Rumors, "Shorts" and other chatter

[Wizenheimer]

I don't think they can realistically expect that Jamal Crawford or Gerald Wallace are going to opt out of their deals,

I think it's almost a guarantee Crawford will opt out of his deal. Wallace is more of a question because where is he going to get $11M for next season With all the FA money that will be out there with so many teams under the cap, maybe he will opt out looking for a long term deal now versus waiting another year and being older.

it would be stupid for Crawford to not opt out. He almost certainly will barring a catastrophic injury

as for Crash, I keep hearing about an 11 million salary, but both Storyteller and Sham list it as 9.5 million, and they are usually very relaiable

http://www.shamsports.com/content/pages/data/salaries/blazers.jsp

http://www.storytellerscontracts.info/resources/11-12salaries.htm

not that it matters much.

But that's why I made that poll...because it's not certain that he will opt out

[The Sebastian Express]

I'm definitely okay with the idea, if things continue the way they have, of trading Wallace for an expiring and a pick unless a bigger trade that'll legitimately help us is there. Trade Wallace if things continue to go south and we decide to quick dip into the lottery and free agency. Then put Batum back at the three and start Matthews and give time to Elliot.

[Blaze01]

I would like to see POR do a combination (any?) of these deals.....

deal Crawford or Matthews (preferable) to IND for a package including George Hill....

or deal Wallace to HOU for a package including Dragic\Budinger & Hill (or NY 2012 1st round pick)

or Deal Crawford to MIN for Beasley (forget about Ridnour...ugh)

Or Felton to the LAL for a bag of chips (formerly known as a TPE) and a 1st round pick

Out: Crawford\Matthews\Wallace\Felton

In: Beasley\G.Hill\Dragic\Budinger\Hill or 12' 1st round pick\1st round pick (via LAL)

Younger, cheaper, talented, some shooting, some rebounding, 2 better PG than we currently have, another 1 or 2 1st round picks in strong 2012 draft...and still possibly cap space to go after 1 significant free agent?

[Ripcity4life]

Hey TB ....... your the man

I do think the Blazers need a trade and i think it is time to consider doing a Big Trade even if it means giving up a Batum But they have to keep one of the SF's in Batum or Wallace.

However the problem is not all on the players but Nate so until he is gone i do not think it will matter who they have. They could trde for Nash and Howard tomorrow and Nate's System would screw it up. Those are the facts and i was the last to be on board this thinking but it the only explanation left when looking at the roster. They are talented maybe a tad mismatched but they are a 500 + team not this lotto bound garbarge we are seeing now. Also not trying to turn this into another Nate thread just my 2 cents.


Thanks again TB

[biggestbullsfan]

Sam Smith of Bulls.com writes that Portland Trail Blazers guard Jamal Crawford could be one player the Chicago Bulls consider making a run at prior to the deadline.
-----------------------------
Still another former Bull whom the Bulls did look at as well before he signed with Portland. But things have not gone well there and he likely can be had now. Although he’s having a poor season shooting 40 percent overall, he is a big shot maker and can handle the ball and make plays. I don’t see what the Bulls have the Trailblazers would want. After all, they’re not a team that rebuilds with draft picks. Could you talk them into Watson, Jimmy Butler and a No. 1?

That would be a very low 1st round pick but considering Jamal came via FA'cy, it's at least a place to start with no big contracts coming back.

The Chicago trade would be great if Portland could get Charlotte's pick. This is the best one I have heard for Crawford.
.

Speaking from a Bulls Fan, thats our real only asset right now, that isnt going out unless its for D12. But the Bulls would probably look at a Watson/Brewer/Korver plus pick for Crawford deal tho.

[Blazinaway]

From Hollinger:

"The Blazers will move pretty much anybody except Aldridge and Batum, and they might even move Batum if the right Canadian point guard came along. So yes, expect conversations involving Wallace, Felton, Crawford, Camby and Matthews."

[tester551]

The Chicago trade would be great if Portland could get Charlotte's pick. This is the best one I have heard for Crawford.

Speaking from a Bulls Fan, thats our real only asset right now, that isnt going out unless its for D12. But the Bulls would probably look at a Watson/Brewer/Korver plus pick for Crawford deal tho.

That Charlotte pick is lotto protected for a long, long time. Yes it is an asset, but nowhere near as valuable as most Bulls fans make it out to be.

From Hollinger:

"The Blazers will move pretty much anybody except Aldridge and Batum, and they might even move Batum if the right Canadian point guard came along. "

I certainly hope not... Nash is too old to trade Batum for.

[Billy]

From Hollinger:

"The Blazers will move pretty much anybody except Aldridge and Batum, and they might even move Batum if the right Canadian point guard came along. So yes, expect conversations involving Wallace, Felton, Crawford, Camby and Matthews."

Thanks for sharing Blazinaway. My personal thought is that while Nash is one hell of a PG, getting him does nothing for Portland. For one, he's only 2-3 years away from retirement (or being in that "should be retired) category IMO. Plus, in Nate's system a distributing PG who can't play defense is going to be a liability. I am afraid Nate's system would turn Nash into essentially an all-star version of Steve Blake. If I am going to part with a lot of my young talent for what amounts to a 2 year run, I want a bit more than a better version of Steve Blake.

[Wizenheimer]

I think if the Blazers were willing to trade Batum for Nash, a deal would have already been done

almost all of these national sportswriters and bloggers just recycle the same old narratives in attempts to look like they are more in the know then they actually are. And they spend a lot of time trying to disguise pure conjecture as informed speculation. I don't think Hollinger is an exception. After all, is he saying a single thing that hasn't already been said?

this is nothing. wait till next week when the rumor mill will be in full bloom

[JasonStern]

From Hollinger:

"The Blazers will move pretty much anybody except Aldridge and Batum, and they might even move Batum if the right Canadian point guard came along. "

I certainly hope not... Nash is too old to trade Batum for.

batum+miller for nash made a lot of sense last season, back when we'd be 39 games into a nash/roy/wallace/aldridge/camby lineup. but now that we appear to be in tank/"fire nate!" mode, not so much.

My personal thought is that while Nash is one hell of a PG, getting him does nothing for Portland. For one, he's only 2-3 years away from retirement (or being in that "should be retired) category IMO.

when was the last time the blazers kept a starting point guard for more than 3 seasons? stoudemire? nash for not aldridge and batum is still a solid move for portland - moreso than not knowing who will start next season, at least.

[Ripcity4life]

Hey now that Wiz has said it sounds like the ESPN is BS it must be so ... ROFL... the truth is we have no clue who is running the ship and that is a problem needing a whole different thread to discuss. However the point i am trying to make is Wiz might be right BUT it's also possible the powers who ever that might be have changed there minds but i think it's MORE likely Batum would be traded for Rondo NOT Nash. It makes NO sense to trade Batum for a player who MIGHT only have 2 to 3 years left in him even for a player who can make average talent look better ALA Peyton Manning in Football making his recievers look better then they are.

[cucad8]

League source: Reported Blazers / Pacers talks for Jamal Crawford are "legitimate." Portland asking for 2012 first & A.J. Price

Pacers balking at including pick. "The first team to give Portland a first round pick for Crawford will have him," source said.

[TBpup]

League source: Reported Blazers / Pacers talks for Jamal Crawford are "legitimate." Portland asking for 2012 first & A.J. Price

Cucad8...thanks for posting the update. I've heard similar about the quest for picks and also Indy but nothing about AJ Price. It makes sense because of his short contract though.

My understanding is people can through out Batum's name all they want. Unless it is someone like Rondo coming back, the Blazers aren't interested. Even for Nash, it sounds like Batum is off limits just due to Steve's age.

via Chad Ford, ESPN:
1. Rajon Rondo, G, Celtics. I know the Celtics are saying Rondo isn't going anywhere. But there are two problems with that. (1) It doesn't jibe with what a number of NBA GMs are saying based on conversations they've had with Celtics president Danny Ainge. (2) Ainge isn't stupid. He doesn't want to trade Rondo, but Rondo is the best chip he has to play right now. If Ainge waits and does nothing, the Celtics will be a middling lottery team without much hope next season -- in the same spot where Ainge inherited them a few years ago. He doesn't want to go back there. If he can get two pieces back for Rondo, I think he'll do it. Atlanta, Portland and Indiana are interesting destinations if they are willing to pay.

[cucad8]

two pieces back...batum and wes.

[Ripcity4life]

Imagine Rondo and Nate getting in a heated argument ... that would be fun to watch and i would be willing to pay the PPV fee to see it. I would love to see Rondo in a Blazer uniform but only if Nate gets the boot after the season is over.

[Blazinaway]

two pieces back...batum and wes.

so they have a PG for this yr we can give them Felton and take back an expiring

[TBpup]

two pieces back...batum and wes.

Batum and Wes creates a serious log-jam with Allen and Pierce. How about Batum/Camby for Rondo/Bass?

[Blazinaway]

two pieces back...batum and wes.

Batum and Wes creates a serious log-jam with Allen and Pierce. How about Batum/Camby for Rondo/Bass?

I would presume BOS wants two "viable" younger pieces for the future, not an ancient Camby. not a fair trade from them IMO with Camby

[cucad8]

quite easily, sure.

[The Emcee]

two pieces back...batum and wes.

Batum and Wes creates a serious log-jam with Allen and Pierce. How about Batum/Camby for Rondo/Bass?

I would presume BOS wants two "viable" younger pieces for the future, not an ancient Camby. not a fair trade from them IMO with Camby

They could still be interested in Camby's expiring.