We have got to make a move....

by blazerbeliever97504 on Dec 12, 2009 9:34 AM PST

Now before anyone thinks i am being rash and reactionary i strongly disagree. My first thought was to stay with what we have and let it play out but after watching last nights game is was SO clear it may as well have smacked me in the face. What i mean is, we CAN NOT go the rest of the year with Joel, LMA, and Juwan, Dante, etc. playing our front line rotation consistantly the rest of the year.

Why not? Some may ask, Well first off we just arent big enough when Joel goes out. Secondly LMA is not a center in any shape or form, though he does a good job pretending. Thirdly, Juwan is ancient, the rookies are well, second rounders for a reason, and all three of them are short by NBA PF/ C standards. Lets examine what i mean by these points.

First, Joel is a great fill in and i would not want any other backup center in the league to fill in for Greg BUT Joel fouls ALOT which is fine if your two headed monster in oiled up and ready to go, our two headed monster lost one of its heads and we cant afford now to lose the last remaining head. (odd analogy i know lol) Joel so far has an average of 3.2 fouls per in 21 mpg. his minutes should be going up drastically. Something like last nights box score should be the norm from here on out.....33 Min, 2pts, 11reb, 3blk, 4 fouls. Those 4 fouls could have easily been 6 if it were not for some clean play in the first where i dont think anyone got callled for a foul in roughly the first 6 mins.

Second, really needs no explanation....LMA dont fit at the center spot, nuff said. I guess the same could be said for point three, Juwan's old, the rookies are young and raw, and all three are short. I E not a good fit for the center spot either. HOWEVER.......we do have an over abundance of depth at one spot still, PG! We have got to trade one of our PGs for a decent versatile center type. I would love to see something like Miller for .........and thats were i draw a blank.....who fits the bill? Who could play both 4 and 5 comfortabley and fit the culture of the team and probly would only be around for a year or two max?

This is were i am left wondering, we have got to get another big man up front though. We are talking about the next 3/4 of the season, not a few weeks not a few days, but months.....nearly the full season. We pretty much need to say "ok, today is the first day of the year" then look over the roster(such as it is) look to see where we can improve(just like every other team does) then go out and get a player or two to help us improve. This only leaves us with the options of trade and who are our highest value tradeable assets currently? J.B., Blake(EXP contract), and Miller, all three healthy and all three valueable for one reason or another.

Thats my thought anyways, please if you agree with me help me out. I would love to hear your ideas as to who you all think would fit the bill via trade.

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Comments

We have to make a move why?

So a lost season can become a little less lost?

A GM would be stupid to try to deal from a position of weakness or desperation. The team would have to give up way too much to get anything useful.

by raoulduke on Dec 12, 2009 9:42 AM PST reply actions

Unless he was dealing with a team in a greater position of weakness.

The Bulls, 76’ers, Warriors, Timberwolves, Wizards, Knicks, Nets, etc are all in a much more desperate state.

by Nick Van Excellent on Dec 12, 2009 9:52 AM PST up reply actions

None of those are likely to be desperate

No trade is going to rescue their season.

#52

by jscot on Dec 12, 2009 10:06 AM PST up reply actions

Desperate in terms of cutting cost and/or clearing cap. Not necessarily with us, but some teams still have work to do.

Bulls need to deal to free up space for one of Wade/Bosh/Johnson
Knicks need to clear Jeffries, or Curry, preferably both. Likely in a package with Nate Rob.
Wizards might want to get rid of Jamison.
Bucks might be finished with clearing costs (Richardson, Villanueva, Sessions), maybe not
In turn Timberwolves might want to deal Sessions again
Charlotte doesn’t seem finished with roster building
Dallas needs to make a move
And so on.

There will be some moves at the deadline. The question is how big and how many.

Miller - Roy - Webster - Aldridge - Przybilla. Is that so hard?

by Norsktroll on Dec 12, 2009 11:03 AM PST up reply actions

They are desperate.

The Bulls are already talking about making a trade because they suck so bad. Deng recently said he thought people could be moved to shake things up.

The Knicks are trying to cut salary. You could probably have any of their players if you took on one of their bad contracts.

The Timberwolves apparently signed Sessions just so they could flip him to another team. At least that’s what some sources are saying.

The Wizards are probably going to try and trim salary now that their owner died.

The Warriors have already made a stupid desperation trade this season and will probably trade Bell before all is said and done.

by Nick Van Excellent on Dec 12, 2009 2:31 PM PST up reply actions

They probably don't care.

by Natsthecat on Dec 12, 2009 1:29 PM PST up reply actions

Very True...except if we trade Blake. That would be good no matter what.

by Natsthecat on Dec 12, 2009 1:28 PM PST up reply actions

Pendergraft is back soon, Bayless has a cheap contract and great potentail, Miller is worth the most, but really

there are no bigs out there, only maybe some long 3/4’s. I could see trading Blake’s expiring contract, or Miller just because Bayless needs more playing time and if Nate won’t do it than a trade will. Other than that I would play the hand dealt.

by prof.mike on Dec 12, 2009 10:08 AM PST reply actions

I agree with that. One of Blake/Miller, that's about it.

by raoulduke on Dec 12, 2009 11:27 AM PST up reply actions

nope..only Blake. Miller can teach Bayless MANY things. Blake cannot

by Natsthecat on Dec 12, 2009 1:30 PM PST up reply actions

if we're talking blake trade

gotta throw in Travis, our other expiring contract. think of how much more the league’s GM’s would drool all over themselves to have an extra $7-8 million off their books in time to invite the one of many princesses to the ball in 2010!!

I could see Eddy Curry helping on the roster, but who I really want on the Blazers is Marcin Gortat. Love his game. Bogut would be great too, but I don’t see him going anywhere, the Bucks are doing too well to just dump him off this season. put Marc Gasol in that boat too: Grizzlies are nothing doing on that front. Now, while Otis Smith may be saying “no” to all comers on the Gortat agenda, the right deal could be made. Of course, there’s the David Lee trade, but he’s no center, and that’s our glaring need at this time.

Some names to think about: Gortat, Curry, Tyson Chandler, Emeka Okafor, Brendan Haywood, Nathan Jawai

by sparks89 on Dec 12, 2009 3:06 PM PST up reply actions

Several points

1. Pendergraph is likely to be back in a week or two. He’s bigger and younger than Juwan, and bigger and stronger than Dante. You are right that we probably can’t go two months the way we are, but we may be able to hang on for a couple of weeks. Until we find out if Pendergraph can help with the problem, we aren’t in a desperate condition.
2. Right now, we only have four guards. If we trade Miller, we only have three. That means you have to have a guard come back in any deal, or we run with only three guards.
3. If we get a guard back, we don’t want a PG, so it would need to be a SG. But Rudy will be back in a month or two, which means it would be a waste to use an asset to get another SG.
4. If we did get a forward or center AND a guard for one of our PGs (say Miller), we’d have to cut someone to clear a roster spot. Patty Mills, probably. Not the end of the world, but it does mean giving up on a guy they hope has potential for the future to get two players who will probably never play much (if at all) next year.
5. There is no way to turn this into a contending team this year. The only thing that will really help is if Nic and Travis come back early, we get a rhythm, and go on a tear the last month, then go into the playoffs hot. No trade is going to rescue this season. So any trade that helps this season has to also answer the question — will this hurt us next year, when it really matters? Not very many trades are going to have a “no” answer to that question.

#52

by jscot on Dec 12, 2009 10:15 AM PST reply actions

#3

It depends on the PG. A bigger PG like Hinrich, West, or Harris would be fine since they can guard multiple positions.

by Nick Van Excellent on Dec 12, 2009 2:33 PM PST up reply actions

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine

by Daddygr33nJeans on Dec 12, 2009 10:18 AM PST reply actions

Without any flash or java reference in the address

your link just sends us to the blank trade machine application

by Decaf on Dec 12, 2009 10:32 AM PST up reply actions

sorry about that i will just type it out

portland gets : Gerald Wallace

Charlotte gets : Martell Webster, Steve Blake, Patrick Mills

by Daddygr33nJeans on Dec 12, 2009 10:36 AM PST up reply actions

No way Charlotte does that

But it would get us down to 8 healthy players without incurring any more injuries, so that’s a plus, I suppose. I’d much rather see us get down to 6 without having too many guys have to get hurt.

#52

by jscot on Dec 12, 2009 10:41 AM PST up reply actions

i just throwing some stuff out there, and i think wallace could go 40min a night

by Daddygr33nJeans on Dec 12, 2009 10:55 AM PST up reply actions

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine

by Daddygr33nJeans on Dec 12, 2009 10:21 AM PST reply actions

most likely not going to happen because everybody in portland, even me, kisses the feet of joel

by Daddygr33nJeans on Dec 12, 2009 10:23 AM PST up reply actions

type it out again

portland gets :Samuel Dalembert

philadelphia gets: Joel Przybilla, Steve Blake, Patrick Mills(AI going to leave any way and you never can have to many guards

by Daddygr33nJeans on Dec 12, 2009 10:41 AM PST up reply actions

please god no...

by dulcamara on Dec 12, 2009 1:40 PM PST up reply actions

Terrible.

The 76’ers would give Dalembert away for expiring contracts at this point. Plus, he’s much worse than Joel.

by Nick Van Excellent on Dec 12, 2009 2:34 PM PST up reply actions

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine

by Daddygr33nJeans on Dec 12, 2009 10:25 AM PST reply actions

link doesn't work

portland gets: Brendan Haywood

washington gets:Joel Przybilla

by Daddygr33nJeans on Dec 12, 2009 10:43 AM PST up reply actions

Why are you trying to trade Joel away?

If at all possible, we need more size and toughness, and moving Joel isn’t really going to help.

#52

by jscot on Dec 12, 2009 10:46 AM PST up reply actions

we need more d in the paint and

someone who can score down there and Haywood can do that

by Daddygr33nJeans on Dec 12, 2009 10:52 AM PST up reply actions

Haywood is less D in the paint than Joel

#52

by jscot on Dec 12, 2009 11:46 AM PST up reply actions

Joel>Haywood

Roy, Aldridge, Oden, Rudy, Batum, Outlaw, Webster, Bayless, Blake, Miller, Joel... Holy crap!

by axel360 on Dec 12, 2009 12:52 PM PST up reply actions

Joel has about as much D as you can get from a center.

by Nick Van Excellent on Dec 12, 2009 2:35 PM PST up reply actions

No really standing pat is best we will be a playoff team and if injured players get back we could even play well then

but a bad trade now could hurt us long term length is what we need to compete in the playoffs so if Travis and Batum makes it back in good playing form we are good, I think as much playing time for the rookies would be a good thing. Joel played 82 games + playoffs last year if he does it again we’ll be OK

by prof.mike on Dec 12, 2009 10:27 AM PST reply actions

I'm curious why you added the comma?

its the only punctuation in yr post. I’m not making fun, I just noticed it and now I can’t let it go.

by skott75 on Dec 12, 2009 9:28 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs

heres one if you want more points

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine

by Daddygr33nJeans on Dec 12, 2009 10:30 AM PST reply actions

link doesn't work

portland gets:Leandro Barbosa

phoenix gets: Martell Webster,Patrick Mills, Jeff Pendergraph

the blazers would get small but we would have a better scorer

by Daddygr33nJeans on Dec 12, 2009 10:50 AM PST up reply actions

Doubt Phoenix does that

Roy, Aldridge, Oden, Rudy, Batum, Outlaw, Webster, Bayless, Blake, Miller, Joel... Holy crap!

by axel360 on Dec 12, 2009 12:53 PM PST up reply actions

Fab Oberto?

Washington probably doesn’t want to pay the luxury tax for a team that finishes below .500 and misses the playoffs. Just a guess. We are under the cap, so could we trade Patty Mills for Oberto straight up in a lopsided trade? Different sites have different salary numbers, so I’m not sure if this would work. Looks like we could get close, but might not be possible.

Begs the question, though. If Cunningham and Pendergraph can fill in the PF minutes, we could trade Juwon for Oberto, who is more of a center. This could hurt team chemistry, though, as Juwon has been pretty good for the locker room. Might help the product on the floor, but can’t say it would definitely make us better. Oberto is on his last year, though, so wouldn’t kill us to try.

I like Oberto’s game, and his defense and passing could help us down low. A player like him could help us in the short term without harming us in the longterm. Thoughts?

"These are dreams that we have." --Rudolfo Fernandez

by bfan on Dec 12, 2009 10:59 AM PST reply actions

You have to give something to get something

Lets think a little outside the lines how about Blake, a 1st round pick and dare I say it Oden for Brook Lopez. New Jersy is a total mess and could afford to wait on Oden who will be as good as new next year. We would get a very good healthy young big man who would help us now and for years to come.

by Planet29 on Dec 12, 2009 11:12 AM PST reply actions

No

Come on you gotta listen unto me,
lay off that whiskey and let that cocaine be. ~Johnny Cash

by HurraKane212 on Dec 12, 2009 11:58 AM PST up reply actions

blake for

bass. this has been mentioned before and makes sense. We develop our assets in a lost year and strengthen our powderpuff front line. Bass and Przy give us a front line of muscle and grit. Bass>LA in the physicality department; which is the reason we lost last night. Anderson Varejao made LA his beezy.

by NDREXLERDRIVE on Dec 12, 2009 11:30 AM PST reply actions

I don't know anybody who wouldn't do that, but is it possible?

by Coastie07 on Dec 12, 2009 11:55 AM PST up reply actions

Salaries match and Orlando could use a backup PG

while having front court depth with both Anderson and Gortat in front of Bass. So, it makes too much sense to ever happen in the NBA.

52 + 88 = 140% better team.

by xedubx on Dec 12, 2009 1:00 PM PST up reply actions

Why should Orlando do that? Nelson is returning shortly, and they have two quality backup point guards (NBA finalists, one even won)

And when in big need, they even have shooting guards and a good forward to handle the ball. Not as good as Turkoglu in doing that, but still a bigger threat than Blake.

Miami might see a bigger use of him. But not sure many teams do.

Miller - Roy - Webster - Aldridge - Przybilla. Is that so hard?

by Norsktroll on Dec 12, 2009 1:53 PM PST up reply actions

Well, I wouldn't call Anthony Johnson a quality backup

Jason Williams, sure. But calling Johnson a quality backup PG is a stretch, at best.

Even if Nelson comes back, wouldn’t you be worried about his ability to stay healthy if you were the Magic? It’s like us and Oden. Even if Oden comes back healthy next season, we’re going to want some serious insurance for Greg. Same thing with Orlando but more urgent in their case because they are a legitimate title contender this year.

52 + 88 = 140% better team.

by xedubx on Dec 12, 2009 2:39 PM PST up reply actions

Also, while I trust VC to handle the ball

I wouldn’t trust Barnes or Pietrus with ballhandling, even in emergency.

52 + 88 = 140% better team.

by xedubx on Dec 12, 2009 2:42 PM PST up reply actions

I meant Carter, Redick and Lewis

And yes, Johnson is a quality backup. Last night he was scoring up and down the court with Nash. He is very solid for what they need him to do.

Miller - Roy - Webster - Aldridge - Przybilla. Is that so hard?

by Norsktroll on Dec 12, 2009 4:52 PM PST up reply actions

We need to find a team that needs a point guard and is a little desperate.

What about Golden State? They play Curry at point guard, but I don’t think he’s a true point guard. Plus, Andre Miller would thrive in Nellie-Ball and the current Warriors’ roster simply isnt working. What about trying to get Turiaf and/or Brandon Wright? I’d like to trade Blake but even with his expiring contract I don’t think his trade value is high. Thoughts?

Roy, Aldridge, Oden, Rudy, Batum, Outlaw, Webster, Bayless, Blake, Miller, Joel... Holy crap!

by axel360 on Dec 12, 2009 1:00 PM PST reply actions

I like all those trades...

especially the wallace one, Wallace is the least possable, Bass makes a ton of sense, and G.S. seems iffy to me.

one thing though, to all of you “stand patters.” You mean you do not see a ton of games with Joel in foul trouble via the increased minutes load and us getting alot of the Juwan/LMA combo?

If you can see the truth in this am i to understand that you guys are ok with LMA and Juwan on the court for extended periods of time? Dont get me wrong Juwan is a great locker room guy and if he was in his prime LMA and Juwan would rock! This is not the case, Juwan is good for a few minutes here and there but not from the 5 minute mark in the first(for example) through the first few minutes of the second because joel is saddled with fouls. We can not have that for the next 45-50 or so games. If you guys think Pendergraf will do a much better job, i hope so but from what i am hearing his hip is still giving him trouble.

by blazerbeliever97504 on Dec 12, 2009 1:27 PM PST reply actions

I like the Blake for Brandon Bass trade.

Does Orlando have cap worries? Haven’t followed this. I want to keep Miller. He can teach Bayless. If the coaches would let him run the floor he would actually do quite a bit for our team. Batum is supposed to be back after the all star break. He will be a sight for sore eyes!!!

by Natsthecat on Dec 12, 2009 1:38 PM PST reply actions

My thoughts on who I would trade

Trade Blake – To a team looking to cut costs, or they just need a decent PG (note: I did not say good, or great PG). Get back a solid bench player.

Trade Outlaw – To a team looking to cut costs this year and next since 80% of his contract will be covered by Insurance. Get Back Bench player and/or Draft Pick.

Trade Miller – To a team who needs a starting PG or a Team who is going to be a championship contender and needs to beef up. Get back a starter or a sixth man.

Draft Cole Aldrich 2010

by jlarose78 on Dec 12, 2009 1:39 PM PST reply actions

I dont think we can trade Trout

i could be wrong but due to his injury and the fact that he wont be back till after the trade deadline he is ineligable.

by blazerbeliever97504 on Dec 12, 2009 2:37 PM PST up reply actions

Martell however

How awsome would we feel to pull off a Bass and Alston for Web and Blake trade. We would be stoked but the cynic(sp?) in me says they would to to orlando and light the city on fire and we would get two hollow shells. Not saying i think this is whats gonna happen but considering this years luck i would not be surprised by something of that nature lol

by blazerbeliever97504 on Dec 12, 2009 2:40 PM PST up reply actions

Plus we cant really lose Web right now........but ya

by blazerbeliever97504 on Dec 12, 2009 2:40 PM PST up reply actions

oh we can trade injured players

happened with Raja Bell, GS just waived the physical. Leon Powe got signed to the Cavs to play big backup minutes, and he had a torn ACL. of course, nobody’s going to want Travis all on his own, but if we sent him, Miller and Blake to the Cavs for J.J. Hickson and Delonte West + whoever makes the money work…

by sparks89 on Dec 12, 2009 3:11 PM PST up reply actions