Resign Travis??

by retirecards51 on Dec 3, 2009 1:56 PM PST

It has become apparent to myself and my group of blazer fans that the team's recent struggles can be partially attributed to the loss of one T-Bo from Starkville. Prior to the season, losing him at the end of this season seemed a foregone conclusion (or mid-season trade) due to his expiring contract and relative youth/talent.

The fact of the matter is, since his injury, the blazers have pretty much stunk. Not that Travis is much of a defender/rebounder (sometimes you gotta wonder about his bball IQ), but his length/height and athleticism allow him to "cover" some of the more difficult matchups at the SF/PF position (guys like josh smith, michael beasley) who have been tearing into the blazers recently.

Mainly though, without his offense, the 2nd unit is stagnat and borderline terrible. Rudy can make a few plays with the ball in his hands, but he is best in transition or spotting up behind the arc. Miller can't shoot a jumper (so he is worthless unless penetrates and gets to the line/dish for a dunk), Pryz is only good for putbacks, Bayless is apparently not allowed to play (or not earning his minutes during practice) although he has shown signs of at least being aggressive on the floor. I gotta give Dante and Juwan credit, both guys have played hard and well above expectations (although Dante needs to start hitting that 15ft jumper that i know he can make), but neither offers what T-Bo can (maybe Dante in a few years). The Blazers need Travis, to matchup with certain players on defense, but primarily because his ability to create a makeable shot for himself is needed for the 2nd unit. Since he can hit a 3, use 1 dribble and hit a fadeaway, or throw down a dunk, when he gets going teams have to respect him and sag off the other guys on the floor, making it easier for others to get the ball in positions to score.

I guess I'm saying that I believe the Blazers NEED to resign Travis. He is (I believe) Brandon's best friend, a tall and athletic 3-4 with the ability to score and natural gifts to in theory become a good defender/rebounder. Watching the "offense" over the past few games has been offensive, and the defense is on par with the Wendy Williams show. So while T-Bo is only going to marginally improve the defense (at least matchup-wise), he would make a huge difference for our offensively challenged 2nd unit.

So what do you guys think?

Poll

Re-sign Travis?

Yes, gimme some more T-Bo.

113 votes

No, Let him walk.

10 votes

Trade him.

46 votes

Firesale, everyone must go.

1 votes

170 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

I'm OK with re-signing Outlaw

if its a Martell level deal. I don’t think he brings enough overall game to really demand that much money. But we are better with him.

...and that's a good thing

by In Walks Rudy on Dec 3, 2009 2:03 PM PST reply actions

Like I said when he got hurt

I think the odds went up that TO will be resigned this July, and for a lot less than he was hoping for after he hurt his foot. KP won’t want to see Travis walk away “for nothing” and other teams won’t offer full value for #25 while he’s on the mend. So, a lowball, short-term contract with the Blazers this July would be the best solution for both parties

As far as Portland “missing” what Travis provided from the bench, I think that Dante will replace Outlaw’s production, perhaps as soon as next season. Cunningham already is sitting in Trout’s seat on the plane, and “Brandon’s best friend” status won’t be the major factor when it comes to decision time for Outlaw and Portland next summer.

When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Dec 3, 2009 2:13 PM PST reply actions

Instant offense from the Inferno?

I haven’t seen any signs of it. – Elgin

Travis Outlaw, the Funnel Cake of the Blazers

by 22baylor on Dec 3, 2009 4:19 PM PST up reply actions

maybe not instant, but steady

Cunningham can make open jumpers and scrap for rebounds, he’s a perfect complimentary player for a playoff-caliber team.

When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Dec 3, 2009 6:10 PM PST up reply actions

I predicted Travis would be re-signed before he was injured because Nate loves his instant offense.

I figured he be signed for about $5M-$6M, but probably on the lower side now because of the injury.

But if Nate leaves for LA, or isn’t re-signed at the end of the year (if the team chemistry disintegrates or Roy’s finger pointing turns toward Nate), then KP may try to do a sign and trade for Outlaw instead.

by BlazerFanSince1970 on Dec 3, 2009 4:26 PM PST up reply actions

FYI, Nate's contract runs through 2010-11

not saying he couldn’t be let go (or resign) after this year, but you seem to be implying that it ends after this season, which is not the case.

How did you guys win that?
"We scored enough points. We scored 107, they scored 105.
-Nate McMillan Postgame, 3/4/2009

by douglast on Dec 3, 2009 4:29 PM PST up reply actions

Whoops, my bad. I forgot about the 6th year option the Blazers exercised this summer.

I was thinking about Nate wanting one year contracts.

by BlazerFanSince1970 on Dec 4, 2009 12:10 AM PST up reply actions

Now that his injury will destroy his chances at a huge contract

It’s worth considering. If he still wants to get paid like out of this world, shop elsewhere.

by Seven06Renault on Dec 3, 2009 2:13 PM PST reply actions

I asked said the samething right after he got hurt

by prof.mike on Dec 3, 2009 2:58 PM PST reply actions

8.5 mil a year

Thats what Travis Outlaws agent will go after. I dont know if he is worth that, but I bet in next years market, he’ll get it. Just depends on how much KP and company value him. Sign him or not, the Blazers will be over the cap, so actual cost of TO will be around 16mil a year w/ luxury tax.

PS, Trav if your agent cant get you 8.5, call me. Money in the bank.

by bad karma on Dec 3, 2009 3:33 PM PST reply actions

I'd feel ify about giving him 6...

...and that's a good thing

by In Walks Rudy on Dec 3, 2009 3:52 PM PST up reply actions

There's a reason why you aren't an agent, I guess

A good agent is realistic about what a player can get, and then if he does a little better than that, the agent looks really good.

Next year’s market isn’t likely to be that great, because too many teams are hurting financially. Some of those who have cap space may use it for lopsided trades, because other teams are going to be looking to do salary dumps.

There will be teams willing to give Travis around MLE. He may not get any offers greater than that.

"Woulda, Coulda, Mighta and Shoulda – the Four Horsemen of the Procrastocalypse" - Red-5

by jscot on Dec 4, 2009 1:42 AM PST up reply actions

The Blazers will be over the salary cap next year

but not the luxury tax, or at least not for sure yet depending on how far the salary cap does drop. Currently the Blazers are sitting at just over $59 million in totally salaries for next year. But that is assuming Joel picks up his option and also includes almost $3 million in salary holds for the Euro players, which drop off the cap if they don’t come over next year. The salary cap is going to be somewhere close to $51-53 million next year, which would put the luxury tax at around $65 million give or take. So if none of the Euro players come over, the Blazers could have about $8 million to spend before going over the luxury tax threshold.

With that said, I believe the Blazers will resign Outlaw, eventhough I wish they could find someone better, the fact is he is pretty good, and there is not really a better option for the team. But I would find it very hard to believe that he would command $8 million or more as a UFA. His current deal is $4million per for 3 years, I would guess if he came back with a vengence in the playoffs he might get as much as $8 million, but a more realistic number is $5-6 million, anymore than that I feel the Blazers would say good by to Outlaw and look to use their MLE to sign someone else to fill that role.

Ben II Blazersedge.com || New to Blazers' Edge?

by usmcr3049 on Dec 4, 2009 10:41 AM PST up reply actions

I say something like 12 million over 5 years…. or is that too low?

by Escrote on Dec 3, 2009 3:34 PM PST reply actions

Why not 3 million over 12 years?

I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich

by hobobob on Dec 3, 2009 3:43 PM PST up reply actions

hahah I like it.

...and that's a good thing

by In Walks Rudy on Dec 3, 2009 3:51 PM PST up reply actions

Is that too much of a low ball?

I mean sometimes you don’t come back from a broken foot ever. If Travis didn’t take it he would be gambling on his future. Maybe Travis wants a 1 or 2 year deal but he isn’t goning to get big money this year from anyone.

by Escrote on Dec 3, 2009 3:52 PM PST up reply actions

2.5 a year is very insulting

I think it’s got to be a minimum of 5/year

...and that's a good thing

by In Walks Rudy on Dec 3, 2009 7:11 PM PST up reply actions

He's not tradable because of the injury.

Let him walk.

"A bizarre and extremely rare hybrid Blazer/Laker fan, Timbo has always struggled to contain the Beast Within, like Dr. Jekyll, Bruce Banner, or Ted Kennedy." — Miled Animal

by timbo on Dec 3, 2009 7:17 PM PST reply actions

low blow, you know he physically cannot walk.

Please, for the love of all that is holy, please stop using the following: "Book it.", "FTW", "Epic" & "Fail".

...no seriously--stop.

by nima on Dec 3, 2009 7:48 PM PST up reply actions

lol

Ben II Blazersedge.com || New to Blazers' Edge?

by usmcr3049 on Dec 4, 2009 10:42 AM PST up reply actions

Didn't Keith VanHorn get trade

when he wasn’t even playing in the league?

...and that's a good thing

by In Walks Rudy on Dec 3, 2009 9:49 PM PST up reply actions

Toec?

by amlmart1 on Dec 4, 2009 12:51 AM PST up reply actions

Yeah, he has value as an EC

For any team that is looking to dump salary.

And if KP were to put together a big deal involving players like Rudy and/or Bayless, those players are low salary for their potential talent level. So in that case, the talent trade would be Rudy/Bayless for whoever KP is targeting, and then you would have to fill it in with salaries, and Travis wouldn’t be a bad contract for the other team to take on at all.

In that type of scenario, we might even re-sign him next summer, though we’d only have MLE to offer.

"Woulda, Coulda, Mighta and Shoulda – the Four Horsemen of the Procrastocalypse" - Red-5

by jscot on Dec 4, 2009 1:46 AM PST up reply actions

depends on the price, but id lean toward letting him walk

sorry trav

of course this will piss brandon off which is the end of the world

Blazer Fan

by leeroyjenkins on Dec 4, 2009 6:51 AM PST reply actions

I been pondering this

I like Outlaw for a number of reasons. (this is a change from past stances)

1.) Glue guy. He’s helped bring the team together better than Roy (see connecting Roy and Aldridge the two leaders that weren’t speaking at the time)
2.) Improved defense this year. I saw him hustling and doing little things that he hasn’t done in the past. That’s all I’ve ever wanted him to add to his game and he was finally doing it.
3.) Offensive Spark with length and height. He clearly provides us with some nice mismatches and he’s never afraid to shoot. I’ve seen BRANDON hesitate this year to shoot… never Outlaw. Considering that’s his job, i love it.
4.) I just like the guy.

I’ve been on the fence between him and webster this year. Outlaws improved defense and his flexibility in the SF/PF position as opposed to Webster SF/SG has me liking what I have in Outlaw more than in previous years.

My main concern is endgame decisions in the play-offs and whether he keeps up that defense. Because his endgame isn’t always strong and could be a weakness/gamble in the play-offs and because his defense is new I offer a contract like Websters. He’s injured and unfortunately can’t prove what he could have done. If he wants a one year contract to try again, i’m all for it.

If I keep Outlaw, I trade Webster. Batum is the starting SF no question. Outlaw is the back-up SF/PF.

"Fernandez, to my eyes, is the Blazer who walks that walk most comfortably. A lot of Portland's fans (egged on, dare I say, by their local broadcasters) lament things like how Ron Artest or Yao Ming get to hit Brandon Roy's arms.

But I suspect Fernandez sees all that and thinks: We get to hit arms! Cool!"

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-39-135/On-Playoff-Experience.html

"I told Pau the Lakers never win here in Portland; I think it's great." -- Rudy Fernandez

by ratbastird on Dec 4, 2009 9:16 AM PST reply actions

All that said

I think the team misses Batum AND Travis. Batum helps blake look good.

But I suspect Fernandez sees all that and thinks: We get to hit arms! Cool!"

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-39-135/On-Playoff-Experience.html

"I told Pau the Lakers never win here in Portland; I think it's great." -- Rudy Fernandez

by ratbastird on Dec 4, 2009 9:18 AM PST up reply actions

HERE HERE RASTA

Numerically Blazers Edge is #25

by Outlaw is Rejector on Dec 4, 2009 7:45 PM PST up reply actions

I can take 2-3 Fade Away jump shots by Outlaw any game.

Outlaw is SO important to this team. He’s one of the few clutch Blazers and he takes a huge load off Brandon Roy’s shoulders. I would NOT trade travis. Trade Blake !

by Iwvelez on Dec 4, 2009 5:11 PM PST reply actions