Blazers eyeing Eddy Curry?

[The_Lillard_King]

Yeah, but how much interest did Blazers have in Steve Francis . . . and they traded for him.

I'm surprised Hollinger didn't put the two rumors together and discuss if that trade makes any sense. Lee and Curry for Raef and young prospect.

For the record . . . I'm not in love with Lee and all, I just figure if KP is really pursuing Lee, Curry might be the answer without the Blazers giving up too much of their potential.

 

[Minstrel]

I'm surprised Hollinger didn't put the two rumors together and discuss if that trade makes any sense. Lee and Curry for Raef and young prospect.

That doesn't make any sense. Portland isn't going to both take on an awful contract and give up a young prospect for what could well be a half-season rental and, at best, a long-term backup.

The very most I could see is something like Lee and Curry for LaFrentz and Frye. They downgrade a lot from Lee to Frye, but they get rid of the Curry deal.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

That doesn't make any sense. Portland isn't going to both take on an awful contract and give up a young prospect for what could well be a half-season rental and, at best, a long-term backup.

The very most I could see is something like Lee and Curry for LaFrentz and Frye. They downgrade a lot from Lee to Frye, but they get rid of the Curry deal.

But isn't Lee a restricted free agent . . . giving the Blazers an option to match.

Not many teams out there can offer Lee more than the MLE. In fact it was Hollinger who said on the radio yesterday that if the Blazers can get Lee without giving up one of the big three, it would be a steal.

But I see you're point, maybe that is too much of a gamble to take given that they would be forced to take on Curry's huge contract.

 

[B-Roy]

But isn't Lee a restricted free agent . . . giving the Blazers an option to match.

Not many teams out there can offer Lee more than the MLE.

Exactly. So if Portland really wanted Lee, why not just go after him in the off season and sacrifice no assets?

 

[Tortimer]

Exactly. So if Portland really wanted Lee, why not just go after him in the off season and sacrifice no assets?

Because the Knicks can match the Blazer offer. The Blazers would have to offer way over value just to get the Knicks to let him go. I'm not sure with Miles back on the books that the Blazers would have enough cap space to offer more then the Knicks could match.

 

[MikeDC]

You guys realize we have contract info here, right?

I update it pretty frequently, so drop me a line if I miss something or have it wrong. Or with (constructive) criticism.

 

[MikeDC]

And yeah... I don't know that they'd necessarily waive Curry if they traded for him to get Lee, but I see no earthly reason why they'd want him either.

 

[BalancedMan]

I guess if a team really wants Lee, it is best to trade for him and acquire his bird rights. But that doesn't prevent another team from giving a high-ball offer forcing the team that gave up talent to acquire Lee also have to overpay him.

If we're going to overpay for a "backup" PF, I'd rather get Paul Milsap. Though I think it's more likely he stays in Utah, and Boozer goes somewhere like Miami.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

You guys realize we have contract info here, right?

I update it pretty frequently, so drop me a line if I miss something or have it wrong. Or with (constructive) criticism.

Thanks for the info . . . good stuff

 

[Minstrel]

But isn't Lee a restricted free agent . . . giving the Blazers an option to match.

Not many teams out there can offer Lee more than the MLE. In fact it was Hollinger who said on the radio yesterday that if the Blazers can get Lee without giving up one of the big three, it would be a steal.

But I see you're point, maybe that is too much of a gamble to take given that they would be forced to take on Curry's huge contract.

Lee can always choose to accept the qualifying offer and leave the following year as a UFA, making him a 1.5 year rental. So there is risk.

Ultimately, trading for a good player who can't be a starter on the team seems a potential problem, especially when the player can be a free agent soon. That said, maybe it would work out and he'd accept a long-term reserve role. Then we'd still be in the position of trading away all our cap space and a young player (in your proposal) for a backup player. Lee may be quite a good player (I like him) but how much impact will he make as Aldridge's backup?