Blazers MUST have Steve Nash!

by mlsinpdx on Jan 16, 2012 10:51 AM PST

I know it's early for Ray Felton as a Blazer and I do appreciate much of what he brings to the table. However, I think the time is ripe for the Suns to deal Steve Nash and I believe with his playmaking ability and his ability to stretch the floor, he would be a perfect fit for this team. I know, I know Nash's one weakness is his defense but have any of you noticed how porous Felton's is? Felton is prone to silly turnovers, bad passes and errors in judgment. Nash is not...at least not the the degree Felton is. Nash to Lamarcus anyone? Nash to Wallace/Batum on the break? Nash penetrating the lane at will on behalf of the Blazers instead of against the Blazers? Who would I be willing to give up for Nash? Since the trade would not be a 1 for 1 trade, who I'd give up depends on who else is included in the deal. I'd give up either Batum or Wallace along with Felton depending on who else was returned to us. If it was Felton plus Batum or Wallace I'd want to get a big along with Nash in return. Gortat maybe? Lopez? I am not a salary guru and don't even know how to run trade machine or whatever it is called. Anyone else on board? Anyone care to run a couple scenarios along these lines to see if anything works for both teams? Am I crazy? Is this simply NOT GONNA HAPPEN? Set me straight here folks.

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oh...no need to point out the age difference.

I get that. I believe with Nash this team has a solid chance at a title this year or next. We’d be THAT good. So I have my eyes on the prize, not some pipedream of what the future might hold.

LaMarshmallow - Distant Memory.

by mlsinpdx on Jan 16, 2012 11:01 AM PST reply actions

I didnt read this after you said nash doesnt have silly turnovers

Obviously you know nothing about steve nash. He gets alot of turn overs on the same stuff felton tries. Nash is always trying to pass without looking and missing his teammate by ten feet. I say no to steve nash and no no no to. Chris paul. No to deron williams and dwight howard wont be coming here.lol

Formally known as: My_name_a_rudy

by Blaze_that_trail on Jan 16, 2012 12:56 PM PST via mobile up reply actions

No WE NEED A YOUNG PG NOT A 47 YEAR OLD PG

Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje, Vladimir Stepania, Ha(ha you suck) Seung Jin, Travis Diener and Erick Barkley

by blazethenugs on Jan 17, 2012 12:41 AM PST up reply actions

Too old

by hoodieNation on Jan 16, 2012 11:11 AM PST via mobile reply actions 1 recs

Hehe, I'd totally trade Felton and Crawford.

Batum… Not so much.

by hoodieNation on Jan 16, 2012 11:13 AM PST via mobile reply actions 1 recs

I like Jose Calderon better.

He younger then Nash
Has one of the best A/T ratio every year, even though he’s not on a talented team.
He can shoot a 3pt, really I’ve seen it, not like Felton who everyone say he can shoot but he can’t.
He is also good rebounder. (Mike Rice Stat “Calderon is 7th in the NBA in rebounding for Point Guards.”)

by Daddygr33nJeans on Jan 16, 2012 11:20 AM PST reply actions

Nash is in the last year of his contract and Phoenix isn't going anywhere with or without him.

So they won’t trade him unless Nash asks to be traded and he won’t do that unless he can go to a contender. Portland isn’t a contender unless we can also pick up a center.

So if we could pickup Okafor from NO for Wallace (freeing Batum to start) then maybe we could convince Nash to finish the year here and trade Felton for Nash (Phoenix can’t get much for Nash because he will likely retire at the end of this year). If Crawford ever found his game and passed the ball a little, we might make the WCF. Then maybe we could convince Nash to play one more year if we had a good summer (bring over Freeland).

Lots of IF’s, but nothing to lose if we could pick up Okafor, because unless Felton makes a dramatic improvement he ain’t coming back after this year anyway. So we are most likely looking for a PG this summer one way or the other.

Adding Okafor and Nash would give us a pretty good team this year if JC gets it together.

Nash – JC
Matthews – JC
Batum – Matthews
LA – Thomas – Smith
Okafor – Camby – LA

"You're not too smart, are you? I like that in a man." - Matty Walker in Body Heat (1981)

by BlazerFanSince1970 on Jan 16, 2012 11:30 AM PST reply actions 2 recs

don't forget Claver

he has said he want to come over possibly next season

by Daddygr33nJeans on Jan 16, 2012 11:34 AM PST up reply actions

No way you can trade Wallace for Okafor or Felton for Nash.

Salaries don’t match.

by tyeforshee on Jan 16, 2012 11:49 AM PST up reply actions

No problem.

Nash makes $11.7M Felton makes $7.6M. Armon Johnson makes 0.8M. We would remain below the luxury tax threshold, so Nash for Felton (+Armon Johnson) works.
$8.4M * 1.5 + 0.1 = $12.7M.

Then trade Wallace + Babbitt for Okafur.
Okafur makes $12.6M. Wallace make $9.5M. Babbitt makes 1.8M
$11.3M * 1.25 + 0.1 = $14.2M. Trade works.

"You're not too smart, are you? I like that in a man." - Matty Walker in Body Heat (1981)

by BlazerFanSince1970 on Jan 16, 2012 3:39 PM PST up reply actions

Yes they do for Wallace for Okafor

And I believe that Phoenix has the cap space to make Felton for Nash work too.

by philthebballplayer on Jan 16, 2012 7:10 PM PST up reply actions

Nash is retiring?

Doers & Makers > Movers & Shakers

by Adam Randall on Jan 16, 2012 5:49 PM PST up reply actions

Hinrich

by Oden Mad, Oden Smash! on Jan 16, 2012 11:33 AM PST via mobile reply actions

Mo williams would actually fit well, but too expensive

by skott75 on Jan 16, 2012 12:01 PM PST reply actions

man, I am not a Mo fan

though he’s been hitting at a better 3 pt clip than anyone on our team

"I was a victim of a series of accidents, as are we all."

by thankyouforblaze on Jan 16, 2012 6:09 PM PST up reply actions

i'm not really either

but his skill set and shooting would work here.

by skott75 on Jan 17, 2012 2:02 PM PST up reply actions

Why would we want an injured PG

at the end of his Career? Lol…..

by AR-15 on Jan 16, 2012 1:53 PM PST reply actions

The only way you trade for Nash is....

If the team is committed to win right now, today, this season for a championship nothing less.

Not next year but this year alone.

I don’t know how committed the blazers are to winning this year over starting all over in the summer. Even though I know Felton will need to ball his butt off to get a new contract with the blazers between now and summer. The blazers will loose a little flexibility during the summer if they commit to Nash and loose this year.

No doubt Nash would make the blazers an instant contender, and specially now that he fits in with Nates new offense. But we all know it will take at the very least Felton and Batum and a couple draft picks to pry Nash away from the Suns.

I only see this happening if….
1. The Blazers fully commit to GW and know they can’t keep both Batum and GW.

2. They give up on Felton and know they will not commit to him in the summer.

And…
3. If they are willing to commit to winning now.

by Hoi on Jan 16, 2012 2:52 PM PST via mobile reply actions

My vote is just plain NO

LET THE LAMONSTER ERA BEGIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by LaMarvelous on Jan 16, 2012 3:43 PM PST reply actions 1 recs

I'd only trade for him if we have a committed, healthy Oden.

That, to me, is a championship caliber team that has to win now, as Nash is fading quite quick. But with a healthy Oden.. we’d have a 1-2 year window!

A displaced Sonics fan that has somehow emerged as a Blazers fan (and loves it).

by anitachampionship on Jan 16, 2012 4:19 PM PST reply actions

Trading Wallace for Okafor

would be so awesome, but I don’t see them doing it

The tensions are so high because the stakes are so low!

by tylercomp on Jan 16, 2012 4:27 PM PST reply actions

wallace is overpaying for okafor

could get him for camby, babbitt or armon + a 1st rd pick

by Jpar on Jan 16, 2012 4:47 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs

Really?

You can get him for player that will retire at the end of the year and 2 players that will never make it in the NBA and a bottom of the 1st round pick? Then why is he still in NO because lots of teams would give more than that?

"You're not too smart, are you? I like that in a man." - Matty Walker in Body Heat (1981)

by BlazerFanSince1970 on Jan 16, 2012 4:55 PM PST up reply actions

Yes, really.

Hornets have no use for Okafor on a 3-year, 40 million contract. Take Armon/Babbitt out of the picture (altho I wouldn’t be surprised if some GM wouldn’t mind taking a look at Babbitt) and consider they wouldn’t be trading for Marcus Camby the player, but rather Marcus Camby the expiring contract. Next years draft is strong and a early/mid 20s pick has quite a bit of value to a rebuilding team be it to draft a player or package it with other picks to move up in the draft/get a player they want.

No, I don’t think they they’ll get a much better offer then cap space + a early/mid 20s pick in a strong draft. I can’t think of any other teams willing to take on his contract who would make a better offer, all things considered.

by Jpar on Jan 16, 2012 5:17 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs

We are not allow to trade our 1st round pick away for the upcoming draft

Under the CBA teams are only allowed to trade away a 1st rounder for every other year and our 2013 1st rounder belongs to the Bobcats for the Wallace trade.

by FPS NorthWest on Jan 16, 2012 5:21 PM PST up reply actions

Oh, no kidding. Forgot about that.

That’s what I get for thinking up trade ideas without really keeping up with which picks we still own, lol

by Jpar on Jan 16, 2012 5:25 PM PST up reply actions

I'm sure the Hornets would love to dump his salary but as Dave posted on the game recap

If the Blazers seriously thought they could content this year, or were close, they could probably call up the Hornets and make an offer for Emeka Okafor. He has an expensive (Camby-level) contract running through 2014. The Blazers would be luxury-tax payers in 2012-13 and 2013-14. But he’s exactly what the Hornets don’t need right now—non-scorer, inside player, rebounder and defender, big guy, and expensive—and most of what the Blazers do need. I don’t believe the Blazers will assess themselves as being far enough towards elite status to justify the expense. But Okafor should be there for the picking if anyone wants him.

I definitely believe our roster has bigger issues outside of not having a legit durable Center.

by FPS NorthWest on Jan 16, 2012 5:33 PM PST up reply actions

I agree with that completely.

Was just discussing what kind of value Okafor has. I’m not in the trade for Okafor camp for the exact reason Dave stated.

by Jpar on Jan 16, 2012 5:47 PM PST up reply actions

There's a middle ground.

Some package involving Camby’s expiring, a project in E-WIll, the draft rights to Freeland & Claver, a couple of future second-rounders, and a cool mil or two in cash might be enough to pry Okafor away from the Hornets.

Swapping Gerald Wallace for Okafor would be a lateral move at best. If Portland looks to deal Crash, it should be for future assets (i.e., draft picks).

"I Am Mine"

by AK1984 on Jan 16, 2012 5:42 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs

This is much closer to the type of move I would like to see made.

I agree that Okafor is a lateral move at best. We could, and should, do better for Wallace, if he’s to be traded.

GW is the type of player you want to make the right move with; otherwise, I see serious regret in our future. He’s just too high quality not to get a really good return on.

Blunts and cupcakes...Bumble Bee's secret weapon.

by Wotan on Jan 17, 2012 1:08 AM PST up reply actions

I don't believe NO will give up Okafor for basically a salary dump, i.e. Camby.

The proof is that if they were willing to do that Okafor would already have been traded this season. Plenty of teams need centers. I think it will take a player that they at least hope to resign with Bird Rights. i.e. Wallace. They know Camby will retire so there is nothing in that for them. I actually wouldn’t give up Freeland yet. Let’s see if he can play first.

We aren’t going to do much better for Wallace because he will be UFA this summer and will want a 4 year deal (else he would have bargained with us for an extension now). PDX isn’t going to give him a 4 year deal, so he will walk away for nothing. Hence, I think its an ok deal to move Wallace for Okafor (who has 2 years left after this year on his contract). It frees room for Batum and that is important at this point.

Then we just need to find a PG that we can get for Felton and change.

"You're not too smart, are you? I like that in a man." - Matty Walker in Body Heat (1981)

by BlazerFanSince1970 on Jan 17, 2012 3:14 AM PST up reply actions

just wait until the trade deadline approaches and the Hornets have the worst record in the West

they may be more willing to rid themselves of Okafor’s financial burden

"If I had a dime for every basket I made today, you'd still suck!" - from the book 'John Dies @ the End'

by sammymohawk on Jan 17, 2012 3:32 PM PST up reply actions

Thats what I'm thinking.

Trade For Andre Iguodala

by 420Phenom on Jan 17, 2012 7:03 PM PST up reply actions

much rather pick up OJ mayo

maybe Okafor aswell. steve nash would be an upgrade but he’s too old and more importantly, there’s better options

by Jpar on Jan 16, 2012 4:41 PM PST reply actions

No!!!! We would tank!

by lawalteral14 on Jan 16, 2012 5:12 PM PST via mobile reply actions

I assume that Phoenix won't deal Nash unless it can get some team to take Josh Childress off of its hands.

Any trade between Phoenix and Portland would revolve around Nash/Childress/Lopez for Camby/Ray/Nic. Even if Portland says no, it’s no big deal for Phoenix. At worst, the Suns can squeeze every last drop out of Nash and, once time runs out, they’ll just let him walk at season’s end.

On a side note, I assume Nash would prefer to stay with a non-contender in Phoenix than join a non-contender in Portland. If winning it all isn’t an option, then a player might as well be in a comfortable situation while losing.

But yes, Portland’s a non-contender. A playoff team, yes. May just win a series to boot; yet, still a non-contender.

"I Am Mine"

by AK1984 on Jan 16, 2012 5:36 PM PST reply actions

pretty sure they're are only 2 contenders this year and they are both in the east.

by hoodieNation on Jan 16, 2012 6:47 PM PST up reply actions

Nope

Because that makes no sense.

by AR-15 on Jan 16, 2012 7:31 PM PST up reply actions

Haha

What west team could beat Miami or Chicago?

by hoodieNation on Jan 16, 2012 7:54 PM PST via mobile up reply actions

Honestly

LA Lakers could dominate Miami I think. Slow the game down and they don’t have a defensive answer for Bynum/Pau. I really don’t think OKC will do anywhere near as well in the playoffs as they are playing right now, but I thought that last year too….so I guess I could be wrong there. And just cause we are on BE, THE BLAZERS!

by AR-15 on Jan 16, 2012 9:36 PM PST up reply actions

WOOT! GO BLAZERS!

I can’t really argue with any if your points.

by hoodieNation on Jan 17, 2012 9:10 AM PST via mobile up reply actions

You think Miami has the ability

to stop Pau and Bynum, MAYBE Pau, but Joel has nothing on Bynum, who I believe is the best post player in the league even over DH.

by AR-15 on Jan 17, 2012 8:33 PM PST up reply actions

Bynum will stop himself

by hoodieNation on Jan 18, 2012 3:45 PM PST up reply actions

who is going to stop LeBron or Wade... or Bosh

Losing (giving away) Odom is going to hurt the Lakers come playoff time.

by hoodieNation on Jan 18, 2012 3:46 PM PST up reply actions

Well the 4th quarter will stop

Lebron. I think Kobe will put out better numbers then Wade so I guess you could call that stopping him. I think Pau will match Bosh so again, effectively stopping him. So if the rest of the team matches Lebrons 1-3rd quarter performances, and Mike Miller doesn’t go 6/6 from the 3 point line, I believe the Lakers would win a 7 game series against Miami.

by AR-15 on Jan 18, 2012 4:00 PM PST up reply actions

I wouldn't bet on LeBron just flopping in the 4th.

by hoodieNation on Jan 18, 2012 4:04 PM PST up reply actions

That was kind of a joke

I think the only way Lebron beats LAL is if his shot is on. I don’t think Bynum lets him do much in the paint. I guess I shouldn’t have used the word DOMINATE, though I do believe LAL would win a 7 game series about 7 out of 10 times (I did no statistical math to get that ratio).

by AR-15 on Jan 18, 2012 4:12 PM PST up reply actions

I hope we're never forced to see who is right.

by hoodieNation on Jan 18, 2012 4:15 PM PST up reply actions

this.

Trade For Andre Iguodala

by 420Phenom on Jan 18, 2012 4:20 PM PST up reply actions

I can definitely

agree with that. I would like at least be able to root for one of the Finalists.

by AR-15 on Jan 18, 2012 4:40 PM PST up reply actions

I basically agree, but I would never give up Nic for 4 months of Nash.

Nash will likely retire or move elsewhere after this year unless we are contender. So you trade Wallace for Okafor, and Felton+Camby for Nash+whatever, and maybe you get to the WCF this year. Then maybe Nash could be convinced to come back for another year if you make some further moves this summer. Even if he doesn’t you only lost Felton and Camby for him, and neither of them are coming back here next year anyway.

"You're not too smart, are you? I like that in a man." - Matty Walker in Body Heat (1981)

by BlazerFanSince1970 on Jan 17, 2012 3:18 AM PST up reply actions

no way is Nash worth either Batum or Wallace

And no way would Nash be a dramatic improvement over Felton.

Leave Nash in Feenicks. He can get a sneaker endorsement for geriatric shoes because of all the old people in Feenicks. Soon he’ll need them to keep playing anyway.

This is my signature. Do you like it?

by scaredcow on Jan 16, 2012 6:04 PM PST reply actions

Damn that would be a fun team to watch.

I’d give up the inconsistency of Crawford & Felton for a rental of Nash…

Paul Allen, the 2011 Trail Blazers Owner/GM

by 420Phenom on Jan 16, 2012 7:47 PM PST reply actions

For Ray Felton and Wallace yes

WITH ODEN ON OUR SIDE

by bowdown on Jan 16, 2012 7:58 PM PST reply actions

no siree bob not gonna happen wouldn't be prudent

This is my signature. Do you like it?

by scaredcow on Jan 17, 2012 12:09 AM PST up reply actions

A rental player isn't taking you to the Finals. So, what's the point?

Granted, Felton and Camby may well be gone next summer, but you’d have to persuade Phoenix that Felton is their point guard of the future, when he isn’t ours. At the same time, the only player putting fans in the seats in Phoenix is Nash. At some point, the Blazers are due for rebuilding. Our guard play is little more than average and we have no pivot to speak of. Okafor could work well with Aldridge, but that won’t resolve the guards, and if you deal Wallace for Okafor, the odds are that we won’t be able to pick up any worthwhile draft picks. And, there really isn’t much in the FA market to salivate over next summer other than Howard.

by ebenc on Jan 17, 2012 5:05 AM PST reply actions

No to Nash cause we'll have to give up too much which

will hurt our depth effectively weakening us at the same time and making it just as hard to challenge for the title.

No to Okafor has he is too inconsistent and trading for him will give us very little cap space in the summer to go after who we want. Besides I think we can do better in the summer with all our cap space. We should be after a more athletic big man than Okafor and someone who doesn’t earn $14 mill a year. For that kind of money I’d expect at least 10pts and 10rebs a game with a couple blocks too.

by VinnyB on Jan 17, 2012 5:16 AM PST reply actions