Aldridge did request a trade

[magnifier661]

More scrap rumors in the trade LA piranha feeding tank. It doesn't take much to send things into a frenzy around here. I still am going with what he's saying now and the idea that him staying is dependent on putting enough talent around him to do that. If he tells NO he wants out then adjust accordingly.

Only way we do that is obtain asik and tony Allen. We have the pieces to do it. Maybe competing for a title is enough? Who really knows. I'm not for trading Aldridge for talent that will just make us mediocre and miss the boat on the best draft class since 03.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

He will absolutely not re-sign here

That's what they said about Chris Webber in Sacramento.

 

[Natebishop3]

John Stockton rarely talked to the media after he got burned by them in his 2nd year. For the next 17 years they barely got a word out of him.

MJ chose who he spoke with. The rest were pretty much shut out.

But I agree that LMA has to learn to be more comfortable with the media. It does come with the territory. At the same time, the Portland media is annoying.

Portland media is annoying, but some of the major cities are worse. Can you imagine how Aldridge would react to an A-Rod level of media attention?

Also, MJ and Stockton could be choosy because they're HOFers.... Aldridge is only a two-time All-Star. Plus, we live in a different environment than those guys did. The internet and the feeding frenzy for information. A player can't get away with avoiding the media at this point.

 

[Natebishop3]

Only way we do that is obtain asik and tony Allen. We have the pieces to do it. Maybe competing for a title is enough? Who really knows. I'm not for trading Aldridge for talent that will just make us mediocre and miss the boat on the best draft class since 03.

We aren't competing for a title this year. The only way we see that kind of drastic improvement from non-playoff team to championship contender would be trading for a star, like Chris Paul or Dwyane Wade.

 

[magnifier661]

We aren't competing for a title this year. The only way we see that kind of drastic improvement from non-playoff team to championship contender would be trading for a star, like Chris Paul or Dwyane Wade.

Tony Allen and asik would definitely make us a top 4 team. I 100% believe that. We just need to "move the needle" enough to give Aldridge assurance that we are headed in the right direction. Make it past the first round will be the first move; then we have MLE to offer another vet to possibly take us to the wcf.

 

[RR7]

I would because it would make him happy. I think he's done everything right in his tenure here. Houston will find the draft picks and young talent we need to rebuild. And honestly; we won't be competing for a title for at least 4-5 years. By that time; Howard and Aldridge will be too old to stop us.

Sorry, I care about making ME happy, not making him happy. Great that he was a "good soldier" here for the last 7 years. I don't really care. If he wants to bail on us, and a team he doesn't particularly like gives us the best offer, then see ya later. They can deal with winning you over. They don't have the draft picks to help us rebuild, because their picks will be 26-30. Those picks suck. The young talent they have is a pile of 4 PFs. We already took one of them, arguably the most talented. They have little in the way of a true rebuilding package.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

If only people had listened to me...

 

[Pinwheel1]

Portland media is annoying, but some of the major cities are worse. Can you imagine how Aldridge would react to an A-Rod level of media attention?

Also, MJ and Stockton could be choosy because they're HOFers.... Aldridge is only a two-time All-Star. Plus, we live in a different environment than those guys did. The internet and the feeding frenzy for information. A player can't get away with avoiding the media at this point.

I agree. Chicago and NY would roast him alive.
Other cities are not as bad. Detroit left Rasheed alone.
The Texas media is a little more protective of their own.

 

[RR7]

If only people had listened to me...

I know, right?! I had suggested trading him for Lebron. But oh no.

 

[Natebishop3]

Tony Allen and asik would definitely make us a top 4 team. I 100% believe that. We just need to "move the needle" enough to give Aldridge assurance that we are headed in the right direction. Make it past the first round will be the first move; then we have MLE to offer another vet to possibly take us to the wcf.

You know what I would do Mags? If the goal is to keep Aldridge, I would make one huge swing for the fences trade. One that could move the needle so much that we could maybe win a title this season.

I would approach the Knicks and try to pry Carmelo away from them. I hate Melo, but he would move the needle. Lillard/Melo/Aldridge would instantly be one of the best teams in the west. I think he would be unhappy here as well, but we would just have to roll the dice. That's if you really want to keep Aldridge. Bring in another superstar and then try to fill out the bench with old vets like Jermaine, Billups, etc.

I would also see about getting Asik, but I'm not sure we would have enough left to do it.

 

[Natebishop3]

I agree. Chicago and NY would roast him alive.
Other cities are not as bad. Detroit left Rasheed alone.
The Texas media is a little more protective of their own.

Detroit left Sheed alone because they were winning championships. Everything is forgiven when you're winning.

 

[magnifier661]

Sorry, I care about making ME happy, not making him happy. Great that he was a "good soldier" here for the last 7 years. I don't really care. If he wants to bail on us, and a team he doesn't particularly like gives us the best offer, then see ya later. They can deal with winning you over. They don't have the draft picks to help us rebuild, because their picks will be 26-30. Those picks suck. The young talent they have is a pile of 4 PFs. We already took one of them, arguably the most talented. They have little in the way of a true rebuilding package.

But what I'm saying is I believe Houston can give us talent and picks if we are serious. They can trade asik and a few of their youngins to send us picks. I mean wouldn't having the best shot at next summers draft make you happy; if we won't get an all star in return?

Also; this sends a message out to the league that we take care of our players.

 

[magnifier661]

You know what I would do Mags? If the goal is to keep Aldridge, I would make one huge swing for the fences trade. One that could move the needle so much that we could maybe win a title this season.

I would approach the Knicks and try to pry Carmelo away from them. I hate Melo, but he would move the needle. Lillard/Melo/Aldridge would instantly be one of the best teams in the west. I think he would be unhappy here as well, but we would just have to roll the dice. That's if you really want to keep Aldridge. Bring in another superstar and then try to fill out the bench with old vets like Jermaine, Billups, etc.

I would also see about getting Asik, but I'm not sure we would have enough left to do it.

I've been wanting to bring in melo for a while now. Yeah he's a bitch; but he is a superstar. But I doubt New York does it. Maybe, since Brooklyn just obtained the "win now" team and hardly able to compete against them or Miami/

 

[RR7]

People already know we take care of our players, and that they get to play in front of a great fan base. It's an odd message to send to free agents. Hey, we really want to sign you to come here. And look, if you hate it in a year, we'll get you where you want to go. No. Not saying I publicly dump him to wherever just out of spite. But like he wants to win, so do I. SO I look for the best offer possible, regardless of where it is, not something to make him happy. His happiness can come in 2 years when he is a free agent, and can choose where he wants to go.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Detroit left Sheed alone because they were winning championships. Everything is forgiven when you're winning.

I don't agree. The fans are forgiving if you are winning. But the media could care less. You think Canzano is more forgiving of the Ducks because they have been winning? Or do you think it just puts a big ass bulls-eye on them because of it.

 

[RR7]

I don't agree. The fans are forgiving if you are winning. But the media could care less. You think Canzano is more forgiving of the Ducks because they have been winning? Or do you think it just puts a big ass bulls-eye on them because of it.

Yeah, moreso, I feel like the fans will tune out the media that tries to drum up negativity if you're winning, but will start to let it creep into their ear if you are not.

 

[e_blazer]

So you won't believe it until Aldridge comes out publicly and says he wants out?

Actually, I believe that what I believe has very little to do with it. It's what NO, PA and LMA believe that matters. I doubt any of them are looking here for advice.

 

[magnifier661]

People already know we take care of our players, and that they get to play in front of a great fan base. It's an odd message to send to free agents. Hey, we really want to sign you to come here. And look, if you hate it in a year, we'll get you where you want to go. No. Not saying I publicly dump him to wherever just out of spite. But like he wants to win, so do I. SO I look for the best offer possible, regardless of where it is, not something to make him happy. His happiness can come in 2 years when he is a free agent, and can choose where he wants to go.

Guess which team will have the cap space to obtain him in two years? It's the team we hate the most.

If he moves to the lakers; I will be furious!!!! And guess what? He probably will! We can't give him any ultimatum. There is a quality franchise that will love to take him.

Our best bet it to plan for the future. Obtaining picks and losing next year is our only hope to being a winning franchise. Sending him to a shit team will only guarantee he goes to Los angeles

 

[RR7]

Guess which team will have the cap space to obtain him in two years? It's the team we hate the most.

Couldn't care less, as long as we get the best package possible.

 

[magnifier661]

You will care if Los Angeles is winning titles with Aldridge. And sending him to a team we know he will happy in will stop that.

 

[RR7]

You will care if Los Angeles is winning titles with Aldridge. And sending him to a team we know he will happy in will stop that.

yeah, to take less in an Aldridge trade helping us, out of a fear he might sign with the Lakers in 2 years is just stupid. And their cap space will primarily come after this coming season, and if they keep Dwight, they'll like use up their space and have no room for LMA. If they DO have room that offseason, they'd probably target Love first anyways

 

[tlongII]

I'd rather not trade him. If we do, we will almost certainly be in the lottery again.

 

[magnifier661]

yeah, to take less in an Aldridge trade helping us, out of a fear he might sign with the Lakers in 2 years is just stupid. And their cap space will primarily come after this coming season, and if they keep Dwight, they'll like use up their space and have no room for LMA. If they DO have room that offseason, they'd probably target Love first anyways

What do you think is taking less man? I mean what are you wanting? Obtaining smith and asik won't move the needle. You believe we get a allstar in return that's younger? None of that is possible.

The golden state offer will probably be the best we get for Aldridge in terms of talent, but that won't take us anywhere. We are at a cross roads and the real value is having the best chance at winning the lotto next summer and having many draft picks in that same class. Having a shit ton of cap space for next summer; which is a much better class and less teams with cap space to compete with.

Not choosing to go that route is stupid.

 

[RR7]

Asik and Smith?

 

[magnifier661]

yeah, to take less in an Aldridge trade helping us, out of a fear he might sign with the Lakers in 2 years is just stupid. And their cap space will primarily come after this coming season, and if they keep Dwight, they'll like use up their space and have no room for LMA. If they DO have room that offseason, they'd probably target Love first anyways

What do you want? We aren't getting allstar talent in return brother. The golden state deal will probably be the best talent return for Aldridge. You think that won't put us in contention?

 

[magnifier661]

Asik and Smith?

Smith will not resign to come to Portland. Sorry that won't happen. And he can just as easily do a sign and trade to a team of his choosing. He's not bound to teams that have the cap space to obtain him.

Hell he could just as easily sign and trade to Chicago for deng and they can amnesty boozer to get ER done.

 

[PapaG]

Here we go again...

 

[craigehlo]

I'd rather not trade him. If we do, we will almost certainly be in the lottery again.

That's my issue with LMA, we are in the lottery year after year with him anyway. I like LaMarcus, but as a fringe All-Star he should not be in any position to demand a trade. If his discontent is a subplot thought the season, we should move him at the trade deadline for the best PF available.

 

[RR7]

Smith will not resign to come to Portland. Sorry that won't happen. And he can just as easily do a sign and trade to a team of his choosing. He's not bound to teams that have the cap space to obtain him.

Hell he could just as easily sign and trade to Chicago for deng and they can amnesty boozer to get ER done.

I was replying to you mentioning them. You're all over the map on your replies, so it's tough to follow, sorry.

Like I said, I want the best return possible. I don't know what that is. I'm not saying Houston at the end of the day wouldn't be giving us the best return. All I am saying is that I'm not eliminating other teams from trades just to help out LMA. I think that's stupid. I think if you're moving your All Star, you need to get top value, not look to help HIM. We helped Camby, when we moved him to Houston. You help guys like that. With LMA, you want top value, whoever gives it to you. Let the rest of the pieces two years from now fall where they may.

 

[magnifier661]

I was replying to you mentioning them. You're all over the map on your replies, so it's tough to follow, sorry.

Like I said, I want the best return possible. I don't know what that is. I'm not saying Houston at the end of the day wouldn't be giving us the best return. All I am saying is that I'm not eliminating other teams from trades just to help out LMA. I think that's stupid. I think if you're moving your All Star, you need to get top value, not look to help HIM. We helped Camby, when we moved him to Houston. You help guys like that. With LMA, you want top value, whoever gives it to you. Let the rest of the pieces two years from now fall where they may.

You're right! I am all over the place. I just read my favorite player wants to be traded. I'm a little emotional right now.