If the Rumors of Foster to Portland are true...

[Dunthreevy]

... could we possibly land Andre Miller to fix our PG spot?

We've all read or heard about the rumors of Utah, Portland, or San Antonio being interested in Foster. Well Nate McMillan hasn't really used Andre Miller the way you would expect all season and has admitted to liking the way Steve Blake runs their system more than Miller. Basically they can't play Roy and Miller together because Roy prefers to play with Blake (from what I've heard from a couple Blazers fans). Portland could definitely use Foster right now with all of the injuries to their front court. I tried the trade checker (for the first time ever http://www.realgm.com/src_checktrade.ph ... id=5368974 ) and a deal of Foster and Diener for Miller would work under the CBA. I'm not sure if Portland would feel that they would be getting back enough value but I definitely see them trying to move Miller before the deadline. Especially after this morning...

http://www.columbian.com/weblogs/blazer ... -practice/

I know we talked at length about trying to get Andre Miller here in the offseason. Some were for it, some against bringing on all those years (think he signed a 4 year deal with Portland). But what does everyone think right now? Personally I would be a huge fan of the trade, even if it does mean losing the Feisty one.

[Scoot McGroot]

I think the reason Foster might be mentioned is to get an expiring contract in return for him to avoid the luxury tax next season. Getting Andre Miller certainly doesn't do that.

[greenway84]

No disrespect Scoot, but I'm tired of people saying Jeff can be moved for mere cap space. Bird wasn't so short sighted to give Jeff a 2 year extension with the tax going down the following 2 years. If he wanted the cap space he wouldn't have gave it to Jeff in the first place. I would say any trade involving Jeff will include an exp, but we will have to get a young player or a pick. All the teams mentioned to be interested all have those pieces, but few have a single exp to offer up for him.

[FreeRon]

I think if Larry had foreseen the season up to this point he would have never signed Foster. I think he really thought as weak as the East is that we had a shot. Now it's looking that if we have a shot it's an outside one, even in the pathetic East. I think we would trade Jeff for an expiring. Maybe we'll pick up a 2nd rounder in the process. Either way, trading for Andre Miller makes no sense at this point.

[Scoot McGroot]

No disrespect Scoot, but I'm tired of people saying Jeff can be moved for mere cap space. Bird wasn't so short sighted to give Jeff a 2 year extension with the tax going down the following 2 years. If he wanted the cap space he wouldn't have gave it to Jeff in the first place. I would say any trade involving Jeff will include an exp, but we will have to get a young player or a pick. All the teams mentioned to be interested all have those pieces, but few have a single exp to offer up for him.

I believe that Jeff signed his extension last year before the economic crisis hit. If I recall correctly, he signed it around the time I moved to Cleveland, and that was before the Pacers had ANY inkling (or any other NBA team) that the cap and luxury tax would drop at all, let alone so much.

I could see a Portland deal for expirings and the rights to Petteri Koponen. He's at least a young Finnish PG and would come on a rookie scale contract, and it seems like he's ready to come over any season now. Plus, Portland might not even have the roster space for him whenever he's ready to come over. That way, they wouldn't have to lose out on any healthy players.

[greenway84]

I think something along the lines of Korver and a late 1st round pick for foster and our 2nd would seem about right. by the way what large exp does portland have?

[Scoot McGroot]

I think something along the lines of Korver and a late 1st round pick for foster and our 2nd would seem about right. by the way what large exp does portland have?

Blake and Outlaw are their expirings. Together, they combine to make $7.6 million this season. We could move Foster for them this year, and either pack Diener along and it'd be a straight financial swap, or waive Diener ourselves, saving Portland around $1.5 million or so, where they could then eat a contract for an over the tax team like New Orleans (think Hilton Armstrong) and get some value out of it.

For Portland, Patty Mills could be a bit of incentive, or several of their thousands of 2nd round picks. Keep an eye on the name Petteri Koponen. Finnish PG that Portland drafted in the 1st round about 2 years ago, and is still really young. Could be an interesting incentive for Indy, that really wouldn't cost Portland anything since they don't have space for him anyways.

[Scoot McGroot]

I think something along the lines of Korver and a late 1st round pick for foster and our 2nd would seem about right. by the way what large exp does portland have?

Can't see Utah doing that as they're looking to cut salary this year to get under the luxury tax, but this would put them higher over the tax.

I really just don't see Utah as being a match for Foster right now. Yes, he seems perfect for Jerry Sloan, but they already have guys there that are chewing up minutes in Okur, Millsap, Boozer, and Kirilenko, and they like Koufos and Fesenko. They just don't need Foster right now. They need to cut salary immediately.

[spudmonkey31]

... could we possibly land Andre Miller to fix our PG spot?

I know we talked at length about trying to get Andre Miller here in the offseason. Some were for it, some against bringing on all those years (think he signed a 4 year deal with Portland). But what does everyone think right now? Personally I would be a huge fan of the trade, even if it does mean losing the Feisty one.

Hell yes we should do that threevy. I cant see it actually happening but to land the calibre of player like A. Miller for jeff and travis has to be considered even if it is a 4 yr deal. Andre still has a t least 2-3 descent seasons left in him anyway and could be a great mentor for any pg we draft in next few years

[Train7492]

We need a PG that can shoot the 3, to run the system we run and that is not Miller. We would be better off with Blake. I would be up for the Blake and Outlaw for Foster and Denier. They can send some cash if they want Blake back for a buy out, if they will give us a 2nd. So it would actually be Outlaw's expire and 2nd for Foster thats not bad. It would be nice to be able to add Rush for Webster.

[PDXKnight]

When it comes to trading away expirings, I think the Blazers have to think about the pros and cons of trading for Foster. If KP waits till the deadline, we may be able to get a better return for Blake and Outlaw, especially if we package them with Rudy or Bayless. There may be some demand for expirings around February, which means it may be better for Portland to just wait things out for now. That said, I could see KP pulling a deal like Outlaw + Blake for Foster + Diener if nothing better comes along.

[Starkiller]

Bayless out of the question?

[Scoot McGroot]

Unless we (Indy) are giving up something else of value, like a solid 1st rounder, I would think so.

[basketballwacko2]

I think something along the lines of Korver and a late 1st round pick for foster and our 2nd would seem about right. by the way what large exp does portland have?

Blake and Outlaw are their expirings. Together, they combine to make $7.6 million this season. We could move Foster for them this year, and either pack Diener along and it'd be a straight financial swap, or waive Diener ourselves, saving Portland around $1.5 million or so, where they could then eat a contract for an over the tax team like New Orleans (think Hilton Armstrong) and get some value out of it.

For Portland, Patty Mills could be a bit of incentive, or several of their thousands of 2nd round picks. Keep an eye on the name Petteri Koponen. Finnish PG that Portland drafted in the 1st round about 2 years ago, and is still really young. Could be an interesting incentive for Indy, that really wouldn't cost Portland anything since they don't have space for him anyways.

How about we make the deal with the Cavs, Murph for Z., #1 pick and cash, buy out Z. and then trade Foster, Diener and the #1 to Portland for Blake, Outlaw and Koponen a 2 #2 picks. The late #1 from the Cavs might not have much value and would require a garanteed contract while the 2nds could be worth as much and not be garanteed deals.

[basketballwacko2]

Problem with that is we'd then have something like 5 pgs.

[laydo]

How about this:

Murphy, Diener and 2nd round pick(from DAL) for Miller and Outlaw?

[Miller4ever]

That wouldn't be bad.

[Dunthreevy]

I'd be a lot happier with trading Murphy for Andre Miller and Outlaw than just getting Big Z's expiring.

[basketballwacko2]

I'd be a lot happier with trading Murphy for Andre Miller and Outlaw than just getting Big Z's expiring.

I'd say if Portland wants to get past the 1st rd of the playoffs they need to get a big or 2. Murphy, and Diener for Miller and Outlaw would get them a big man. We'd save money on next seasons payroll and have a PG who would be like a coach to AJ and any other youngsters we might bring in. Problem is there is still a TJ Ford on our roster. If the depth chart becomes this,
1. Miller
2. Watson
3. AJ Price
4. TJ Ford

I guess well have to live with it. There has to be some way to move TJ but damn me if I can see it.

[PR07]

Andre Miller's a real solid PG and has been for quite some time. I would swap Murphy for him, easy.