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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.

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unti oden is 15, 12, and 2 blocks
I don't see a reason to blow up this team.  It'll be one more season.  If we do it now, we risk doing more damage than good because we can shorten the window on the other hand.

we need a shake-up but not huge, more medium at this point.

"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 27, 2008 5:50 AM PST reply actions  

on the other end
is a what I meant
"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 27, 2008 5:51 AM PST reply actions  

James Jones
Is chronically injured.  Why would you show him the money?  Sign him...sure, but KPs formula has always been short term contracts.  With all the injuries JJ33 has had this year, I'd doubt he'd opt out of his contract.

by Philthyanimal on Feb 27, 2008 9:24 AM PST reply actions  

I agree
Jones is a tranisitonal player for this team. He brings something they need right now which is veteran leadership and a good three ball.

In a couple of years they will have home grown veteran leadership and it remians to be seen how good Jones's three ball is over the long haul. He was hot when the rest of the team was hot, but he went cold the last few weeks before they sat him.

What this team needs is for Martell to become James Jones, not James Jones.

by bubba on Feb 27, 2008 10:28 AM PST up reply actions  

I was kinda hoping Martell becomes...

...Ray Allen, not James Jones.  

That said, don't undervalue the importance of role players.  

by EngineerScotty on Feb 27, 2008 11:43 AM PST up reply actions  

totally agree
we don't need any more players sitting on the bench and eating up millions of dollars
Travis Outlaw drops the sledgehammer on Daequan Cook for a dunk so vicious, it's illegal in 48 states.

by BlazerBandit on Feb 27, 2008 11:24 AM PST up reply actions  

I think you are about two years too early.
I think that transition should happen in the summer of 2009.  This is a team that is set deeply within the youth development phase, it's just that they are doing so well at it that people are jumping the gun.

This summer the only free agent money we will have to throw around will be the mid-level exception.  We will also have a full roster,

by EnglandDan on Feb 27, 2008 10:59 AM PST reply actions  

Agree
Too early to look at shipping out young unproven talent

by porterfan30 on Feb 27, 2008 11:54 AM PST up reply actions  

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