Rose Garden Speculation
by Ben Golliver on Feb 18, 2009 6:30 PM PST
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PrintThe buzz around the arena generally contradicts Chad Ford's earlier report from this afternoon that the Blazers are likely done trading.
[Note (6:43PM): Ford has now updated his report to concur with the talk going on here in the building].
Media sources inside the Rose Garden continue to believe something large is still in the works.
One source noted his unusual inability to contact a go-to management source (even after the Ruffin/Diogu deal), speculating that his Blazers management contact was simply too busy dealing with offers to return phone calls and/or text messages. This source also said that today's deal does not in any way impact the value that RLEC possesses in the eyes of other teams that are struggling financially. "Other teams will call and call and call. They want that chip."
Another media source confirmed reports that Pritchard continues to field phone calls, concluding that you as a fan should "continue holding your breath until noon." This same media member used the Salmons deal as evidence that RLEC will move. "That's the package the Kings got for Salmons? The Kings would have rather had RLEC and Salmons made sense here in Portland. If Portland doesn't get Salmons, that's a signal they have something better on the table."
The flipside to this line of reasoning, of course, is that it could be a signal that Portland wants to keep the salary relief for themselves. Another caveat to the line of reasoning above: Chicago did take back Miller's contract. Portland was not likely to do this. Chicago did burden the Kings with Nocioni's extra-long deal, so it's not like the Kings maximized their ability to shed salary commitments. The feeling is Portland could have made a much better offer for Salmons than Chicago ended up making, if Salmons was their target.
One other thing to keep in mind: Both Chad Ford and Ian Thomsen have written at some point that they believe Portland will probably stand pat with RLEC. Those two guys are at or near the top with league-wide sources.
Kevin Pritchard was not courtside before the game, as he usually is. No surprise there.
Whether the Blazers turn the phone calls into another move remains anyone's guess.
UPDATE: A third media source checks in to add to the confusion, stating "Doing this minor deal and leaving it at that is straight out of the Kevin Pritchard and Tom Penn playbook. They move on from this deal with solid flexibility and do the heavy lifting when they prefer to do it -- around the draft or during the offseason."
UPDATE 2:
Here's Quick's very clean explanation of a trade exception
.Catching up on some internet rumors, here's Adrian W.'s take on Yahoo...
The Bucks have been engaged in talks with the Portland Trail Blazers about a package that would include Jefferson for the expiring contract of Raef LaFrentz and Travis Outlaw. The Cavaliers have been active in seeking talent to surround LeBron James for a title run.
The Blazers are also taking with the Nets about Vince Carter, an Eastern Conference official said. The proposed deal now is Carter, Maurice Ager and Chris Douglas-Roberts for LaFrentz, Outlaw and Sergio Rodriguez.
Here's Chad Ford's latest...
Another source also confirmed that the Blazers did make a call to the Bucks to renew discussions of a possible Jefferson for Raef LaFrentz swap. The two teams had spoken on and off about a deal for several weeks but the Bucks hadn't heard from them in recent days.
The Blazers, as of this evening, were also still trying to find a way to put together a better package for Gerald Wallace after the Bobcats turned down an preliminary LaFrentz for Wallace offer earlier in the day. The Bobcats would still like the Blazers to take back Nazr Mohammed or to throw Nicolas Batum into a deal.
-- Ben (benjamin.golliver@gmail.com)
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we now have around 11 million then available
for returning trade value this summer, with cap space and the trade exception?
by winnerwinner on Feb 18, 2009 6:36 PM PST up reply actions
let the Nail Biting continue ...chomp chomp chomp....
Rudyculize: The act of Rudy making others look slow, dim and generally oafish.
http://www.myspace.com/y5k
If we lose tonight, let's try changing it from
Fire Nate! to Fire KP!
It’ll obviously be his fault for not being courtside to encourage the team.
Want more aggressiveness? Try less Baylesslessness.
more ben...more.....
we need 20 min updates…from here on out…
n I mean sanity is at stake here….
don’t skrew us benny boy…
WE’RE COUNTING ON YOU!
k…maybe not that dramatic. but yeah….even nothing is news if it is printed here..so it should somewhere be in this format for you and davey boy…
0100 hrs….nothing happens.
0120 hrs…..nothing happens…
0134 hrs… prichard is sighted going to the restroom frustrated with one thumb at light speed and the other wiping (we know …we used a mirror)
0140 hrs……nothing happens….
0200 hrs….. the phone calls die down from 50 per min to 45….the switchboard operator is getting nervious …
…and so forth…
please? remember….SANITY IS AT STAKE HERE!!!! :)
The Faith don't panic, the faith freaks out burns out farms and torchs small villages in the name of The Faith.
KP, push the button
http://www.blazersedge.com/2009/2/18/763607/i-hope-kp-likes-him-some-c
Brandon is one of those quiet assassins. - Chris Paul
Hahah
LOL @ Chad Ford. I don’t know who is “sources” are but they definitely aren’t people involved in the NBA. He’s about as off with his speculation as can possibly be. His analysis of team needs and trades is borderline retarded.
UPDATE: A third media source checks in to add to the confusion, stating “Doing this minor deal and leaving it at that is straight out of the Kevin Pritchard and Tom Penn playbook. They move on from this deal with solid flexibility and do the heavy lifting when they prefer to do it — around the draft or during the offseason.”
by Ben Golliver on Feb 18, 2009 6:46 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
Thats exactly why....
They have to make a move. KP needs to mix things up. Keep the other guys on his toes. I
I could very well see the trade exception used in that way around draft day, to get a pic for taking on a player a team wants to shed at the last minute
Brandon is one of those quiet assassins. - Chris Paul
I love this.
Rudyculize: The act of Rudy making others look slow, dim and generally oafish.
http://www.myspace.com/y5k
BIG SURPRISE DURING PLAYER INTRODUCTIONS!!!!
Rudy Gay will be starting for my Blazers.
KP fooled us all. Except for me.
RLEC and trout and sergio would be hasta la vista for me
by TyROYasaurus REX on Feb 18, 2009 6:49 PM PST reply actions
yet ford just posted on ESPN saying we were working with Charlotte and NJ
for Wallace or Carter. Still fielding calls this evening, working on a better deal..
that doesnt sound done to me!?
It was "mascot night" at the Rose Garden, which apparently translates to a dozen inflatable versions of various NBA mascots being chased around the arena by Portland's "Blaze", which is some breed of rapist dog. -PostingandToasting
by GreatOden'sRaven on Feb 18, 2009 6:49 PM PST reply actions
good looks was away from the computer for awhile and had the link saved from his previous update. will update now.
by Ben Golliver on Feb 18, 2009 6:51 PM PST up reply actions
And NJ swapped out pretty much all pieces rumored earlier. That deal seems to be in float
P.S.: All guys rumored are playing tonight
Brandon is one of those quiet assassins. - Chris Paul
yeah but you dont hold them out unless you have a deal firmly agreed upon.
games still count today. :)
It was "mascot night" at the Rose Garden, which apparently translates to a dozen inflatable versions of various NBA mascots being chased around the arena by Portland's "Blaze", which is some breed of rapist dog. -PostingandToasting
by GreatOden'sRaven on Feb 18, 2009 6:55 PM PST up reply actions
RLEC is being auctioned off to the highest bidder.
The only way we don’t make a deal is if the offers don’t meet our reserve price.
If players of the quality of Salmons doesn’t meet our reserve price, then it must be pretty high.
In an auction, however, you don’t close the bidding until everyone’s done making offers… Which could very well be at about 11:59am tomorrow. We’ll just have to see.
Portland Trail Blazers, Future World Champions 2010-2021.
If they stand pat...
it’s disappointing for me, from a fan perspective…who was hoping for some fireworks…but maybe in the end it will turn out to be the best move for the team.
If they stand pat...
It will be because the moves weren’t the right ones. It’s better to make no move than to make the wrong move.
If we stand pat now, there will be fireworks this summer instead. That’s all.
Portland Trail Blazers, Future World Champions 2010-2021.
Perhaps we need jscot to do a post categorizing the different
types of fans. One similar to the types of bloggers.
One type I just don’t understand is the one made up of the fans who appear more interested in the excitement of seeing new faces constantly rotating in and out, than they do in watching their team win games. For me, that’s a case of having screwed up priorities.
Then there is my (least) favorite types – the junior GM’s and the I can coach better than that’s. The first seems more interested in dreaming about fantasy lineups or showing they too could make it in the world of NBA management, while the second are convinced they are knowledgeable enough to step into any head coaching job and do at least as well as the guy they are treplacing, if only given the chance.
I can tell you the sort of fireworks I’m hoping to see. The ones that come when Portland, having earned a top 4 seed, wins it’s first playoff series. If they do it with Channing Frye, Shav Randolph, Sergio and Tinkerbell starting, that’s fine with me. Because it will be my TEAM that wins.
hakkaa päälle !
Chad Ford
new updates on that page, doesn’t seem like he’s predicting they’ll stand pat — just seems like they could go in many different possible directions. Fact is, nobody knows nuttin at this point, which is just the way it should be.
If we don't make a deal I'm going to be disappointed
I feel we have a chance to compete deep into the playoffs this year by making a move that won’t cost us any of our key pieces for the future. I think it should be done.
If we stand pat, and Penn and Pritchard make a dramatic improvement to the roster in the offseason, I’ll end up being ok with it.
For now, it would be a significant disappointment for me though. I want Wallace, Jefferson or Carter.
Boomshakalaka
We need more time to evaluate both Sergio and Frye.
Tonight could be key.
by hotstuffdb22 on Feb 18, 2009 6:59 PM PST up reply actions
but it's FUNNNN!!!! :B
The Faith don't panic, the faith freaks out burns out farms and torchs small villages in the name of The Faith.
Yep.
I have five threads open in different tabs so I can follow them all at once…lol. I suck at life.
that's not true!!! :) you still got one and it's shared with soooo many....
you’re life skills have futher advanced the sooner you realize that :)
I think anyway :)
The Faith don't panic, the faith freaks out burns out farms and torchs small villages in the name of The Faith.
but I read alot into too much of too little....
I’m sure it was a joke…
BUT THE SAYING STILL GOES!!! BLAZER BLOGS RULE ALL SOCIAL NETWORKS!!!
but I hate everyone equally so… :)
The Faith don't panic, the faith freaks out burns out farms and torchs small villages in the name of The Faith.
Memphis acquired Chris Mihm and cash from the Lakers for a future second round pick, if you missed that Ben
2013, and protected. Salary dump by LA. Markus Camby light deal.
Brandon is one of those quiet assassins. - Chris Paul
twitter def the best place
for breaking news.
Rip City Baby...People have no idea what is coming.
Follow my twitter www.twitter.com/PDXBlazersFTW, @PDXBlazersFTW. Lots of random Blazer Posts from links I find around the blogosphere.
does anyone else wonder what Chicago's going to do with Deng and Salmons?
Perhaps Deng is the next one to move?
Bring back the Uncle Cliffy!
right into
portlands open wallets.
Rip City Baby...People have no idea what is coming.
Follow my twitter www.twitter.com/PDXBlazersFTW, @PDXBlazersFTW. Lots of random Blazer Posts from links I find around the blogosphere.
And why not?
We don’t need money, we need a player upgrade, either now or in July.
theres speculation in the arena that chicago is very likely to make another deal
by Ben Golliver on Feb 18, 2009 7:24 PM PST up reply actions
I'm so conflicted
Why can’t we have a GAME/TRADE DAY OPEN THREAD??
"Brian (Outlaw is Rejector) is now on the fan saying he put this on to see what would happen " - 123_G.O._RipCity
by Outlaw is Rejector on Feb 18, 2009 7:26 PM PST reply actions
My two cents on the Vince Carter thing: Rod Thorn drives a hard bargain, and he usually holds firm at the deadline until the other guy decides whether to blink. Two years ago, he wouldn’t send Jason Kidd to the Lakers unless they sent Andrew Bynum back. Last year, he wanted two unprotected No. 1s along with Devin Harris from the Mavs, and he got them. And on this one, my gut tells me that if Thorn can get the Blazers to give him Travis Outlaw, Rudy Fernandez, $3 million and a bunch of those extra second-round picks the Blazers are holding (their own, New York’s and Denver’s in 2009, their own and the Bulls’ in 2010) along with Raef LaFrentz’s expiring contract, the Nets will do it.
Rod Thorn is out of his damn mind if that’s what he is asking for.
Founder of the "Crash Batumcoot" Movement.
smoking crack more like it.
The Faith don't panic, the faith freaks out burns out farms and torchs small villages in the name of The Faith.
no, he's not out of his mind
he just forgot what year it is
"It’s a good ol’ fashioned Rip City beat down!"
What did Quick say about
Danny Graninger? It sounded like something new. I know that is darn near impossible. But talk about a stud. Anyone but Roy and I’m in.
"Stupid Chuck Norris" ...White Goodman
if Portland got Danny Granger
we could start planning parades right now.
It won’t happen though… just curious, when did Quick mention him? Seems odd.
by Cablinasian on Feb 18, 2009 10:12 PM PST up reply actions
Portland had better make a deal
or I world have gotten behind in my classes for nothing
bayless leaves over my dead body
BREAKING: Hornets' Tyson Chandler trade with Thunder is rescinded
Founder of the "Crash Batumcoot" Movement.
WOW!
I thought you were kidding, til I checked myself!! UFF DA!
by teenagemutantninjabayless on Feb 18, 2009 8:05 PM PST up reply actions
you don't suppose....
we wouldn’t….
throw a kink in the sheets by sending a message of…“if you were just gonna do that, we’d have given you”….etc ect…..
would we?
The Faith don't panic, the faith freaks out burns out farms and torchs small villages in the name of The Faith.
good looks. new post on mainpage for discussion.
by Ben Golliver on Feb 18, 2009 8:13 PM PST up reply actions
Is anyone else weirded out by MJ’s obsession with French dudes for his teams? Alexis Ajinca, Boris Diaw, now he wants Batum….Was the French national team really good in the Olympics and I missed it? What’s up with that?
Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there.
--Will Rogers
I meant for his team, doh!
but the point still stands
Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there.
--Will Rogers
Question on Miles Contract
If it’s back on our books for this year and next, can we trade it as an expiring contract next year??
OK, so if you don't play the player you are going to trade
does it mean anything that Bayless got no minutes tonight?
Yeah, no playing time for Raef either.
:p
I dunno… that would have to be a great deal for us, to give up Bayless.
by Cablinasian on Feb 18, 2009 10:22 PM PST up reply actions
Jason Quick today
“I think something big is gonna happen… I believe it will be a watershed day for portland tomorrow…We’ve been hearing names like Vince Carter, Richard Jefferson, Danny Granger, Andre Miller”
Brandon is one of those quiet assassins. - Chris Paul
He's trying to taunt me.
Curse him. Granger is in my top 5 of favorite NBA players. Curse you Jason Quick. Curse you for ruining my sleep.
by Cablinasian on Feb 18, 2009 10:22 PM PST up reply actions
I prepare for Jefferson and Ridnour and hope for more
And cure for less :)
Brandon is one of those quiet assassins. - Chris Paul
I wouldn't mind Jefferson
he makes us good. Granger… he’d make us great. That would be even worse than the Gasol heist, though. I don’t think Larry Bird wants to be known as the guy who sold Danny Granger.
by Cablinasian on Feb 18, 2009 10:28 PM PST up reply actions
Vince Carter
would be FTL. The rest of them I would be anywhere with Ok (Jefferson, Miller) to ecstatic (Granger).
Why?
Granger??
The only reason that Indy would move Granger is to have someone take Tinsley and some of their terrible contracts (Murphy, Dunleavy) off their hands. Something like this perhaps.
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=cygfjd
oh my
those are horrible contracts. 10 million for three years for Troy Murphy? Yikes.
Anyone know if Indy is in financial turmoil?
by Cablinasian on Feb 18, 2009 10:32 PM PST up reply actions
The owners are real estate entrepreneurs. That maaaaay be an indication
Brandon is one of those quiet assassins. - Chris Paul
fascinating
this Granger thing might have legs. What size ring does Roy wear? He should get sized before the 09/10 season.
Why?
Well, the owner of LeBron's club owns Quicken
Good business climate for financial software, or not? Many teams are in trouble, some because of their owners businesses, some because of own problems. Many will really start to feel the impact once sponsors and season ticket holders don’t renew for the next season.
Brandon is one of those quiet assassins. - Chris Paul
As to financial turmoil
unless you are into Silver/Gold and a handful of other things your finances are in turmoil. The real question is does Indy’s owner have deep pockets? I guarantee Paul Allen is losing millions if not billions in the past few years. The difference is he can absorb that impact, others can’t.
Why?
According to Forbes
Herb Simon is the 301st richest American with a net worth of ~$1.6 billion. So he has deep pockets but the Murphy and Dunleavy contracts are two of the worst contracts in the NBA right now.
not to mention Tinsley
man those are some bad deals.
by Cablinasian on Feb 18, 2009 10:47 PM PST up reply actions
hey
if KP gets it done for RLEC and three or less assets, I love him.
Granger plays defense… and shoots the three… and drives… and passes… and is a great community guy… and is an engineer…
by Cablinasian on Feb 18, 2009 10:46 PM PST up reply actions
haha yeah
in all honesty, I don’t see anyway this happens. I mean…
It’s Danny freakin’ Granger.
by Cablinasian on Feb 18, 2009 10:52 PM PST up reply actions
i go to a friends house for a few hours
and what happens while i’m gone? Michael Ruffin becomes a Blazer? what the h?
"I saw him in the face"
by RoodiePhirnandizz on Feb 18, 2009 10:42 PM PST reply actions
it's for just those kinds of reasons you should always drink alone.
by raoulduke on Feb 18, 2009 10:51 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Anyone else see this story?
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=TradeTalkRoundup-090218
"I’m also hearing that the Nets and Blazers were negotiating late into the night over Vince Carter. One of the hang-ups now is Portland’s insistence that New Jersey include the 2011 first-round pick the Nets acquired from the Golden State Warriors in any deal for Carter.
It’s pretty tough at the moment to get a handle on what the Blazers are doing. They talked to the Bucks, Bobcats and Nets on Wednesday. And one source insists that there’s still a possibility the Blazers won’t do anything."
...things go well I might be showing my O face...O...O...O...you know what I'm talking about.
Also there was a foot note at the bottom...I'd rather have RJ than Carter anyday.
“My two cents on the Vince Carter thing: Rod Thorn drives a hard bargain, and he usually holds firm at the deadline until the other guy decides whether to blink. Two years ago, he wouldn’t send Jason Kidd to the Lakers unless they sent Andrew Bynum back. Last year, he wanted two unprotected No. 1s along with Devin Harris from the Mavs, and he got them. And on this one, my gut tells me that if Thorn can get the Blazers to give him Travis Outlaw, Rudy Fernandez, $3 million and a bunch of those extra second-round picks the Blazers are holding (their own, New York’s and Denver’s in 2009; their own and the Bulls’ in 2010) along with Raef LaFrentz’s expiring contract, the Nets will go for it.”
...things go well I might be showing my O face...O...O...O...you know what I'm talking about.
Well Rod Thorn can forget
any deal that involves Rudy! I’d rather give them our 1st round draft pick than Rudy. For those that think KP wouldn’t trade a 1st rounder because of his love for the Draft, remember we just got the trade exception worth $3 mill i.e a draft pick in the 1st round.
With all this waiting, I am getting a feeling that nothing else will happen. Perhaps KP is scared to make a big trade. There is a large risk with any big trade and with our team being so young and talented, he might be scared to disrupt the chemistry. Its always easier to stand still and not take a big gamble. Does KP have the guts to make a big trade?
The takeaway from all this is
no one aside from the folks in the front office have any idea of what is going to happen. Those claiming to actually know anything at this point are probably being disingenuous.
We should have a podcast with the front office guys then
Brandon is one of those quiet assassins. - Chris Paul
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