Last minute thoughts about what the Blazer's need

Most of the endless banter about trades revolves around which targeted player is better and what price would need to be paid to acquire the targeted player.  For instance, we repeatedly debate the relative merits of Jefferson, Butler, Wallace and Carter.  

All these conversations make sense on one level, but it seems to me that we should spend more time discussing what the Blazer's need at the SF position before we discuss the relative merits of the various players, or the wisdom of standing pat.  Here are a few thoughts:

1)  Improved perimeter defense:  given Blake's limitations as a defender, and Roy's propensity to coast a bit on defense, we need someone willing and able to defend.

2)  Spot up shooting:  because of the strength and size of Oden and LMA, and because of Roy's ability to get to the rim, most teams clog the middle against Portland.  Our SF needs to be someone who can shoot over the top.  This was evident with Jones last year, and evident again during Blake's absence.  For those like me who love Bayless' potential, this need for a SF who can hit from deep is doubly important because Baylless' strength is going to the rim.

3)  Ability to create his own shot.  If we are going to trade Outlaw, we need someone who can replace some of Outlaw's ability to get his own shot.  Trout's defense makes many of us crazy, but there is no denying that Portland tends to rely on his offensive skill down the stretch to give the team an alternative to Roy.

Other B Edgers may have see our needs differently.  Chime in, give us your thoughts.

Next, how do these needs effect our evaluation of various potential moves?

Wallace:  is probably the best defender of the guys being discussed.  He is almost certainly the best rebounder, but rebounding is already a strength.  On offense, Wallace is a slasher, and probably the least proficient outside shooter with a 3 pt  percentage of  only .250.  I see potential spacing problems with a starting five of Oden, LMA, Wallace, Roy, and Blake.  The team will be very dependent on Blake to provide outside shooting, this may make it harder to develop Bayless.

Butler: is probably the best overall player of the group, but he doesn't appear to be available and he is not a particularly good 3pt shooter with a career percentage of only .318.

Jefferson:  is by reputation a decent, but not great, defender.  He was a top defender during his NJ days but has seemed to fall of a bit during the past couple of years.  Whether he can regain that edge is key to deciding his value.  On offense, his overall shooting percentage is down, but he is having his best year from 3 pt range at .418 and is taking more attempts this year at 3.2 per game.  If he can continue to develop his outside shooting he could be a very good fit.

Carter:  Carter is clearly the most offensively skilled player of this group.  He has a career PER a little over 20.  He is shooting .390 from distance.  The question with him is three-fold:  1)  will he play good defense? I think so, True Hoop has a great story about Carter http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-38-202/What-s-Vince-Carter-Worth-.html.  The stat geeks seem to think Vince's defense is under-rated.  2) Is he too old?  I think this is the obvious risk, but think that the answer to this depends on how one evaluates Batum and Webster.  If you think Webster and/or Batum is going to develop into a high quality starter with-in the next couple of years, Carter may be just the ticket.  He will be ready to accept a reduced role as the young guys develop.  In particular, Carter could be a great teacher for the young guys especially Webster because they have fairly similar physiques and good shooting strokes.

I suppose this post is sort of silly, because KP is going to do whatever he is going to do before this post even gets dry, but hopefully any discussion this generates will help us gain insight into whatever unfolds today.  In KP, we trust.