2010 Free Agency

[Fez Hammersticks]

Looking at the list of RFA, there are only a few that are realistic and make sense.

Anthony Morrow

Career 46% from three.

He's exactly what Nate tried to turn Rudy into: spot up shooter. He'd fit in perfectly with the second unit.

 

[hasoos]

Looking at the list of RFA, there are only a few that are realistic and make sense.

Anthony Morrow

Career 46% from three.

He's exactly what Nate tried to turn Rudy into: spot up shooter. He'd fit in perfectly with the second unit.

You know for a second I thought, "But he played for Golden State who doesn't play any D." But then I realized, we would be replacing Rudy with him. Rudy didn't play any defense and also didn't hit shots. So it is still an upgrade, in general.

 

[e_blazer]

It seems to me that if Portland gets involved in this summer's FA market it will probably be in the form of a sign and trade deal.

 

[hasoos]

It seems to me that if Portland gets involved in this summer's FA market it will probably be in the form of a sign and trade deal.

We will still have a veteran exception, I believe, which is enough for a lot of players out there.

 

[Blaze01]

Yeah that is the guy I have been touting should be option #1 in FA for POR....

Another guy to look at may be Wes Matthews of UTA....

 

[hasoos]

Wes Mathews is a free agent? I like how he plays. He doesn't back down from anybody.

Edit: I see he is restricted. Utah may have to let him walk if they want to keep Boozer though.

I also think John Salmons would fit well here.

 

[Tortimer]

I would like to see the Blazers go for Korver UFA, Mike Miller UFA or maybe JJ Redick RFA. All these guys can shoot the 3 very well.

 

[hasoos]

I would like to see the Blazers go for Korver UFA, Mike Miller UFA or maybe JJ Redick RFA. All these guys can shoot the 3 very well.

Yea I am not a big fan of Korver because of his D. But if you just need a backup 3 to space the floor, he would work, and he makes his shots, you have to give him that. Mike Miler I am skeptical of because of injury issues the last few years, but when not hurt he plays pretty well. JJ Redick is still on the upswing. He also has more ball handling skills than I thought he had before he was a pro.

 

[Tortimer]

Yea I am not a big fan of Korver because of his D. But if you just need a backup 3 to space the floor, he would work, and he makes his shots, you have to give him that. Mike Miler I am skeptical of because of injury issues the last few years, but when not hurt he plays pretty well. JJ Redick is still on the upswing. He also has more ball handling skills than I thought he had before he was a pro.

I only want these guys to come off the bench and provide a spark. Miller I could see getting more time because he can do a more then just shoot. Miller was also fairly healthy last year. IMO we need a great 3 pt shooter to come in a space the floor. I'm not a big fan of Morrow or Matthews.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

The only RFA I care about is Kyle Lowry. He may be one of the top 5 PG defenders in the league. And we need perimeter defense. Badly.

 

[e_blazer]

We will still have a veteran exception, I believe, which is enough for a lot of players out there.

True, and we'll also have the MLE available this year since the Blazers are over the cap. If the Blazers want to get an impact player though, a sign and trade would seem like the only available option.

 

[Nikolokolus]

It seems to me that if Portland gets involved in this summer's FA market it will probably be in the form of a sign and trade deal.

A sign and trade is certainly a possibility, but it's no more or less likely than a standard trade IMO; it's not like we can combine our mid-level plus players to match the salary requirements of a free agent sign and trade.

 

[oldmangrouch]

The only RFA I care about is Kyle Lowry. He may be one of the top 5 PG defenders in the league. And we need perimeter defense. Badly.

Lowry's name has been kicked around here several times. I like the kid, but he seems to have a lot of critics. I suspect his size is an issue with some folks. Personally, I would expect the Rockets to match any reasonable offer.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Lowry's name has been kicked around here several times. I like the kid, but he seems to have a lot of critics. I suspect his size is an issue with some folks. Personally, I would expect the Rockets to match any reasonable offer.

I'd love to snag Lowry with part of the MLE. He gives up height and he's not exactly a knock-down shooter, but he's a bulldog on defense and he's a true pass first guy.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Roy/Bayless/Batum/LMA for LeBron sign + trade.

Miller
Rudy
LeBron
Camby
Oden

A better team than Cleveland could muster around Bron Bron.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Roy/Bayless/Batum/LMA for LeBron sign + trade.

Miller
Rudy
LeBron
Camby
Oden

A better team than Cleveland could muster around Bron Bron.

I counter with a lineup of:

PG: Miller
SG: Batum
SF: Claver
PF: LeBron
C: Camby

 

[Eastoff]

Wes Mathews is a free agent? I like how he plays. He doesn't back down from anybody.

Edit: I see he is restricted. Utah may have to let him walk if they want to keep Boozer though.

I also think John Salmons would fit well here.

I don't think Utah wants to keep Boozer.

 

[e_blazer]

A sign and trade is certainly a possibility, but it's no more or less likely than a standard trade IMO; it's not like we can combine our mid-level plus players to match the salary requirements of a free agent sign and trade.

My thought is that with the number of big name FAs and the number of teams who have cleared cap space, there are going to be some impact guys who decide that they want to leave their current team. When that decision becomes clear, then there's an opportunity for a third team to step in and make a sign and trade offer to the existing team. The team losing the player will want to avoid losing a big talent for nothing. The FA stands to get a better deal in a sign-and-trade than he can get on the open market because his existing team can offer an additional year. It seems to me that there's more likelihood of getting an upgrade player through the sign and trade process than there is through a direct trade simply because the existing team is in a position of having to make a deal or get left with nothing in return for the All Star they're losing.

That said, I'm not opposed to a good trade either.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

How about Craig Smith?

 

[VanillaGorilla]

How about Craig Smith?

I have always loved his game for the exact reasons mentioned in that article. It would be absolutely amazing if we signed him.

 

[Rhal]

Lowry's name has been kicked around here several times. I like the kid, but he seems to have a lot of critics. I suspect his size is an issue with some folks. Personally, I would expect the Rockets to match any reasonable offer.

The Rockets have already said they are going to keep him so I assume any offer under 7mill they will match.

 

[Nikolokolus]

The Rockets have already said they are going to keep him so I assume any offer under 7mill they will match.

The rockets would have to be very, very foolish to commit so much money to a guy who will at best be Brooks' backup for the next 4+ years and with Kevin Martin likely to gobble up the lion's share of any other guard minutes Lowry might be 'entitled' to ... That's not to say that the market won't set his wage at 7 million if there is enough demand for his services, I just tend to think he's probably more like a 5-6 million dollar man.