A quick rundown of '09 possibilities.

Looks like we won’t have any problem getting our back-up 4 (If Freeland stays in Europe). Bass and Wilcox are unrestricted FAs. If we want, we could also get Juan Navarro’s rights for cheap, probably, or just sign him outright and bet the Grizz won’t match.

I’m leaning towards staying put at the 3, and see how Martell does coming back. And see if Batum can shoot 1000 jumpers a day in the summer and make other teams sad when they leave him open on the perimeter. This changes if Prince or Grainger becomes available for cheap, of course.

Even if they let Kidd walk away. That could be a real chance, to get him at a lower cost than Joel and at about the same it would cost to extend Channing.

Ariza is a possibility.
Cuban likes Bass and will probably pay to keep him.
Powe is a tad too undersized IMO (he’s about 6’5") but he really can hustle.
I think Jazz keep millsap and let boozer walk.

I doubt the L*kers let Ariza go, but forcing the price up hurts them. I’m for that.

Cuban loves Bass, but if they pay the 7-8 million that we could, he’ll ruin his chance for any of the 2010 FA’s. That might be too much to sacrifice. Bass is 12th best player in the league at hitting 2 point jumpers (between Calderon and Okur), in addition to his hustle, that would be a near perfect fit on our second unit next to Przy.

Powe is the opposite of that, but with his hustle still a great fit. While he is only 6’8" (<—-not 6’5") he has a 7’2" wingspan, which seems to be the more important number these days. He currently is the 3rd best player in the NBA at grabbing offensive rebounds (16), and 80 of his shots come from the paint.

I’d put money on the Jazz not letting Millsap go as well. But we can at least make them earn it by offering him that full amount.

but I keep thinking that he’s going back to spain after this year for some reason. I guess maybe, but i like sergio better, I had navarro on 2k8 and could never play well with him, lol

But not for a few years.
He may come over this year, but he’ll be a practice dummy for a few years.
Of course I said the same thing about Batum, even suggesting that he’d be better served in Euro-league, so my opinion is suspect.

I’m not down on our players at these positions just explaining why most of the discussion is at pg and sf. I’m just as much a homey as anyone. I like all of our players. I’m impressed with how much Blake and Sergio both have improved their games. I’ve dreaded trading away Martel and Travis before their potential was realized, and I like the raw talent in Batum and Bayless. I love Frye as well but have to say from a basketball standpoint he is the only guy performing less well than I expected. My friendly advice to him, if he wants to play is to get a back to the basket game.

But if this team in Portland is going to become what we all want it to be, we can’t be over-concerned with what/where players are at right now… Portland is kinda forced to look two years down the road because of the Oden-Factor. If Oden really is the right pick that is going to anchor a championship winning team (which I believe he is), we know he is not going be full-force until mid-season next year. That is our window… plus Portland has the true youngest roster in the league that still needs a little more tweaking to the rotation and developing of the FOUR rookies that are playing major roles right now. Just because you can look at stats and say “Yes there definitely to be higher on this list at this position” only tells part of the story.

Simply saying that, compared to OTHER teams, our PG slot and SF slot are less impactful than our opponents doesn’t tell the real story and would be undervaluing the EFFORTS that the Portland Brass has been putting in to build this young talent and financial flexibility. Obviously SF positioin can IMPROVE, but with young/highly-talented players like Webster and Batum, and Outlaw too, there will be improvement next year and the year after for sure without making a move. Whereas we do not have that clear-cut fourt post player (after LA, Oden and Pryz), it is clear that Frye’s game doesn’t give the team what they are lacking in post defense and scoring, the fit requires improvement, not the PER stats. Same with Sergio, I like the kid and undoubtedly he has NBA game, but it just seems too much that his fit here in Portland with Nate’s defensive focus and B-Roy being the dominate ball-handler, etc. that Serg could do better for himself. Portland has done exceptionally well developing young guys, Sergio included, but his fit in the “Ultimate Portland KP-PLan” just doesn’t seem to be there.

With a little more time, KP and Nate can really boil down what the rotation would be best set at before losing the VISION and making moves that would lose young developing talent or screw up the financial flexibility.

Does PER account for minutes per game? Does it account for pace? And are you considering our players’ age?

I would love to see Crash on our team, but I was ecstatic we did not trade Batum to get him. Batum is special. He will undoubtedly work on his 3 pt shot over the summer to become a real threat. The kid is lanky and plays a mature game as it is. Watch out for him. I think he should be starting over a healthy Martell. But I think you have made it clear Martell would be AT LEAST an average backup (although he is still young and learning).

After tonight’s game I’m hesitant to talk about the PG position—Blake played a near perfect game—but I think we could use a solid starter. Someone with “cred” who can help players play the right way. Really I like Blake, though, so I waffle on this..but I think getting Andre Miller or Kidd (both achievable this summer) would help. In the long run, I think its hands down Bayless’ job to lose.

and he would get free health care

I’d love to see Oden with Outlaw, Webster, Rudy, and Roy surrounding him.

I’d like Rudy and Roy to increase their ball-handling capabilities and defense-abillity to be able to go with those two in the back court.

A hot five, with Aldridge, Bayless, Blake, and Batum chafing to get off the bench. Why trade? – Elgin