Quick: PA OK's Afterburners
by Dave on Jun 22, 2009 12:44 AM PDT
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Jason Quick is reporting that Portland Trail Blazers owner Paul Allen has given General Manager Kevin Pritchard at least the green light, if not the mandate, to improve the team over the summer. Quick himself indicates that such a command is nebulous by nature, as theoretically it's the job of every General Manager to improve the team. But the sentiment reads, "No more waiting. The window is opening. Make sure we're ready to jump through."
What does this mean for the team's off-season plans?
First of all, it looks more likely than ever that the draft will be a minor part of the Blazers summer unless they plan to risk a massive move upwards in the draft order. "Make sure the team gets better this summer" isn't congruent with "Make our best move acquiring a rookie with the #24 pick." Moving out of the first round entirely is a strong possibility. Think second-round picks and cross your fingers that one or more can earn a roster spot.
Second, we've been saying for more than a year that moves will be made this summer. Moves are going to be attempted this summer, that's for sure. The only conceivable contingency that could leave the team's rotation unaltered come fall is an utter lack of reasonable trading possibilities. In other words, if we see the same lineup fielded next year it will indicate the Blazers went with their third or fourth option at best. It's not impossible but it's not likely. Know that anyone with persistent questions surrounding them is available, if not gone.
Keep a strong, strong eye on veteran point guards (as if you haven't already) and either great scoring or great all-around small forwards. Given the recent chatter about Martell Webster still not being all the way back, don't bank on him being a solid bet at small forward come fall. Assume at this point the Blazers have one true small foward, that being Nicolas Batum, and a bunch of other guys filling in. Approaching the issue from that angle may give you a clue as to possible Portland moves.
Finally, discard some of the financial constraints under which the team has been operating over the last few years. The Blazers aren't likely to cross the luxury tax line this early, but they will probably have to following the re-signing of the core players. They will be looking to use the money they've budgeted between now and that time to make the biggest impact possible. They're not likely to go in the middle. Depending on who is interested in doing business they'll either spend as little as possible on targeted, cheap veterans to get them through the next year or they'll be willing to blow a significant amount on the acquisition they think will take them to the next level both now and later. Between the young talent and the possibility of cap space, if Portland is going to make a splashy move, this will be the time to do it.
--Dave (blazersub@yahoo.com)
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Great just stinkin great
after i just finally convinced myself that all we would do is trade sergio draft a backup 4 and and flip this years 4 second rounders for 8 of next years second rounders. Crap now im gonna be nervous and it wont stop after the draft cause it sounds like were making a splash in free agency. thanks mr. allen for the next few weeks of restless nights, and ive got school too! ugh
by HurricaneDayne on Jun 22, 2009 2:34 AM PDT up reply actions
Allright… giggitty giggitty goo… allright
I'll try anything twice!
by carlitosbonitos on Jun 22, 2009 12:54 AM PDT reply actions
Turk seems like a legitimate option
except that we don’t have the cap room to sign him outright.
by blacknoiseNW on Jun 22, 2009 9:10 AM PDT up reply actions
I fell like this is the moment
when someone should pump a shot gun and say something like “this just got real”
you will have to excuse me as I just started watching the Wire.
Life is exhausting when you are this stupid.
Hollywood loves the theatrics of guns, even though a large number of Hollywood types ....
…. are lucky to be able tell which end the bullet thingy’s come out.
hakkaa päälle !
It sure would be nice
to know which players WANT to come to Portland, even if their GM’s wouldn’t let it happen.
What does a Blazer do? He blazes! Where? Up the trail. Why? Portland dunks the ball! Believe RubiOden will happen.
Another mountain out of a molehill
If memory serves me, the Blazers won 54 games last season, they potentially have four rosters spots to fill, and Sergio wants to be traded. Obviously improvements/adjustments will be made. Folks are going to dissect every quote from that article trying to get their fix for their crack-like addiction to trades.
Regarding Martel, the Blazers won 54 games with Batum starting last year. Martel had better be ready by the start of the season or there will be an adjustment at SF by the trade deadline. Not to mention that Batum should improve as well. I doubt KP, Nate, and Mr. Allen see the small forward position as a bigger priority than the point guard position.
KP will most likely draft and keep at least one rookie, who is not a project, just to have a guy to bring the donuts and then acquire a veteran point guard via trade or free agency.
Bottom line, is that it is going to be a long miserable summer filled with ridiculous trade proposals and speculation made by trade fanboys until KP makes a deal. I know I will pray to any god who will listen to get it over with as quickly as possible.
by tominhawaii on Jun 22, 2009 4:49 AM PDT reply actions 5 recs
I disagree.
Bottom line, is that it is going to be a long miserable summer filled with ridiculous trade proposals and speculation made by trade fanboys until KP makes a deal.
The ridiculous trade proposals and speculation will continue long after Pritchard makes a deal, making for a long miserable fall and winter as well.
μὴ φοβοῦ, μόνον πίστευε.
Thursday night
I suspect
"You're welcome friend
I love you."
- Tom "Dragline" inHawaii
by 92wastheyear on Jun 22, 2009 9:24 AM PDT up reply actions
I have a great trade idea: Greg and Nic for LeBron next summer.
I broke the ESPN trade machine with that one, ha ha.
by MiledAnimal on Jun 22, 2009 10:17 AM PDT up reply actions
I don't think they would do it
for some reason
"You're welcome friend
I love you."
- Tom "Dragline" inHawaii
by 92wastheyear on Jun 22, 2009 10:26 AM PDT up reply actions
Definitely rec'd
A voice of reason in a sea of trade proposals.
Players, players everywhere, and not a one to blink,
Players, players, everywhere, and all the BEdge board did shrink.
Lord deliver me from temptation, I shall not trade my young talent for aging veterans.
by upper left corner on Jun 22, 2009 8:14 AM PDT up reply actions
This article scares me.
…..and our team was doing so well.
I feel a mistake is about to be made.
Brandon Roy just destroyed everything in his path. There's your rational analysis -- Dave
Also: COMCAST SUCKS!
by TwoDeep on Jun 22, 2009 4:53 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
All Allen says is "make sure this team is ready to win a title" - maybe with a little doubt that they are
To evaluate where they stand and how to achieve that organically or via acquisitions is KP’s and Nate’s job. Nate seems to see a need for more veteran help despite being happy that Joel and Blake have become more “veterany”. KP at least some opportunities that could be good and that he wants to use if they materialize. I still don’t see a “move for the sake of making a big splash move”. If you want to see that, look e.g. to Kahn taking over the Wolves and calling his best two players the #2 respectively #4 on a championship team and pondering that 10 players could be exchanged until training camp 2010.
And even if the Blazers coaches and front office don’t see a big need for changes there will be roster spots to fill no matter if a trade is made or not. Unless you believe Ruffin, Shavlik, Channing and Raef all will be back from free agency and/or the Blazers don’t like anyone in the draft even in the second round and will go in the new season with 13 players like the most cost-sensitive teams. Plus we will hear about contract negotiations with LaMarcus and Roy.
Considering KP's statement:
“overall our time line has moved up”, to me the article had a more “ominous” tone than what you’re interpreting Norsktroll. No more letting the cake bake? No more letting the team grow organically?
You don’t know how much I hope I’m wrong, but the first thing crossing my mind after reading about PA suddenly wanting to expedite our time line for winning big, was that his cancer had come back. I’m surely hoping the origin of this new impatience on his part can be attributed to something else….. anything else …… like just getting older for instance. But I’m older than PA and I’m more than willing to wait for our young guys to develop. I’ll have to concede though that Allen has a bit more money invested in the team that do I.
I read this to mean we fans better start preparing to say goodbye to Rudy or Nic. I didn’t mention Travis because many fans have already prepared themselves for that goodbye.
Brandon Roy just destroyed everything in his path. There's your rational analysis -- Dave
Also: COMCAST SUCKS!
I read this to mean we fans better start preparing to say goodbye to Rudy or Nic. I didn’t mention Travis
Maybe Rudy or Batum, if KP gets an offer he can’t refuse
Outlaw is as good as gone, regardless of Nate’s “he won us a couple of games last year” comments
Will this article stop the “which PG are the Blazers going to draft at #24 debate”?
Probably not, but it should
I loved McMillian’s line re: they’ll “have to put me behind bars” before adding another rookie. No surprise, here.
I hope Paul is fine. I liked that statement better than contemplations about the status of his wallet.
That concern seems done if the right deal comes along.
Make sure the team gets better this summer
Obviously means Paul Allen want a NBA Summer league title. It doesn’t have anything to do with improving the team !
not sure there was anything new in that article except an optimistic spin from quick
by Ben Golliver on Jun 22, 2009 8:04 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
A sound observation.
The most I would read into this is that Allen is letting Pritchard know he doesn’t have to worry around cost, if the right deal develops. In other words, if KP has to take on a bad contract as part of a deal, his boss will be ok with paying it. Just as he did with Raef’s contract and with Stevie Franchise.
hakkaa päälle !
LaFrentz and Francis deals weren't just about taking on bad contracts
given that they were able to give up bad contracts in return (Ratliff’s in the LaFrentz trade and Randolph’s in the Francis trade). The LaFrentz trade was effectively a financial wash, and we were also able to perform a little lead to gold alchemy and turn Foye (7th pick) into Roy (6th pick) off that deal while getting rid of Telfair.
Francis was useless, but his contract + Frye was a big “addition by subtraction” move that ultimately saved money.
by blacknoiseNW on Jun 22, 2009 9:27 AM PDT up reply actions
the roy-telfair trade was not a financial wash
13 million dollars + luxury tax on the same amount is a lot of money
Ratliff was due to make $11.6 million in the last year of his contract
was that one year earlier on expiration?
by blacknoiseNW on Jun 22, 2009 9:57 AM PDT up reply actions
I never said they were.
I am simply pointing out that if part of the price for getting the guy you want is taking on a bad contract, Allen’s comment can be seen as confirmation that he’s ok with it.
hakkaa päälle !
Didn't Allen say a few years ago that he
is not willing to pay the luxury tax unless doing so makes the team a championship contender? The team wasn’t good enough last year that an impact player could have made us contenders, but now it is. (By impact player I mean someone like Vince Carter or Kirk Hinrich, not LeBron or CP3.)
If that is not what Allen meant, then it was just a PR move to goose interest in the team.
by MiledAnimal on Jun 22, 2009 10:27 AM PDT up reply actions
You don't think Lebron would make us contenders?
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
Of course he would... now. Two years ago, no.
But LeBron is irrelevant because the Blazers had no shot at bringing-in him, CP3, or anyone else at that level and still doesn’t. Someone like Hinrich is realistic and could make an impact. A Hinrich signing could put the Blazers into luxury tax territory if KP makes other deals that, along with Hinrich’s contract, put us over the limit. If those deals make us contenders, Allen will sign the checks, is my take on what Quick reported. Two years ago, going deeper into lux territory still would not have made us contenders because our core players were rookies or not yet with the team. I’m typing this kinda fast. Am I making sense here?
Maybe for some...
But, I found a surprising amount of candor from Nate in this segment:
McMillan said three Blazers in particular are attracting serious attention around the league: Nicolas Batum, Rudy Fernandez and Travis Outlaw.
The problem is, the Blazers think very highly of all three and have balked at what teams are offering in return. At the same time, the Blazers stand to enter training camp with a logjam at small forward with Batum, Outlaw and Martell Webster competing for time.
“I like all of our guys, but there is no way we can play all of them,” McMillan said.
McMillan is certainly not GM material. He wear's it all on his sleeve.
For as accessible and outgoing as Pritchard is, you never get the feeling that he is tipping his hand. Maybe this wasn’t McMillan being candid – maybe it was McMillan trying to influence a trade.
by blacknoiseNW on Jun 22, 2009 9:31 AM PDT up reply actions
He has said that before
About the PGs, and the SFs, and the PFs… I think in regards to Sergio and Frye in those cases.
It is usually in the context of “Look, I like player X, but we only have so many minutes and even whilst they are a talented, good player, we just can’t play all of them”.
I think it’s a good answer, because it’s both a defense of the player and indirectly stats that he likes the guys ahead of him and that there isn’t much to be done about it— it is what it is.
Mortimer
It's all about "The Wallet"
I read this as a statement that Paul Allen’s wallet is officially open for business. We often assume that is always the case, but it is not, especially in this financial climate. He (perhaps under pressure from Vulcan management) could have just as easily said that this seems to be an appropriate year to stay well under the salary cap.
At this particular moment though, it’s basically declaring out loud that we’re looking for the high-stakes poker table, while a number of the GM’s are financially forced into looking for the nickel slots. It puts some pressure on those other GM’s to either ante up at KP’s Million Dollar Hold’em table, or get out of the way and stand pat. To that end, it’s a bit of a field clearing move.
Which is very important
You are absolutely correct that in the current economic climate of the NBA, Paul Allen could easily say, “Well, we’re finally below the tax line significantly. Go ahead and fill the roster but position the franchise so that the team is below that tax line for at least the next couple of years.”
IMO, that’s exactly the kind of instructions that other GMs are getting this summer. We are so blessed that the Blazers have an owner that seeks financial responsibility but doesn’t have a ‘bottom line’ profit margin.
There will be sellers and there will be buyers over the next year (at least). Sounds like the Blazers will be buyers – which is great news for us as fans.
It's just that he finally paid-off the car,
and now he’s looking to buy a better car and resume car payments.
by MiledAnimal on Jun 22, 2009 10:29 AM PDT up reply actions
Yeh but the previous car was totaled but he was still on the hook for the payments
Now he is hoping to buy a car that really runs….maybe win a few races
"You're welcome friend
I love you."
- Tom "Dragline" inHawaii
by 92wastheyear on Jun 22, 2009 10:31 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
That's what Trader Bob kept telling him.
Oh well, it’s like falling in love again after you’ve been abused and dumped. Better to have loved and lost, etc.
by MiledAnimal on Jun 22, 2009 10:34 AM PDT up reply actions
But after years of therapy and counselling you've finally moved on
and are ready to find a true love, and when you open your wallet for that ring you know this time it’s for all the right reasons
Blazers win!
Two thoughts
1.) I’m hoping that Allen is not pushing for something to happen before it’s ready to happen. Long term plans are more important than knee jerk short term reactions. That’s WHY the blazers are doing so well. The planning has been years out and then adjusting as opportunities present themselves. Changing that would kill the team just like other owners have killed their teams because they didn’t have the patience for the ground up overhauls required.
2.) I also read this as a “tell me what you need to get this done. I want this. We’re close. If money isn’t an object, what jumps us to the next level?” I hope that’s what’s really going on, but in that the blazers don’t blow the budget for a one shot chance and then fizzle again for the next 6 years because they can’t trade a contract and their cap space is killed.
So, if Paul allen mandated that “things must happen” regardless of what KP thinks, then boo. If Paul Allen said “If you can make things happen i’ll give you money and get out of the way…” then i say YAY!
"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
That's how I read it as well
I understand the concern you raise in #1, but I honestly don’t think that’s the case.
This summer is huge. All of the evaluations of myriad of young players over the past several years has led to this – a time for decisions to be made on who stays and who goes. Some have written in previous posts about standing pat until the Trade Deadline and making moves then. I don’t believe that’s the right course. The summer is historically the best time for making big splashes, and if an offer presents itself, I would hate for the organization to say, “Well, that’s great, but maybe February will bring something better.”
Personally, I think it’ll be a summer of moves that will either lead to a dynasty or else kill the overall progress that the organization has worked so hard to build over the past few years. All or nothing – I firmly believe that.
by Storyteller on Jun 22, 2009 10:01 AM PDT up reply actions
I think "all or nothing" is too extreme
Such a concept overvalues role players. The Blazers are founded on Roy and Aldridge. Oden is another potential member of that group. Everyone else is highly replaceable (at least), from a talent perspective.
We can speculate all we want on who might be a candidate for improving the team, but in the end, most of the skill sets we have are not “make or break” skill sets. The potential exceptions are Rudy (he is underrated due to his BBIQ (beat the defense) and hit shots), Webster (3-point shooting in a prototype NBA physique) and Batum (6-9 with a high BBIQ and the reach of a 7-footer).
by blacknoiseNW on Jun 22, 2009 10:24 AM PDT up reply actions
Some have written in previous posts about standing pat until the Trade Deadline and making moves then. I don’t believe that’s the right course
Absolutely correct
the next 30-45 days is “the window” for KP to shape his championship roster. The time for waiting is over
I agree with blacknoise.
I don’t get the “all or nothing” line of reasoning. What has changed so dramatically that Portland’s window is about to slam shut? What exactly is it you see in our future that is so bleak?
Not that it is going to happen, but if the Blazers brought back the exact same 15 man roster next season they would be playoff contenders. With reasonable good health and just a modicum of improvement that comes with young players gaining experience, they would likely increase their number of wins and have a better than decent shot at making the conference finals. Somehow, that doesn’t sound like all or nothing to me.
Perhaps because of salary management reasons this summer my be the last opportunity to make a really big impact move, but believing that this team is doomed to being nothing more than an early exit playoff team shows, at a minimum, a complete lack of faith in our team.
hakkaa päälle !
There are many people here that think the team, as currently constructed
can’t win a championship. Thus, the best chance to make a move would be this summer. They’re almost certainly right about this being the best chance to improve, but I’m not so certain that the first assumption is correct (disclaiming that minor upgrades would be necessary).
The all or nothing refers to the first assumption. If no move now, no move ever. It’s sort of fatalistic and myopic, but that shouldn’t discount the prescience of their argument: that now is the best time to do something. And, why not take the opportunity if it’s there? Might as well improve your chances as much as possible.
But, I have to agree with you. There’s a strong “the world is ending” scent to many posts about this summer. Everyone said the same thing before the trade deadline. They’ll likely say it before this deadline (even if we make a move this summer). They may not be the same people, but the chorus will always sing. That’s why it’s a chorus.
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
Paul Allen wants a championship
I think this comment is stated I don’t care how much it cost I have billions of dollars and i am not taking it to the grave with me it’s going to charity… But one thing most billionaires need is bragging rights sports owners like to brag about how many championships they have. Well Paul has zero as a football team owner and a basketball team i am sure he wants to see a championship in his life time… the sea hawks had a chance… the blazers are at that point were you can sit back and hope your players progress or because of the lovely situation the economy is in he can get his championship in the next 2-3 years for what a loss of a couple million that’s chump change to this guy this is rich guys fantasy and he has the capabilities to buy players he’s done it before and he will do it again….
Teams that could offer Portland an upgrade via trade:
(and I’m not proposing trades, here – just identifying the teams that had the best overall Point Guard play in 2008/2009 based on Net PER):
1) New Orleans
2) San Antonio
3) Philadelphia (by making Miller a UFA)
4) Boston (Rondo is apparently available)
5) Denver
6) New Jersey (Harris)
7) Orlando (not Alston)
8) Miami (Chalmers?)
9) Phoenix (meh)
10) Utah
11) Charlotte (Felton?)
12) Milwaukee (Sessions – RFA)
13) Toronto (Calderon)
14) Atlanta (Bibby is now a UFA, I believe)
15) Chicago (Hinrich)
Portland was next on the list, with a -0.2 Net PER.
Small Forwards:
1) Cleveland
2) Denver
3) Philadelphia
4) Boston
5) OKC
6) Indiana
7) Portland
8) Houston
9) Detroit
10) Utah
11) Orlando
12) L.A. Fakers
13) Chicago
14) Phoenix
Everyone else had negative production at the SF position.
It is extremely unlikely that anyone we want to give up is going to get us the SF responsible for helping teams ahead of Portland earn their net PER ranking. Some teams ranked below Portland have intriguing candidates (Butler from WA, etc.). More likely however, is that available candidates will bring a significant flaw. The question will be whether the incoming flaw is more significant than the outgoing flaw.
Also
I think it should be noted that Portland’s #7 ranking was due to the minutes Roy saw at the position, rather than Batum’s net negative PER (-1.0) or Outlaw’s minor positive contribution (+0.3).
by blacknoiseNW on Jun 22, 2009 9:56 AM PDT up reply actions
If Rondo is available...
(which I find hard to believe) we’ll be making a big splash this summer. The guy has experience and is dynamic at the point – he would be an excellent compliment to Roy, Aldridge, and Oden! I’d trade almost any other combo of guys to add a big 4th to our big 3.
"Doomed" is a little strong.
Even if we made no trades or acquisitions from now on, this team would probably continue to win 50-60 games for a long time as the players mature and develop, and could still conceivably win a title. For me, “doomed” would be a long string of playoff appearances coupled with first-round outs.
by MiledAnimal on Jun 22, 2009 10:39 AM PDT up reply actions
For me, "doomed" would be a long string of playoff appearances coupled with first-round outs.
Exactly, been there, done that from ‘79-88. Life’s too short to do it again
Players like Brandon Roy only come along so often, you’ve got to take advantage of their superstar skills while they’re in their prime
O ye of little faith.
There multiple variables that go into a team winning a title. Constructing the perfect fantasy league roster doesn’t assure you of winning one.
Besides, if Brandon is that once in a decade superstar, then the need to “add that big piece” is not that significant.
hakkaa päälle !
oh, yes it is
because even MJ needed a Scottie Pippen, and as good as Rudy, and LMA and Oden could be, you don’t stop adding talent to the roster just because of the “potential” of Roy’s current supporting cast
“Faith” has nothing to do with it. Those who ignore the past are destined to repeat it. Previous Blazer management teams had opportunities to acquire talent that could’ve brought Portland their 2nd championship and whiffed on those opportunities. Right now they’ve got a short window to use the cap-space and upgrade the roster. If anything, the attitude of “don’t make a deal right now!” shows a lack of faith in KP’s ability to make the kind of deal that will set the team up to contend next year, and for years to come
I’ll say it again: don’t fall in love with all of these Blazers players. You might decide to hang onto the “wrong” one when the “Mr. Right” comes along
Yeah, he better get us into luxury tax this summer
or I see us as 30-win team…at best.
by Montavilla Steve on Jun 22, 2009 1:29 PM PDT up reply actions
I was under the impression....
That Mr Allen has always given KP ( since he became gm ) the green light on draft day. He wants to win, and KP has produced results all 3 years.
Unless we can get a player worth the big bucks and long term deal...
We’d be better off marinating our current roster til the trade deadline. Give Roy and LMA their extensions, bench Sergio and let Bayless loose (if he earns it), and let Martell duke it out with Nic and Travis to find out where we stand on the SF situation.
See what happens with the ‘organic’ plan before you move to the pesticides.
Blazers win!
"See what happens with the ‘organic’ plan before you move to the pesticides."
Great quote, X-man. Which reminds me, I need more Roundup…
Which X-man are you?
For all who argue we must grow "organically"
who was the last NBA champion NOT to add a critical veteran piece within a year-18 months of winning the title?
The Spurs being the obvious exception as they are the only team to win multiple championships during that span
‘09, Lakers: Brown, Ariza, Gasol
’08, Celtics: Garnett, Allen, Posey, House, Cassell
’06, Heat: Only playoffs w/ D-Wade and Shaq (recent addition via trade) at full strength
’05, Spurs: Finley
’04, Pistons: ’Sheed, Chauncey
etc…
It seems that throughout NBA history, teams tend to go from contenders to champions by adding major pieces without severely altering the team’s core. By this logic, trades such as Blake for Hinrich seem realistic, while expecting that our current group of guys will develop certain emotional and physical characteristics needed to win a title on their own doesn’t. By lucking into a 2nd dominant post player to kick off their dynasty, the Spurs buck the trend by parlaying an extreme stroke of luck into championship experience for their core, something the Celtics could replicate if they can find more help for Rondo
Was Finley really that critical to the Spurs winning?
And what about the Lakers in ’01 & ’02 or the Spurs in ’03?
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