FanPost

Where do the Blazers go from here?


Given the Bad news today about Brandon Roy and Greg Oden it leaves the Blazers in a bind. They built the organization based on the fact that they would have 3 cornerstones to build around for the foreseeable future. With Roy gone and Oden's play reduced to only hope again the Blazers are left with more questions than answers, that even the organization does not know how to answer. The question really is what do the Blazers do going forward.

It all starts with with Management

The first thing the Blazers need to accomplish is fixing the head of the team. The GM position has been vacant for some time now, and unless the position is filled the Blazers will look like a chicken with it's head cut off. Whether that means promoting Chad Buchanan, or finding another expirienced addition to add to Blazers management this should be the first move the Blazers make. If the Blazers want to entice free agents or make any wise trade moves, it looks way better on the part of the organization if they have a figure head to point to. The Blazers need to give the public a sense that they have a plan going forward. As of right now it seems chaotic at best.

Picking up the pieces

The Blazers still are essentially the same team as last year, plus the change to Raymond Felton and the additions of Nolan Smith and Elliot Williams (who did not play one game last year). Brandon Roy and Greg Oden hardly played last year so in reality you should not see a huge drop off in winning percentage. The rotation will change some as they try to work in Elliot Williams, Nolan Smith, as well as more minutes for Chris Johnson and Nicolas Batum. The biggest weakness will be the bench, and they will need to step up in this heavy schedule.

2012. Decision time

If Blazers are discontent with the team, they could essentially mail it in and bring in new pieces around Aldridge. Gerald Wallace will have a player option. Felton will be a free agent. Batum will be a free agent assuming he doesn't get an extension (unlikely). Oden will also be a free agent, and there has not been any indcation of Oden leaving or staying. Camby will be a free agent as well, as well as Roy's contract coming off the books. The best option really is for the Blazers to keep the pieces they have and add one to the mix. Let's face it Dwight Howard, Chris Paul, and Deron Williams are off the table. If the Blazers are not content with Felton at the point Steve Nash could be had, but I doubt the Blazers want to get older at that position even if he is playing at level. The best piece that would fit is trying to make a run at Roy Hibbert, Brook Lopez, or Javale McGee. They are all very capable big men that will be restricted free agents and would help. The Blazers could look to give one of them a sizable offer, and still offer Oden an extension if they still have faith in him. Other pieces exist in free agency, but very little exist in the terms of big names that are likely to come to Portland. I would not look for the Blazers to blow the team up. but it makes sense to extend Batum, keep Felton and add one or two pieces that make the team substantially better, hopefully by adding a decent center.