1. The NBA is a potential league, GM's will trade for star potential over avg talent any day of the week.

2. The NBA knew about Joel before his 26 rebound game, the book has been out on him for awhile. He is having a great year that is for sure, but it will not make him the center piece of a deal that brings in Calderon or someone of similar talent.

3. Backup C is not our highest prioity because we have Joel. If you watch this year, one of the biggest weaknesses of this team is that we do not have a rebounder in the 2nd unit. Joel will bring us that next year, if we trade him, then next year we will have the same problems with 2nd unit rebounding that we have this year.

4. We can afford whoever we want, (within reason). Paul Allen has shown he will pay the lux tax for a winner, and while I don't know if we will have to do that or not, it is a luxury we have because of our owner. Disregarding that fact, Joel's contract is very very managable, (read: Cheap). If he plays like he has played this year, for the rest of his contract, then he will be underpaid by NBA standards.

1. Joel chose Portland while turning down Detroit and San Antonio for the same money. This was the turning point where the folks in the media and the league started to respect what is happening here.

2. KP has said he wants to attract a quality player with the 09 cap room. The way we treat Joel and Steve will demonstrate our respect for free agent signings.

3. The one championship Portland has was won, as much by the second unit as the first. My memory is that the 2nd unit came in (all 5) together and played as a unit. That meant little rest for the opposing starters. Anchor for both units was the center.

4. As also noted by others here, Joel brings maturity and leadership to the team. A player spurned by several teams he can speak to new teammates about the opportunity here is be seen and earn fair playing time. He can (and will) also accept his role as defined by the Coach and not complain. Starter, backup, 10 minutes, 28 minutes, Joel gives all he has for that role. That is leadership that is earned.

Seriously, though, I agree with all of the points that have been made. I LOVE Joel, I want Portland to be a place that treats players with respect, I agree that his value is good but not great, and we are sorely going to need him next year b/c of Oden's growing pains.

However, I think the point that needs to be made here is this... We can keep hoping that Jarret Jacket, Channing Frye plus three rusty old nails is going to net us a championship-caliber PG. But it ain't gonna happen.

Perhaps another way to start this discussion would be to ask the question "What current asset that you REALLY LIKE would you be willing to give up to get that PG?" For me, it's Joel. It'd pain me to give him up, but for the right deal, I'd do it in a heartbeat. And I'm not even talking about one of those crazy wishful-thinking type deals.

One other point to be made... Why do we assume that Joel is happy to play second fiddle to GO? If I were him and had just completed a successful season, and knew that GO was about to become the centerpiece of the team, I might want to go elsewhere and be a starter.

1.)  Value!  So what, he gives Portland value by staying on the roster.  He give our Franchise Player (Greg Oden) a very high quality defender to practice his offense against.  Pryzbilla is our insurance policy if Oden ever has an injury or foul trouble.  For this reason alone, Pryz is so valuable where he could save a game, a season, or a playoff series.

2.)  So what if his "trade value" will diminish.  Joel is 31 years old and has 3 more seasons on his deal.  His bargain price tag and the fact that he likes playing in Portland with the Blazers are reasons to keep him.  The biggest factor in Joel having a decreasing value is that he is over 30 and that Oden will be playing double his minute.  That doesn't mean Joel impact while in a game or practicing will diminish at all.

3.) The reason Backup Center isn't one of our "priorities" is because we have Pryzbilla.  He will be the Blazers beast off the bench, an intimidation factor, and a rebounding machine.  Pryz is a legit 7-footer on our roster with great character and heart.

4.) Pryzbilla's roster spot isnt wasting anything for the Blazers franchise.  Roster space, cap room, nothing.  He does what he is paid to do, and does a great job doing it.  

Keep Pryz, he is a monster and, more importantly, he is our monster.

However I include Joel with Blake as players who are worth more than what we're paying them.  There's no reason not to keep them as excellent backups who love Portland, and are happy to play and win with us.  

If we can keep Joel we should.  If he's demanded as a part of a deal that would bring a, pass-first, top point guard or a defensive minded small forward who can shoot and penetrate, then we should trade even Joel.  

If Oden shines, and proves not to be the foul-plagued idiot that some people seem to think he'll be, and shows no ill effects of surgery, and shows he can play 35+ minutes a game, then maybe Joel might go before the trade deadline.

If we still have big problems at another position (PG or SF), and Joel is part of the price to fix it, then I could see Joel being traded.  But it won't happen this off-season.  Greg has to prove himself first.  By the time he does so, we may have solutions to these other problems, and not need to trade.

But I really want to see a White Unit anchored by Joel blocking shots and rebounding, and Sergio (or Blake, if we have another starting PG), Rudy, and Travis out on the break.  You don't give up that possibility lightly.