Chris Sheridan: Blazers have 2nd-best trade asset in NBA

[Shooter]

ASSET No. 2: Raef LaFrentz's expiring contract
OWNER: Portland Trail Blazers

In NBA front offices, this is what's known as a super-expiring contract, because not only does his $12.72 million come off someone's cap at the end of the season, but 80 percent of it is being paid by an insurance company because of LaFrentz's shoulder injury. In real dollars and cents, that means that the acquiring team can realize a cash windfall of about $4 million by acquiring LaFrentz.

With Darius Miles now taking up $9 million in cap space that the Blazers thought they'd have this summer, they can no longer set their summer sights on a max-level free agent. If they want someone of that caliber, packaging LaFrentz with one or two of their youngsters -- Travis Outlaw, Sergio Rodriguez, Rudy Fernandez, Jerryd Bayless -- might be their best route toward landing a player who will make them a legitimate championship-contending threat in the West this spring.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=sheridan_chris&page=TradeAssets-090130

 

[MARIS61]

False assumption.

There is no reason we have to package anyone at all, other than non-rotation players or picks to balance out the numbers.

Raef's contract alone is worth a player of stellar ability to any team seeking cap relief.

And KP knows that.

 

[Natebishop3]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=sheridan_chris&page=TradeAssets-090130

Pretty much just regurgitating what has been said over and over. It never ceases to amaze me how unoriginal ESPN writers can be.

 

[Minstrel]

Plus, Portland can clear max contract space if they choose. If there's a player out there worth signing and who is a realistic trade target, they can renounce Frye, Diogu and Blake.

 

[BalancedMan]

Let's just sign Ron Artest. If he goes off his medication, at least we'll have that tough-guy "enforcer" that this team has been lacking. He's tough enough to make up for the guys who are on the softer side.

In reality...I don't know about him. But if he could get his head on straight (how many years has that been said) he could really help this team. I actually haven't followed the Rockets much this year....he probably has been behaving himself pretty well for Rick Adelman.

Just think about partnering his with Roy. That makes us a perennial contender for a long time to come.

Hedo is 30, and I don't see giving him a long time deal. Same thing with Rip Hamilton who is clearly digressing some and is 31.

In fact, the more I think about it the more I am warming up to the idea of Artest. He'd help the Blazers in a lot of areas they struggle (such as in stealing the ball). I just realized that Artest is the same age as those other guys. He's still the one I think could continue to be productive in a role.

Anyone else buying if we can get him for a reasonable 3 or 4 year deal?

We either need to make a trade with RLEC or pickup talent while being under the cap this summer. Once we sign LMA and Brandon to long term deals we won't be under the cap again for a long time so this is our opportunity to acquire a top-tier player. There's no reason not to sign someone other than to save money for PA, which he doesn't really NEED.

 

[BalancedMan]

Actually looking at Artest's numbers I don't know he's really being more and more of a chucker. Can I sign Artest from the year before the Malice at the Palace?

 

[Shooter]

I don't like Artest on this team. He's a bit too crazy for my tastes. He's also due for another implosion any time now, and I don't want it to happen in Portland.