Pryz for Sam Cassell?

by dougall5505 on Jan 22, 2008 8:00 PM PST

Anybody watch NBA coast to coast tonight? They talked to Rick Bucher who said the Blazers were actively looking for a trading partner to try and "consolidate young talent." He said he was hearing rumors of a Przybilla for Cassell trade. He reasoned that Cassell's contract is coming up soon, and would give us more cap space for 09. But I don't think Pritch would trade our only legit center not in street clothes. Seems like a bunch of speculation to me. Anyone have thoughts?

Keep the gorilla przybilla!

Tweet Comment 49 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Silliest trade yet--by a LONG shot.

And that's saying something! Anyone who thinks the Blazers would trade Joel--at this of ALL times--has not followed the Blazers at all this year. Er--that would include most of the national media.

"Ime caught the guy in mid-air with a fist and calmly continued his dispatching of oncoming people." -Gabe Muoneke

by hurryup09 on Jan 22, 2008 8:06 PM PST reply actions

true

Ric Bucher will grow eyebrows before we do this trade!

by dougall5505 on Jan 22, 2008 8:09 PM PST up reply actions

I just saw this

That makes no sense. Our only center for an OLD pg we don't need? That is silly. That isn't even "consolidating the young talent" like Bucher said the reasoning was.

Pryzzle is a great backup center for next year. Bucher lives off of rumors, but this is insane.

Pryzzle isn't even overpaid, for his position.

This sort of rumor makes people worry and think that KP is a dummy. I am aghast at the irresponsible journalism, and I can only think Bucher reported it because he does whatever Kobe says.

Portland might be looking to do a trade, but I'd be surprised if they are at all (until the summer), AND I'd be doubly shocked and awed if a trade of this sort happened-- where we trade a very useful part of the team for an old part that doesn't help us.

I shouldn't be writing any more, I'm just flabbergasted this passed the sniff test. Smells like Ruben to me (stinky).

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Jan 22, 2008 8:24 PM PST reply actions

Why would the Clippers

trade Sam Cassell (whose contract is expiring) for Pryzbilla when they already have Chris Kaman (who is playing well)?

They could get a better deal for Cassell's exp contract.

by jayseyfield on Jan 22, 2008 8:51 PM PST reply actions

I'm still unsure

as to why Joel's name shows up in cap discussions. Six mil is not small, especially if there is an overage, but for a back center who does a decent starting job and will be happy as a backup, that is a darn good price in today's league. Look at what we gave Ratliff, and what other centers have been getting. Bucher and others have to have seen some of the extravagnt deals that go down for mediocre centers, so why bring up Joel as some sort of cap burden given the market?

I will never waste a beer. There are too many sober kids in India. -Rod Benson

by supremepuntiff on Jan 22, 2008 8:55 PM PST reply actions

Cassell's like 38

We don't need an aging guard added to our already overguarded roster.

by Eventine on Jan 22, 2008 8:55 PM PST reply actions

Cassell was conceived at Woodstock

Probably no more than one year left in the tank.

Lately I'm beginning to wonder if there's something in the water at Blazers Edge. These trade idea keep getting nuttier and nuttier.

Trade Pryz for Cassell? Is there anyone who would ever take such a notion seriously?

Nature bats last.

by fisheyes on Jan 22, 2008 9:08 PM PST reply actions

Makes sense for two reasons.

1) Caproom and 2) roster spots.

Cassell's contract is up after this year. We simply let him walk at the end of the year, and voila! A roster spot for Rudy.

Also, Przy will be making a lot of money next year for a backup center.

Now, the trade clearly makes us worse this year- we get even weaker inside and we upset the already tight PG rotation.

All the points everyone has made about why its a bad trade are perfectly legit. I don't like it either. I think there will be better ways to open roster spots (like cut Green or McRoberts or trade Jack) but this would be one way to do it.

In summary, I don't like it either but it does make some sense.

by jksnake99 on Jan 22, 2008 9:12 PM PST reply actions

Makes sense?

While I'd agree it makes us bad in the shortterm, it also makes us bad next year(s). Back up centers who are GOOD are very rare these days, and they are the most overpaid players in the NBA. A good 7 footer defensive presence rebounding high character center making just the MLE isn't that expensive at all.

Having Joel as the backup for Oden is a big part of our future. There are easier ways to open a roster spot, as you say, and they are so much easier and the harm to the team so obvious that I say this trade makes zero sense.

Again, Joel is making less than pretty much any center in his skill level. Last year he was a bad deal, but this year he's a steal of a deal for his position. I don't see how we'd find a better back up center who won't complain and will be a veteran leader and provide toughness in the future 2nd unit.

Know what I mean? And I know you aren't saying you like this idea, I'm just saying it doesn't make any sense from any angle except an angle that doesn't exist.

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Jan 22, 2008 9:19 PM PST up reply actions

Bucher is an idiot.

I could start a rumor that Bucher shaves his legs, and I'm sure he'd be reporting it by week's end.

by bfan on Jan 22, 2008 9:25 PM PST reply actions

THAT made me laugh!

"Ime caught the guy in mid-air with a fist and calmly continued his dispatching of oncoming people." -Gabe Muoneke

by hurryup09 on Jan 23, 2008 1:12 AM PST up reply actions

Why not?

Have you ever, like, seen the movie Space Jam, man?

I've seen it, like, 27 times and, you know, those aliens in that movie? They, like, really know how to ball, man.

Kevin Pritchard? He's, like, a really a smart guy, man. And I think he's watched that movie, too, man. And he's also been, like, tracking Cassell ever since his college days at Roswell State.

Pritchard knows. He knows, man. The truth is, like, out there. He's gotta make that deal, man.

by knickfan on Jan 22, 2008 9:28 PM PST reply actions

This would be a horrible trade

As mentioned...

Cassell is not a part of any plan we have.
I actually do believe he could contribute immediately, but there is no point in this. He's not going to get us into the playoffs if we have no legit center. (You think our rebounding is bad now?)
Creates a bigger logjam at point guard.
Hinders the growth of our current point guards.
Does nothing to consolidate our roster.
We will just have to go out and get another backup center anyway.

I'm hip, I'm slick, and all the women want my phone number!

by silkybrown on Jan 22, 2008 9:34 PM PST reply actions

Rebuttal

It's all about cap-space. That's the plan.
There are a bunch of teams with no legit center in the league that do just fine. Playoffs this year were never part of the plan. Win 5-10 more games than we did last year and we're still right on schedule.
For exactly half a season.
See 3.
Frees up two roster spots at the end of the year
Channing Frye starts Raef backs him up. LaMarcus and Travis hold down the 4. Josh McRoberts and Darius Miles fill in for foul trouble.

Just playing Devil's advocate. If KP ever thinks about trading the Vanilla Gorilla I will personally go over to his house and kick him in the shins.

by Jumbo on Jan 23, 2008 10:01 AM PST up reply actions

Crazy talk

by drawingjeremy on Jan 22, 2008 9:41 PM PST reply actions

If this trade happens

I will change my handle to reneewt because that is just backwards.

by tweener on Jan 22, 2008 9:42 PM PST reply actions

Pure, utter, unmitigated fertilizer...

a trade this stupid might cause rioting in downtown Portland - I should know cuz I would start it!

"We just took the Jazz out behind the woodshed and tanned them twice for every single thing they've ever done wrong. " - Dave

by LaMarvelous on Jan 22, 2008 9:56 PM PST reply actions

It's a slow news day over at ESPN

...what, no Kobe rumors anymore?

The inbound to McGinnis, drives, stops, pumps, shoots, short, no good...AND THE GAME IS OVER! ~ Bill Schonely

by SandbergOnSports on Jan 22, 2008 10:13 PM PST reply actions

normally wouldnt comment on this

But, this is so stupid I just had to put my two cents in. I won't even bother saying why this is retarded, I shouldn't have to!

by mark twain on Jan 22, 2008 10:20 PM PST reply actions

I personally would love this move.

You guys are overrating Thrilla. I mean, I like him too, but he's a backup, and guys like him are dime a dozen.

Nate's showing that in crunchtime, he's perfectly comfortable going smallball with LMA in the middle. This move would open up big men minutes for the LMA/Trout/Frye combo, and Oden next year, plus give some PT for our developing younguns like Freeland and McRob.

Nate's also showing that he just ain't that crazy about any of our pgs. I personally like Blake so far, and think both our young guys show great promise, but Nate doesn't seem to share my opinion. He likes going Jack in crunchtime just because he doesn't think Blake brings enough to the table and Sergio is too erratic, but clearly Jack is very up and down.

I think having a crafty vet like Cassell schooling our young pg corps of Jack, Sergio, and Koponen could really help their development. He's gonna be looking to transition to coaching in the next couple of years, and working with an up and coming backcourt like Portland's would be a great opportunity for him, so I don't think we'd see the sort of strained relations that Dunleavy fostered between Cassell and Livingston by yanking Sam's playing time around last year.

by howlingfantods on Jan 22, 2008 10:28 PM PST reply actions

Plus

the biggest reason, cap space.

by howlingfantods on Jan 22, 2008 10:30 PM PST up reply actions

You're kidding right

I'm not one to joke or make light of a situation but Pryz is better than most starting centers. I'd rather have him and his contract than Shaq. The start of the season with Frye as the starting center is all the reason I need not to do this trade.

Our blog administrator could beat up your blog administrator.

by tominhawaii on Jan 22, 2008 11:35 PM PST up reply actions

Good points Tom

plus who is going to backup Greg next year when he regularly get 2 fouls in the first quarter? Putting in Frye will leave our backup PF position manned by McRoberts and the "Raefer".

by t jay on Jan 23, 2008 12:57 AM PST up reply actions

Outlaw is

our primary backup PF. Frye is going to back up Oden. McRob/Freeland etc. are going to split up the few remaining minutes.

Look at the rotations we use. Outlaw doesn't play a single minute at SF, even though he's listed at SF on a lot of roster lists.

by howlingfantods on Jan 23, 2008 2:00 AM PST up reply actions

it's better than

the "Raefist"

can i say that?

by DominicanAvenger on Jan 23, 2008 3:52 AM PST up reply actions

Wow tom,

way to go out on a limb. You'd rather have Thrilla than be stuck with one of the worst contracts in the league in Shaq's 60 million over 3 more years as he's devolved into an injury-plagued and mediocre player, on the second worst team in the league? Bold words.

There are roughly 20 better centers or PF/C's in the league. There are another couple of dozen guys who could deliver the same type of production that Joel's capable of, some that are overpaid, and some that are playing for veteran's minimums. His contract isn't horrible but it's not great, and considering his up and down career, I'd feel just fine about selling high on him, right now.

by howlingfantods on Jan 23, 2008 2:08 AM PST up reply actions

Maybe you don't have Coincast

I do, and have watched every game this season. Based on that viewing (including four games I saw in person), this season would have been a fiasco without Pryzbilla. You could even argue (as some have), that Joel has been the co-MVP of this season--the defensive bookend to Roy. Certainly he's played limited minutes in some games due to matchup issues or foul trouble. But Pryzbilla has been remarkably consistent as the only physical defensive presence in the paint on this Blazers team. In many games, especially early in the season, watching Joel back there blocking or intimidating shot after shot and taking charges reminded me of the little Dutch boy holding back the flood with his finger in the dike. IMO, the Blazers would have have been lost without him.

Even more importantly, Joel will be an extremely important asset backing up Oden next year and beyond. He not only is a starting-caliber, true center who can come in and play long minutes when GO is in foul trouble, but he's a total character guy who has already demonstrated a willingness to accept playing spot minutes with no whining whatsoever.

You say there's 44 guys in the league who could deliver what Joel does--or more--for this Blazer team? I'd be hard-pressed to think of more than a handful! Most of those with the skills (certainly far fewer than 44) would never accept such a limited role without disrupting team chemistry.

In short, this guy is a gem, and the idea of trading him for a broken-down guard with an expiring contract is, as I said at the top of this thread, just silly.

"Ime caught the guy in mid-air with a fist and calmly continued his dispatching of oncoming people." -Gabe Muoneke

by hurryup09 on Jan 23, 2008 3:32 AM PST up reply actions

Like I said

I like him too, but he's far from irreplaceable. I think I have a tendency to overrate him in the same way a lot of fans do -- I'm a defense, size, rebounding guy, and I tend to scream at the tv when Nate yanks Joel and puts in Frye.

But it's worth noting that Joel looks like a great defender only compared to our other pretty poor interior defenders. He's actually pretty poor at man post defense and a liability on pick and roll defense. He's a somewhat better than average help defender, but is overly aggressive. I'd say he's in the upper half of centers who play any significant minutes in the league on defense, but just barely. Obviously on offense, he's pretty poor, somewhere well below average of the league.

Bigs who play defense and rebound, but can't throw it in the ocean from 5 feet away? It's rare they're bad chemistry guys. Those guys are usually happy to be getting paid and getting any playing time, because they know their lack of offense is a deal breaker for a lot of teams.

I do have League Pass, but I don't watch every Portland game. I do watch around half of them (and most of the games the past couple of months). I do watch a lot of other teams, though, which I sometimes think folks around here don't do nearly enough of; I see a lot of stuff said on these boards that folks wouldn't say if they were exposed to a substantial number of games other than just Blazer games.

by howlingfantods on Jan 23, 2008 8:06 AM PST up reply actions

But Howling

This doesn't open up roster or cap space, unless you think the Blazers can have Frye be our back up center for Oden for our upcoming Championship run.

You lose Jor-El, you gotta get another back up TRUE center. Chances are you're gonna end up getting a guy who makes more than Joel and provides less. You don't gain a roster spot, and you'll probably end up paying MORE, so no cap savings either.

My argument is moot if you really think Frye is good/strong/physical enough to be our backup PF/C. Otherwise, you gotta go find a team first rebounding shot blocking high character fan favorite legit 7 footer who isn't afraid to throw elbows at Garnett.

This move, if it really is being pondered which I doubt, isn't the best way to open roster spots and create further cap savings. You only do this to get rid of Joel, like he was a cancer.

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Jan 23, 2008 10:17 AM PST up reply actions

Amen to all of that

I didn't ask how many Blazer games Howling had watched this season to challenge his fandom. I just felt there was no way he could have seen some of Pryzbilla's better performances this season and contemplate unloading him for a broken-down guard with an expiring contract.

I've been watching NBA games for a very long time, and I've seldom seen a guy bail out his team over and over again by putting his body on the line like Pryz has this season. A lot of centers in the league with guaranteed contracts are very reluctant to take charges or to attempt blocks when guys have beaten their man and have a full head of steam en route to a slam. Not Joel Przybilla.

I think if you polled the Blazers players and asked them how they felt about Joel, you'd be very surprised. This guy--along with Roy--is the heart & soul of the Baby Blazers IMO.

One final thing: despite being a vet, Pryz has shown he still has the desire and capacity to improve. After the worst season of his career (largely due to injury), Joel didn't rest up, eat junk food, and keep drawing that paycheck. He re-dedicated himself and showed up at training camp in the best shape of his career. He also amazed everyone by not only predicting a 30% improvement in his free throw shooting percentage, but actually delivering just that. As I said before, this guy is a gem.

"Ime caught the guy in mid-air with a fist and calmly continued his dispatching of oncoming people." -Gabe Muoneke

by hurryup09 on Jan 23, 2008 12:35 PM PST up reply actions

math error

I meant to say a 30 POINT improvement in free throw percentage. Math isn't my strong suit, but clearly going from 37% to nearly 70% is much better than a 30% improvement.

"Ime caught the guy in mid-air with a fist and calmly continued his dispatching of oncoming people." -Gabe Muoneke

by hurryup09 on Jan 23, 2008 12:39 PM PST up reply actions

This is from lee3022

He posted this in a diary the other day. "There is no doubt in my mind that Joel is worth his salary. He is not a starting center on a championship contender but maybe the best backup center in the league."

http://www.blazersedge.com/comments/2008/1/20/24115/3034/22#22

Our blog administrator could beat up your blog administrator.

by tominhawaii on Jan 23, 2008 10:17 AM PST up reply actions

Great points!

I totally agree. Joel is perfect for this team in every way you mentioned. I can't even believe this discussion is happening!

by mark twain on Jan 23, 2008 8:45 AM PST up reply actions

You do realize that when you say

there are 20 PF/C's better than Joel, that means he is just barely removed from being in the top third of the league's big men. That's pretty good.

Since Joel really isn't a PF, putting them in the comparison is a bit disingenoius. Try naming the number of centers in the league who are better. Feel free to include guys who are listed as PF's but play center (Al Jefferson, Tim Duncan, Amare, etc.)

by timg56 on Jan 23, 2008 11:15 AM PST up reply actions

Joel is not overrated

i can think of about 10 teams (Utah being one of them right now) that desperately look for a shot blocking center...i am not against trading Joel once Oden returns but i think that he has more value than just cap space and an old man. about sam cassel moving into coaching, i dont really want a guy who has been poison for two teams (Milwaukee, Minnesota) to be mentoring are young guards.

by lefty30 on Jan 22, 2008 10:55 PM PST reply actions

Let's make a deal

Canzano for Bucher. Dumb ideas and stupid rumors match up, but I think Bucher is probably a nicer person, so would help the chemistry.

by jscot on Jan 23, 2008 12:32 AM PST reply actions

I'd rather just trade ...

Canzano for some jellied toast.

It can't be just any jelly, though. It has to be organic.

by bfan on Jan 23, 2008 6:38 AM PST up reply actions

I'd do the trade

For the hair alone.

Our blog administrator could beat up your blog administrator.

by tominhawaii on Jan 23, 2008 10:15 AM PST up reply actions

Also

make it Jam. much better and fruitier than jelly.

Strawberry, blackberry, or blueberry to be exact.

I would be down with that trade as long as it also came with buttered toast to spread the jam over.

i didn't eat breakfast... can you tell?

"No way. I love this town. We're gonna bring back the glory years. These boys are my boys. This is my team and my town." - Greg Oden when asked about leaving.

by ratbastird on Jan 23, 2008 10:34 AM PST up reply actions

What part of NO

does Bucher not understand?

by lee3022 on Jan 23, 2008 1:52 AM PST reply actions

Agree ... it's dumb,

but maybe not so much when you consider that Nate often only gives him 18 minutes per game. If he only gets 18 now, how many will he get when Oden is healthy?

There I go picking on Nate again for the same old thing. I still don't understand it.

by TwoDeep on Jan 23, 2008 7:50 AM PST reply actions

Twenty minutes. The answer is 20 minutes.

Pryzbilla will play as much next year with Oden healthy as he does this year with no Oden.

Why?

Because Oden is going to be the human foul machine. He collected TEN (10) (ten!) fouls in one summer league game, after all. Visit You Tube and watch some old video of him playing defense. He is a swatter, and we all know how much NBA referees love to give breaks to big guys swinging their arms in the paint when the little guys slice the lane and jump into them...

If Oden averages more than 25 minutes in his rookie year, I'll get a faux hawk like Mike Rice's. Ain't gonna happen!

by timbo on Jan 23, 2008 9:11 AM PST up reply actions

he smoking the good stuff

and drinking top cheap vodka ,,,why would we even upset the chemistry..i think the team will stand pat..and work out the roster situation over the summer

if it can be conceived it can be achieved

by lyfefindsaway on Jan 23, 2008 8:05 AM PST reply actions

They can say most anything on TV...

...and they've gotta fill air time with SOMETHING.

I can't think of a player who would fit in worse with the young, pass-first, team-oriented Blazers than Sam Cassell.

Then on top of that, they say that Captain Chemistry is going to be blind enough to trade the one and the only low post presence on the team this year? That our billionaire owner can't take the financial hit for the fairly minimal (as these things go) salary that they just signed Pryzbilla to as a free agent a year ago?

I saw Coast to Coast and heard this "hot" trade rumor out of the horse's mouth and find it illustrative of my belief that talking heads will say anything to be provocative and fill time. There's no penalty for being wrong, after all...

by timbo on Jan 23, 2008 9:04 AM PST reply actions

silly Bucher

must have been inhaling too much of the aerosol from all the hairspray he uses... I bet he has a big headache today.

Not a good trade, and I can't believe that there is any legitimacy to it. We have one center and 4 pg's right now. Even for clearing a roster spot there are simpler ways.

We probably are looking to consolidate, cuz as we all know we have lots of talent and no roster spots, but how does moving a vet for a vet accomplish that?

Can you smell what the Pritch is cooking?

by you'vegottomakeyourfreethrows on Jan 23, 2008 9:55 AM PST reply actions

This rumor reminds me of chocolate mint ice cream

Why?

It's rather spotty.

Of course, the flavor reminds me more of red hot tacks with Arsenic syrup because there's no way you'd stick that rumor into your mouth to even ponder the flavor.

"No way. I love this town. We're gonna bring back the glory years. These boys are my boys. This is my team and my town." - Greg Oden when asked about leaving.

by ratbastird on Jan 23, 2008 10:39 AM PST reply actions

This will probably get posted in a new diary...

but over at the Blazer Beat on O-live, Quick tells of KP denouncing trade rumors, that he loves our young squad, and that he's merely listening to what other teams have to say (offer).

Can you smell what the Pritch is cooking?

by you'vegottomakeyourfreethrows on Jan 23, 2008 2:07 PM PST reply actions

These are the same guys who wanted Durant.

Hft wanted Durant bad. Commented constantly
about how great he was/is, next Jordan, etc.
Nothing about how he would fit in with the team
or how he would help us in need areas; defense,
rebounding, inside physical toughness, etc.
Just Durant can score. No mentions of how his
need for shots would affect Roy, Smooth and the
rest. Pryz for Cassell ???? Completely IDIOTIC !
He's our only physical inside player, and we
know GO is going to get in foul trouble next
year. Why would we give up a good starting C
and very good backup center for a washed up
player who hasn't been healthy or good for a
while. Cap space ?? We will have plenty of
cap space as it stand now (summer 09).

It's GO time !

by walkoff41 on Jan 23, 2008 3:30 PM PST reply actions

rumors

More poo-poo like the kind that Vesey and Stephen A Smith floats. They think of a rediculous trade they would like to see happen then claim that they have heard such a rumor and hope that it starts the ball rolling. " My sources say". There never were any sources but the voices in their own heads.

Completely irrresponsible journalism. Fantasy Basketball at the highest level.

by meatwad1 on Jan 23, 2008 3:39 PM PST reply actions