Post-Deadline Podcast

Yes – Oden, LMA, Roy

Next:
Bayless
Batum
Rudy

I’d add Pryz to the list…

Outlaw too…??

Who was Casey pointing at that could be traded from the “next” group? I think he was talking about Rudy. But, I disagree with his criticism here. Rudy is new to the NBA and I sense Casey is holding Rudy up to a higher standard than the other rookies. He’s only 23. I think we should give every player at least 1-1.5 years before placing them in the “trade-able” category.

He said something to the effect of:

For everyone who reads national writers and religiously follows them, I want to make the point that almost every national writer said Billups for Iverson was lopsided in the Pistons favor. Months later, I think you can see that’s absolutely not true.

Consider that when taking those words of gospel about trades…I think the Billups trade obviously made Denver much much better. Pistons didn’t get any better; you could argue they got much worse.

Don’t forget the key thing here—the Pistons weren’t trying to get better or “get over the hump” to get to a championship game. They knew they were getting worse, in the short run. They traded Billups as part of their rebuilding process that is centered around the development of a championship team built around Rodney Stuckey.

The Pistons were able to trade Chauncy Billups, who is owed 12 million next year, 13 million the following year, and 14 million the year after that…i.e. the 2011-2012 season. (though only partially guaranteed for 4 million, according to Storyteller)

The Pistons realized that they couldn’t win championships as constructed; they were going to get beat by the Celtics or Cavs—end of story. So they traded Billups, a good player, AND his multi-year contract, for a serviceable replacement this year and, most importantly, a 20 million dollar expiring contract.

That means next year they’re looking

Rip Hamilton — 11 and a half mil
Tayshaun Prince — 10 mil
Amir Johnson — 3 and a half mil
Antonio McDyess — 2 mil
Jason Maxiell — 5 mil
Rodney Stuckey — 1.8 mil
Arron Afflalo — 1 mil
Walter Sharp — .75 million

Options:
Player option
Kwame Brown — 4 million

Team Options
Alex Acker — 0.8 mil
Will Bynum — 0.8 mil

Assuming Kwame’s player option is picked up, that’s still less than 40 million in guaranteed contracts—plenty of room for deals.

On the surface, Denver did get the better end of the deal. They’re winning big and Carmelo is happy, the fans are happy, everything is peachy.

Beneath the surface though, it becomes apparent that the Pistons have a rebuilding plan similar to Portland—get youth, rebuild. As you guys mentioned on the podcast, beat writers are talking about trading Prince not because of any specific issues, but because he’s old. He doesn’t fit their new “window” that is centered around Stuckey.

Meanwhile, Denver is locked into Kenyon Martin, Carmelo, Chauncey, Nene, and JR Smith for at least the next two years to the tune of over 50 million. Is that a core that can win you a championship? They’re looking like a good team, maybe even a Western Conference Finalist, but I don’t see them winning a ring against the Lakers.

Hate to make a painful comparison, but at best I see them being the turn-of-the-millennium Blazers—knocking on the door of a championship berth, but losing to the Lakers.

In short, I think we need to wait and see what Detroit does with their cap space and new “youth movement” before declaring them the losers in the Billups deal. Just like people had to wait to see the genius of our own contract dumps that brought us Roy, Oden, LMA, Rudy, etc.

if, in one of your radio broadcasts, you need to cite the positions or opinions of one of us who can basically speak for all the rest, keep me in mind.

In case you’re wondering, I’m happy that no major trades were made yesterday. I think you could describe my state of mind as “content”.

Thanks!

Norsk, Blazerfan1, and TiH getting a shout out.

Joe Smith-Mikki Moore type fella? If the Celtics can do it, I suppose I don’t understand why the Blazers couldn’t… With Oden’s injuries and Frye’s uh…. uh… Frye’s situation, seems like it might be a reasonable thing to do.

nice podcast guys. :-)

lol Dave, how do you know who chastity is…
i also hate that name for a girl…setting her up for serious disappointment.

Sophia

Its really great to hear you guys talkin ball, oh and, can we reinstate lucas and get him back on the floor?