The Unbalanced Trade - Gerald Wallace thread got me thinking about some things if we want to make a move now. It seemed we had to give up our young talent to make the numbers work. But what if we didn't? How could it be done?

This is an exercise in how the Blazers could use their cap space now instead of waiting for the trade deadline. Some numbers are so tight that a change in the salary cap figure even by .5 million could sink it.

I went for players that this board (for the most part) agrees might be available (hence no Chris Paul or LeBron). I also excluded Battier from Houston (except for McGrady, they have pretty reasonable contracts), and Harris from NJ (they are already well under the cap for 2010, why would they move a top-flight PG?)  I'm not advocating either of the scenarios below, this is just an exercise. However, this is also realistic way of how to manipulate the cap (and its rules) to our benefit.

A tip of the cap to Storyteller's excellent site for the numbers!

Here we go...

Scenario One (Portland – Charlotte, Portland – Chicago)

Step 1:

The cap is set at 57 million.

The Blazers renounce the Euros.

This puts them 8.7 million under the cap.

Step 2:

Travis Outlaw ($3.6 million)

Steve Blake ($4 million)

$3 million in cash

Unprotected 1st round pick 2010 + 2nd round pick 2010

for

Gerald Wallace ($9.5 million)

DeSagana Diop ($6 million)

Dontell Jefferson ($.735 miilion)

Sean Singletary (.166 million)

Analysis: Charlotte gets a ton of cap relief, cash, picks, and two cheap vets with expiring contracts. This leaves the Blazers 100,000 over the cap, which is the maximum allowable for a team under the cap making a trade.

Step 3:

Wait 2 months.

Step 4:

Joel Pryzbilla ($6.85 million)

Dontell Jefferson ($.735 million)

Sean Singletary ($.166 million)

The rights to Victor Claver

for

Kirk Hinrich (9.5 million)

Because both teams are over the cap, the salaries must be within 125% (they are). Analysis: Chicago gets a great center to backup and mentor Noah plus the rights to a top Euro prospect (I believe we were drafting for Chicago all along). Portland can now sign Roy and LMA to extensions as well as its 2nd round picks.

Out: Blake, Outlaw, Pryz

In: Hinrich, Wallace, Diop

Scenario Two: (Portland – Charlotte)

Step 1:

The cap is set at 57 million.

The Blazers do not renounce the Euros.

This puts them 7 million under the cap.

Step 2:

Sign Ramone Sessions as an RFA for $6/$6.5/$8 million over 3 years. This is probably the best offer he’ll get that’s higher than mid-level, and high enough that Milwaukee won’t match it. Portland is $1 million under the cap.

Step 3:

Sign Pendergraph for $1.5 million. Portland goes over the cap.

Step 4:

Travis Outlaw ($3.6 million)

Steve Blake ($4 million)

Joel Pryzbilla ($6.85 million)

$3 million in cash

Unprotected 1st round pick 2010 + 2nd round pick 2010

For

Gerald Wallace ($9.5 million)

DeSagana Diop ($6 million)

Because both teams are over the cap, the salaries must be within 125% (they are). Analysis: Charlotte gets a ton of cap relief, cash, picks, and two cheap vets with expiring contracts. Joel has a player option for next year but his salary isn’t much more than Diop’s and is much shorter in length. Portland can now sign Roy and LMA to extensions as well as its 2nd round picks.

Out: Blake, Outlaw, Pryz

In: Sessions, Wallace, Diop

I'm afraid it's either the young ones (Batum, Bayless, Rudy) or Pryz (as the biggest salary) that are the key to making things work. Choose your poison. These are just a couple of ways we can use our cap space. Again, I'm not advocating these; however, waiting until the trade deadline, when teams know KP is desperate to "use it or lose it" might not be the best option. On the other hand, bad financials (and a team in the tank) 6 months from now may force a move and with open cap space Portland would be the best partner.