Abbott says no trades

[Natebishop3]

Frye is going to be useless as a trade piece this summer... right now he's an expiring deal of a decent size. This summer we'd have to deal with cap holds and/or re-signing him at a higher price.

Further, the salary cap is probably going to go down. In order to get cap space of any significant amount above the MLE, we'll probably have to waive Outlaw and/or Blake...

Our hands will not be tied this summer, but this is almost certainly a high water mark in terms of assets we have.

Ed O.

So my question is; if we do nothing today, and then follow that up with very little to nothing this summer, will people be outraged? I realize that KP has an awesome track record in the offseason, but I think that he is really passing up a great opportunity.

From what I've read or heard over the last few months, it seems like KP is overvaluing his players, that he is too close to his roster, and that his demands are unrealistic.

 

[Ed O]

Him saying that none of us know what KP is being offered is "asinine"? Seems more "factual" to me.

Agreed.

It's ENTIRELY possible that Portland is getting offered nothing but shit for the RLEC and our young pieces. If that is the case, inaction is the best call.

I find it hard to believe that's the case, though, and would bet that it's more a matter of how much a poster (vs. the FO) values a player like Outlaw or Sergio.

*shrug*

Ed O.

 

[TripTango]

That our point of view can't possibly be the correct one, simply because we are not in the same position of KP, we are not professionals, and we don't have "all the information."

And what's your point of view, exactly? That we should have accepted that RUMORED trade from Charlotte that MAY OR MAY NOT EXIST? You're right -- you are a trading genius and should apply for a GM position immediately. You will clearly clean up on every rumored trade that comes around the horn, and win many championships with your fictional team of reported all-stars.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

KP, aren't you supposed to be working the phones until noon?

Hey, one way to figure out who KP is when he posts is to eliminate anyone posting today; KP doesn't have the time!

 

[Ed O]

Could be in normal economic times, but these aren't normal times, and the biggest asset the Blazers have has an apartment at the top of the Rose Garden.

PA still needs to follow the rules, though. If the salary cap dips $4m or $5m we won't have much more wiggle room than teams over the cap unless we're willing to get rid of Frye, Outlaw and Blake.

Ed O.

 

[oldmangrouch]

Heck, if all else fails, offer the RLEC to NO for Chandler. Unless that ankle injury is career ending, that gives us 3 servicable centers and a nice bargaining chip in future trade talks.

 

[Reep]

Frye is going to be useless as a trade piece this summer... right now he's an expiring deal of a decent size. This summer we'd have to deal with cap holds and/or re-signing him at a higher price.

Further, the salary cap is probably going to go down. In order to get cap space of any significant amount above the MLE, we'll probably have to waive Outlaw and/or Blake...

Our hands will not be tied this summer, but this is almost certainly a high water mark in terms of assets we have.

Ed O.

[SPECULATION] But the whole market is going down now. I could buy a house now and get a good deal because the market is down. However, I could also wait a year because the housing market is likely to be even worse. I may even have less assets on hand in the future, but the cost of the house will also go down so it ends up being a wash.

There is no way to know for sure what the cap situation and NBA economy will be this Summer. But, there is a reasonable chance that buying prices will continue to drop. So, a depletion of our asset value may not be a problem.[/SPECULATION]

 

[Ed O]

So my question is; if we do nothing today, and then follow that up with very little to nothing this summer, will people be outraged? I realize that KP has an awesome track record in the offseason, but I think that he is really passing up a great opportunity.

I will be disappointed. Not outraged, though.

From what I've read or heard over the last few months, it seems like KP is overvaluing his players, that he is too close to his roster, and that his demands are unrealistic.

I can understand that position, but "what we read and hear" isn't always factual.

Ed O.

 

[TripTango]

That our point of view can't possibly be the correct one, simply because we are not in the same position of KP, we are not professionals, and we don't have "all the information."

P.S. Wait, wait, lemme get this straight. You are calling ME asinine for pointing out that it's impossible to judge decisions accurately without all of the information?

Whatever dude.

 

[WWBRoyD]

Right now we have RLEC ($12M). This Summer we should have $7M cap + $3M TE + very tradeable contracts with good youg players.

Now Wallace costs you RLEC + Batum + taking a bad contract. This Summer, you can get Wallace without adding Batum and without taking on Nazr. If you can be patient, the Summer deal is much better in the long run.

The trade exception can not used with any other type of transaction. It can only be used on a 3 MIL or less transaction by itself.

 

[Ghost Pepper]

Outside of Gerald Wallace or Butler, I don't see anything I love that much that I would mind not making a trade for. Vince is to old, Jefferson team wants more back than he's worth, and the rest are just average.


Doing nothing may make the most sense with what's out there!

 

[Tortimer]

Heck, if all else fails, offer the RLEC to NO for Chandler. Unless that ankle injury is career ending, that gives us 3 servicable centers and a nice bargaining chip in future trade talks.

Hell that isn't really that bad of an idea.

 

[e_blazer]

Hey, one way to figure out who KP is when he posts is to eliminate anyone posting today; KP doesn't have the time!

Well, unless they're really done.

 

[Natebishop3]

And what's your point of view, exactly? That we should have accepted that RUMORED trade from Charlotte that MAY OR MAY NOT EXIST? You're right -- you are a trading genius and should apply for a GM position immediately. You will clearly clean up on every rumored trade that comes around the horn, and win many championships with your fictional team of reported all-stars.

Thanks for proving my point.

 

[PapaG]

Agreed.

It's ENTIRELY possible that Portland is getting offered nothing but shit for the RLEC and our young pieces. If that is the case, inaction is the best call.

I find it hard to believe that's the case, though, and would bet that it's more a matter of how much a poster (vs. the FO) values a player like Outlaw or Sergio.

*shrug*

Ed O.

I want a deal, but I want it to be one of the deals that I like. Without knowing the offers, I don't see the point in jumping off of the Hawthorne if the deadline passes. If the team was on the outside of the playoffs looking in, perhaps I'd be more upset if nothing happens.

 

[PapaG]

Well, unless they're really done.

Hmm, "keebs3" suddenly makes an appearance after it is leaked that the team won't be trading.

 

[hasoos]

So my question is; if we do nothing today, and then follow that up with very little to nothing this summer, will people be outraged? I realize that KP has an awesome track record in the offseason, but I think that he is really passing up a great opportunity.

From what I've read or heard over the last few months, it seems like KP is overvaluing his players, that he is too close to his roster, and that his demands are unrealistic.

I think the term more or less would be is frustrated, not outraged. I understand everybody is hungry to start winning again with all of the years of abuse we took having the "JailBlazers" as our team, getting our teeth kicked in every year, issues off the court, laughing stock of the league. Including myself. After years of that, you want to see the team take advantage of golden opportunities to move forward. When you see your team drop the ball, it just adds to the frustration that has piled up over the years. More shit on the pile if you will.

 

[PapaG]

PA still needs to follow the rules, though. If the salary cap dips $4m or $5m we won't have much more wiggle room than teams over the cap unless we're willing to get rid of Frye, Outlaw and Blake.

Ed O.

Oh, I know it doesn't change the cap situation, but it does make taking on contracts less of an issue in a trade. The same bad teams desperate for cash right now aren't going to suddenly be flush this summer.

 

[BrianFromWA]

A) KP and the front office have way more info than you.
B) They've also been doing their jobs infinitely longer than you have been doing their jobs, making them a bit more qualified to judge trades and financial decisions.

Therefore,
C) You calling their decision today (whatever it may be) a "failure" just because you don't see/understand the reasons for it is ridiculous.

I know that you want to see a good trade. We'd ALL like to see a good trade. (emphasis on "good") But we have NO IDEA what these other teams are asking, and what the various ramifications might be. We also have no idea what the FO might be planning for the summer, regardless of what happens today. This is why I called your knee-jerk, unequivocal, and ignorant response an exaggeration.

Funny, KP said himself to my face (and not through Canzano, or Abbott, or Quick) that RLEC was "perhaps the best expiring contract in history". Maybe he thinks he'll be better off using the "much less than 12M" that we'll have in cap space, without the benefit of MLE, BAE, or veteran's exceptions than using RLEC now to get Carter or RJ or Wallace or Butler or something. That doesn't mean someone's ignorant for thinking it's a failure to upgrade our team NOW in order to push it for the summer.

All this doesn't matter, though. It's patently dumb to take what happens at 9:45am on Deadline Day as truth. Last year, trades were cycling in AFTER THE DEADLINE, b/c there was a backlog of complicated deals that got done in the last half hour that needed to be looked at.

And the best PR campaign the team has done is get people to buy into 2-3 years more of failure to compete for championships b/c we're "growing the right way". Detroit's made 5 ECFs in a row since trading for their "missing piece". We could start much sooner on our dynastic trip by upgrading our perimeter defense and/or SF play.

 

[Ed O]

Oh, I know it doesn't change the cap situation, but it does make taking on contracts less of an issue in a trade. The same bad teams desperate for cash right now aren't going to suddenly be flush this summer.

That is true.

I guess while I admit that the "demand" might be greater (might teams might be more desperate, and more willing to give value), our "supply" will be lower (since we will have lost some of the RLEC asset, the Frye contract, etc.).

Ed O.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Oh, I know it doesn't change the cap situation, but it does make taking on contracts less of an issue in a trade. The same bad teams desperate for cash right now aren't going to suddenly be flush this summer.

When the cap goes down this summer is it still gonna be great that we have cap space? My guess is 5 million at best.

 

[LittleAlex]

As an aside, Abbott also said that Oden was the most uncordinated professional athlete of all time.

So, take anything that dude says with a grain of salt.

 

[TripTango]

Thanks for proving my point.

Anytime man! Hey, hear any good stock tips? I'm looking for some nice reliable rumors...

 

[Natebishop3]

P.S. Wait, wait, lemme get this straight. You are calling ME asinine for pointing out that it's impossible to judge decisions accurately without all of the information?

Whatever dude.

I'm calling you asinine for saying this:

A) KP and the front office have way more info than you.
B) They've also been doing their jobs infinitely longer than you have been doing their jobs, making them a bit more qualified to judge trades and financial decisions.

Therefore,
C) You calling their decision today (whatever it may be) a "failure" just because you don't see/understand the reasons for it is ridiculous.

You say that we can't question KP because he has "more info than" us, and he's been doing his job infinitely longer than us, but I'm simply pointing out that there are GM's who were in the same position and made huge errors. Chris Wallace had more info than us, he had been doing his job infinitely longer than us, but he traded Pau Gasol to the Lakers for virtually nothing. Try to spin it whichever way you like, but you are being just as illogical as the people who are getting worked up about a lack of trades.

 

[LittleAlex]

Funny, KP said himself to my face (and not through Canzano, or Abbott, or Quick) that RLEC was "perhaps the best expiring contract in history". Maybe he thinks he'll be better off using the "much less than 12M" that we'll have in cap space, without the benefit of MLE, BAE, or veteran's exceptions than using RLEC now to get Carter or RJ or Wallace or Butler or something. That doesn't mean someone's ignorant for thinking it's a failure to upgrade our team NOW in order to push it for the summer.

All this doesn't matter, though. It's patently dumb to take what happens at 9:45am on Deadline Day as truth. Last year, trades were cycling in AFTER THE DEADLINE, b/c there was a backlog of complicated deals that got done in the last half hour that needed to be looked at.

And the best PR campaign the team has done is get people to buy into 2-3 years more of failure to compete for championships b/c we're "growing the right way". Detroit's made 5 ECFs in a row since trading for their "missing piece". We could start much sooner on our dynastic trip by upgrading our perimeter defense and/or SF play.

Unfortunately for them, those 2 to 3 years to become successful started 3 years ago when they drafted Roy and LA. Now fans are expecting to see some success. And we have seen a bit of success. Now, we want more. I am not sure if further waiting is going to produce the same level of positive results. Diminishing returns and all of that.

Can anyone realistically say that the team we have watched the last 8 games is good? I can't.

 

[ehizzy3]

fuck abbott...why nothing from quick or canzano today?

 

[MrJayremmie]

i agree with TripTango and PapaG. you don't make a trade just to make a trade. No matter if you have Raef. Just because you have him doesn't mean you should mortage any parf the future. They probably think better deals will be available at the deadline ifthey don't do anything before noon.

Not too big of a deal, imo. I'd like to have seen Sergio go and open time up for Bayless, but either way, Nate will come to his senses and play him soon enough.

You say that we can't question KP because he has "more info than" us, and he's been doing his job infinitely longer than us, but I'm simply pointing out that there are GM's who were in the same position and made huge errors. Chris Wallace had more info than us, he had been doing his job infinitely longer than us, but he traded Pau Gasol to the Lakers for virtually nothing. Try to spin it whichever way you like, but you are being just as illogical as the people who are getting worked up about a lack of trades.

Well, i thinkwhat he is saying is there really isn't a reason to question KPs decision and call it a failure since we don't know everything that went on and how much they were demanding. All we had are rumors. With KPs track record, its tough to not trust him on this one if this is what he decides.

 

[alex42083]

Quick's mailed it in on this trade deadline. He's got nothing.

 

[PapaG]

That is true.

I guess while I admit that the "demand" might be greater (might teams might be more desperate, and more willing to give value), our "supply" will be lower (since we will have lost some of the RLEC asset, the Frye contract, etc.).

Ed O.

Yeah, there is a trade-off for sure, but net/net I don't see much of a difference considering the capital the team will save on the rest of RLEC instead of taking on a full-priced deal. I imagine Miles coming back on the books (not cap) has led to many financial discussions that are impacting deals as well. Perhaps the Vulcans feel that the extra cashflow from RLEC for what still looks to be a play-off team is more important at this point than upgrading the SF position.

That said, I still think that some team is going to blink before the deadline and take the millions of $$ saved by the RLEC between now and the rest of the season while ceding to the Blazers' terms.

 

[TripTango]

You say that we can't question KP because he has "more info than" us, and he's been doing his job infinitely longer than us, but I'm simply pointing out that there are GM's who were in the same position and made huge errors. Chris Wallace had more info than us, he had been doing his job infinitely longer than us, but he traded Pau Gasol to the Lakers for virtually nothing. Try to spin it whichever way you like, but you are being just as illogical as the people who are getting worked up about a lack of trades.

See, that's where you're wrong. I question KP all the time. I just don't presume to know the ins and outs of every trade that DOESN'T go down. Anybody who does is either lying, an idiot, or was hiding in the room during the phone conversation.