Spare some change for the Warriors?

by MeSoKrabby on Jul 16, 2008 10:35 AM PDT

Full Disclosure: I'm a Warriors fan.

Before I start spewing outrageous trade offers that would never happen, like when you go to another team's blog and you see "How about we trade Speedy Claxton for Brandon Roy?", I wanted to check with actual Blazer fans that could offer insight into my thinking before I take the road to Wackoland.

Portland now has Steve Blake, Sergio Rodrigues, Jerryd Bayless and Petteri Koponen at the 1, correct? Would the Blazers be willing to trade Blake/Koponen/Rodrigues? What would they cost? I'm primaily interested in Koponen because he seems to have the fringiest roster spot, summer league performance not withstanding, and he's Finnish, like me.

So, true Blazer fans, what can you tell me about your PG situation and do you think you can spare some dimes?

Could you use Al Harrington? (I know, but I have to ask)

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sergio garcia

aint’ going anywhere

"Honor Terry Porter." Email me with your TP stories and memories.

by Ben Golliver on Jul 16, 2008 10:41 AM PDT reply actions

Really?

I’d think Sergio is the most expendable at this point.

by Replacement Level Poster on Jul 16, 2008 10:44 AM PDT up reply actions

sergio garcia

is golfing

"Honor Terry Porter." Email me with your TP stories and memories.

by Ben Golliver on Jul 16, 2008 10:49 AM PDT up reply actions

Duly noted and edited

"Candlestick made me a man." - Will Clark

by MeSoKrabby on Jul 16, 2008 10:52 AM PDT up reply actions

in response to your question, i think all are available for the right price, even blake

rodriguez can be had for next to nothing… don’t think anyone wants him…
koponen will depend on if he gets a roster spot… so hold that thought…
blake is more available than most people think but he is tricky to move because we don’t have anyone else to run the point. it would only happen if we were getting another PG back in a different deal or if bayless lights the league on fire right out of the gate.

"Honor Terry Porter." Email me with your TP stories and memories.

by Ben Golliver on Jul 16, 2008 10:59 AM PDT up reply actions

Duh

Whoops, wasn’t thinking on that one.

by Replacement Level Poster on Jul 16, 2008 10:56 AM PDT up reply actions

If the Blazers move on of their PGs,...

... I think it will most likely be Sergio for a draft pick.

Boomshakalaka

by jksnake99 on Jul 16, 2008 10:50 AM PDT reply actions

Pettri and Sergio would available for the right price.

However, there is no way we would take on salary like Harrington’s.

Odds are we would want draft picks, 1st round picks.

by khryse22 on Jul 16, 2008 10:52 AM PDT reply actions

sergio is staying put.

at least for the time being, KP is going to keep him around to help rudy out. After that, who knows…see what we can get for him, it’s not like he is going to see many minutes.

by danevan on Jul 16, 2008 11:06 AM PDT reply actions

How do the Warriors feel about signing and trading Monta Ellis

For Blake And Raef? Tempted?

WWSBD?

by nightbluefruit on Jul 16, 2008 11:19 AM PDT reply actions

tempted to puke

How about Ellis for Roy?

"Candlestick made me a man." - Will Clark

by MeSoKrabby on Jul 16, 2008 11:21 AM PDT up reply actions

I like your willingness to barter

Let’s forget about Roy for a moment. Have you seen these three second rounders we have over here? Very nice, huh? I bet you could see yourself making one or two of those picks, can’t you?

WWSBD?

by nightbluefruit on Jul 16, 2008 11:22 AM PDT up reply actions

The Warrirs do have a better track record picking in the second round(Ellis, Arenas)

"Candlestick made me a man." - Will Clark

by MeSoKrabby on Jul 16, 2008 11:25 AM PDT up reply actions

See what I'm saying?

You guys are so good at second round picks. I would even say, the best.

So what’s giving up one second round pick (Ellis) for the chance at TWO second round picks (with your second-round skillz, probably two Ellises)?

I’ll get the contracts ready for your signature.

WWSBD?

by nightbluefruit on Jul 16, 2008 11:29 AM PDT up reply actions 5 recs

Rec'd

You sir, can be my agent.

Blazer's fan since '84, Currently exiled in Tennessee and North Carolina

by HurraKane212 on Jul 16, 2008 2:42 PM PDT up reply actions

How about Ellis for Bayless, Outlaw and Frye?

If somebody hits you with an object you should beat the hell out of them.-Charles Barkley

by Winchester on Jul 16, 2008 7:18 PM PDT up reply actions

Nevermind, it's not enough.

Did you know I love Ellis? The Warriors used to have my favorite backcourt.

If somebody hits you with an object you should beat the hell out of them.-Charles Barkley

by Winchester on Jul 16, 2008 7:20 PM PDT up reply actions

I’d say Blake isn’t going anywhere for now, since he’s the only PG with any notable NBA experience. Bayless isn’t likely to go either unless it’s a deal for a 1 or a 3 that blows KP’s socks off.

Sergio is an interesting case. In a “normal” year I’d say we’d probably let him go for a 2nd round pick. However, with Rudy coming in and them being close, how much of a factor is that? I dunno.

Koponen is intriguing. He’s young and raw, but considering he hasn’t played against any real talent up until now, you’ve got to like what you see there potential wise. Still, my guess is that his rights could be had, but it would cost a first rounder.

Rule #1 of nitpicking is to get it right.

by douglast on Jul 16, 2008 11:19 AM PDT reply actions

Agreed.

Blake off the table; Bayless off the table; Sergio for a 2nd Rounder; Petko—hey, that Sergio fellow is attractive, isn’t he? Man, can he pass! And drive the lane, too… Hey, how about we send you a highlight reel… That kid’s got talent!

"He shoots....................... he scores!!!"

by timbo on Jul 17, 2008 4:35 PM PDT up reply actions

My thoughts

of the PG’s we have, I only see Bayless as currently “untouchable” at least for a year. I see blake untouchable for half a year and then it depends on what we get and how other blazers trade.

Sergio handles the ball better than finland
Sergio couldn’t shoot to save his life and finland is pretty good (ignore the 1/6 from three last game.)
Sergio is flashier than finland.
Sergio is more expendable than finland.

While there are those that claim sergio will stick around for Rudy, I can’t see it. If he sees some extra playing time, I believe it will be for a trade. Sergio just doesn’t fit in our current system and hasn’t since day one. With more playing time, I believe he’ll do better but he’s a player that needs playing time to get into a rhythm. I think you’d do better to do a trade for Sergio.

So… Sergio is up for grabs. The only thing I’d want is first round picks sometime down the road and I’d be happy. Frankly, he’d probably do rather well with golden state.

Finland… For the right price he’s probably up for grabs too. Too bad because I really wanted this guy as our PG of the future. The problem is that this kid needs work on his ball handling, specifically moving with his off hand. HIs vision is excellent his passing is intelligent and he keeps his cool. I believe he’s an excellent player with a good chance to improve and become an upper level point guard regardless of team style. (unlike sergio that needs the right team).

So, what would I give up for Finland? We’re talking some first round picks and scrubs to match the salary that can be waived. I personally don’t want or need any other players but I do want some first rounders that I can play with in the future in order to acquire fresh blood as the players age.

That said, I want to finish with summer league before I really decide what moves I want to make. Finland had his weaknesses exposed in the second game and I’d like to see how he responds and if other PGs give him that much trouble.

Frankly, I’m open to Bayless too if the right offer came along. I’m not impressed with his shooting touch and that is going to worry me.

Blake… as I said before, I can’t see him moving out until at least half way through the season. He’s a consistent veteran and can help the younger point guards develop. He also helps keep our team on the calmer side of things. Both he and brandon help control the temp and until the other PG’s show they can take over, I doubt we’ll want to part with him. This team needs to move forward and losing him would prevent that.

I’m heading off to summer league tomorrow so we’ll see what I think then.

Ford: Bill, you're claiming victory already? Have you had a "Mission Accomplished" banner printed yet?

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2008/columns/story?page=DraftDebate-080624

by ratbastird on Jul 16, 2008 11:28 AM PDT reply actions

I'd be willing (Me, not sure about Mullin) to give up one first round pick

for Koponen or Rodrigues, but not multiple. Neither, Koponen or Rodrigues are NBA starters right now and you don’t trade multiple first rounders for bench players. The Warriors are unlikely to make the playoffs next year, but also unlikely to draft in the top eight either. If the Warriors were a perennial late first round team, I could see giving up multiple first rounders, but this is the Warriors. I think Kopenen or Rodrigues could be worth early-mid first round pick.

Why would you want scurbs back? You have a complete roster and just need to dump some salary.

"Candlestick made me a man." - Will Clark

by MeSoKrabby on Jul 16, 2008 12:04 PM PDT up reply actions

Koponen isn't signed

so we wouldn’t need a scrub back for him.

Sergio is, so I think there would have to be a salary match, unless you guys are under the cap, or have an exception or something. You’ve been flipping players around, so I can’t keep track.

I’d do a 1st round pick for Sergio, straight up, if you have cap space for him. I’d even let you lottery protect it. If we’re lucky, that would mean we wouldn’t have the pick for a couple years. We don’t need it right now, like you said our roster is pretty full, and it isn’t getting empty anytime soon.

Koponen? I’d do a first rounder for him, too, but it would kind of hurt me. I like the kid, I think he’s got really good upside, I’ve been talking about him for a year—but (sorry for this) I think you’re going to be in the lottery for a while, and I couldn’t say no to a lottery pick for him.

Bayless and Blake are untouchable right now unless we’re getting a PG better than Blake from somewhere as part of the deal. If Bayless turns out to be what I think he’s going to be, you could get Blake, perhaps as soon as the trade deadline, especially if Sergio or Koponen shows promise of being a legit NBA contributor by next year. Blake might not cost you much, either. He’s a legit NBA starter, not a top 15 PG or anything, but capable of starting for quite a few teams—but if our young guys shine, you might get Blake for a lottery pick and a dead body attached to a matching salary.

If Koponen does what I think he might possibly do this year, even Bayless MIGHT be available, but I think it will cost you. The guy is a future all-star—not every year, because we don’t have enough baskets to go around to have four all-stars every year, but he’ll get there sometime in his career, and Pritchard knows it.

That’s my perspective, anyway. I don’t think rat was expecting multiple first rounders for either of them, but he can answer for himself.

We don’t need to dump salary, we’re ok, and these guys have small salaries anyway. The only reason we’d trade one of these guys is we just don’t have the minutes to develop the youngsters. If we can do a quantity for quality trade, that’s all to the good. Or if we can trade a player for a future draft pick, that’s good, too, because it means we’ll have even more talent coming through in the future.

Just remember this (I try to tell our guests from other teams this): KP is stockpiling so much talent that one day soon, we’ll have our own Development League team—and they’ll win the Eastern Division of the NBA.

Other people don't have as much practice at being wrong as I do -- HT, timbo

by jscot on Jul 16, 2008 12:42 PM PDT up reply actions

NOpe

We’re on the exact same page including expectations for Finland although I thought he’d take one more year to really reach a level where he’d be a starter in the NBA. Right now I think he can be a rookie back-up that will be schooled at times.

I’d like to see sergio be the man to go to Golden because his style of play, I think, would fit well there. The other place would be new York. I’m pretty sure Phoenix is shutting down the uptempo play or that would be my other preference for Sergio. The kid will thrive if he’s allowed to play his game.

Ford: Bill, you're claiming victory already? Have you had a "Mission Accomplished" banner printed yet?

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2008/columns/story?page=DraftDebate-080624

by ratbastird on Jul 17, 2008 6:06 AM PDT up reply actions

If Sergio is put on a running team and is used as a passer, he'll be OK...

.................................. Horrible match for the very un-running Blazers.

I doubt KP would need a first for Sergio. I have been thinking about things (too lazy to write a fanpost) and it occurs to me that SECOND round picks are more valuable than late firsts, because they open up the prospect of drafting a Euro and not being burdened by the rookie scale when you come for him in 3 years. Correct? It is flat out AMAZING that they were able to get Rudy to play for comparative peanuts rather than CTC from some Russian team-owner… That ain’t happening again as the dollar slides further and further into the inflationary cesspool (hurray for George Bush!!! No new taxes!!!).

Anyhow, neo-fascist bashing aside: a second rounder for the (failed shooter) Sergio would probably suffice. That and 50 pounds of fresh sourdough bread. Yum.

"He shoots....................... he scores!!!"

by timbo on Jul 17, 2008 4:44 PM PDT up reply actions

CTC = Cash The Check

"He shoots....................... he scores!!!"

by timbo on Jul 17, 2008 4:45 PM PDT up reply actions

This wasn't clear

Are you saying that we would get the sourdough bread, or that we would have to send it with Sergio to get a second rounder?

I’ve been thinking similar thoughts about the value of second rounders. Not to teams who are looking to help themselves now, of course—the higher, the better. But for a team that has all the pieces, and just wants to stockpile future talent, see who develops, and then bring them over when they are all-world, high second round picks can be more valuable than late firsts.

This year, when we win 70 games, and pick last in the first round, it wouldn’t surprise me to see KP trade the pick for the first pick of the second round and draft a Euro project.

Other people don't have as much practice at being wrong as I do -- HT, timbo

by jscot on Jul 18, 2008 1:14 AM PDT up reply actions

I bought this project/investment a couple years ago

It was relatively cheap, so I pulled the trigger. It ended up taking a bit of work and not fitting with my style or household economy, but I sold it for a ton more than I paid. I am the Portland Trailblazers, and the project is Bayless.
Just my opinion, but I don’t think his game fits. If we didn’t have Roy; maybe. I’d be happy to be proved wrong, but (as Dave mentioned a few weeks back) his game has a lot of “gimme”. I Don’t see how that works with: Roy, LMA, GO, Rudy, and Web/Trout. However, he’ll be worth more to us in a year or two than he is now.
So, to answer Krabby’s question:
this year: Sergio (I actually think this could be a good career move for him)
next year: Bayless (or as we call him around here: Rex)

by Montavilla Steve on Jul 16, 2008 12:42 PM PDT reply actions

Interesting take on things

I have a feeling he is going to be taylor made for the team, however you may be right. Who do you suppose will be our PG to get over the hump championship wise? If you feel KopFin is the 1 tell me? Or , are you of the acquire a vet pf group? Or are we gonna stick w/ Blake and Kopfin is backup or something else altogether?
-Sophia

That which prematurely arrives at perfection soon perishes. - Marcus Fabius Quintilian (35-95AD) Roman Rhetorician, Critic

by BlazerFan1 on Jul 16, 2008 2:44 PM PDT up reply actions

i said acquire a vet pf group i mean vet pg...

That which prematurely arrives at perfection soon perishes. - Marcus Fabius Quintilian (35-95AD) Roman Rhetorician, Critic

by BlazerFan1 on Jul 16, 2008 2:45 PM PDT up reply actions

Good question

Basically, I want Steve Bake; with better defensive chops. A guy who looks to set up others and doesn’t take opportunities away from your “big guns”, but will make you pay for leaving him open.
Or, put differently, I want Rondo; with any sort of offensive threat.
So, in a perfect world, I would create a magic elixir that Steve drinks before every game that leaves the rest of his game unaffected, but allows him to really hound the other team’s PG.
To respond to your question, I really want Kop to be that guy, but know he’s not yet. So, I say:
- Keep Bayless for this year to see if either: 1. Nate can get the “gimme” out of his game, or 2. he can be used as bait down the road for a real “missing piece” (if we actually have one)
- Trade Serg now to a team that plays to his strengths (both for his good and ours)
- Let Kop develop behind Blake and Bayless this year, then behind just blake in 09-10, then take over in 10-11.

What do you think? Feel free to propose something else entirely. Again, I hope I’m wrong about Bayless, but based on what I saw from his time at Arizona, I’m thinking he’s a great talent that just doesn’t work well with the team as currently assembled.

by Montavilla Steve on Jul 16, 2008 4:47 PM PDT up reply actions

Don't bake Steve!

I meant Steve Blake

by Montavilla Steve on Jul 16, 2008 6:39 PM PDT up reply actions

Bayless

He looks like a guy that needs to dominate the ball to be effective. Roy is going to be the one with the ball in his hands most of the time so I’m not sure how Bayless fits with Portland. He sure does know how to draw foul though watching him in summer league.

by houseofprime on Jul 16, 2008 8:06 PM PDT up reply actions

You could be right

but I suspect that when he plays with the rest of the team, he might be a better fit than what you think. STill, if he’s not I won’t be happy. That means Finland will be sweeping in and taking the spot!

Ford: Bill, you're claiming victory already? Have you had a "Mission Accomplished" banner printed yet?

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2008/columns/story?page=DraftDebate-080624

by ratbastird on Jul 17, 2008 6:09 AM PDT up reply actions

Thanks for your thoughtful comment...

and for testing the waters here before going to GSoM. It makes me proud to be a member of SB Nation. I might even be more honest on taxes than I am with other nations to which I belong.

I think Sergio is the only one available, right now. There are some things I really like about him and think GS would really like about him (his willingness to push the ball, pass, and sense of fun). He seems like a nice kid, too, and he might thrive in Nelly’s World, since optimists had always described him as Steve Nash-esque

"its tough to play with one eye, unless you're a pirate." Delonte West

by Honka Playboy on Jul 16, 2008 1:25 PM PDT reply actions

Short answer

I’ll repeat what some others have said: you could probably get either Sergio or Peteri for a future first rounder.

by pualo on Jul 16, 2008 1:29 PM PDT reply actions

Sergio is all yours.

Give us a draft pick or two, and we’re set.

"I think it’s going to be very beautiful game next year."
-Batuuuuuuuum!

by rockingharder on Jul 16, 2008 1:40 PM PDT reply actions

I like this idea

Sergio is not talent free and would fit in much better in GS than here and I think Rudy sees the writing on the wall that he will be gone by the trade deadline. He is fun to watch and a good guy but cant play D so he should have a good time in GS and I wish him well.trading for a draft pick would help our roster situation as well.

by southern oregon on Jul 16, 2008 7:18 PM PDT reply actions