Next Free Agent Offer is ........

by Mad Matt the Road Warrior on Jul 14, 2009 10:31 AM PDT

Starting to hear a lot of people content with "doing nothing" if the Millsap offer is matched. I recognize it might be a reality; but don't like it because it:

a) puts time pressure on the Blazers to get the deal done by trade deadline

b) reduces the current $7.7M in capspace, that exists with the current 10 man roster. I may need an expert to verify - but even if only 14 players are carried at minimum wouldn't that mean a $3M reduction in cap? Even to facilitate a trade, wouldn't the cap still be in place, if waived?

c) disrupts in-season chemistry

Poll

Assuming that the Millsap offer is matched, the Blazers will make use of their capspace by offering:

Lamar Odom (Vet SF/PF)

35 votes

Andre Miller (Vet PG)

5 votes

David Lee (Young PF)

22 votes

Marvin Williams (Young SF/PF)

21 votes

Ramon Session or Raymond Felton (Young PG)

38 votes

Other FA, $5M or higher (Please specify!)

1 votes

Pre-Season Lopsided Trade (Please specify!)

35 votes

In-Season Lopsided Trade (Please specify!)

28 votes

185 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 19 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

Tell the blazers what they've won!

…the same roster as last year, Tony!

by Arby on Jul 14, 2009 10:35 AM PDT reply actions

while i’d like to see them take advantage of available money, last years roster minus sergio is good enough for a shot at 60 wins IMO

by strong on Jul 14, 2009 1:19 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

As much as I hate Lamar Odom

I think that would be a good move. I think 10 mil a season is worth it to have a big man with a chip on his shoulder and who has a problem with the Lakers.

by RipCityRoyCity on Jul 14, 2009 10:47 AM PDT reply actions

I agree completely...

people say he is lazy but he can’t be any worse than Oden… although maybe they are worried he will make Oden even lazier. Either way having a guy that can play pretty much any position (depending on who he is guarding) is huge. Plus hurting the Lakers is way more importnat than hurting the Jazz. I really don’t get why the Blazers refuse to consider Odom… or maybe they already talked to him in private and it is a no go. I mean he is getting older and to the point in his life were he might start to get more serious.

by Escrote on Jul 14, 2009 10:53 AM PDT up reply actions

Oden Lazy?

I’m not really sure how Oden got this “lazy” label. I think fans tend to label big men who have been battling injuries as lazy, because they usually have conditioning/weight issues after they return from injury.

Gimmicks don't make dynasties

by WarEaglePDX on Jul 14, 2009 11:18 AM PDT up reply actions

I am just assuming that since the Blazers are making up stories about him...

where there is smoke there is fire

by Escrote on Jul 14, 2009 1:00 PM PDT up reply actions

The smoke you are seeing ...

… is coming from that bong you are smoking.

Exactly what stories is Portland making up about Oden? And exactly how do said stories prove the fact Oden is lazy?

And while I’m asking questions, what ever happened to critical thinking?

hakkaa päälle !

by timg56 on Jul 14, 2009 1:35 PM PDT up reply actions

I think he is refering to....

JayBay-workout-gate. Reports coming from Blazer officials about Jerryd and Greg working out this summer, and then when questioned, Jerryd having no idea about it. From what I remember, all the scouting on Oden said he was a very hard worker and had a love for the game. All this was called into question when he went down with the big injury and then the smaller ones this season.

Gimmicks don't make dynasties

by WarEaglePDX on Jul 14, 2009 3:35 PM PDT up reply actions

I sort of guessed that.

Which is the reason for the second question. How does an inaccurate comment about Bayless working out with Oden reflect, in any way, Oden’s work ethic or habits?

hakkaa päälle !

by timg56 on Jul 14, 2009 3:53 PM PDT up reply actions

I also agree

Odom answers all non-PG related holes for the team. We get a starting SF allowing us to continue using Trout as trade-bait without damning us if Webster is more injured than he appears. Batum gets to blossom a little more without having all the weight on his shoulders and we stay lethal at that position.

Aldridge also gets his backup and Odom can even play some decent smallball center (or probably PF with Aldridge at center depending on matchup).

We can offer him something closer to his demands than LA seems willing and the chance to be a starter for a good team should be plenty of incentive for his ego.

The best part is, if he starts acting up or is less effective than he’s been, the Blazers aren’t in a terrible spot without him. I don’t see how this isn’t worth the risk??

flim-flam stories and tapas

by boytexasgod on Jul 14, 2009 11:19 AM PDT up reply actions

I say they go for David Lee

by cavejunctionblazer on Jul 14, 2009 11:01 AM PDT reply actions

From this list I would choose Odom, but let's go for the FA trifecta

How about the Blazers next free agent focus gets signed by a Euro team instead of another NBA team?

First, a Canadian team steals our FA. Then a team from Utah (most likely) thwarts our efforts to sign our 2nd FA choice. So, maybe we should target Sessions so that a team from Europe can steal our third choice and satisfy the cosmos. Its a sign of the apocalypse.

http://weblogs.newsday.com/sports/basketball/knicks/blog/2009/07/n8_the_greek.html

Personally, I won’t be sad if Millsap gets resigned by the Jazz.

1. 32 millions over 4 years is a lot of money for a backup PF. While I like the compariosn to Brian Grant, I’m not sure how LA would feel about Millsap and I don’t want to jeopardize LA’s desire to remain a Blazer for the opportunity to sign a beefy backup PF. Doesn’t seem like a great value.

2. I feel that we will cash in at the deadline for a better player from an under-performing team at the trade deadline.

Say for example, the Wizards, who have invested a lot of money in mediocre talent to compete for the East title, are indeed average at the trade deadline. Maybe they will be inclined to dump contracts because the luxury tax isn’t an attractive option for a team placing at the bottom of the playoff ladder in the east, or worse. Voila Caron Butler.

by degro77 on Jul 14, 2009 11:05 AM PDT reply actions

Although I see one vote for "other"; it really does seem like it's down to these six

If for no other reason than to drive up the asking price; I hope the Blazers keep bidding. I just hope they don’t get sensitive to the media rats, ranting about how so many teams have snubbed them. Is there any argument that someone can make that they shouldn’t keep offering down that list? (in whatever sequence, they deemed appropriate?)

BTW – I like Degro77 scenario to get Butler; would love to hear others as the two “lopsided trade” options seem to be winning. I regret putting Sessions/ Felton in the same category – I would put them last on my list, but there are a lot of votes there – I’m guessing mostly for Sessions.

by Mad Matt the Road Warrior on Jul 14, 2009 11:30 AM PDT reply actions

I think that KP makes a pitch for Lamar Odom, just to be a, ummmmm, prickly customer for the Lakers to deal with...

He can’t have any hopes of LO taking the money and running, because he can’t offer enough.

"A bizarre and extremely rare hybrid Blazer/Laker fan, Timbo has always struggled to contain the Beast Within, like Dr. Jekyll, Bruce Banner, or Ted Kennedy." — Miled Animal

by timbo on Jul 14, 2009 11:45 AM PDT reply actions

Brevin Knight for a veterans minimum.

by tcwoods on Jul 14, 2009 12:06 PM PDT reply actions

I liked him . . . about 10 years ago

Without you out there, we're nowhere here

by 22baylor on Jul 14, 2009 12:16 PM PDT up reply actions

He'd be a good 3rd PG.

by tcwoods on Jul 14, 2009 12:29 PM PDT up reply actions

What about AI?

At first glance, you think “doesn’t fit the Blazer culture”. I think he knows he knows his act has worn thin. Nate will demand and get his respect. From a talent standpoint, having Iverson on the floor with Brandon makes a deadly offensive backcourt. He would be the most effective FA the Blazers could get.

by blaze jose' on Jul 14, 2009 12:54 PM PDT reply actions