Trade Machine Insanity

This is the time of year there are a lot of trade scenarios floated on the net, many of which involve teams trading their 10th or 11th player and a middling pick for another team's second or third best performer. Obviously, these kind of deals just don't happen (Gasol trade aside).

Still, Kevin Pritchard is crafty, and in each of the last two drafts has managed to make something happen to improve the team. This past year, it was addition by subtraction, dumping Randolph for Frye, and giving the team cap room in 2009. What might we expect this June?

As a start, looking at 82games.com's "By Position" production confirms that point guard is the position where the team has the biggest need, with small forward and center being the other (less dire) negative areas.

Let's assume the center spot is covered.

Pritchard is a magician, but the Blazers are not going to be able to pick up someone like Caron Butler, Mike Miller, or Luol Deng to come in and play the small forward spot (well, maybe Miller if the Blazers were willing to take on Cardinal's contract for Raef's expiring deal and Webster, which isn't likely to happen with all the 2009 cap space talk.). I expect Martell Webster to get one more year to prove he's the starting power forward the Blazers need.

That leaves the point.

Before addressing which point guards are available this off-season, we ought to be asking "Is this the year the Blazers are going to make a move for a quality starting point guard?". There's no reason to think Paul or Williams will be available in 2009, they'll both be extended at max this summer. But if you look at this year's crop of free agents, you don't see many quality point guards there either.

I see one name, though. I've always liked Keyon Dooling, though as he's been unable to beat out Nelson for the job, you have to wonder. Also, he's more of a scorer than distributor. Still, he has quick hands and plays tough defense. He could turn the rock over to Roy in the half-court.

There's also the possibility that Memphis gets the second pick and wants to deal Rose's rights (and his high salary) for some less expensive players and a lower pick with its lower salary obligations. They'd probably want more than we could give them though. Even if they don't get the pick, they have a lot of point guards, with Lowry, Conley, and Crittenden. But all are raw - none of these guys have run a team in the NBA for even a year.

Still, McMillan said last season he doesn't want to wear Roy down by having him bring up the ball. I don't see Jarrett Jack being around in the fall, and McMillan doesn't trust Sergio (for a number of good reasons). Steve Blake proved himself to be a reasonably steady performer at point guard, but he's taken the team as far as they can go with him as a starter. So something has got to be in the works.