Free Agent this year?

by jscot on Apr 18, 2008 2:40 AM PDT

One of the interesting impacts of the Darius Miles retirement is that acquiring a free agent this year is not out of the question.

Before the retirement, the likelihood of us doing so was probably nil. We are still over the cap, of course (thank you, Steve Francis), but the savings in tax from jettisoning Darius' salary means we can use our MLE to acquire a decent veteran (similar to the Steve Blake signing last year).

This would impact our cap space in 09, but we'll still be better off in 09 than we would be if Miles had stayed. If the cap space is used to acquire role players, rather than another max player, and a role player that KP wants is available now, he may take that step. Obviously, you aren't going to get an all-star for the MLE, but you can get a solid role player. So I have two questions:

Are there any free agents out there that you think we could get for the MLE that you think would help our team as currently constructed?
Are there any free agents out there that you think we could get for the MLE that you like and would be glad to see us acquire in the event that we make a major trade and team needs change?

The second question is based on the premise that it is possible that any players except the big 3 might be traded away for a quality PG or SF. If that happens, we could have holes at backup C, backup PF, SF, backup SG, or PG. So, depending on the nature of the major trade, a MLE free agent at any position could be of value to us.

Are there any you like?

Edit: I forgot to ask. Someone suggested a while back that we could trade our #13 and $3 million of Paul Allen's money for the #12, then trade that plus cash for the #11, etc. Brilliant idea. Anyone remember who it was, or which thread? I can't find it....

Poll

When the Blazers win 55+ games next year, and take one of the top four seeds in the playoffs, which of this year's Western Conference playoff teams will miss out?

L*kers

2 votes

Hornets

0 votes

Spurs

3 votes

J*zz

4 votes

Rockets

9 votes

Suns

8 votes

Mavericks

27 votes

Nuggets

81 votes

134 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 47 comments | 1 recs |

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Comments

I think

that the Raps are gonna resign Calderon at a deal starting around $8 mil—something like four years and $35 million. Then I think we’re going to trade Jack, Frye, our first-rounder, and cash for Calderon. His BYC status makes this deal match up almost perfectly money-wise.

Then I’d like to see us go out and offer Craig Smith a Troutlaw contract: 3 years, $12 million. I don’t think that’d be overpaying considering how perfectly he would match our team if we swung a Calderon deal. First unit: Calderon, Roy, Martell, LMA, Oden. ‘Nuf said. I’d envision the second unit being a bombs-away team with two scrappers underneath doing the dirty work. How does a lineup of Blake/Rudy/JJ2 or Trout/Smith/Pryzbilla sound? That team would wreak havoc from downtown, while Smith and Pryzzie grab offensive boards and anchor the paint on defense. If things bog down in the half-court, give it to Rudy and let him create a la Roy.

by BlazersOrBust on Apr 18, 2008 3:11 AM PDT reply actions

Wait a minute

there has to be a better backup PF than Craig Smith. That guy is like 6”6 ! No way dude! We can probably do better through the draft. From the second round of course, we do have 3 of them. Plus with Oden’s possibly eiffy knees and Przybilla’s bad luck with injuries and Raef’s old knees, it leaves us a litttle short on the big man front.Our BIGS need to be able to play both Center and PF. Smith is a SG/SF that can’t shot and can’t jump but can rebound. He also can’t play PF!
Also I think that we are giving up to much for Calderon. Would you give up a lottery pick, backup PF, backup combo guard and cash for a BACKUP PG? Seriously, Jose Calderon is NOT that good. We need to improve the defense at the PG posistion not move laterally. Now if we made that offer for Devin Harris then I’d bite, otherwise oghhhhhh (coughing/barfing i.e not pretty)

by VinnyB on Apr 18, 2008 5:43 AM PDT reply actions

You underestimate Calderon.

He is a backup by default because they paid TJ Ford big money. It wasn’t until Ford went down that Calderon emerged. He would have been an All Star if he had started all season.

by bfan on Apr 18, 2008 9:18 AM PDT up reply actions

No way

How can you say that Calderon is not good. He is a PG for the world championship team…and he was in the running for the eastern all star team…AS A BACKUP!

by Philthyanimal on Apr 18, 2008 11:10 AM PDT up reply actions

A big PF/C

How about a 6’11 245 pound PF/C who is as athletic as LMA? He plays in Europe and goes by the name of Joel Freeland… Oh, wait, we already hold his rights? No need to worry then!

Joel Freeland=Stud

by hightide on Apr 18, 2008 4:31 PM PDT up reply actions

Don't forget that Calderon

had a 50:1 assist to turnover ratio (or something absurd like that) in April. If you want a PG who is efficient and can run the offense w/o making mistakes he’s a great fit. He’s also only 26 and in his second year in the NBA. 11.2 PPG, 8.3 APG, 1.54 TOPG, 5.39 Assist:TO ratio, all while he fits our timetable with this team. I can see why Pritchard likes him. He’s no Chris Paul, but would be a great fit, especially if the price isn’t too high.

Blazermania: back and better than ever

by CMCWizard on Apr 18, 2008 8:44 AM PDT reply actions

Go Stags?

By chance, does the ‘CMC’ in your name stand for Claremont McKenna? If so, it’s nice to see another Stag on the board – I’m ‘06 myself, although I’m still languishing in Lakerville, California.

by samuelleejackson on Apr 18, 2008 9:24 AM PDT up reply actions

My sister went to Harvey Mudd

I think that made her an Athena rather than a Stag, but it’s been a while.

by Section323 on Apr 18, 2008 10:34 PM PDT up reply actions

I like Calderon too.

2FG 0,519%; 3FG 0,429; FT 0,908%.
And he use to play for the team, not to have better numbers. I don´t want another player who needs the ball in his hands when we have LMA, Brandon, Oden, Rudy, Outlaw, ... I agree he´s a weak defender but I think he would be a great improvement.

Tell me with whom you walk and I will tell you who you are.

by amlmart1 on Apr 18, 2008 10:58 AM PDT up reply actions

Not too bad a lineup BoB

I like Smith. I would point out that Frye finshed the season ranked 35th in rebounding per 48. Not bad when you figure there are 60 guys who start at C / PF. (Joel finished 4th.)

I think I like a Pryzbilla – Frye tandem better than anything we can find on the FA market.

by timg56 on Apr 18, 2008 8:57 AM PDT reply actions

Ehh

Don’t blame Francis for the contract. Blame trader bob, or Nash and Patterson who signed Z Bo to such a bloated contract. Having Francis actually benefited us in the long run.

by Philthyanimal on Apr 18, 2008 11:09 AM PDT reply actions

I know

But he could have agreed to be bought out for about $1 million, since he wasn’t worth any more than that. Totally unjustified, of course, because he’d signed the contract and had the money coming, but as a total homer, I don’t care, I’ll blame him anyway.

I blame Whitsitt, Nash, and Patterson, too.

I’m actually quite skilled at finding ways to convince myself that I can blame anyone but me for the things I don’t like. I’ve been practicing for years.

When I rule the world, Isiah Thomas will be coach and GM of the L*kers, who will be owned by someone who no one respects whose first initial is "J".

by jscot on Apr 18, 2008 11:40 AM PDT up reply actions

Backflips

As in, that’s what I would be doing if we completed that proposed deal for Calderon. Anyone who doesn’t believe acquiring Calderon would be a good move A) has not watched him play, ever and B) is probably Steve Blake.

BLZRS FRVR

by nightbluefruit on Apr 18, 2008 11:42 AM PDT reply actions

Calderon

Is an upgrade at the offensive end, a good enough upgrade to make acquiring him worthwhile if we can.

He is not an upgrade on defense, probably worse than Blake. That means it isn’t worth it to give up the world for him.

Jack, Frye, first rounder, and cash? That’s a little much, I think. We could probably trade our first rounder, cash, and Jack for the #8 pick or so (we could throw in a second rounder if it helps). Is Calderon enough of an upgrade over what we could get with that pick to justify giving up Frye as well? I’m not sure. Channing showed what he can do playing next to someone bigger than Travis, and it was pretty impressive. He actually looked like a #8 pick the last 7-8 games. Which is what he is.

Jack & Frye? Sure. Pick and Frye? Sure. Jack & Pick? Sure. All 3? I’m not enthusiastic. I’m always ready to throw in some of Paul Allen’s money, and a second round pick, though. We’ve got lots of both.

When I rule the world, Isiah Thomas will be coach and GM of the L*kers, who will be owned by someone who no one respects whose first initial is "J".

by jscot on Apr 18, 2008 11:52 AM PDT up reply actions

That is what puzzles me

As good as Calderon is…it just doesnt fill our need at PG. To tell you the truth I’m thinking a defensive minded PG will be more important than an offensive one. To me some of the best up and coming guards are the smaller quicker type…and if this is the direction the nba is moving towards…we could be hurting if we coin calderon as our pg of the future.

Would it work if we had an offensive pg, but had a scrub off our bench as our designated quick pg stopper? Also…as good as calderon is…will Nate adjust our gameplan towards his strengths?

by Philthyanimal on Apr 18, 2008 1:08 PM PDT up reply actions

I have to agree.

getting better offensively would help us get to the playoffs, but without the in your face defense, we will never get out of the first round.
I know bowen is old, and we’d want a younger him.
How do we feel about bringing ime back for strictly defensive purposes and sticking roy at the point? kick it around a little, maybe.

The Faith

by faith on Apr 18, 2008 1:26 PM PDT up reply actions

Ime

Ime has been sorely missed this year…I think BE fans already decided in a poll that Ime>JJ33.

If I were Ime I’d feel betrayed by Portland. He’s already bought a home in SA, and SA usually keeps their guys for a long time, so I doubt he will come back.

by Philthyanimal on Apr 18, 2008 1:42 PM PDT up reply actions

Tony Parker

Is a miserable defender. The idea that we need defense specifically at that position is preposterous. I agree with bfan: sign Jamison. Trade Frye, Jack, cash, and #1 for Calderon. Starting five: Jose, B-Roy, Antawn, LMA, Oden. Are you telling me that group would be a defensive liability? Then you boggle my nearly unbogglable mind. For reals.

BLZRS FRVR

by nightbluefruit on Apr 18, 2008 2:08 PM PDT up reply actions

On paper

That sounds good…but then again on paper our roster is pretty bad…but we ended pretty well. It’s kind of hard to say that the guys will have chemistry when you tinker with the team that much. I’m not convinced Nate will warm up to Jose.

by Philthyanimal on Apr 18, 2008 2:57 PM PDT up reply actions

I have to tell you

And the number of comments I’ve left here is getting ridiculous, but anyone familiar with fantasy basketball will let you know that Calderon and Jamison are MAD efficient players. The reason that Nate is losing years of his life like I am losing hairs from my head is because Jack and Sergio toss the ball around like it’s that annoying modular purple orb and they’re playing a heated game of catchphrase. Calderon, over the final month of basketball, had a 56 to 1 assist to turnover ratio. 56 to 1. 56 to 1. 56 to 1. FIFTY-SIX TO ONE!!!!!!!! If Nate can’t warm up to that then it’s time for him to take off the suit, reveal the custom Blazers jersey underneath, and run the point himself.

BLZRS FRVR

by nightbluefruit on Apr 18, 2008 3:25 PM PDT up reply actions

i love calderon

I just want you to know that I love Calderon. I think I was one of the first to jump on his bandwagon when the Harris trade rumors were going on. I know Calderon and Jamison are really efficient…I’m just saying that I don’t think Nate will think so highly of Calderon compared to guys of lesser talent but have more defensive skills.

I think if we were going to tinker with our starting 5…let’s just do 1 change at a time and see where to go from there. Incorporating 2 new starters could disrupt the chemistry.

Outlaw might be ok with playing backup…but if Jamison was here and he’d have to play behind both him and Martell…there might be issues.

by Philthyanimal on Apr 18, 2008 7:06 PM PDT up reply actions

Excellent point

I agree with you about the Travis and Martell logjam, however, were we to execute the Calderon trade (Frye, Jack, Pick) Outlaw would probably be playing the 4 on the “white” unit with Martell at the 3. The height disadvantage of the second unit would be an issue for sure.

However, in this crazy hypothetical universe where I suggest things and they come true, we would have three new starters (Oden, Jose, Jamison) and you’re right, that’s a lot. However, I don’t think standing pat is going to get the job done. The West is crazy insane loaded right now and although the perennial powerhouses are getting old (cough, cough, Spurs) there are more than a few young teams who will be pushing us for supremacy (Hornets, Jazz, L*kers). I think we make a move to get more talent on the team, even though-as you mention and I agree with-it would be a total gamble to mess with the chemistry.

This is honest to god my last post on the subject I swear.

BLZRS FRVR

by nightbluefruit on Apr 18, 2008 8:44 PM PDT up reply actions

I think Calderon would help a lot

to young players development.

Tell me with whom you walk and I will tell you who you are.

by amlmart1 on Apr 19, 2008 12:17 AM PDT up reply actions

Adding new starters

We’re already adding Oden, who will be a major how-we-play changing force. I don’t worry about adding more starters. They’ll gel eventually, and if they’re good we’ll still win enough.

We likely won’t win the title next season, and if we make a big change in the starting lineup they’ll be more than chemistricized by the time we are challenging for the Big One.

Also, teams add and change starters all the time. GOOD teams. As long as the main, core pieces remain consistent then the change won’t ruin things and may even help.

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Apr 19, 2008 2:53 AM PDT up reply actions

Hee, well said.

by Section323 on Apr 18, 2008 10:36 PM PDT up reply actions

Calderon is that good offensively

I still would pull the trigger, with all three, in a heartbeat. Hey, maybe that’s what makes me a fan and not a manager, but Calderon really is that good. Seriously, look at his per 48 minute stats. They are un-freaking-believable. I am not sold on Frye at all. He’s not a natural help defender and as I’ve mentioned before, he cannot box out to save his life. Jack is by all accounts an excellent leader but his habit of giving the ball to the other team is more than troublesome. With Oden in the fold and Frye gone I’m optimistic enough to believe our help defense would negate the possible deleterious effects of Calderon’s perimeter defensive liabilities. And, darn it all, I want him lobbing ‘oops to Oden. I say get him if you can.

BLZRS FRVR

by nightbluefruit on Apr 18, 2008 1:05 PM PDT reply actions

its hard

Maybe Jack, Frye, 1st rounder, and cash have way more value than Calderon, but…to us it doesn’t cost us much considering both are bench players, and frye didn’t seem to get that much love from nate at various parts of the season. It sucks having to trade Frye…but if this is the trade I would rather give this up for Calderon rather than all of this + Trout for Harris.

by Philthyanimal on Apr 18, 2008 1:12 PM PDT up reply actions

Fair enough

We don’t have to make fair trades. Even if we are giving up more value, if it improves us where we are weakest and we are giving up value where we have lots of depth, it doesn’t have to be fair to improve us.

I would hate seeing Channing go, because he has finally in the last 5-10 games showed what I’ve thought was his potential all along. But if he is part of a deal to get us a good PG, I’ll go for it.

I don’t buy the idea that Frye can’t box out. I learned to box out, and I’m short and slow and skinny. If that’s the focus of his off-season, he’ll be much improved next year. He’s young enough to develop that kind of skill.

Here’s what I don’t get. If defensive liabilities at the point don’t matter, as some people are saying, I would really, really like to know why Blake isn’t good enough to be our starting PG. He’s a good enough ball handler, doesn’t have a lot of turnovers, good threat on the 3, pass first, doesn’t mind letting Brandon have the ball, doesn’t dribble the shot clock to extinction, etc. He can run the break adequately. The only real holes in Blake’s game are that he doesn’t create much in the half court (but Roy does that for us) and he struggles to defend quick PGs.

Calderon is good. He’s an upgrade over Blake, no doubt about it. But how much of an upgrade is he at the skills that matter to us. That’s what I’d like to be convinced of, before I advocate trading away a bunch of valuable players for him.

When I rule the world, Isiah Thomas will be coach and GM of the L*kers, who will be owned by someone who no one respects whose first initial is "J".

by jscot on Apr 19, 2008 6:28 AM PDT up reply actions

STATS COMPARISON

BLAKE:
FG .408
3% .406
FT .766
Aspg/ 8.2
As-TO/ 3.66
Blo-p48/ .08
Blo-Pf/ .03
Rp40/ 3.9
Stp48/ 1.09

CALDERON:
FG .519
3% .429
FT .908
Aspg/ 13.1
As-TO/ 5,38
Blo-p48/ .12
Blo-Pf/ .04
Reb/40 4.6
Stp48/ 1.68

Tell me with whom you walk and I will tell you who you are.

by amlmart1 on Apr 19, 2008 11:00 PM PDT up reply actions

Correction Aspg/ is Asp48/

Aspg/

Tell me with whom you walk and I will tell you who you are.

by amlmart1 on Apr 19, 2008 11:01 PM PDT up reply actions

exactly. "the skills that matter"

I love Calderon, he is just #2 on my pg wish list while Harris is the clear cut #1. You are absolutely right: we need to improve our defense at point guard. Harris makes me drool from the mouth in that regard, ask Tony Parker. We have a defensive freak of nature in the middle a defensive minded coach. Lets build a defensive minded team. Vote Harris

RUDY > MJ

by myemic23 on Apr 21, 2008 1:11 PM PDT up reply actions

I vote Harris, but Harris isn´t avalilable, IMO.

Can KP makes some magic?.

You own what you are.

by amlmart1 on Apr 21, 2008 1:24 PM PDT up reply actions

Free agents?

Give me Antawn Jamison.

As much as I like Frye, Jamison makes him expendable. Then you could trade more pieces for the PG we need …

by bfan on Apr 18, 2008 1:29 PM PDT reply actions

He's unrestricted

and the Wiz have his Bird rights. I’m pretty sure he’s not walking away from his last big payday starting at 11+ mil to take our mid-level exception.

by BlazersOrBust on Apr 18, 2008 4:11 PM PDT up reply actions

Could be.

But he is 31 now, and the smart money is on him not winning a championship in Washington. Not that it ever happens, but there is always a chance that that one good player might choose winning over money. As long as I draw breath, I will believe this might happen … until it does, and then I will die.

by bfan on Apr 18, 2008 5:01 PM PDT up reply actions

jscot: that was me

with the crazy trading up idea. Can’t seem to find the link now. Is there a way to search comments?

by pualo on Apr 18, 2008 1:30 PM PDT reply actions

They tell me

there’s no way to search comments.

That’s ok. It’s just that I’m considering raising havoc with that brilliant idea, and I wanted to give credit where credit is due. It would be nice to find the comment, but as long as I can credit you, it doesn’t matter much.

When I rule the world, Isiah Thomas will be coach and GM of the L*kers, who will be owned by someone who no one respects whose first initial is "J".

by jscot on Apr 19, 2008 6:38 AM PDT up reply actions

I think signing a FA

is the last thing we need to think about. We have so many fricken players headed onto our roster next year it’s insane. Were going to have to move some people. I think KP’s plan is just let these kids grow, because I think he’s going to get a legit young PG to develop with our team. I don’t see us signing a free agent at all.

Formerly known as Junit3123

by Jason3123 on Apr 18, 2008 1:38 PM PDT reply actions

Yes

I’ll agree. Even if we don’t do anything and keep all of our players, we will get into the playoffs. I’m 100% certain of that. So I guess the goal shouldn’t be gutting the team now…but doing so at the end of next season. I would hate to get an upgraded player now, only to hinder the progress of someone on our roster. We will make the playsoffs…but will we be a contender? Probably not….if we are going to be a contender…then hell make some moves before the trade deadline and complete the team.

by Philthyanimal on Apr 18, 2008 1:44 PM PDT up reply actions

We need a stopper on the wing

Unless we can get a bona fide stopper with an upside, I’d as soon play another year with who we have plus Oden and Rudy.

I’m in no hurry to make major changes, especially by trading away serviceable bigs. Too much injury potential to thin the bench…

by raoulduke on Apr 18, 2008 4:50 PM PDT reply actions

No Free Agents

Hey everyone: 2008-2009 isn’t “win now” time for the Blazers. It’ll be Oden’s first year. It’ll be our future starting point guard of the future’s first year. It could be Fernandez’s first year.

To that end, they draft and don’t sign this year. They’ll try to consolidate the improvement from this year (let’s not forget; pretty much each player on the team had their best year ever and we still only won 41 games – it’s possible we regress in 08-09), and spend next season (or two) trying to find the “final pieces” to the puzzle. If they sign a guy this offseason.

Who’s really out there as a FA anyhow that qualifies under the MLE? Chris Kaman on Andres Biedrins?

Of those, maybe

M, period. Fresh, comma.

by manzell on Apr 18, 2008 5:55 PM PDT reply actions

I agree about 2008-09

If we get a free agent this year, it won’t be because of trying to “win now”. We might do it if we’ve made a big trade that left a hole—but it definitely would be with 09-10 in view. We also might do it if one of the role players that KP wants for the future is available now.

For instance, if we trade pick #13 and two players for one of the top PGs in the draft, I could see KP signing a MLE FA to replace one of the guys who left.

When I rule the world, Isiah Thomas will be coach and GM of the L*kers, who will be owned by someone who no one respects whose first initial is "J".

by jscot on Apr 19, 2008 6:33 AM PDT up reply actions

I'd be drafting a backup PF...

......................................... guy name of Love fits frightfully well. He MIGHT be around at the 13 pick…

"You don't live by the jumpshot, you die by the jumpshot." ---Charles Barkley, 2/7/08

by timbo on Apr 19, 2008 11:33 AM PDT reply actions

Me too

His name in Joel Freeland.

Joel Freeland=Stud

by hightide on Apr 19, 2008 11:25 PM PDT up reply actions

Joel´s team will play against Joventut

today at 12:30 (Spain time, 3:30 AM Portland). Perhaps you can see the game searching at http://www.rojadirecta.com/

Tell me with whom you walk and I will tell you who you are.

by amlmart1 on Apr 20, 2008 12:10 AM PDT up reply actions

12:30 AM HST

Thank you very much. Woo woo.

By the power of Greyskull, I am tominhawaii, the Ever-Living.

by tominhawaii on Apr 20, 2008 12:28 AM PDT up reply actions

Thanks

Thanks for the heads up! I just have a gut feeling that Joel will turn out to be pretty good and I’m sticking out my neck so when he does make the team I can claim I’m clairvoyant.

Joel Freeland=Stud

by hightide on Apr 20, 2008 10:33 AM PDT up reply actions