Blazers players on the block?

[Fez Hammersticks]

Via Hoopshype/CBSsports

The executive commenting on Lee's situation expressed doubt that Portland -- a team known to like Lee -- would trade a package of role players for another role player. The Blazers, according to the executive, would like to parlay players such as Travis Outlaw, Sergio Rodriguez, Rudy Fernandez, and/or Jerryd Bayless in a trade for a star -- not another role player. The Blazers have a star in Brandon Roy, potential stars in LaMarcus Aldridge and Greg Oden, but other than that, they've corned the market on role players. Nothing wrong with that, but why would they need another one?

Portland's affinity for Lee may have been exaggerated in reports about possible trade talks with the Knicks. The Blazers' position, as the executive I spoke with understands it, is that Lee is the only player on the Knicks' roster who interests them. That is much different from saying that the Blazers are hellbent on acquiring Lee. Where does the New York Post's report Tuesday that the Blazers are interested in Eddy Curry fit into all of this? Not sure, but how could anyone be interested in Curry when he hasn't played a game all season?

I really doubt KP would trade Rudy Fernandez. I have a feeling this guy is just throwing names out there.

 

[MrJayremmie]

If trading a backup gets you a starter (a star like this article says) then you do it.

 

[LameR]

Yeah, I don't think Rudy's going anywhere. He's a rookie who's already stepped up big at times, but has had a little trouble lately. I think his 25-35 mpg down the road will be very valuable, and very productive.

 

[craigehlo]

Rudy has too much value to the team in both play and marketing to trade right now (unless it's a crazy good deal).

I do however sense that Bayless is movable piece since he's already expressed displeasure to KP about playing time and then played fairly poorly when given an opportunity.

 

[BatumKaboom]

We need Rudy.

Roy, LMA, Oden, Batum, Rudy <-- in that order. Our best players and our un-touchables. IMO

 

[hasoos]

If you get a situation, where you can trade several role players for a star, especially if you don't think any of them will be a star level player, ever in the league, you pull the trigger. No ifs, ands, or butts.

 

[Nikolokolus]

We need Rudy.

Roy, LMA, Oden, Batum, Rudy <-- in that order. Our best players and our un-touchables. IMO

what if Rudy could get you a legit All-star small forward or point guard? He is probably going to be a helluva player, but he is after all going to be a backup as long as he's here.

 

[Kaydow]

If you get a situation, where you can trade several role players for a star, especially if you don't think any of them will be a star level player, ever in the league, you pull the trigger. No ifs, ands, or butts.

I agree. I think Rudy will get better, but I don't thnk he's untouchable by any means.

Question is . . . what "star"?

Who wants to unload a "star" player, unless he comes with baggage or a huge contract that jambs up your cap space?

 

[Ghost Pepper]

Um.... what huge star is out there? The only players I see that make us better that are stars aren't going anywhere now! Guess we should define star? My version of star is Kobe, Lebron, Wade, Dirk, Tim, Paul, KG and Howard. These guys are going nowhere. SO who really makes us that much better that we'd be willing to trade Rudy and Bayless? Rudy and Bayless will be stars! I'd rather let them be stars here!

 

[Minstrel]

If a package including Rudy (but not any of the big three) could return Caron Butler, for example, that's definitely something worth considering.

 

[ehizzy3]

i dont see rudy re-signing with us, if he can never start. maybe we should trade him, he's gonna be a bench player his whole career here, aslong as roy is healthy. sure would piss off the fans lol

 

[Nikolokolus]

Um.... what huge star is out there? The only players I see that make us better that are stars aren't going anywhere now! Guess we should define star? My version of star is Kobe, Lebron, Wade, Dirk, Tim, Paul, KG and Howard. These guys are going nowhere. SO who really makes us that much better that we'd be willing to trade Rudy and Bayless? Rudy and Bayless will be stars! I'd rather let them be stars here!

I don't think the goal is "huge" star, but probably an all-star -- a bonafide, veteran, high level performer. Rudy and Bayless might indeed have "star" potential, but there are certainly no guarantees.

 

[Ghost Pepper]

Why couldn't Rudy start at the SF position and Roy at the SG?

 

[ehizzy3]

Why couldn't Rudy start at the SF position and Roy at the SG?

because rudy is not strong enough to guard 3's.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Why couldn't Rudy start at the SF position and Roy at the SG?

Not only is Rudy is a full inch shorter than Brandon, and Brandon gives up length at the 3, he's way too scrawny to handle the amount of abuse he'd take on the defensive end.

 

[Ghost Pepper]

Sorry but I don't see how Outlaw is either? Batum and Rudy could split time at the three and Rudy could split time with Roy at the 2 when Roy runs the point. Rudy is our Manu!

 

[Minstrel]

Sorry but I don't see how Outlaw is either? Batum and Rudy could split time at the three and Rudy could split time with Roy at the 2 when Roy runs the point. Rudy is our Manu!

You don't see how Outlaw is what? Outlaw is much bigger and stronger than Rudy. Rudy would be utterly abused on defense, if he were defending small forwards. Even bigger shooting guards will be tough for Rudy to handle.

Rudy is pretty locked in at the 2, IMO. As is Roy.

 

[Ghost Pepper]

So why did we draft Rudy? We know he wants to start, knew it before he came here. So how do we keep this player? I don't want him hitting his prime on the Lakers!

 

[Ghost Pepper]

Outlaw defense sucks, we all know that! Rudy gets steals, passes well, understands the game, and still may grow a bit. What is he 20? Could Rudy be turned into a PG?

 

[Minstrel]

So why did we draft Rudy? We know he wants to start, knew it before he came here. So how do we keep this player? I don't want him hitting his prime on the Lakers!

I assume Pritchard drafted Rudy because he was the best player available. You don't take a worse player just because the better player plays a position that's already occupied.

The best chance to keep Rudy is to establish a three guard rotation, if Bayless develops. Rudy can't play the point guard spot full-time...but getting half his minutes at point guard and half at shooting guard might work.

PG: Bayless (33 minutes) / Rudy Fernandez (15 minutes)
SG: Roy (33 minutes) / Rudy Fernandez (15 minutes)

Playing 30 minutes, perhaps Fernandez would be satisfied.

 

[MrJayremmie]

Rudy is like 23-24, bro.

I also really think Rudy is a SG, and is/will be a starting caliber SG in this league. Possibly a borderline all-star for a couple seasons.

But IMO he will be a backup on this team, getting around 25mpg. Which is great, and very needed... but if Rudy, Bayless, Outlaw, etc... can get you a starter at a position of need that will play 30-35mpg, I think you need to do it.

I think if we can get our guard rotation down to a 3 guard rotation, like Minstrel said, and have Roy, Rudy and lets say Bayless all split time playing PG and SG (as they all can), maybe he would be happy with that. But IDK if he would want to re-sign here, honestly.

 

[Ghost Pepper]

Crap! I just have this feeling he too will opt out for a bigger market like New York and then he hits his Pistol Pete stride along with Lebron and we'd be in serious trouble. Rudy will be a star, he's smarter than any player on our team, outside of maybe ROY. Not a player you want to give to another team if it can be helped.

 

[crowTrobot]

i dont see rudy re-signing with us

fortunately we don't have to worry about that for 3.5 years.

 

[BBert]

Rudy is a heck of a player now, regardless of his poor shooting, and he'll get better. Rudy isn't a primary scorer or creator who you just put the ball in his hands and ask him to carry a team like a Kobe, LeBron, Wade, CP, or Roy. But he'll be a dang good complimentary scorer who makes basketball plays all over the court, and makes your team better. His greatest value is in a motion offense and a running game. He's not untouchable, but he's easily one of the top 4 players on our team. It's pretty unlikely that Rudy is going anywhere. As far as him not resigning with us because he can't start: he's starting now; I expect Roy to continue to miss lots of games in his career with injuries; and I just have a feeling Rudy is more team oriented than some might give him credit for.

 

[Pinwheel1]

So why did we draft Rudy? We know he wants to start, knew it before he came here. So how do we keep this player? I don't want him hitting his prime on the Lakers!

Actually we never drafted Rudy, we traded for him. Personally I am not convinced that Rudy will ever be a starter for any playoff team. Doesn't mean he won't get 30 minutes a game, but he is kind of one dimensional. And i am not sure he ever said he needed to start. Just that he wanted minutes.

On another note has Bayless really complained to Nate that we wanted more playing time? i don't remember seeing that exact quote.

 

[Shooter]

I do however sense that Bayless is movable piece since he's already expressed displeasure to KP about playing time and then played fairly poorly when given an opportunity.

If that's the measuring stick, then Oden and Batum are in trouble, too. Both have played fairly poorly when given an opportunity, though Oden has had a few decent games. I doubt the Blazers are going to give up on a guy like Bayless, who has played only sparingly so far in the first half of his rookie season. It takes longer than that to evaluate a young player.