Poll: Jack Trade Rumors

by ChrisB803 on Feb 20, 2008 8:40 AM PST

The rumors are heating up. Sources close to Jarrett Jack are saying he expects to be traded before the deadline. No word yet on what kind of deal might be in the works, but there's also rumors that Portland could be looking to move Taurean Green as well.

Speculation time: Odds are, if Portland is looking to clear up the log jam at Point Guard, they're most likely hoping to fill a need. Right now those include perimeter defense, and interior rebounding. Odds are you can't fill both at the same time, so who do you think the Blazers could be targeting?

I know Jack was included in the earlier rumors regarding Danny Granger, but you'd have to believe the price would be a LOT steeper than that in order to land him.

We can speculate, of course, about WHO Portland might be trying to get, but my assumption is that this is more about dumping Jack (an aborted experiment, perhaps) and clearing out space for Sergio to develop, and Roy to continue taking more duties at the point.

Poll

Which of the following would this trade accomplish?

Clear the logjam at Point Guard (develop Sergio)

21 votes

Fill another Need (Defense/Rebounding/Shooting)

17 votes

Both A and B

49 votes

87 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

I should add...

One other option to the "Fill a Need" category: Leadership.

Or perhaps that's a separate thing: Trading for someone who may not be quite as potentially talented, but a proven commodity with plenty of experience.

by ChrisB803 on Feb 20, 2008 8:50 AM PST reply actions

Source of Rumor

Is Jay Allen on the KXL 750 AM morning update.

At least that is where I heard this.

by tweener on Feb 20, 2008 9:21 AM PST reply actions

How about another option

Net loss for the Blazers since everyone on the team really likes Jack and he's the only player other than Roy who likes to drive to the hoop?

Sorry, but I just get sick and tired of the constant Jack slagging that goes on at BE. Cut the guy some slack - we gave Trout and Webster years of slack before they started producing.

*OK, Sergio likes to drive to the hoop as well, but he doesn't finish well

by DonkeyShins on Feb 20, 2008 9:40 AM PST reply actions

Trout, maybe...

Webster, not so much. He's been with the team as long as Jack has (both drafted in '05), and seemed to be last year's designated whipping boy.

Next year's DWB will probably be Sergio. :)

by EngineerScotty on Feb 20, 2008 9:56 AM PST up reply actions

I was about to say the same thing

We essentially drafted Martell and Jack instead of Williams or Paul, so it isn't at all accurate to claim that we gave Martell years if you aren't claiming the same for Jack... in fact I'd say that Jack has gotten far more leniency than Martell in those years by virtue of much more playing time and the starter keys up until part way into this season (he was the starter for all of last year and most of the year before)... plus Martell came straight out of high school where as Jack came out of a college career, so if someone was worthy of more maturation time it was Webster due to a disadvantage of age and experience. Don't get me wrong I'm neither high on Webster, nor very low on Jack. However I do have to say that I am concerned that Jack is never going to be happy as an off the bench scoring guard backing up Roy, that is what he would be destined to do on the Blazers, so although I want him to embrace that role stay (and slightly reduce the turn-overs while staying focused not exclusively on drawing the foul, but also on finishing around the rim) I fear that we'll have a player who's not content unless he almost exclusively plays the position that he's simply not that well suited for, point guard.

by drawingjeremy on Feb 20, 2008 10:05 AM PST up reply actions

No bashing intended

I'm not meaning to bash Jarrett either. There's a lot about his game that I like, especially his ability to get to the hoop and finish well. I wish he were more consistent with doing so, but at least he's one of the few who tries.

The major elements of Jack's game that bother me:

He's an incredibly inconsistent shooter.
He's one of the worst I've ever seen at running the fast break.
He doesn't seem to know his teammate's preferences when he's running the game.
His adaptability during games is often lacking. Not non-existent, but usually if Jack is playing poorly, you don't expect him to suddenly surge.
He's emotionally fragile, and thus prone to long stretches of poor play before he snaps out of it for a game or two.

You have to love Jarrett's personality and his relationship with his teammates. I think there's no question that his character fits in perfectly with the culture that the Blazers have been building.

Essentially I'm not against the idea of trading anyone on this roster, outside of the big three, as long as you can address needs and not sacrifice the long-term health of the team, both on and off the court.

by ChrisB803 on Feb 20, 2008 9:59 AM PST up reply actions

I would choose that option

If we trade Jack we need someone that does what he does (sounds much easier to just keep him)

by porterfan30 on Feb 20, 2008 1:13 PM PST up reply actions

I love Jarrett

but I think if Portland could get a scorer/rebounder and fill the starting SF position, it would be great. My only concern in this is what about Rudy? Would acquiring a SF conflict with Rudy moving into that position? These are tough questions to answer.

We need a really good point guard, not another 2nd string guard. I don't think we can get one at this point, so I'd go to fill the SF position

by hotstuffdb22 on Feb 20, 2008 9:41 AM PST reply actions

Interior rebounding should drastically improve

as Oden seasons (and less of the rebounding load is on Aldridge, Outlaw, and Frye) with Joel as his back-up. So, I'm all for going after defense if we trade.

by drawingjeremy on Feb 20, 2008 10:08 AM PST reply actions

...perimiter defense that is

(Oden will also bring more interior defense)

by drawingjeremy on Feb 20, 2008 10:09 AM PST up reply actions

You need to look at it backwards

I doubt there is a player out there who is going to get the Blazers over the hump this year. I think the more realistic approach to a Blazers trade, before tomorrow, is to look at the playoff contenders in the NBA and see what players on the Blazer's current roster, might help get them over the hump. Then look at that team and see what expendable players will fill a future need for the Blazers. Otherwise, there is no need for a trade until the draft.

"Darkness warshed over the Dude - darker'n a black steer's tookus on a moonless prairie night. There was no bottom." The Stranger from The Big Lebowski (1999)

by tominhawaii on Feb 20, 2008 11:37 AM PST reply actions

I agree

How many times does KP have to say it's not about this year? Don't make a trade to improve for this year. Make a trade to improve for the next few years. Playoff teams are looking for that one guy to give them a lift headin down the stretch and may be wiling to give up a lot for it. KP should simply do what he is doing now and listen to all offers and trade for the future whether that means an expiring contract or and SF or whatever he thinks will make us better next year. Otherwise do nothing at all.

by dbuscho on Feb 20, 2008 12:04 PM PST up reply actions

Just curious...

...where is it documented ('sides here) that "sources close to JJ think a trade is in the works"?

Only recent Jack rumor I've heard (on hoopshype) is a Jack-to-Miami rumor... which I find difficult to believe.

by EngineerScotty on Feb 20, 2008 1:14 PM PST reply actions

I can confirm the rumor

I overheard someone at Starbucks talking about it.

"Darkness warshed over the Dude - darker'n a black steer's tookus on a moonless prairie night. There was no bottom." The Stranger from The Big Lebowski (1999)

by tominhawaii on Feb 20, 2008 1:21 PM PST up reply actions

i can confirm

it too, the voice in my head told. You know they never lie right?

Demetri Martin: "It's weird how finger puppets sounds OK as a noun."

by Zaron5551 on Feb 20, 2008 1:28 PM PST up reply actions

I knows its true...

...cause I made it up myself.

by EngineerScotty on Feb 20, 2008 1:40 PM PST up reply actions

Jay Allen Sports Director

at 750 AM said this during the 8:15 sports update this morning.

by tweener on Feb 20, 2008 4:09 PM PST up reply actions

They could package

Jack and Sergio and make room for Fernandez and Koponen.

"I was in the neighborhood, feeling a little daffy, so I thought I would stop in for an aperitif." Tom in Miller's Crossing.

by Kampeska on Feb 20, 2008 1:28 PM PST reply actions

You silly goose

Sergio is here for Fernandez. Sergio is not going to be traded until after next year, that is if he gets traded. He has a free pass to be Rudy's chaperon.

"Darkness warshed over the Dude - darker'n a black steer's tookus on a moonless prairie night. There was no bottom." The Stranger from The Big Lebowski (1999)

by tominhawaii on Feb 20, 2008 1:34 PM PST up reply actions

Assuming we decide on a need,

who is out there that's actually available that both fits that need and we think would be a good fit?

Rebounding:
I think we can all agree that we are referring to a strong rebounder and tough physical presence coming off the bench. For the most part that rules out the majority of guys who are starting for another team. Looking at the ranking of players by rebounds per minute, here is the list of guys averaging under 25 miuntes a game (in order) :

Jeff Foster
Pryzbilla
Reggie Evans
Nazri Mohammed
Diop
Adonal Foyle
Josh Boone
Brian Skinner
Paul Millsap
Chuck Hayes
Kris Humphries
Todd Murphy
Oberto
Tyrus Thomas
Sean Williams
Villanueva
Andre Blatche

Right after Blatche is Chris Bosh and then Channing Frye. Aldridge is several spots lower still.

So, who on this list would you like to see as a Blazer? Then screen it against the list of guys who couyld reasonably be expected to be available. I don't really see anybody that makes both lists. Jeff Foster maybe, but he pretty much duplicates Pryzbilla's role.

Here are the guys getting starter's minutes that might feasibly be available (again in order of rebounding):

Zach Randolph
Dwight Gooden
Lamar Odom
Ben Wallace
Chris Wilcox

The only guy who even remotely interests me is Wilcox.

As a check, I looked at rankings of SF's. None rank in the top 50, although Bonzi Wells is close. What do you think, bring back Wells & Randolph? Also interesting, our Ime is ranked 10th, ahead of a number of more heralded players (AK, Rudy G, Granger, Pierce, Iguodala & Prince). Travis is 7th, Webster 32nd and Durant is 37th.

In other words, the grass isn't necessarily greener in the other guy's yard. And where it is, he's in a exclusive, gated community with No Solicitors signs posted.

by timg56 on Feb 20, 2008 2:15 PM PST reply actions

why get a rebounder

when Nate doesnt use the one we already have. See his 9 rebounds in only 19 minutes from the kings game. He led the team in rebounding and only played 18:32. I dont see why we bring another big in for nate to let rot on the bench...

RUDY > MJ

by myemic23 on Feb 20, 2008 5:59 PM PST up reply actions

The three things most often mentioned

as needing to be addressed are (in no particular order)

Rebounding & toughness
Perimeter defense
Point Guard

I started with rebounding and intended to talk to the other two as well. Once I saw the length of my post, I limited it just to rebounding.

My overall point was that some folks here are so focused on replacing guys we have with someone different, yet when you look at who those "new" guys might be, they don't look to be an improvement on what we have.

by timg56 on Feb 21, 2008 9:25 AM PST up reply actions

A trade at the deadline

would need to be something special. I don't see us making a trade for the sake of simply getting rid of a few guards. I see that more of a summer league game. There's really no reason to just clear house now without something cool in return.

Now, if we GET something cool, then the secondary portion of that is we WANT to clear house. Who knows, maybe the finland kid would actually land here next year after all? I doubt it though. I think he'll spend a couple years in the european league working on strength and basics so he'll be game ready. Right now he'll be a little bit of a project still. Plus, i'm sure they'd like to see Roy and Rudy play together first.

I have to admit I'm looking forward to a trade. Seeing what brandon can do with CP has made me hungry for some more smart players.

"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 Feb 20, 2008 2:50 PM PST reply actions

Hollinger alluded to this in his chat yesterday

I'll see if I can find the link and the exerpt

by leeroyjenkins on Feb 20, 2008 2:59 PM PST reply actions

here

http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=19346

*Blazers (Portland, OR): What does the trade deadline have in store for us? How do you see us doing in finishing out the season?

John Hollinger: The Blazer whose name you hear come up the most is Jarrett Jack; Portland clearly wants a good young point guard, thus their interest in Devin Harris, but it will take more than Jack to make it work. *

by leeroyjenkins on Feb 20, 2008 3:00 PM PST reply actions