Yikes...I sure hope POR doesn't follow some of the suggestions here.
Who to protect? It should be obvious and quite easy to put together.
1) SAR
2) Zach
3) Miles - He is a Restricted FA, POR HAS to protect him, or CHA CAN select him and then he becomes an UFA that we cannot bid on.
4) Theo
5) Damon - moreso for the impending expiring contract he will become next year, but also bc he is are only VIABLE starting PG....as sad as that is IMO.
6) Dale - See above, big fat expiring contract next year..THAT has value
7) Outlaw - Too young and unknown at this point to give away, and if he were exposed (which would be asinine for POR to do) he WOULD be selected.
8) Woods - Again, he has issues for sure, is on the outs with mgmt for sure and may end up being gone next year...but he DOES have talent, he IS still young, and his contract IS cheap, all factors which, if he were available (and he shouldn't be), CHA would select him
That leves off DA and Ruben, and before anyone complains and says "you can't leave them off, CHA will pick them" Let me give you my answer.....
1) No they won't and here is why. They make TOO MUCH MONEY. CHA has a restricted cap this first year, meaning they can only take on contracts equivalent of 2/3 of the other teams. Therefore they will be seeking CHEAP contracts. Ruben and DA's contracts are not cheap, and to make matters worse they each have THREE years left on them. Not very enticing at all, nice players, but not worth the money they are getting. CHA will pass IMO, which is ok for POR
2) Even if CHA pulls a shocker and selects Ruben or DA, so what! Good... POR just freed themselves of a burdening contract, opening up even more available capspace in 05' should they choose to go that route (I do not think they will however) and the loss of either DA or Ruben is not that significant IMO. Ruben is a BACKUP SF, Miles is the starter, Qyntel (if he is around) or Outlaw could back him up, we also have TWO 1st round draft choices and the MLE and Vet mimimum to sign a FA, or via trade (SAR anyone?). Same goes for DA, his spot could be filled in through the draft, or through trade or Free Agency. I would be quite happy if CHA took one of these guys, but like I said, they won't.
Who would they take?
Probably either Cook or Dickau, maybe Gill. My guess is they wouldn't take any player from POR, they would pass on them. Otherwise Cook or Gill, as they are both young, and only have 1yr left on their deals. Dickau could be a possibility too, but he has 2? 3? years left on his deal. Unless they really like him, why take a player with more years on his deal when you don't have to?
Anyway, that is how I see it playing out. If Nash leaves Outlaw (specifically) or even Qyntel off the protected list then he is an idiot.
