!

So, good information -thanks for clarifying and with Millsaps going back for Boozer - who knows, this deal might work.

[Qwigglez]

Yeah they're not over the cap yet until they sign Milsap

I still don't understand why they want Millsap. They already have Aldridge and Oden.

By the way I don't think the Blazers want Richardson. His contract is huge, and they haven't made Brandon Roy and Aldridge a contract extension yet.

[DirtyDez]

I don't think Portland would want J-Rich... Their system is about defense and being unselfish, the oppisite of J-Rich. But yeah i'd make that trade in a heartbeat

[Cash]

It does seem very surprising that they'd want J-Rich, and I'm inclined to disbelieve it. But maybe they're looking at getting rid of Rudy (since he's asked out), and figuring that they'll play Roy more at the 1. Certainly getting rid of J-Rich for instantaneous savings (enough to get under the tax line) is something the Suns would jump at. And I'd be fine with it. If the Suns gave up $8mil in salary in a trade, they'd be looking at real savings of about $16mil. $8mil less payed out + ~$5mil less payed in luxury tax + ~$3mil check from the NBA for being under the tax line. That's even bigger than the $14mil or so that was saved in the redonculous KT trade.

[WTFsunsFTW]

We would need a solid SG back. And outlaw is a solid 3, and Webster may be fighting with Tucker for playtime.

JRich is going to play great next season, and all of you are going to forget how many trade scenarios you tried to put a $12M legit vet in.

You seriously don't know anything about the Blazers if you think Webster will be competing with TUCKER for minutes . Webster is an above average talent with a great shooting touch, size, lateral quickness, BBIQ, and scoring ability. He's an average defender, better than Richardson, and can play the 2/3. He would easily start if he were to be acquired for Richardson to still allow Barbosa to come off the bench. No matter how great Rich plays this season, it's the 14mil he's owed next season that we're all worried about. We don't mind having him, but we don't want his salary next year because it's going to jeopardize us signing another good FA (not max, but a level or 2 down).

He was a waste of a draft pick that puts up lackluster numbers when he IS healthy. And if he is so good, why would portland trade him away for a 12 million dollar lesser version of him?

He would NEVER start over barbosa, and I am an advocate of barbs staying as our 6th man.

You're delusional.

[chrice]

It'd be a tough trade to justify. Unless they ran Roy at point, that would take a lot of time from Fernandez--whom I think is equally as effective. If they ran Roy at the Point, it's possible that they could use him at the 3. My question is, would they continue pursuit of Odom if the Milsap thing falls through?

[dantian]

can't imagine that would happen. even though Blazers want a better SF, JRich is def. undersized. and they have more need at PG anyway.

[the_warden]

Why would the Blazers do this? Suns do it instantly, right?

[madog]

I would be shocked if the Suns are able to unload JRich.

[Spykes]

It does seem very surprising that they'd want J-Rich, and I'm inclined to disbelieve it. But maybe they're looking at getting rid of Rudy (since he's asked out), and figuring that they'll play Roy more at the 1. Certainly getting rid of J-Rich for instantaneous savings (enough to get under the tax line) is something the Suns would jump at. And I'd be fine with it. If the Suns gave up $8mil in salary in a trade, they'd be looking at real savings of about $16mil. $8mil less payed out + ~$5mil less payed in luxury tax + ~$3mil check from the NBA for being under the tax line. That's even bigger than the $14mil or so that was saved in the redonculous KT trade.

Wow... Not even close dude. First off, Rudy never asked out. Rudy was never even mad. He just questioned what his role would be on the team if the Blazers get Hedo. Obviously they didn't get Hedo, so... Problem solved.

Secondly, the thought process of going after J-Rich would be to play him at SF. At 6-6, he's a bit undersized at SF, but it's not unheard of for a SF to be that size.

The Blazers need a SF who can score and take pressure off of Brandon Roy. They need a second scorer who can create his own shot. J-Rich could do that. And while he is overpaid, he's only got 2 years left on his contract, so it's not like the Blazers are stuck with him for half a decade or anything.

If the Blazers have any interest in a deal like this, I believe the only player they'd make available along with their cap space is Martell Webster. Outlaw can slide over to PF, Webster and Batum cannot. Trading Outlaw with the cap space for J-Rich creates a massive logjam for the Blazers.

[b-ball forever]

J-Rich is a lil short for the SF spot, but his athleticism/size/body strength/post skills make up for it and allow to be just as effective at the 3. IIRC he's actually even been more effective at the SF spot then the SG spot recently...

Blazers would prolly needa get a defensive PG to balance out the roster if they go with Roy/Rich on the wings tho.