FanPost

Is Ben Gordon a good fit?

I have been reading different articles that state that Ben Gordon is being shopped and is attainable for a decent price as long as Ben Wallace and his contract is included.  The Bulls want to deal because they don't want to pay Ben Gordon big money and they would really like to get out from under Wallace's deal.  So the question is, should the Blazers consider a deal like this?  Blazers send LaFrentz, Webster, and Jack to Chicago for Ben Gordon and Ben Wallace.  This deal seems to solve problems for both teams.  Chicago gets an expiring contract next year that will be very valuable as a trading piece or just as an expiring contract.  Chicago also gets Webster who could develop nicely to add to Deng as a wing player.  Jack will provide them a nice combo guard too.

From the Blazers point of view:

Positives:

The Blazers need more of a defensive/rebounding presence in the middle.  I know that Oden will solve some of that next year but just think of the possiblities of adding Wallace and the versatility it will give us at the 4/5 position this year and next.

The main reason for the trade is Ben Gordon.  In my opinion Gordon is a perfect fit with Roy.  He can hit the outsite shot and can create off the dribble as well.  He's a 20 point per game scorer that would provide a scoring threat opposite Roy.  I think the guard combination of Roy/Gordon/Blake/Rudy compliments each other very well.

Negatives:

Wallace's contract kills the cap flexibility in '09.  I don't think this is that much of a problem though.  The Paul or Williams idea is a pipedream and the list after that is not too impressive.  Another topic for the forum is, who will be availabe to sign anyway?

Gordon could demand more money than we want to pay after next year and he would walk and we would be stuck with Wallace's contract for what we gave up.

Chemistry.  No one knows if Wallace and Gordon will have the right attitude to fit in with this team of young guys.  I think it would be fine.  Attitudes seem to improve when a team is winning.

Weighing all the positives and negatives I think this is a trade that should be done.  What should we be willing to give up to make this happen?  Raef, Martell and Jack work salary wise but if we have to throw in Frye do we do it?  Or a first round pick?  I would not include Frye or a first round pick but maybe throw in a second rounder.  What would be ideal is to save Frye and our first round pick next year and maybe try to move up in the draft.

This roster would provide great flexibilty as far as combinations on the floor.  Defensive/rebounding combo of Oden and Wallace is scary.  If they want to go small play Blake, Gordon, Roy, Outlaw and Aldridge.  Or play Oden in the middle with 4 shooters in Rudy, Gordon, Roy and Jones.

Roster:

Gordon/Blake/Sergio
Roy/Fernandez/Draft pick? (maybe Batum)
Outlaw/Jones
Alridge/Wallace
Oden/Joel/Wallace