Friday Morning Question

by Dave on Apr 12, 2007 11:12 PM PDT in News

OK, here's your musing opportunity for Friday A.M.

One of the things Jason Quick mentioned in the chat yesterday was that the Blazers would be looking for a dynamic starting small forward in the offseason, a Rashard Lewis type. Here's my question: Would you go for the original or not? Why?

Let's assume we have to get rid of Zach to get him. In fact I'll set up a hypothetical trade for you that could be in the ballpark if Seattle doesn't end up top three in the lottery:

Portland trades Zach Randolph and Dan Dickau to Boston

Boston trades Paul Pierce to Seattle

Seattle trades Rashard Lewis (new contract) to Portland and their first round selection to Boston

Forget whether the other teams would do it (though I think it does make some sense for them all). Would you make that trade?

Rashard Lewis' Stats

--Dave (blazersub@yahoo.com)

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No-brainer

Of course I would do that. I'd include all 3 of our 2nd round picks to boot. I'd even trade Zach and Jack for Rashard. See my diary...

by Morchella on Apr 12, 2007 11:18 PM PDT reply actions

I would

Then again, there's no possible way that Seattle would do that.

by robrun2 on Apr 12, 2007 11:21 PM PDT reply actions

I bet

they wouldn't have as hard of a time swallowing it as you think. They're likely to lose Lewis for nothing at all. A sign-and-trade could be appealing for them. Plus the chance to unite Paul Pierce and Ray Allen is not to be missed. They still have Wilcox and Collison, plus maybe Swift coming back for big men. Point guard is a problem but with Pierce on board they could make due with a lesser one. Maybe they'd like a next-year's first rounder from somebody but I bet that would be pretty close to doing it.

I'd be more worried about Boston not wanting Zach with Al Jefferson, which is why the pick is needed. But then again this thread wasn't supposed to get sidetracked with whether Boston or Seattle would do it. It's about Lewis as a Blazer.

--Dave

by Dave on Apr 12, 2007 11:29 PM PDT up reply actions

With new ownership

and arena difficulties, I think this team is still in 'picks and young players' mode, not aging 30-somethings whose best days are behind him.

This deal works if Portland is the team that trades the pick. They'd be getting the youngest player with the most upside, IMO.

- Sam

by Samuelson on Apr 13, 2007 9:39 AM PDT up reply actions

Not enough teams will have Rashard-level cap room.

If the Sonics lose Rashard, it WILL be in a sign-and-trade deal.

So it's not a question of, would they do this deal; it's a question of,
is this the winning deal, the best offer they'll get for Rashard?

I say no.

And yeah: Throw me in with the "DO IT"s.

Tell 'em Large Marge sent ya.

by QualityPie on Apr 14, 2007 10:01 AM PDT up reply actions

reluctantly yes

to be honest, turning Randolph and Danger Dan into Lewis sounds like we aren't really getting full value, but I'd do it anyways because it would solve some problems of where to play LMA. If we did this though, I would be more inclined to sign Mags again. People will probably filay and crucify me for saying that.

Shan was eloquent/Kris was intelligent/ the R was all the above with added elements.

by JPop on Apr 12, 2007 11:50 PM PDT reply actions

Defenitely

can you say playoffs?

ROY for R.O.Y.

by junit3123 @ Blazer's Edge on Apr 13, 2007 12:20 AM PDT reply actions

I'd do it Yesterday Already!

How could we NOT do that?

Unless there are some questions about Rashard's character, effort, IQ, etc, cause he obviously is extremely talented. He is a perfect SF in today's (and yesterday's) NBA.

Athletic, 3 point range, long, decent defender (right?)... he's averaged over 20 a game for the last few seasons while playing with a very good scorer in his own right, Ray Allen. That's a lot of shots going to a main guy who deserves them, and Rashard still produces as a second fiddle. He'd do nothing but THRIVE as the main scorer... as long as we can get him the ball.

We'd still have Roy and Aldridge and Jack to keep the defense honest. You can't focus on just Rashard cause Roy will kill ya, and so on down the line. And who knows, Roy may become the bigger offensive threat; we know he can share the ball and having a SF and SG/PG that talented offensively is just gravy smooth.

And here's an important point: Far as I can tell, Rashard doesn't seem to need the offense to go THROUGH him to prosper. That's why star duos like Lebron and Larry Hughes don't work... they are too similar of players; both NEED the ball in their hand nonstop. Our offense would still go through Brandon Roy, The Great Facilitator, and Rashard's game wouldn't affect that.

(Someone correct me if I'm wrong on that point. I haven't seen every game he ever played like My Blazers... but I've seen him plenty I feel)

Zach as the FOCUS of the offense doesn't work that well... he is pretty clutch, a great halfcourt scorer, but he isn't a good passer and we all know the offense stalls through him. Plus, I'd bet good money that LMA will soon be averaging Z-Bo's numbers offensively (maybe a lil' less scoring) and defensive numbers that more than make up for the lighter offensive game... IF he ends up having less of an offensive game.

With LMA in the wings, a hole at our SF spot, and a great healthy YOUNG wing player available, I can't see not doing it. It'd be PERFECT.

I see he's a lil' older than Zach, but not enough to make a difference. His size and athletic ability trump Z-Bo, and he doesn't have any major health issues that I've heard of. His style just fits our REAL Blazer players so much better.

Short of getting Durant, it's the best off-season move I can see us attempting. I don't get how some can think it's not an equal trade; I'd feel blessed to get that much for Z-Bo! I'd throw in Dickau, draft picks, possibly a non-Youngin' as well.

He's not a savior, but he's an awesome player. Count me in. Make it happen Dave! Get on the phone!

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Apr 13, 2007 12:33 AM PDT reply actions

I agree with Mortimer

The question is--would Z-Bo for Rashard make sense a few years down the road when the Blazers are a contender? Something tells me no. Rashard seems like a guy in his prime who will quickly slip in the years to come, mostly due to injury.

The thing is, the Blazers have picked up veterans before (see: Steve Smith, Scottie Pippen) and it has worked wonderfully. As long as Lewis doesn't have some sort of health and/or drug/alcohol problem (a la Kemp) then it might make sense short- and mid-term. Long term, Z-Bo might have more value. But then, Aldridge will need PT and I hate to see Joel be stranded on the bench. He deserves to start next year. It would be cool to have a defensive front court of Joel and LaMarcus, wouldn't it?

by jamon51 on Apr 13, 2007 10:02 AM PDT up reply actions

plus i think

rashard likes nate. i'm sure i've read that they got along well in seattle.

ignacio

by ignacio on Apr 13, 2007 12:52 AM PDT reply actions

We wish

Im not saying that it cant happen but It certainly sounds like a pipe dream.

by DropstepJ on Apr 13, 2007 1:14 AM PDT reply actions

Deal.

I think this could be a Pau-to-Chicago style deal (ie, the Sonics want way too much in a sign and trade), but if it's possible, I'd do it.

by rockingharder on Apr 13, 2007 1:21 AM PDT reply actions

Hrmm

So Boston gets Zach, Seattle's first rounder, PLUS keeps their own pick and they lose the big contract of Pierce's in return for a younger and cheaper 24-10 guy?

Hrmm... and Portland keeps their first rounder?

Portland gets Rashard. Seattle has SG/SF superstar combo Ray Allen and Paul Pierce?

Assumption is Martell or Ime and Outlaw (playing backup PF now if he's resigned) are the first ones off the bench?

Starting unit is JJ, Roy, Rashard, LMA, and Joel?

Backup is Sergio, Martell, Ime, Outlaw, ?centerbigmantakenindraftperhaps?

Third-string PG is Freddie?

Do it.

ROTUNDITYDOTNET

by damir on Apr 13, 2007 2:18 AM PDT reply actions

Yeah

Put in those terms it sure looks good.

by jamon51 on Apr 13, 2007 10:04 AM PDT up reply actions

Yes...

...and I like that Zach would ship out of the conference (minimizes the "Gotcha Effect"). However, we'd be facing Pierce/Allen 4 or 5 times a year.

It also allows us to use our pick for the best big man available.

One question: the silence from the Miles camp is deafening (some would applaud that silence). What's goin' on ?

"...though you may fail...aim at something high." Henry David Thoreau

by Dr Dave on Apr 13, 2007 7:56 AM PDT reply actions

Yes, I would absolutely do that.

I don't think Boston does it because of Al Jefferson like you said.

by ranma on Apr 13, 2007 9:04 AM PDT reply actions

In a heartbeat

First comes the disclaimer, as a fan who grew up in Seattle and is still a Sonics fan at heart. I'm beginning to like the Trailblazers, mostly due to Roy and Nate.

This trade should be done in a heartbeat. Rashard would be a great fit for this team. He has grown up quite a lot in his time in the NBA, and is still very young (under 28 I believe). He is a great shooter, who doesn't require the ball to be effective. The Blazers can go big with him (imagine Roy and Rashard in the backcourt), as well as small (in short periods he can play the 4 spot). The knock on him has always been that he can't be the focal point of an offense, which would not be a problem with Roy and Aldridge on the court. As a shooter he would do well in the halfcourt offense, and as athletic enough to run in an uptempo offense as well.

Again, the fact that he doesn't assert himself enough on offense should not hurt him with the Blazers (as it does with Seattle, who needs him to be that #1 option). I would do it in a heartbeat.

Benno

by Benno on Apr 13, 2007 9:21 AM PDT reply actions

Hell yes

I'd ask Nate for his ok first (whether he feels like he can get Rashard to exert himself a bit more on the defensive end for instance), but Rashard would be one of my top 3s to try to target in terms of trading zbo.

by howlingfantods on Apr 13, 2007 9:23 AM PDT reply actions

I think Nate would be ok with it because

Zach doesn't play defense either. So our interior defense gets way better by subtraction. And then, if Lewis is getting really hurt on defense and isn't shooting well, McMillan still has Udoka (assuming he stays).

by ranma on Apr 13, 2007 9:44 AM PDT up reply actions

For the record

I'd be ecstatic with any trade that involves trading Zbo and any of our bench guys for, in this order, (1) Gerald Wallace, (2) Rashard, (3) Pierce.

by howlingfantods on Apr 13, 2007 9:46 AM PDT up reply actions

In a Heartbeat

Sweet Lou can flat out score, and is really versitle. I would love to add him to the team.

by seattleblazer on Apr 13, 2007 9:30 AM PDT reply actions

Yes, Lewis would be a far better fit than Zach

but he's not coming here. Not in that deal or any. I just don't see the Sonics trading him here or Boston trading for Zach. Far more likely that Boston trades for KG and the Sonics go re-build rather than trying to get Pierce and compete now.

by JMblazerfan on Apr 13, 2007 10:26 AM PDT reply actions

Love the deal...one red flag

Sign us up for that one, especially since we keep the pick. The only major concern would be what would Rashard's contract look like? Rashard is going to be probably the hottest thing on the market this summer would we have to max contract him?

by porterfan30 on Apr 13, 2007 11:35 AM PDT reply actions

Yeah, probably

That's part of the incentive for Seattle to move him. They like him but not max contract like him. We won't get any cap room in this deal, in fact we'd likely lose some. That's part of why they get to lose their pick and we keep ours. (That and they got the best player in the whole deal.)

--Dave

by Dave on Apr 13, 2007 11:40 AM PDT up reply actions

Alternate Proposal

I like the idea of dumping another one of our second-rate point guards on Boston. I think they will be wary after the Telfair fiasco. (nice work KP)

As others have mentioned it looks like they are loving Al Jefferson in Boston, and he wants to be a Celtic for a long time. So they don't really need Zach. On the other hand, Pierce has expressed some frustration with his current team, so he might look for something new.

How about a scenario in which we trade Zach plus any combo of players/picks to Seattle, Seattle sends Lewis and any combo of players/picks to Boston, and we get Pierce in a Blazers uniform? I haven't looked at any of this from a salary cap/contract standpoint but that would net us the marquee small forward we're looking for.

by kenzc76 on Apr 13, 2007 11:57 AM PDT reply actions

wouldn't work for Pierce

Pierce is upset because he wants to be on a contender, I don't think we qualify. Pierce is 2 yrs older and I think I would rather have Lewis at this point but especially in 3 yrs.

by porterfan30 on Apr 13, 2007 1:05 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm torn

I'm going to resist my natural urge and stick to the rules O' Wise One layed down.

-I love the fact that Lewis can fill it up from the perimeter and that's something we desperately need.

-I love his athleticism and believe (like others) he can play uptempo as well as half court and this is a prerequisite IMHO.

-His defense would be an upgrade, but I'm not convinced he's worth top dollar in this area (I know, it's a piece of the whole).

-A nice middle-aged veteran influence would be a big plus, but I've never gotten the sense he's really strong in this area.

-The fat contract concerns me a bit, feels close to a one for one on Zach's price tag and that's tough to swallow in a non-superstar. Against the backdrop of what an anchor Zach's deal has been perceived as in most camps, wouldn't we just end up complaining about how much of the cap he's eating versus his contribution?

-His age concerns me a bit, I know he's just hitting his prime and he's been pretty durable at around 75 games a season but he is just finishing his 9th season. Our core is much younger and you'd like to see him fit the entire span of R & A shelf life.

Ultimately I'd give this a tentative thumbs up but I have to say I'd be more excited about a Deng or Iguodala.

by TP43 on Apr 13, 2007 1:52 PM PDT reply actions

Yeses All Around?

where's Blazer Nation when you need him?

And I wonder what blazerprophet would chime in to this deal...

Ball Don't Lie

by bothteamsplayedhard on Apr 13, 2007 2:05 PM PDT reply actions

i love zach

but yeah, this deal is a no-brainer. essentially trading zach straight up for rashard lewis is a quality deal on our end. What I can't stand for is some stupid deal liek the ones previously discussed in diaries along the lines of Zach for Nocioni or something liek that. Lewis is an allstar, and I would say a better player than Randolph. Unfortunately, I don't think Randolph would command a Rashard Lewis in the open market.

by ssa400 on Apr 13, 2007 3:14 PM PDT reply actions

I think I'd consider

Nocioni and their pick though. It gives us a serviceable small forward and another huge trading chip and/or young player. Plus we'd have gotten PJ Brown's expiring contract the way the deal was first lined up. Don't underestimate that. A ton of youth, some nice offense, and room to sign free agents or engineer trades without worrying about the cap? That's a more subtle exchange for Zach but maybe a good one.

--Dave

by Dave on Apr 13, 2007 3:28 PM PDT up reply actions

What if

for instance, you could get Brewer or Green with our pick and then Yi with that second pick as kind of a project? (You can put in almost any two players you want outside of Oden and Durant.) Plus you get Nocioni and some cap room. I think that would actually be quite a bit for Zach. And that's trading nobody else. You could probably get another nice veteran for one of our young guys like Jack or Webster plus the lower of the two picks.

--Dave

by Dave on Apr 13, 2007 3:38 PM PDT up reply actions

Bibby and a pair of Gators, Dave?

How about Zach and Jack for Bibby and the King's pick?

Say we take Al Horford with the our top pick pick and Brewer is there at the Kings late lottery spot. We fill needs at the 1, 3, and 5. Bibby has only 2 years left on his contract, at which time Sergio can take over.

by JMblazerfan on Apr 13, 2007 10:51 PM PDT up reply actions

The Lone Voice of Dissent

I say no, I like the combo of Zach and Lamarcus starting together. Most of the "Centers" in the league are glorified power forwards. Bring Joel in off the bench as a hustle guy, it is how he first began to emerge as a force. Lewis is Injury prone, and has had locker room issues in the past. I take my chances with the draft, use our pick as a chip to get a veteran, or trade some of our lesser pieces to get small forward help. It's not that I think we'd be giving up to much, it's that I like what I've seen this year when Z-Bo and LMA are on the floor together, particularly towards the end of their respective seasons.

by fromagnon on Apr 13, 2007 5:01 PM PDT reply actions