As we vacillate between current, future and potential point guards, I'm caught between wanting to add veteran perspective (after all, we only have two players who have even played on another team), and someone who will be around for more than a couple years.  You sign a Jason Kidd, but that only solves your problem for a couple years.  You target a Ricky Rubio, but he's much less ready to contribute, doesn't have NBA experience and lacks maturity (plus, will we be able to convince him to come over?).  You work out a lopsided deal for Hinrich, but there are legitimate arguments that he isn't a clear upgrade over Blake.  

I'm in the camp that believes we shouldn't target a SF this summer unless it is an All-Star.  We have too much confusion and not enough minutes at that position already.  Therefore, I want to explore options at point guard.  If I knew the details and fine print would work out, I think my best case scenario would be Ricky Rubio.  He seems to be available, and you have to believe that with Rudy here, KP could charm him into coming.  And so, here is my potential trade:

 

Portland Trade Breakdown Change in Team Outlook: -7.0 ppg, -1.4 rpg, and -1.4 apg. Incoming Players Ricky Rubio 6-4 PG from Spain (Foreign) No games yet played in 2008-2009 Craig Smith 6-7 PF from Boston College 10.1 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.1 apg in 19.7 minutes Outgoing Players Joel Freeland 0-0 from  No games yet played in 2008-2009 Jeff Pendergraph 6-10 from Arizona State No games yet played in 2008-2009 Jerryd Bayless 6-3 PG from Arizona 4.3 ppg, 1.1 rpg, 1.5 apg in 12.5 minutes Travis Outlaw 6-9 SF from Starkville (HS) 12.8 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 1.0 apg in 27.7 minutes   Minnesota Trade Breakdown Change in Team Outlook: +5.1 ppg, +3.0 rpg, and +1.6 apg. Incoming Players Jerryd Bayless 6-3 PG from Arizona 4.3 ppg, 1.1 rpg, 1.5 apg in 12.5 minutes Mardy Collins 6-6 SG from Temple 2.2 ppg, 0.9 rpg, 1.1 apg in 8.3 minutes Chris Kaman 7-0 C from Central Michigan 12.0 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 1.5 apg in 29.7 minutes Outgoing Players Brian Cardinal 6-8 SF / PF from Purdue 3.0 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 1.2 apg in 14.2 minutes Mark Madsen 6-9 PF from Stanford 0.3 ppg, 1.0 rpg, 0.2 apg in 6.1 minutes Ricky Rubio 6-4 PG from Spain (Foreign) No games yet played in 2008-2009 Craig Smith 6-7 PF from Boston College 10.1 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.1 apg in 19.7 minutes   L.A. Clippers Trade Breakdown Change in Team Outlook: +1.9 ppg, -1.6 rpg, and -0.2 apg. Incoming Players Joel Freeland 0-0 from  No games yet played in 2008-2009 Jeff Pendergraph 6-10 from Arizona State No games yet played in 2008-2009 Travis Outlaw 6-9 SF from Starkville (HS) 12.8 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 1.0 apg in 27.7 minutes Brian Cardinal 6-8 SF / PF from Purdue 3.0 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 1.2 apg in 14.2 minutes Mark Madsen 6-9 PF from Stanford 0.3 ppg, 1.0 rpg, 0.2 apg in 6.1 minutes Outgoing Players Mardy Collins 6-6 SG from Temple 2.2 ppg, 0.9 rpg, 1.1 apg in 8.3 minutes Chris Kaman 7-0 C from Central Michigan 12.0 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 1.5 apg in 29.7 minutes

 

Link to the RealGM page

So here's my thinking on why each team does the deal.  

Why Minnesota does it:

Projected Starting Lineup:

Kaman

Jefferson

Brewer/Gomes

Bayless

Flynn

They recently traded away their backcourt to Washington and then double filled only PG through the draft. They could use some players at 2 guard who can score.  I believe Bayless could be that player and Mardy Collins would provide a little depth.  I've also heard that they'd like a legitimate center so that Jefferson can move to his natural position at PF (where they are overloaded).  By trading Craig Smith and Mark Madsen, they are alleviating some of the bottleneck at the 4 position, while adding talent in Chris Kaman.  Turning Brian Cardinal's painful contract into Kaman's less painful contract has to be appealing as well. Essentially, they are trading Rubio for Kaman and Bayless, and unloading Brian Cardinal's contract as well.  

 

Why Minnesota doesn't do it:

While this fills out their positions well (except maybe SF), their backcourt is small (Jonny Flynn @ 6'0, Bayless @ 6'3).  Additionally, this trade doesn't reconcile Kevin Love and Al Jefferson playing the same position.  In fact, it probably exacerbates it unless Kaman spends his usual time injured.  

 

Why LA does it:

Projected Starting Lineup:

Camby

Randolph/Griffin

Outlaw/Thornton

Gordon

Davis 

The Clippers are one of few teams in the league with not enough minutes for their centers.  They probably have to decide between Kaman and Camby, and it sounds like they'd rather stick with Camby.  What they need position wise is a SF, and to that end enter Travis Outlaw.  Maybe not ideal, but they also turn Kaman's long term contract into Brian Cardinal's expiring contract (09-10).  They also get some prospects out of the deal, although the Clippers haven't been known to be that forward thinking.

 

Why LA doesn’t do it:

The Clips have many lineup/playing time minutes in the coming year.  This trade doesn't solve all those issues very well.  How will they find time for Z-Black Hole and Griffin?  Can Eric Gordon get enough shots to be valuable with those two power forwards and Baron Davis?  Who is the alpha dog?  Who should it be?  Can any of them stay healthy?  LA may not see this trade as poviding enough in return for Kaman, but I would argue that they don't have room for much else anyway.  Furthermore, moves and acquisitions that leave you scratching your head are right in their wheelhouse.  

  

Why Portland does it:

Projected Starting Lineup:

Oden/Przybilla

Aldridge

Webster

Roy

Rubio 

We get a true point guard with size that would hopefully be around for a few championship runs.  We alleviate our bottleneck at SF, while adding a solid backup PF in Craig Smith.  We have been stockpiling international prospects so long, the list is getting overwhelming.  Maybe it's time to cash in on a few.  

 

Why Portland doesn’t do it:

As mentioned at the top, we aren't adding the veteran experience Nate so covets.  Furthermore, it's possible that we'd have to give up more than Bayless, Outlaw, and some prospects to do it.  If Rudy had to be included, would Rubio want to play here?  What if we had to give up Joel?  Would that be worth it?  Perhaps not.