Blazers Frontcourt Trade Drawer

Who should Portland target? Should they bank on Oden coming back? Should they trade Camby? If so, for who? If Portland has another MLE to spend, who should they look at with that money?

Personally, if we're not banking on Oden, I think Nene should be option #1, followed by Tyson Chandler, Emeka Okafor, Al Jefferson, Chris Kaman, and Samuel Dalembert.

None of these guys would be home runs, but some might be triples (Chandler and Nene), some might be ground rule doubles (Okafor), and some would be a stand up single. Are there other guys out there worth looking at?

Leave your thoughts and your proposals below, and be nice about it.

11 months ago Eric Loftin 55 comments 1 recs |

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Read More: trailblazers, trade, marcus camby

Comments

Nene, Chandler and Dalembert are going to go for more than the MLE.

We might be able to swing a trade for Kaman or (my choice) Robin Lopez. I don’t think Jefferson is a good idea, and I don’t know that Okafor is available at a price we want to pay.

Also, a backup PF might be nice. Kris Humphries comes to mind. Chuck Hayes, Reggie Evans, maybe Joey Dorsey, though he’s restricted.

Glen Davis is a stomach churning possibility. As is Spencer Hawes. Fesenko doesn’t make me as queasy, but not exactly a base hit, more of a hit-by-a-pitch.

"Anybody might guess beforehand that there would be blunders of the ignorant. What nobody could have guessed, what nobody could have dreamed of in a nightmare, what no morbid mortal imagination could ever have dared to imagine, was the mistakes of the well-informed." - G. K. Chesterton, The Common Man

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by T Darkstar on Jun 25, 2011 1:37 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

I think that Okafor may be more available than you think.

With the league owning the Hornets, they could be interested in a salary dump, especially if it looks like Chris Paul won’t be staying there after 2012.

The smarter you are, the more likely you are to be tripping balls at any given moment.
Bring Back Dre.

by gtbassett on Jun 25, 2011 1:42 PM PDT up reply actions

Felton, Wallace, and Okafor?

I’ve seen them play together before.

by Nick Van Excellent on Jun 25, 2011 1:49 PM PDT up reply actions

It would be amazing

just from a basketball geek standpoint….although there are lots of worse options than Okafor

by Eric Loftin on Jun 25, 2011 2:11 PM PDT up reply actions

lolz

by sabonis11 on Jun 26, 2011 10:54 PM PDT up reply actions

Since Oden and Camby carry some injury concerns, we might do well in acquiring a true center

Though the options at power forward seem more plentiful this year, with a lot of UFAs in the range of the mid-level exception or below on the market. As said elsewhere, we might not even need a long-term solution with Freeland potentially in the wings for 2012.

If we are reasonably sure about Oden, someone like Kwame Brown might be enough as a #3 center with Johnson also as a backup in a pinch (we even played Nic at center last year). If they have high doubts about him and are concerned about Camby’s longevity as well, they better trade for a guy in a higher tier.

by Norsktroll on Jun 25, 2011 2:02 PM PDT up reply actions

If the plan is to go small with LMA playing a lot of "middle forward", then I'd not mind a guy like Humphries next to him.

Though he might command quite a bit after a strong season. Similar with Hayes. Outside shot: Getting our old friend McBob back, who developed into a capable player in Indy who can stretch the floor which Nate has liked in backup PFs in the past.

by Norsktroll on Jun 25, 2011 2:06 PM PDT up reply actions

People laugh every time I say this

But Kwame Brown isn’t a bad player. He didn’t live up to his hype, sure, but he’s definitely serviceable as a big. That being said, I think Charlotte will retain him this year.

And obviously I didn’t list any PF’s, and I probably should have. There are so many more of them to choose from, so it’ll be interesting to see where it all goes.

by Eric Loftin on Jun 25, 2011 2:13 PM PDT up reply actions

You're right

Nene, Chandler, and Dalembert would all have to be sign and trades, and more than like would cost too much.

I forgot about Robin Lopez. He’d be a good get for our bench. Kris Humphries would be a steal in FA.

by Eric Loftin on Jun 25, 2011 2:09 PM PDT up reply actions

*likely

by Eric Loftin on Jun 25, 2011 2:09 PM PDT up reply actions

Robin Lopez

What would Phoenix want for him? They’re not going to play him. They’re commited to Gortat an Frye. A future #1?

by chemistrymajor on Jun 26, 2011 11:24 AM PDT up reply actions

Wow!!!

Darkstar saying just about everything I wanted to say, and funnier than I would have made it. GJ, keep it up!

Joel Freeland=Stud

by hightide on Jun 26, 2011 6:09 PM PDT up reply actions

Regarding the center position . . .

A. Jefferson – 14.0mm, 15.0mm
C. Kaman – 12.7 mm
E. Okafor – 12.5 mm, 13.5mm

I truly believe Nene and Chandler will be retained by their respective teams. The guys mentioned above are highly compensated as you can see. R. Lopez could be available considering the Suns have Gortat and Frye locked up long term. However, I don’t think he’s starting caliber for a team trying to get into the Finals. As frightening a realization as it is, it’s gotta be Oden.

by ChronicMasticator on Jun 25, 2011 2:00 PM PDT reply actions

is anyone else concerned about the other teams we'll be competing with?

we haven’t had much luck signing bigs in the recent past.

Joel Freeland coming over would be nice.

by DefenderOfPants on Jun 25, 2011 2:04 PM PDT reply actions

This!

Sign players who can fill a role for a year (Reggie Evans backup PF, Pendy backup C) then get Freeland here for start of 2012. At that point we’ll have a better sense if we’re going to be able to re-sign Greg and Freeland’s future. It’s hard to know what to do when we don’t know what players we’re going to have in the frontcourt in 2 years. If we are re-signing Oden and Batum, and with other existing contracts, its hard to pay big money to 2nd string players.

by 52therim on Jun 26, 2011 12:10 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions

If we're only getting one big we'll need to spend accordingly

He’d need to be a capable PF/C that could be used in a 3 man rotation with Aldridge and Camby. I don’t think McMillan would play Pendy if there was a better option.

by panfolk on Jun 26, 2011 2:11 PM PDT up reply actions

As nice as it would be to get an established big

I don’t think it’s going to happen. I think going after Seraphin or a player like him would be a good move. He’s not someone I want starting, but he would certainly be better than Cunningham or Juwan.

Joel Freeland would be nice, but he’s not going to come over. Funny how he won’t come because he won’t get playing time, when we had smaller PFs playing the 5.

Portland could coast along with their superior talent and stay right with us. Now that Portland woke up, the hammer cometh down.

Bayless > Daffy Duck after 3 cans of rockstar

by Batumshakalaka on Jun 25, 2011 2:53 PM PDT reply actions

Baseball sucks.

OSU '06
GForce Crash Wallace FTW!

by TyboOSU on Jun 25, 2011 2:58 PM PDT via mobile reply actions

I agree. I can't stand baseball

Thanks for your input.

by Eric Loftin on Jun 25, 2011 3:26 PM PDT up reply actions

boooooo

Felton will make a lot of people have selective memory on their reaction to draft night

Trade for Iggy

by thomasikehara on Jun 26, 2011 6:32 AM PDT up reply actions

My dream acquisitions would be McRoberts and Turiaf

giving PDX an 1 offensive minded back up post player and 1 defensive minded back up post player but that’s highly unlikely.

The problem for PDX is the Camby /Oden injury issues if both are healthy PDX doesn’t need much in the way of post help and simply bringing back Pendy could be enough to cover the remaining post minutes, that being a highly unlikely occurrence PDX needs at least 1 veteran FA post player who could log heavy minutes when needed but won’t complain when his minutes are reduced by a healthy Camby and Oden. I think Sheldon Williams could be a good pick up he could be had for cheap is a solid rebounder/defender and can run the pick and roll, he doesn’t have great height 6’9 but has good bulk 240-250 lbs add him and reacquire Pendy and I think PDX will be ok in the post and won’t have anyone who will scare Freeland away from coming over.

Red means run, son, numbers add up to nothin

by Biph on Jun 25, 2011 4:03 PM PDT reply actions

My choice

Would be Nene, Chandler, Okafor; in that order. I see any of these three having a major impact in Portland. Nene is a proven beast. Chandler brings intensity to every game. Okafor showed a great potential of skills this season, despite his injury. I would be very excited to see any of these guys in a Blazer uniform next season.

by RippedCityOS on Jun 25, 2011 4:42 PM PDT reply actions

I think the best realistic target for us is Okafor.

I would offer some package centered around Camby’s expiring contract throw in some young guys and cash.

Something like:
Camby, Elliot Williams, 2012 2nd round pick and 3 million cash for Emeka Okafor. I’m not sure if NO would bite on that though, they’d probably ask for Batum and I’m not sure if I would be willing to do that.

The smarter you are, the more likely you are to be tripping balls at any given moment.
Bring Back Dre.

by gtbassett on Jun 25, 2011 5:02 PM PDT up reply actions

Camby and Oden for Dwight Howard

Red means run, son, numbers add up to nothin

by Biph on Jun 25, 2011 5:19 PM PDT up reply actions

Oden and Batum for Dwight Howard

by panfolk on Jun 26, 2011 2:12 PM PDT up reply actions

Completely Agree

I’ve always liked Okafor, despite his faults. He’s just a good, not great, solid center. Doesn’t miss many games, knows how to rebound, and knows how to set picks.

by Eric Loftin on Jun 25, 2011 8:33 PM PDT up reply actions

I was thinking the same package

But going for Josh Smith. The Atlanta franchise is being sold and this is a financial move. Camby allows them to move Horford to PF, something Horrford’s been asking for. It saves Atlanta dollars while satisfying Horford.

by parkinglotj on Jun 25, 2011 5:25 PM PDT reply actions

That doesn't really help us though

by Eric Loftin on Jun 25, 2011 8:30 PM PDT up reply actions

I disagree

LA plays a ton at the 5. It would be imparative though that we get a center with the midlevel exception.

by parkinglotj on Jun 25, 2011 9:39 PM PDT up reply actions

When oden comes back mid season

imagine:

Oden and Spieghts.
LMA and Smith.
Wallace and Batum
Matthews and Roy
Felton and Smith

by parkinglotj on Jun 25, 2011 9:53 PM PDT up reply actions

Ok..

Josh Smith is an Allstar. He’s not going to come off the bench for Portland when he can start on 28 other teams.

by Eric Loftin on Jun 25, 2011 10:09 PM PDT up reply actions

I didn't get this out of thin air

check out this article: http://blogs.ajc.com/hawks/2011/06/23/atlanta-hawks-josh-smith-says-hes-not-eager-for-trade/
The point about him not wanting to come off the bench and a point that you didn’t make about his lack of outside shooting would be reasons against this. But if their ownership is looking to shed salary and rid the team of a headache they could do worse that camby and some picks.

by parkinglotj on Jun 25, 2011 10:49 PM PDT up reply actions

Sure they could do worse, but you have to think about our team’s lineup too. That leaves us with 3 starting SF’s, no center, and 1 PF. Unless you plan on making yet another trade, there’s no point in doing this.

And Josh Smith isn’t exactly the kind of character player Portland targets.

by Eric Loftin on Jun 26, 2011 8:49 AM PDT up reply actions

You got me there on the character issue.

I’m just not convinced that camby would be moved for an up and coming, quality PF. Yes, I do list smith as a PF.

by parkinglotj on Jun 26, 2011 11:17 AM PDT up reply actions

Mesed up

Spieght is not a RFA til 2012.

by parkinglotj on Jun 26, 2011 4:59 AM PDT up reply actions

LA can’t play the 5 all the time. Smith is more of a 3 than a 4, but definitely a tweener. Wallace is a straight up 3. Just because he’s strong doesn’t mean he should play the 4, and he’s definitely not a 2. Unless you think Smith would be ok coming off the bench (which he won’t), there’s no room or reason for Portland to get him.

by Eric Loftin on Jun 25, 2011 10:08 PM PDT up reply actions

Added twist

2012 Free Agents at Center

O’Neal
Diop
Asik®
Erden®
Mahinmi
Hibbert®
Kaman
Bynum (T)
Tolliver
Lopez®
Howard (ETO)
Speights®
Lopez®
Camby
Okur
McGee®

If Camby retires and Oden is hurt, then our best shots at a starting center are Kaman and Robin Lopez. Not good. If we pass the trade deadline with Camby and Oden as our only legit centers I’ll be very nervous.

Since we probably can’t afford three starter quality centers, we should probably try and flip Camby even for someone like Dalembert.

by wilson7117 on Jun 25, 2011 6:01 PM PDT reply actions

Since we actually have two starting quality centers (Camby and Oden)

I don’t expect them to go after a Kaman/Dalembert player, regardless of health issues. More likelygo for a Jeff Foster/ Kwame Brown/ Alexis Ajinca type in the FA, then maybe a Cunningham type for PF. Of course that whole 15 man roster thing would make that difficulty. A sign and trade for Mills or Babbitt would work.

Portland could coast along with their superior talent and stay right with us. Now that Portland woke up, the hammer cometh down.

Bayless > Daffy Duck after 3 cans of rockstar

by Batumshakalaka on Jun 26, 2011 11:53 AM PDT up reply actions

How do you figure GO is a quality C?

That description might apply if he coukd stay on the court…

by GoForthAndDie on Jun 26, 2011 5:12 PM PDT up reply actions

I did say regardless of health issues

Considering the lack of Cs in the league, how is he not a quality C?

Portland could coast along with their superior talent and stay right with us. Now that Portland woke up, the hammer cometh down.

Bayless > Daffy Duck after 3 cans of rockstar

by Batumshakalaka on Jun 26, 2011 8:43 PM PDT up reply actions

Just realized

that Nene, Chandler, and Okafor were all born in 1982.

by RippedCityOS on Jun 25, 2011 6:06 PM PDT reply actions

I still want Varejao.

Camby for Varejao and filler.

by meru on Jun 25, 2011 6:44 PM PDT reply actions

Will he be healthy enough to play center though?

by Eric Loftin on Jun 25, 2011 8:31 PM PDT up reply actions

Viagra you will have to buy for yourself

I am not getting that for you.

by blazerbill on Jun 27, 2011 1:02 AM PDT up reply actions

what about

Yi Julianian or Carl Landry? I think we need a backup PF more then a Center right now. Atleast we have 2 Centers. Who do we have to backup Lamarcus? Noone.

by Jeremy Pearson on Jun 25, 2011 9:52 PM PDT reply actions

Chris Johnson is a 4/5 who'll back up Aldridge too

Carl Landry might be ok, but he’s typically needed a lot of time on the court to be productive. Yi is horrible.

by Eric Loftin on Jun 25, 2011 10:10 PM PDT up reply actions

Carl Landry would be a great addition and someone I think the Blazers should target

Red Hot and Rolling

by BlazerFan88 on Jun 25, 2011 10:22 PM PDT reply actions

I think NOLA is hoping they can resign him

Especially if West opts out.

by Eric Loftin on Jun 25, 2011 10:35 PM PDT up reply actions

Center is a much bigger need than a backup PF.

We have absolutely no depth, Oden will be back in January at the earliest and Camby is 38 and going to be 39 by the end of the season. I am sick and tired of having absolutely no real centers on our roster because we lose all ours to injury. Center is now the #1 priority.

The smarter you are, the more likely you are to be tripping balls at any given moment.
Bring Back Dre.

by gtbassett on Jun 25, 2011 11:54 PM PDT reply actions

sign chuck hayes!!

Felton will make a lot of people have selective memory on their reaction to draft night

Trade for Iggy

by thomasikehara on Jun 26, 2011 6:32 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs

I was impressed with C. Johnson

and would throw his name into the “keeper” hat. Sign Hayes or Landry for the MLE.

by panfolk on Jun 26, 2011 2:16 PM PDT reply actions

Keep CJohnson

Camby is gone at the trade deadline, GO can’t even get on the floor for months. Keep Johnson (he can also back up LMA if need be), and find someone else you’d be content to have as a starter, At some point you may have to move someone should GO prove worthy, but it’s better to have too many than none.

by GoForthAndDie on Jun 26, 2011 5:51 PM PDT reply actions