Breaking it down

There's so much to break down with the personnel of this team, and I believe the first thing management needs to get serious about is transitioning this franchise from youth movement mode to legitimate franchise mode. To kick things off, shake loose a good portion of the young players and look towards building with some experienced veterans.

Who to let go:
Sergio, Frye, and Jack. (Webster, you're on thin ice)

Sergio: Has no idea what his game is... and he can't knock down shots or control an offense. Basically, he's Sebastian Telfair. Sorry Surge, but it ain't happenin for you.

Frye: Too soft, and too similar to Lamarcus. Replace Frye with an 8mpg bruiser.

Jack: There is interest around the league for Jarret. Get what you can for him while he's got some value. He's not going to be the starter at pg... so he's replaceable.

Webster on the fringe: Frustrated with this guy. But afraid to let him go.

Who to sign (ignoring cap issues, for now):

First, the wish list: Gilbert Arenas, Shawn Marion, Jose Calderon, Andre Iguadala, Josh Smith, Luol Deng.

On this list, Luol Deng would seem to be the most likely to be able to sign. But all of them are a looooong shot... just my wish list of possible FA's this summer. That's all. None will be in Portland.

FA we have a shot to sign (who fill a need): Juan Carlos Navarro, Mikael Pietrus, Beno Udrih, Matt Barnes.

Now, I'm not one who's all gung ho about getting a SF. I like our prospects of sticking with Outlaw and Jones, and possibly Webster. So, if Portland is able to throw money at any FA's this summer, it's gotta be a point guard. Widdle it down through all the names I've listed, and Juan Carlos Navarro just might be the most likely to sign, and the best prospect to fill our needs. He brings the kind of game we've expected from Sergio, and he's got more upside than Steve Blake.

However, the #1 priority, IMO, is signing James Jones to a long term contract. There is no way you let this guy get away. He brings everything that this team has desperately been seeking in the last couple of years... vet leadership, upstanding citizen, deadly 3pt shooter, and a very solid defender. All-in-all, I'm not sure why Jones doesn't play 25+ mpg. Get him a 5 year deal and watch this guy become a championship role player for the Blazers. He will probably soak up any money Portland has to offer this summer.

So, here's who I would roll with for next year and into the future.

Back court:

Steve Blake, Brandon Roy, Rudy Fernandez

SF:

Travis Outlaw, James Jones, Martel Webster

Front court:

Oden, Lamarcus, Przybilla

Locate and attain your PG of the future and let Steve Blake back him up. Then, add two more ingredients to this mix... a veteran SG and a veteran PF with championship experience.

BTW... I didn't include McRoberts, Wafer, and Miles because I really don't know what to say about any of them, and I doubt they are in future plans. As well, Freeland and Koponen are really just minor league players.