Blazers on Paul's List

[STOMP]

He's 6'4" without shoes, but I don't think he'll be playing barefoot.

He was measured at 6'5.25" before the draft.

http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-pre...09&source=All&sort2=DESC&draft=0&pos=0&sort=1

A bit on the short side for a small forward, of course, but not terribly so.

a bit? Dude would be the shortest starting SF in the league that I'm aware of by about an inch... and it's not like he's got a big wingspan to make up for the lack of size. He's basically a stockier Roy physically but without the superior hops. I'm much more comfortable with him backing up there then starting

but if Batum is the centerpiece of a deal that lands Chris Paul, I'll be bouncing off the walls with excitement. Heck, I'd happily deal with Babbitt as the starter if need be... Oden LA _?_ Roy and Paul would be an awesome starting 5.

STOMP

 

[Masbee]

K we will see with the Hornets go with. I am sure Blazer management won't part with Oden anyway, which is fine, but we will see what trade proposal they prefer if they even trade Paul at all. Our chances lower without involving Oden. I am not suggesting he has massive trade value, but he is young, fills a position of need for them, great potential, and small contract for now and you pair him with Batum then it gets more thought by the Hornets.

Edit: I know how rebuilding works. I am guessing they would not like to rebuild with a potential stud in Oden, either... Wait.

Dude, if they traded for Oden and didn't extend him this summer - which they wouldn't want to not knowing if he is going to hold up - then Oden - IF he plays well and all season - is getting a MONSTER offer next summer - depending on the lockout - and NO wouldn't match - no matter what. I think they will be too concerned about the Oden situation to really want him badly. But, you never know. We will find out soon enough.

 

[Ed O]

This, but:

If Oden averaged 11/8.5 last season with 23 PER over the course of 82 games, I wouldn't trade him for Paul. But his injury history is just too big to ignore for me.

Okafor got 10.4/9 last year, albeit on a significantly lower PER (16.5). I need Oden to step up his game before he's truly untouchable. I don't think that if he's healthy he settles for 11/8.5.

Ed O.

 

[santeesioux]

We could always convince Claver to come over this season, i'm sure he would just jump at the opportunity to play under Nate

 

[B-Roy]

Okafor got 10.4/9 last year, albeit on a significantly lower PER (16.5). I need Oden to step up his game before he's truly untouchable. I don't think that if he's healthy he settles for 11/8.5.

Ed O.

Twas just an example Ed. Proving he can stay healthy goes a loooooonnnnnnng way, at least for me.

 

[Entity]

They might say the same thing about Batum.

New York or New Orleans? If New Orleans is saying that, then our trade options are much worse. I'd put Gallinari in the same category with Rudy. Either way, New York is not going to give them anything back to come even close to replacing Paul. They can get cap relief elsewhere and get more talent in the process. Paul might like the idea of NY, but I don't think they're the best option from NOLA's perspective.

Orlando in my opinion probably has the best chance (unless they're not as interested as we are for some reason), unless NOLA is particularly interested in revisiting the trade we had in place that allegedly almost went down.

 

[EGame]

New York or New Orleans? If New Orleans is saying that, then our trade options are much worse. I'd put Gallinari in the same category with Rudy. Either way, New York is not going to give them anything back to come even close to replacing Paul. They can get cap relief elsewhere and get more talent in the process. Paul might like the idea of NY, but I don't think they're the best option from NOLA's perspective.

Orlando in my opinion probably has the best chance (unless they're not as interested as we are for some reason), unless NOLA is particularly interested in revisiting the trade we had in place that allegedly almost went down.

Why does Orlando have the best chance. Hornets have no use for Jameer and Carter is just an expiring. We have expiring and young talent. I think we can get this thing done if we are willing to part with the players...

 

[Masbee]

Well no question man, but Camby is old Joel is MORE injured then Oden currently and uh...that's it for big men. Did I miss Lopez or Howard demanding a trade to Portland? Looks to me like Oden is our one shot to hurt Miami where they are weak and to contend with LAL's length. Sure Camby is great, if healthy he gets injured too of course, but he is old. So...how do we compete with LAL and MIA for the title? That's a serious question? CP3 doesn't magically give LMA a heart transplant with Buck Williams or anything. We would get destroyed by LAL on the boards period. We probably wouldn't even sniff MIA and if we did we'd be smelling their knee as their foot was so far up our ass it came out the other end.

Presumably we get Okafor coming back. He aint great, but is far, far from a stiff.

 

[Idog1976]

Wake me up when Oden is actually on the court, plz.

Napping til late October are we?

 

[B-Roy]

I'd put Gallinari in the same category with Rudy.

Wait, what, seriously?

Orlando in my opinion probably has the best chance (unless they're not as interested as we are for some reason), unless NOLA is particularly interested in revisiting the trade we had in place that allegedly almost went down.

What does Orlando have that NO wants?

 

[Ed O]

a bit? Dude would be the shortest starting SF in the league that I'm aware of by about an inch... and it's not like he's got a big wingspan to make up for the lack of size. He's basically a stockier Roy physically but without the superior hops. I'm much more comfortable with him backing up there then starting

Well, sure. But I don't know that he'd really be hurt by the size and athleticism of, say, Richard Jefferson or Courtney Lee or other mediocre-to-bad starting SFs. Good SFs might eat him up, but that's because they're good

but if Batum is the centerpiece of a deal that lands Chris Paul, I'll be bouncing off the walls with excitement. Heck, I'd happily deal with Babbitt as the starter if need be... Oden LA _?_ Roy and Paul would be an awesome starting 5.

Agreed. It would be incredible.

Ed O.

 

[Entity]

Why does Orlando have the best chance. Hornets have no use for Jameer and Carter is just an expiring. We have expiring and young talent. I think we can get this thing done if we are willing to part with the players...

I think they might find Jameer useful. He's experienced deep in the playoffs, and I"m not going to simply compare numbers on him and Collison based on the great disparity of their teams' success. They can get Gortat to replace Okafor, and having Carter for one season can't hurt them. They have a few other decent role players as well. Plus being in the other conference helps them. I think we can get this deal done, too. It depends on what Orlando offers against us, and what we're willing to part with.

 

[B-Roy]

I think they might find Jameer useful. He's experienced deep in the playoffs, and I"m not going to simply compare numbers on him and Collison based on the great disparity of their teams' success. They can get Gortat to replace Okafor, and having Carter for one season can't hurt them. They have a few other decent role players as well. Plus being in the other conference helps them. I think we can get this deal done, too. It depends on what Orlando offers against us, and what we're willing to part with.

But one of the reasons they can feel comfortable dealing Paul is because they have Collison behind him who is much much cheaper. If they're trading Paul, they go into rebuilding mode. Carter and Nelson just puts them into mediocre territory. Something you don't really want to be in unless your name is Brian Colangelo.

 

[Entity]

Wait, what, seriously?

Yes, seriously. He's overrated.

What does Orlando have that NO wants?

A decent player or two for any position, like us.

 

[Entity]

But one of the reasons they can feel comfortable dealing Paul is because they have Collison behind him who is much much cheaper. If they're trading Paul, they go into rebuilding mode. Carter and Nelson just puts them into mediocre territory. Something you don't really want to be in unless your name is Brian Colangelo.

Look, I'm hoping we can make this deal too. I'm just saying, if Orlando beats us don't be surprised. If they don't, and we get him, I hope it doesn't kill us.

 

[EGame]

Look, I'm hoping we can make this deal too. I'm just saying, if Orlando beats us don't be surprised. If they don't, and we get him, I hope it doesn't kill us.

It isn't Orlando I am worried about. It is firstly us, for not willing to give up the players needed and so we kill ourselves, then Knicks as a close second. The Magic and Dallas are not even in my mind, really.

 

[Rhal]

I just read some comments on ESPN from Henry ABbotts article. Man those readers HATE the blazers lol.

 

[Entity]

It isn't Orlando I am worried about. It is firstly us, for not willing to give up the players needed and so we kill ourselves, then Knicks as a close second. The Magic and Dallas are not even in my mind, really.

I'm a little worried because they've already tried offering for Paul within the last 30 days.

 

[EGame]

I'm a little worried because they've already tried offering for Paul within the last 30 days.

Hey, cool. We have too.

 

[Entity]

Hey, cool. We have too.

Which certainly gives us a chance. I'm not worried about New York at all, or Dallas.

 

[B-Roy]

Yes, seriously. He's overrated.

But on the same level as Rudy? THE same Rudy who shot 38% from 2? Who was injured for much of the season? Who pouted his way into the playoffs and beyond? THE same Rudy?

 

[EGame]

Which certainly gives us a chance. I'm not worried about New York at all, or Dallas.

How does that make sense? So just because they proposed a trade in the past that means they have a high shot?

Okay, so by this logic since our trade that was "close to being accepted by the Hornets" right after the draft (or was it right before?) is first off even true, then once the meeting between the Hornets and Paul fail, they should just call us to accept our trade we made earlier, which Oden, Aldridge, or Roy were not a part of.

 

[Entity]

But on the same level as Rudy? THE same Rudy who shot 38% from 2? Who was injured for much of the season? Who pouted his way into the playoffs and beyond? THE same Rudy?

Yes, they both equally mean nothing to me.

 

[B-Roy]

Yes, they both equally mean nothing to me.

Gallinari is younger and more productive, but you're entitled to your own opinion. I would think the general consensus around the league is that Gallinari has more value than Fernandez.

 

[Entity]

How does that make sense? So just because they proposed a trade in the past that means they have a high shot?

Okay, so by this logic since our trade that was "close to being accepted by the Hornets" right after the draft (or was it right before?) is first off even true, then once the meeting between the Hornets and Paul fail, they should just call us to accept our trade we made earlier, which Oden, Aldridge, or Roy were not a part of.

They proposed a trade in the same time frame as we did, allegedly. Why I would worry is:

1. They can match us for talent to fill NOLA's needs.
2. Their "mostly expiring" contract is better than both of ours combined. Plus Carter fills a need position for at least a year, where Miller doesn't necessarily do so and who knows when Joel will be able to play.
3. They only have to see Paul twice a year if he goes to Orlando.

I'm not saying we don't have a shot, I'm saying Orlando has as much of a shot. I think on paper, even better.

 

[EGame]

Well that is fine. The talent you mention is Jameer, Hornets have no use for him. The Knicks are still by bet to get Paul if we fail to.

 

[B-Roy]

They proposed a trade in the same time frame as we did, allegedly. Why I would worry is:

1. They can match us for talent to fill NOLA's needs.

No they don't. Nelson is not a need with Collison. Vince as a stopgap does nothing for them. Gortat I'll give you, but Bayless, Batum, Rudy trumps Gortat in terms of young, cheap talent.

2. Their "mostly expiring" contract is better than both of ours combined. Plus Carter fills a need position for at least a year, where Miller doesn't necessarily do so and who knows when Joel will be able to play.

Not necessarily. If VC is guaranteed 4 Million, his contract is essentially a $13 Million expiring, less than Miller+Przybilla. It does let Orlando take more salary back, but there are ways Portland can take the same number of contracts back as well.

And again, if they are trading Paul, it means they go into rebuilding mode, Carter does nothing for them in that regard. They'd want to be bad in order to get a higher draft pick. They'd probably rather develop Marcus Thrornton anyways instead of playing Carter.

3. They only have to see Paul twice a year if he goes to Orlando.

I'll give you that, but is that really such an important factor?

I'm not saying we don't have a shot, I'm saying Orlando has as much of a shot.

Well I disagree pretty adamantly.

 

[Entity]

I would think the general consensus around the league is that Gallinari has more value than Fernandez.

I agree. But I think New York would have a tough time making a better deal for Paul than we would.

 

[Further]

Everyone is trying to throw Rudy in, but I don't see why he would want to go to NOH or why NOH would want to pay a player that may refuse to play for them.

This is the best trade I could come up with

NOH trades
Chris Paul
Emeka Okafor
James Posey
D. Songaila
Total salary leaving NOH - 37,731,753

Blazers trade
Batum
Camby
Przybilla
Cunningham
Miller
Bayless
Total Salary leaving Blazers - 30,675,951

NOH gets rid of bad salaries, gets some good youth and expiring contracts. They also immediately save over 7 million. Add in 3 mil cash = 10 million. Add in approximately 3 million expected to be saved from przybilla insured contract. That equates to an instant savings of 13 million dollars. Blazers throw in a couple first rounders.

Blazers would be quite thin, but would have one heck of a starting line up.

 

[Entity]

No they don't. Nelson is not a need with Collison. Vince as a stopgap does nothing for them. Gortat I'll give you, but Bayless, Batum, Rudy trumps Gortat in terms of young, cheap talent.

If they value Collison higher than Nelson, then yeah. I think I like Ryan Anderson and Mickael Pietrus more than the average Blazer fan. Gortat/Anderson/Pietrus could be good trade pieces along with another player, though not as young as our guys.

Not necessarily. If VC is guaranteed 4 Million, his contract is essentially a $13 Million expiring, less than Miller+Przybilla. It does let Orlando take more salary back, but there are ways Portland can take the same number of contracts back as well.

And again, if they are trading Paul, it means they go into rebuilding mode, Carter does nothing for them in that regard. They'd want to be bad in order to get a higher draft pick. They'd probably rather develop Marcus Thrornton anyways instead of playing Carter.

I'm saying Vince Carter might be worth the extra million vs. our expirings. As far as rebuilding mode, the expirings both they and we have to offer probably aren't involved. It's the other parts of the deal.