Brad Miller and Haywood Rumors

[craigehlo]

http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/12681/blazers-search-for-size-and-other-trade-chatter

The Blazers have indeed registered their interest in Washington center Brendan Haywood, given Haywood’s obvious appeal as a short-term replacement – with an expiring $6 million contract – for the fallen Greg Oden and Joel Przybilla.

But one source close to the situation said that the talks didn’t go far when the Wiz indicated that they’d want both Rudy Fernandez and Nicolas Batum headlining the return package for Haywood, who’s averaging 9.8 points, 10.6 rebounds and 2.1 blocks.

Portland, meanwhile, continues to insist in the strongest terms that guard Andre Miller is not available, even as rival teams continue to whisper otherwise.

It surely won’t surprise you to hear that the Blazers, given the injury losses on their front line, are also among the teams that have inquired about the availability of Bulls big man Brad Miller.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

But one source close to the situation said that the talks didn’t go far when the Wiz indicated that they’d want both Rudy Fernandez and Nicolas Batum headlining the return package for Haywood, who’s averaging 9.8 points, 10.6 rebounds and 2.1 blocks.

I think MIXUM can agree that this is yet more evidence of KP being scared to make a deal. Look at what's out there! Come on - act now!

 

[RayDavies]

Batum AND Rudy? No thanks. I don't think moving Batum would be wise, at this point.

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

Batum and Rudy?!?! That's hilarious!

 

[oldguy]

How bout it, MIXUM? Do you give up Nic and Rudy for Haywood?

Go Blazers

 

[BrianFromWA]

If KP didn't want to give up Batum and RLEC for Butler last year, what makes WAS think that we'd toss in Rudy if we could get Haywood? Even if the numbers worked out (which they don't), this isn't a great game to start playing. As I said earlier when Wheels "broke" this--what were our offers for RLEC that we turned down last year? Let's hear it! If he wants to put out "deals" like this to show why he doesn't make moves, great! What was the final offer for Hinrich? What did CHA want for G. Wallace? Let's see those, to see if we'd blame him or not for making those deals. Otherwise, it's hypocritical garbage.

 

[MIXUM]

no i would not. however i also think good gm's can find ways to get good players without giving up the farm.

 

[Nikolokolus]

I'll give Grunfeld some credit, he's got a big pair of swinging brass balls.

 

[MIXUM]

if thats what he wants for haywood... i dont expect to see him moved. maybe he just hates kpee like the rest of the league?

 

[Nikolokolus]

if thats what he wants for haywood... i dont expect to see him moved. maybe he just hates kpee like the rest of the league?

I think Grunfeld is starting high and then working backwards from there ... If he lowballed himself out of the gate then he'd be a terrible GM.

 

[RR7]

I think Grunfeld is starting high and then working backwards from there ... If he lowballed himself out of the gate then he'd be a terrible GM.

Well, there's starting high, and there's being high while starting. I think Grunfeld is more of the latter.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Well, there's starting high, and there's being high while starting. I think Grunfeld is more of the latter.

I think Ernie is probably still living under the delusion that he's going to be able to turn that team around without enduring a painful rebuilding period. I sort of expect him to panic a little bit closer to the deadline.

 

[RR7]

I can never understand teams like that. I admire that they gave it a shot with that core. But it didn't work. And nothing you can do to that core is going to make it work. He needs to dump everyone. Even if some guys are good, just wipe the slate clean.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

if thats what he wants for haywood... i dont expect to see him moved. maybe he just hates kpee like the rest of the league?

So are we to understand you've switch tacks from "Pritchard is crap because he won't do trades because he's in love with his players" to "Pritchard is crap because nobody will offer him good trades"?

Obviously if a good trade WAS made, it would "Pritchard is so crap that other GMs take pity on him and help him out with a good trade".

 

[hasoos]

I can never understand teams like that. I admire that they gave it a shot with that core. But it didn't work. And nothing you can do to that core is going to make it work. He needs to dump everyone. Even if some guys are good, just wipe the slate clean.

Agreed. They need to melt down, build through the draft. Maybe keep a few guys like Nick Young around.

 

[hasoos]

I thought we should have tried to get Miller from Sacramento last year when he was available. He is a good center. He has several offensive moves, he is an excellent passer, he has playoff experience, and he can shoot. If he is indeed available, it is worth finding out what they want at least. I also wouldn't mind getting the Polish Hammer from Orlando. Gortat is being wasted there.

 

[Luther]

no i would not. however i also think good gm's can find ways to get good players without giving up the farm.

You don't think Pritchard has counter offered something of less value...Like maybe trying to throw Blake and Outlaw at them? It's really not worth getting rid of a young talent to get HAYWOOD..

 

[santeesioux]

I'd rather trot out Juwan Howard at center for the rest of the season than do that Washington deal.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

I don't think the Wiz realisticly expect Batum and Rudy for Haywood. They will be getting offers for Haywood and I would think a Rudy Blake package would be pretty competitive. They get a up and coming young prospect in Rudy and someone to help fill the hole Arenas left behind this year.

What I get from this rumor and others is teams are interested in Rudy, Batum and Bayless. I think (but don't know for sure) that Travis and blake have value because they are expriing contracts and teams are trying like hell to cut salary or clear slary for this summer.

So KP has pieces other teams are interested in. That isn't the question. The question is can he get a good deal done by trade deadline? I've already predicted he will . . .

 

[Nikolokolus]

If I were KP this would be my counter offer.

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=yfj3wxb

Some of their non-rotation expiring contract players can be waived to create enough roster spots (Oberto, Crittenton, McGuire, et al.)

The Wiz don't get quite the haul they were asking for with two guys like Nic and Rudy, but they do get a good young prospect at a position of need in Rudy, they get cap relief in Blake and for good measure they even get to take a flier on a cheap second round rookie and see if there is anything there that they like for the long term. If they'd prefer some size coming back instead of nothing but guards for the loss of Haywood, I'd offer them Pendergraph or Cunningham in a flash or maybe even the draft rights to Joel Freeland if that was what it takes.

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=yzu6tys

I dunno, I think of all the trade partners out there and possible trade targets, the Wizards and Haywood seem to make a lot of sense, but the trade has to be a little more balanced considering that there are no guarantees Brendan sticks around past the end of this year.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Brad Miller sucks so fucking much.