Offical Draft Day Chatter - Shorts Part 2

[Jsun947]

Looking at teams trying to cut salary would anyone else do Hinrich and Deng for Przybilla, Webster, Rudy, and Bayless? Saves Chicago about 5 million off the cap and provides them much needed depth at the same time.

[Billy]

Just putting some pieces together, but TBPup posted this in the other shorts thread on the 16th

Pieces coming in indicate the effort is much more in line with a trade or sign-n-trade. They are also trying to move up in the draft but that is not the the biggest item on the agenda.

Quick just mentioned that Portland's original plans were engaging the big names and were met with less than open arms. Perhaps in this effort, the CP3 talks presented themselves and moved along at a quick pace.

Maybe... just maybe (ok, not really... I'm delusional) Portland might be able to move up in the draft, pick up some assets to add to their deal for Paul and make it happen. If the original talks cropped up quickly, maybe they can do so again? It definitely seems the key to this thing is Okafor. Seems like the snippets you can find out other teams' offers are that they balked when NO tried to include Okafor. If Portland is one of the few teams (maybe the only team right now?) willing to take on Okafor, maybe they still have a shot?

[BballFanAddict]

Its my opinion that it was CP3 or bust before, during and shortly after the Draft. If Portland could not land CP3 by the draft or shortly after, it will not use its primary assets until after July 1st in an attempt to first land Lebron and second land Bosh. Laugh all you want about Lebron, and I don't think he is coming either, but a GM would not be doing his job if he didn't at least try.

So, I am not surprised to hear that nothing big is coming today. It makes perfect sense to me. If you played your cards today and say got Mo Williams, Deng or Hinrich, wouldn't it suck if you learned later you could have had a bigger prize (Chris Bosh!) with these same assets?

Essentially, Portland will save its key assets for Free Agency / S&T.

[Billy]

One thing that I have been thinking about regarding Paul is the fact that not many teams are willing to take on Okafor right now... but in 2 weeks there will probably be 4 or 5 teams.

Right now the Hornets are probably hoping that some team like Chicago or New York lands two of the big free agents, which will definitely leave a big spender in the cold. Lets say New Jersey gets completely shut out on the big 3 + guys like Joe Johnson and Boozer. They won't be willing to take on Okafor at that point? Additionally, they could probably absorb Paul and Okafor almost entirely. New Orleans would instantly drop 24 million.

Those kind of thoughts make me feel that Portland just isn't going to get him... but I'll try to think positive!

[Jsun947]

I agree. If you're Cleveland, Phoenix, Miami, Toronto, Atlanta, or any other team with a big name free agent you need to assess what happens there before making any decisions.

If Lebron, JJ, Bosh, Wade, or Amare walks and your team gets nothing back, or very little you probably blow it up. At that point any remaining decent players on your rosters, especially ones with loaded contracts significantly decrease in value when you start looking at unloading them for younger talent.

If you're a team like Chicago, NY looking at signing free agents you'll become more desperate to make more room on your salary cap once it becomes a more realistic option.

Guys like Mo Williams, Steve Nash, Calderon, Hinrich, Deng, etc, etc, etc will be much cheaper when FA starts.

[Jsun947]

The free agency period will really throw a huge spin on everything... It'll be exciting when it starts.

[Charcoal Filtered]

http://twitter.com/GeryWoelfel

Rumbling that Miller and the #22 for the #10. Someone else would also come back from Indy.

[cucad8]

Weird trade for Indy, instead of getting a young guy to build with.

[JD45]

http://twitter.com/GeryWoelfel

Rumbling that Miller and the #22 for the #10. Someone else would also come back from Indy.

Prolly TJ Ford.

[DusterBuster]

http://twitter.com/GeryWoelfel

Rumbling that Miller and the #22 for the #10. Someone else would also come back from Indy.

I don't know who that is and I don't buy it. As cucad said, it doesn't make sense for Indy since they don't need such a veteran player like Miller.

[cucad8]

http://twitter.com/GeryWoelfel

Rumbling that Miller and the #22 for the #10. Someone else would also come back from Indy.

Prolly TJ Ford.

We'd need to add Cunningham or Pendy to send out enough salary to bring back Ford.

[DeBlazerRiddem]

I bet you that by the trade deadline this next season, NOH will have realized they aren't gonna make the playoffs again and Paul is starting to want out so we could come in with a deal of our expirings+young talent.. At least some consideration to hold onto assets..

Who is in the late lottery that we like so much? Does it pretty much have to be Paul George because we worked him out?

[DusterBuster]

http://twitter.com/GeryWoelfel

Rumbling that Miller and the #22 for the #10. Someone else would also come back from Indy.

Prolly TJ Ford.

Ford for Miller works under the TC. Ford also makes more money than Miller, so Portland gets a little extra expiring money...... Unless the Blazers are positive they can get Paul later this summer, I don't think downgrading from Miller to Ford for the #10 pick is a good idea.

[DusterBuster]

http://twitter.com/GeryWoelfel

Rumbling that Miller and the #22 for the #10. Someone else would also come back from Indy.

Prolly TJ Ford.

We'd need to add Cunningham or Pendy to send out enough salary to bring back Ford.

Not according to the Trade Checker.

[Billy]

Yeah, seems like a desperation move for Indiana. I see the benefit of a vet like Miller obviously, but Indiana is a few other moves away IMO. I suppose if it's step 1 it could be a great sign. It's not like the they don't have a ton of talent with guys like Granger, Dunleavy and Murphy. I just don't know if a vet PG gets them past the Magic (or any of the super team combos that could form).

I wonder who would come back?

These seem to be the the possibilities if it's only Miller going out:

TJ Ford

---

Jeff Foster
+
Hansbrough
OR
Jones
OR
Hibbert
OR
McBob
OR
Solomon Jones
OR
AJ Price
OR
B. Rush

Obviously not all of those guys are available. I read the other day that Bird is very reluctant to part with McBob, and I'm sure they don't want to trade Rush anytime soon (nor would they in this deal). But it seems that the likely piece coming back is either Ford (yuck) or Foster.

[SoHo]

Who is in the late lottery that we like so much?

Perhaps Paul George? I know we worked him out very early on, and he has been moving up the mocks. He was as high as 8 for a while, and has now sort of settled at 12 to Memphis.

But regardless of who it is, I basically ask the same question about any rookie added, what can they contribute now? Certainly not more than Andre Miller...

[cucad8]

Not according to the Trade Checker.

You're right, sorry. Forgot to add the 100,000 to the 125%. I suppose the "benefit" of a deal like that, as part of a bigger deal is, Miller could bring back slightly over 8.5, whereas Ford can bring back 10.7. Maybe you then include HIM to N.O., with the 10, and add in Julian Wright as well? Haha. I need to drop the Paul thought.

[BballFanAddict]

Unless you got a PG coming in better than Miller I don't see any reason to trade him for the 10th pick. Indiana does it as a stop-gap then an expiring is why they'd be interested. That and I believe the relationship with Ford has been on and off with Indiana's FO.

[JD45]

A recurring theme that we have not discussed is that Miller is clearly on the block. So I assume that means the Blazers have concluded he is just not a good fit.

[BballFanAddict]

Here's the other thing, I will be hugely disappointed if Miller or Pryzbilla are traded during this draft for a flippin pick and crap! Because it would clearly signal they have no hope in the FA market.