but, if we are shifting towards a running game (and think at least 50% of our future is), Travis' shortcomings may not be as big a factor and his positive game attibutes will become much more valuable than they currently are.

This is how I hope Blazers management is looking at it.  My guess is he stays because I think we are shifting towards a run capable team, but if we aren't I think we will probably see Travis go.  (I've read that Phoenix is hoping to pick him up.)  If the Blazers are going to run, he is worth us making sure we keep him, if not, he may be worth it, but it depends on how much other teams offer.

what I think is happening.  Also, I think pigs might fly first.

Here is one that no matter what the Blazers do they will probably take some heat.  

If they pay him to stay and he doesn't produce next year, they have another Zach situation (Why did they pay that guy that much at that time?).  If they let another team take him and he explodes, they have an O'Neal situation (Why did they spend all the time developing that guy so someone else could reap the benefits?).

Does anyone really know what he will do?  Will he be a starter at the 3 next year?  Will he keep coming off the bench at the 3 and 4 spots as a defensive spark and hustle guy?

I think they should do what they should have done with Zach and Darius.  Let him play the field and if the offers are too high let him go, if the price is right, match the offer and you have, at the least, a strong bench player.

Zach could fit on an up tempo team.  He has three years before he really reaches his prime athletic ability.  His basketball IQ and attitude could adjust by then.  He has been a winner at every level except the NBA and don't forget how good he was as a second option/garbage man in the offense.  If the young guys progress, and they win playing up-tempo, Zach may just figure it out.

I thought his improvement was good enough to keep him around. Let's see how he does in the second half. He prefers to come in off the bench and does better in that capacity. Gives him to chance to figure out what he needs to to. As BP says, that's a rare breed.

Suns are said to want him on their squad.

 . . . about Trout being 'untouchable' is that, for the teams that want him,
they're willing to give up more in return than near what he's making this year.

In other words, if you trade him, the only way to maximize our return on him
is to wait until the off-season and do a sign-and-trade, at whatever price he'd fetch.
Thus, he's not truly 'untouchable'; he's just untouchable for the remainder of the season.

Makes sense to me.
If that's the case.

statement.