Blazers getting serious for David Lee

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graybeard said:
Hey guys, Kp stated very emphatically that his main concern right now is getting something in return for Raef's expiring contract. The latest report out of NY is that Curry is somehow tied to any Lee trade.

Raef for Lee and Curry works according to the trade machine. What else would Portland need to make this trade happen?

Would Curry be a decent backup center? Joel would certainly bring us back something special in a trade.

Your thoughts?
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My thoughts are that Curry is a lazy lump of shit with decent scoring instincts from the block, but no interest whatsoever in defense. He's under contract through June of 2010, so I guess it wouldn't be a complete killer, but I'm not enthused about adding him to this roster at all.
 
I don't have the link to the O-live interview. It was with Sean Megher I think. No question about it, KP was emphatic.... he wants get something of value for Raef's contract. He was very clear about it.
 
Hey guys, Kp stated very emphatically that his main concern right now is getting something in return for Raef's expiring contract. The latest report out of NY is that Curry is somehow tied to any Lee trade.

Raef for Lee and Curry works according to the trade machine. What else would Portland need to make this trade happen?

Would Curry be a decent backup center? Joel would certainly bring us back something special in a trade.

Your thoughts?
Click to expand...

Ouch. Personally, I would not want to make that trade. Lee is nice, but my concerns were that he probably won't be satisfied as LMAs backup, and that he will want starter money. On top of that, I would not want Curry on my team. But i'm not in the Front Office, so what I say doesn't really matter.

And on a different matter, I don't want to see Sergio go. That would make me sad. Same w/ Bayless. But there is a jam in the backcourt, so we will see what happens. I have a feeling a move we make will be somewhat consolidating. I think either Sergio or Jerryd will be traded, and probably either Frye or Diogu, and then Raef, maybe Outlaw, a 1st or w/e, to bring back someone that fits not just this year, but for years down the line as well.
 
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graybeard said:
Hey guys, Kp stated very emphatically that his main concern right now is getting something in return for Raef's expiring contract. The latest report out of NY is that Curry is somehow tied to any Lee trade.

Raef for Lee and Curry works according to the trade machine. What else would Portland need to make this trade happen?

Would Curry be a decent backup center? Joel would certainly bring us back something special in a trade.

Your thoughts?
Click to expand...

Gross.
 
Lee helps our defense how? Throwing in Curry is a deal breaker for me. This kid is slow and I don't see how he would add to our team chemistry at all!!!
 
Who is Tommy Dee, again?

I'm torn on getting Lee. We'd have to give up Outlaw with Bayless if Lee were going to get any significant minutes on this team. Or we could just trade Lee right back to someone else if he has more value in the league than Bayless.
 
Hard to fathom the lack of respect for Lee. The guy does bang - he is a solid 15/11 guy shooting 57%. Regardless of the Knicks being shitty, he's been one of their best players (if not the best) for the past couple of seasons. I think the Knicks obviously sucked, but he was about the lone bright spot on the team.
 
Denny Crane said:
Hard to fathom the lack of respect for Lee. The guy does bang - he is a solid 15/11 guy shooting 57%. Regardless of the Knicks being shitty, he's been one of their best players (if not the best) for the past couple of seasons. I think the Knicks obviously sucked, but he was about the lone bright spot on the team.
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:dunno: I think a lot of it has to do with his "I want a guaranteed starting job and $12million a year" attitude. He seems to have an inflated view of his place in the NBA pecking order.
 
oldmangrouch said:
:dunno: I think a lot of it has to do with his "I want a guaranteed starting job and $12million a year" attitude. He seems to have an inflated view of his place in the NBA pecking order.
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and for a guy whose game is based on hustle, he seems a risk to just take the big contract and lose some of his desire.
 
The fact that David Lee played for the Knicks the past few years is irrelevant. Regardless of what team he plays for, he is still a quality NBA player. Kevin Garnett has been on bad teams. Tracy McGrady has been on bad teams. Elton Brand has been on bad teams, etc. Is David Lee the caliber player of those guys? Absolutely not. However, the fact remains that not all quality NBA players play for winning teams. And Lee not starting for the Knicks is also irrelevant in regards to his ability. The Knicks simply preferred to have Lee’s energy and hustle off the bench. Coming off the bench, he has averaged 30 MPG and has finished the game anyway. Besides, there aren’t too many players that will start over Zach Randolph in this league, let alone a 2-year vet. When Lee plays starter minutes he is averaging about 16/12 and 15/11 overall. David Lee does have deficiencies to his game, but double-double guys don’t exactly grow on trees either.

I guess the big questions regarding this potential deal are: 1) how does he fit with Aldridge at PF? 2) Will he be willing to sign with Portland long-term? Granted, I only catch Blazer games when they are nationally televised or when they play the Knicks or Nets, but based on what I have seen, I believe Lee will be a great addition. He has the type of game where he can be a fit on most teams. Perhaps one of the Blazers biggest weaknesses is rebounding, ranking 19th in the league. Despite his height, Aldridge is a poor rebounder for his position and is averaging slightly less than 7 RPG. With Lee, the Blazers are getting the 8th best rebounder in the NBA. This is not even factoring the numerous back taps he gets to our guards.

Lee is also a hustle player in every sense of the word. He dives for loose balls, saves balls from going out of bounds, etc. This might not seem significant, but it really gets the crowd involved and can easily ignite a run. He’s also a good ball handler, passer (especially with outlet passes), and has been developing solid footwork and has greatly improved his jumper. This just makes him able to thrive under various situations McMillan might put him in. I know Lee will probably prefer to start, but he has no qualms coming off the bench if he’s getting minutes. He’s a class act and isn’t going to cause issues by not starting. So, long story short: Lee will be a good fit for the Blazers. I just wonder what the team has to offer.

The deals which I have seen have been largely in favor of the Blazers. Most of them have centered around Sergio Rodriguez, who is currently averaging 4 points, 3.5 assists, and shooting a woeful 36% from the field and 32% from downtown. Granted, he has potential, but Chris Duhon has played well for us and is playing 40 MPG. Rodriguez would be hard-pressed to get minutes over him. The Knicks aren’t just going to give away Lee for Rodriguez; the only way this gets done is if the Blazers take on Curry and/or Jeffries contract along with Lee. I can see a trade centered around Bayless for Lee though, but I would imagine the Knicks would request more for Lee (15/11) for Bayless, who isn’t getting minutes.
 
Interesting... who gives the Knicks the first rounder(s)?
 
yuyuza1 said:
Maybe a three way deal with Charlotte can be arranged. Something like this: http://games.espn.go.com/nba/featur...992~1026&teams=30~22~30~18~18~18~22&te=&cash=

Obviously, picks would have to be involved as well, but I think that's a fair base deal all three ways.
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Charlotte definitely wouldn't do that deal. Wallace is worth quite a bit more than Frye and Curry. Neither of those players are quality at this point in their careers, and I'm sure the idea of adding Eddy Curry to the Bobcats would send Larry Brown home crying.

The Knicks aren't really getting fair value for Lee either.
 
Why? A Curry for Wallace exchange has supposedly been considered by both teams for a while now. If push really comes to shove, then switch Frye with Outlaw.

I suppose the Blazers could send NY all their seconds, and Charlotte their first for this upcoming draft.
 
Mr. J said:
I can see a trade centered around Bayless for Lee though, but I would imagine the Knicks would request more for Lee (15/11) for Bayless, who isn’t getting minutes.
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I wouldn't do Bayless for Lee straight up, if I were Pritchard. For two reasons:

1. Lee won't re-sign in Portland. He'd be a backup power forward for the life of the deal, since he's clearly inferior to Aldridge. Lee won't voluntarily sign up to be a backup (which would also depress his numbers and his value on his next deal)

2. Even if he'd re-sign, I'd rather have Bayless. Lee is obviously a better player right now, but Bayless has a much higher ceiling. Considering Portland has their future starting front court set and is aiming for a championship caliber team, they are much better served gambling on the high-upside prospect than settling for a safe but limited front court player

If Lee could be flipped, like to Charlotte for Gerald Wallace, I'd be willing to do your first idea...take back Curry's or Jeffries' bad contract.
 
LameR said:
Another rape everyone trade. We come out with the two best players somehow.
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add us taking back some dead salary like jared jeffries and/or matt carrol, and i think it meets all three teams needs.
 
LameR said:
Another rape everyone trade. We come out with the two best players somehow.
Click to expand...

Have you not noticed that every trade KP has made he has raped somebody? I dont think that deal gets done either, but I wouldnt be shocked if KP pulled it off.
 
Minstrel said:
I wouldn't do Bayless for Lee straight up, if I were Pritchard. For two reasons:

1. Lee won't re-sign in Portland. He'd be a backup power forward for the life of the deal, since he's clearly inferior to Aldridge. Lee won't voluntarily sign up to be a backup (which would also depress his numbers and his value on his next deal)

2. Even if he'd re-sign, I'd rather have Bayless. Lee is obviously a better player right now, but Bayless has a much higher ceiling. Considering Portland has their future starting front court set and is aiming for a championship caliber team, they are much better served gambling on the high-upside prospect than settling for a safe but limited front court player

If Lee could be flipped, like to Charlotte for Gerald Wallace, I'd be willing to do your first idea...take back Curry's or Jeffries' bad contract.
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As long as Lee is getting decent minutes and likes Portland (the team and city) I don't know how you can rule out him not re-signing. I'm not too sure about the CBA rules, but won't the Blazers have his bird rights anyway?

If the Blazers want a proven double-double player then their best is probably to trade for Lee. I like Bayless, but I don't think he is an ideal fit for Roy, anyway. He was also a projected top 5 pick based on his talent and ability. The fact that he isn't seeing any playing time is alarming, so maybe his ceiling isn't as high as KP thought.

It depends on who you look at it. It might be rough for Portland if Denver gets Lee for Atkins though.
 
oldmangrouch said:
:dunno: I think a lot of it has to do with his "I want a guaranteed starting job and $12million a year" attitude. He seems to have an inflated view of his place in the NBA pecking order.
Click to expand...

He hasn't even been a consistent starter for the Knicks while the Knicks have been pretty consistently one of the worst teams in the NBA.

I'm not a huge Lee fan... but he'd look great coming off the bench behind Aldridge. I'd be willing to move Outlaw/Frye-kind of package for him. Or Outlaw/Sergio.

But Bayless? Hellz no.

Ed O.
 
Mr. J said:
As long as Lee is getting decent minutes and likes Portland (the team and city) I don't know how you can rule out him not re-signing. I'm not too sure about the CBA rules, but won't the Blazers have his bird rights anyway?
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Portland can re-sign him, in terms of the CBA rules. I simply don't think Lee has any chance at all of accepting a backup role when he'll have offers on the free market to start for another team.

If the Blazers want a proven double-double player then their best is probably to trade for Lee.
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With Oden and Aldridge locked in as the team's long-term starters at center and power forward, with Przybilla as a high quality big man reserve, I don't think a "proven double-double" power forward is a priority for Portland.

I like Bayless, but I don't think he is an ideal fit for Roy, anyway.
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I completely disagree. I think his skillset is a perfect fit alongside Roy. Roy is a player who likes to handle the ball and run the offense. The ideal backcourt mate for him is someone who projects as a good defender of point guards, can shoot well from the perimeter and can drive-and-dish. That describes Bayless perfectly. A "true" point guard isn't really what Portland needs alongside Roy, since he has point guard skills himself.

He was also a projected top 5 pick based on his talent and ability. The fact that he isn't seeing any playing time is alarming, so maybe his ceiling isn't as high as KP thought.
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Perhaps, but unlikely to me. Bayless lit up the summer league (which isn't proof of anything, but what you'd expect to see from a player with high ability level) and apparently plays extremely well in practice and scrimmages with the starters. There's little evidence to me that his minutes are limited because he's a poor player, but rather that he's currently the victim of a numbers crunch.

It depends on who you look at it. It might be rough for Portland if Denver gets Lee for Atkins though.
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Indeed. If New York gives Lee to Denver for nothing (Chucky Atkins), that would be bad for Portland. Of course, you don't make a bad deal just to prevent another team from making a deal. Especially when this season isn't all that important in the grand scheme of things.

Of course, if New York is willing to deal Lee for Atkins, it completely undercuts your belief that New York wants good value back for Lee, so... ;)
 
Here's a thought: why is LMA actually better than Lee?
 
Mr. J said:
The fact that David Lee played for the Knicks the past few years is irrelevant. Regardless of what team he plays for, he is still a quality NBA player. Kevin Garnett has been on bad teams. Tracy McGrady has been on bad teams. Elton Brand has been on bad teams, etc. Is David Lee the caliber player of those guys? Absolutely not. However, the fact remains that not all quality NBA players play for winning teams. And Lee not starting for the Knicks is also irrelevant in regards to his ability. The Knicks simply preferred to have Lee’s energy and hustle off the bench. Coming off the bench, he has averaged 30 MPG and has finished the game anyway. Besides, there aren’t too many players that will start over Zach Randolph in this league, let alone a 2-year vet. When Lee plays starter minutes he is averaging about 16/12 and 15/11 overall. David Lee does have deficiencies to his game, but double-double guys don’t exactly grow on trees either.

I guess the big questions regarding this potential deal are: 1) how does he fit with Aldridge at PF? 2) Will he be willing to sign with Portland long-term? Granted, I only catch Blazer games when they are nationally televised or when they play the Knicks or Nets, but based on what I have seen, I believe Lee will be a great addition. He has the type of game where he can be a fit on most teams. Perhaps one of the Blazers biggest weaknesses is rebounding, ranking 19th in the league. Despite his height, Aldridge is a poor rebounder for his position and is averaging slightly less than 7 RPG. With Lee, the Blazers are getting the 8th best rebounder in the NBA. This is not even factoring the numerous back taps he gets to our guards.

Lee is also a hustle player in every sense of the word. He dives for loose balls, saves balls from going out of bounds, etc. This might not seem significant, but it really gets the crowd involved and can easily ignite a run. He’s also a good ball handler, passer (especially with outlet passes), and has been developing solid footwork and has greatly improved his jumper. This just makes him able to thrive under various situations McMillan might put him in. I know Lee will probably prefer to start, but he has no qualms coming off the bench if he’s getting minutes. He’s a class act and isn’t going to cause issues by not starting. So, long story short: Lee will be a good fit for the Blazers. I just wonder what the team has to offer.

The deals which I have seen have been largely in favor of the Blazers. Most of them have centered around Sergio Rodriguez, who is currently averaging 4 points, 3.5 assists, and shooting a woeful 36% from the field and 32% from downtown. Granted, he has potential, but Chris Duhon has played well for us and is playing 40 MPG. Rodriguez would be hard-pressed to get minutes over him. The Knicks aren’t just going to give away Lee for Rodriguez; the only way this gets done is if the Blazers take on Curry and/or Jeffries contract along with Lee. I can see a trade centered around Bayless for Lee though, but I would imagine the Knicks would request more for Lee (15/11) for Bayless, who isn’t getting minutes.
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That's a great summary of the situation; as you point out, Sergio, while many here believe he'd thrive under D'Antoni, is much less valuable than Lee. Still, to the Blazers, Lee would only be a backup PF. Honestly, the proposed trade doesn't make any sense to either team. The three way trade with Charlotte, on the other hand, looks much better.
 
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