The winning franchises across the NBA have solid cores consisting of 3 maybe 4 guys who they rely on year in and year out. Once the core is set I think a franchise has a better idea of what's needed to fill out the roster. The Blazers don't really have this group established, which is understandable considering the injuries to Roy and Oden. The one certainty in Portland's core is Aldridge. Felton and Camby and possibly Wallace and Crawford are free agents. There seems to be a good chance that none of those players will return. Batum will be a restricted free agent and I'm guessing the Blazers will match any offer sheet. Batum seems to be the next closest thing we have to a core player, but that seems yet to be finalized. Matthews is under contract so he's more than likely going to be a mainstay. I would say he has potential to be a core player. Before we can add pieces to complete a championship team it seems we need to establish our core players first. Any ideas?