Waiting for the homerun deal

by Devenex on Jun 27, 2009 8:29 PM PDT

T Darkstar's great post (http://www.blazersedge.com/2009/6/26/927015/when-does-kp-use-the-cap-space) about how we actually have one full year open to use our cap flexibility got me thinking about what circumstances would need to take place for us to make a deal. This flexibility could be used this summer to sign Turkoglu or another free agent, ot it could be used in a lopsided trade.

Now it should be pretty clear that if KP wants to use it in a trade then he is sitting and waiting for his homerun (AKA Pau to L#kers trade) to come along. The Blazers have reportedly refused deals involving players such as Batum, Outlaw, and Bayless at last year's deadline, although there were never any players that seemed a perfect fit coming in (Richardson, Carter, Conley). So we aren't just content to spend more to upgrade a serviceable or developing player with more serviceable player nearing his twilight years or also another still unknown and developing player.

Now what does it take for these deals to occur:

1) A team must be losing money, but also be tired of it. Why make cost cutting moves if you're already running along at or under budget? No point in sacrificing talent for an unneeded benefit.

2) Have a player that is a significant upgrade at a starting position for us. As I said before, the Blazers are looking for a player that is an upgrade as a starter.

3) Either this player, or a completely useless one (ie "bad contract") must be highly paid enough to make the deal financialy appealing. Keep in mind you won't get a player like Brooke Lopez for taking on VC's salary, but you may have been able to Lopez IF he HAD VC's salary himself.

So far the Nets and Bucks have shed salary this offseason, now I ask all of you who else has been losing money and who do they have that we would want? Try not to worry so much about the structure of the deal ( ___ for ___ ), and instead focus on the team's need to cut costs and who the players are that they would be willing to move/package.

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If we have a year

then it’s true, many things can happen over that year. Who knows what will open up, or who will become available.

by twggyy on Jun 27, 2009 8:53 PM PDT reply actions

I fear if KP is waiting for the homerun deal he might be waiting forever

It was a critique by Rockets GM Daryl Morey that everyone wanted to do homerun deals (and I think he especially meant the teams sitting on big expiring contracts), but those deals are becoming rarer and rarer as organizations are becoming smarter. So in the end nothing happens.

As for which organizations are losing money, I refer back to this:
http://www.blazersedge.com/2009/6/7/900502/leagueconomics-which-nba-teams-are

I wrote it under a different premise (who took the loan offered by the NBA), but it should be pretty clear from the explanations which teams might need to shed some money to make salary and pay operating expenses.

Nets and Bucks are a good start. Others could include Bobcats (owner looking to sell, downsizing even before the season, no money for summer league, etc.), Grizzlies (have already a low payroll), Hornets (no, that doesn’t really make Chris Paul available), Suns (have started), Kings (not much to offer in attractive long deals to shed).

by Norsktroll on Jun 27, 2009 8:56 PM PDT reply actions

I think you are 100% right

Lots of teams may think they are contenders right now, but as next season progresses they may figure out the hard way that they have no chance. Hopefully one of those teams that decides it time for a different approach will be willing to let go of a player we(KP) covet

I have faith KP will get it done when it is time to get it done. Today, Tomorrow, July 8th, trade deadline, whenever, just as long as it gets done I’ll be happy!

by TheSportsPsychologist on Jun 27, 2009 8:56 PM PDT reply actions

That's fine and good, but our window is open now

If the Blazers are going to bring in starters, the sooner the better. It is not like baseball where you can just go buy and arm and a bat if you are in the hunt for a playoff spot. I think the guys on the team are looking to get somebody that can help us, and I would try to get this done sooner than later for that reason, also.

With Martell injured and things needing to shake out at SF, and with bigs we drafted, okay I will try to be patient. I hope KP acquires the talent at PG and backup PF we want before the trade deadline, anyway. I want to the team settled and able to make some noise come playoffs 2010.

by LaoTzu on Jun 27, 2009 9:04 PM PDT reply actions

think the guys on the team are looking to get somebody that can help us, and I would try to get this done sooner than later

I think this is a point that’s been overlooked. Nate, Brandon and the other players are looking for KP to upgrade the roster with veteran talent. They hit the wall against Houston and now they realize “what it takes” to win playoff series versus regular season games. Even if it means saying “goodbye” to a good friend like Travis…I think the baby Blazers grew up last year and are ready to play with the big boys. And that means they’ll need a few veterans with experience to come onboard and show them the way to the next level

No waiting around until the trading deadline and hoping a better deal materializes. As Paul Allen said last week “go for it!”

by two4larue on Jun 27, 2009 11:02 PM PDT up reply actions

In his mpost recent comments KP seems to be saying pretty clearly

that he is NOT looking to trade, but is looking to add some free agents.

If that’s the case I think you can look for a couple of middling deals to shore up weaknesses, but there will be no home run.

by raoulduke on Jun 27, 2009 10:52 PM PDT reply actions

but he’s said all along that the cap space is valuable just as much for lopsided trades as for free agency. Which comments are you referring to? Just wondering if I missed something.

by Cablinasian on Jun 27, 2009 11:45 PM PDT up reply actions

His post draft press conferences, it was more of an impression I got than a direct quote.

When he talks about FA he says, we’ll be active no doubt about it. But he hedged a lot when talking about trading to move up in the draft. I know they’re not the same, but he just doesn’t seem wild about moving guys off this roster,

by raoulduke on Jun 28, 2009 8:17 AM PDT reply actions