KP made it clear that his plan did not require Darius Miles to come off the cap. But he does not have to do anything if he likes what he has. He can simply re-sign those who want to be here.

Of this we can agree – KP is far ahead of us (or Chad Ford) or the rest of the league. So in KP I trust.

We know that LaFrentz and Diogu are likely gone, and that Blake and Frye are likely to be kept. And we know that if Batum demonstrates he can be the second team forward, then Martel or Outlaw might be moved. As far as Sergio, to some degree, this will depend on whether Bayless, by the end of the season, can move ahead of him on the depth chart, or at least match him.

This isn’t really going to be all that difficult to resolve. Blake and Frye will play for reasonable salaries and want to stay. And both are solid vets that we wouldn’t likely find any reasonable substitutes for at the same value. The rest will work itself out.

Congratulations on a successful trade.
Due to Portland and Houston being over the cap, the 25% trade rule is invoked. Portland and Houston had to be no more than 125% plus $100,000 of the salary given out for the trade to be accepted, which did happen here. This trade satisfies the provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Trade ID
Trade ID #4784371
Every trade made by fans is allocated a unique Trade ID which you can share with friends and fellow basketball fans to allow them to see your trade scenario.

Portland Trade Breakdown
Change in Team Outlook: -9.6 ppg, -2.3 rpg, and +0.3 apg.
Incoming Players
  Shane Battier
6-8 SF from Duke
9.3 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 1.9 apg in 36.3 minutes
Outgoing Players
  Ike Diogu
6-8 PF from Arizona State
5.6 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 0.3 apg in 10.2 minutes
  Travis Outlaw
6-9 SF from Starkville (HS)
13.3 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 1.3 apg in 26.7 minutes
 Houston Trade Breakdown
Change in Team Outlook: +9.6 ppg, +2.3 rpg, and -0.3 apg.
Incoming Players
  Ike Diogu
6-8 PF from Arizona State
5.6 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 0.3 apg in 10.2 minutes
  Travis Outlaw
6-9 SF from Starkville (HS)
13.3 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 1.3 apg in 26.7 minutes
Outgoing Players
  Shane Battier
6-8 SF from Duke
9.3 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 1.9 apg in 36.3 minutes
 Keep Channing and Webster and trade outlaw and Ike for S,Battier. Also resign Blake and Sergio to med level ext. And let Raef walk to save cap space if we could sign Channing and Webster to about 6 or 7 each and sergio and Blake to med Level. We could be set for the next four years with our role players.

My one regret was that one comment on Darius. I was a little irritated that day because some seemed to be questioning what I thought was a difficult, but necessary decision by the Blazers. And Darius, as he sometimes does, was pointing one finger at the Blazers – while ignoring the proverbial 4 fingers pointing back at himself. I tend to think that we don’t focus enough on those words “if he can play”. This has been the debate with Darius for five years. He’s missed two full season, two 1/2 seasons, and a quarter of another. Each time we’ve asked that question – year in and year out – the answer has always come back to us that Darius cannot seem to put even one good season together. And that has to be very wearing for the management of any team. We can’t win championships without reliable, everyday players. Ultimately, teams have to set aside the “talent” debate, and look at that issue. Portland had to draft to offset that issue, train them up, and play them. In the end, Darius was replaced long before he came back. The only space left for him in Portland was on the third team – let’s face it. And typically, teams like to draft a player like a Batum and develop them, knowing that they can provide minutes and injury protection, and perhaps more downstream. Darius, given his injury history, could not even be relied upon to do that.

As far as my comments on keeping Frye, much of that simply comes from Frye himself. He writes about and blogs about his desire to stay here, and to be a contributor. And, after watching Ike, Frye seems to fit the Blazers better than Ike. Further, he can – in a pinch – fill in at center – which Ike can’t do. And you’ll always be willing to pay a little more for a player than can do double duty – than one who can’t.