Cuban wants a deal

[KeepOnRollin]

Probably not, but like with Mozgov, it gives you a few months to find out if any of them will.

But if Mozgov only costs you scrubs (say Nolan Smith and Babbitt or Jeffries) then he might be the one to try out easier.

 

[Mediocre Man]

But if Mozgov only costs you scrubs (say Nolan Smith and Babbitt or Jeffries) then he might be the one to try out easier.

But Wright and Beaubois are better than Mozgov and give you a better chance of a higher return

 

[KeepOnRollin]

Only if you guarantee they are on the team next year and we can't really do that. You are giving up more and getting more. Mozgov you are giving up less and getting less but you actually have the ability to get more if he impresses. He has started in this league so he isn't a total stiff. DEN has 3 Centers who can start is the problem.

 

[DaLincolnJones]

Probably not, but like with Mozgov, it gives you a few months to find out if any of them will.

MM, why the hate on JJ?..man I have seen the math and all the stats..but sometimes numbers do not tell the whole story. I am not ready to fix the guy for a red cape, but if A) the was what we were getting from a draft pick or a potential FA I think you would be jazzed..

 

[magnifier661]

MM, why the hate on JJ?..man I have seen the math and all the stats..but sometimes numbers do not tell the whole story. I am not ready to fix the guy for a red cape, but if A) the was what we were getting from a draft pick or a potential FA I think you would be jazzed..

I know that this is directed towards MM, but I would really like to reply my thoughts.

I absolutely love Hickson most the time. I was swinging from his jock last season. And from what I remembered, I think I was one of very few that talked homerish about him like I did. There is a little reality regarding this tough issue.

Hickson really should be a PF. He doesn't play well defending other Centers. He has a hard enough time going against other capable PFs (look at Bosh's stats). We can't afford to pay him 9 mil per to be a back up power forward, since we already have a starting forward in Aldridge. So what to do? If there is even a hint that Hickson will demand 7-8 mil, I just don't see Portland wanting that amount of cap to be associated with a back-up PF/C. I think they would much rather use more cap space to grab a legit 7 footer. Maybe this center won't rebound at the same rate as Hickson, or get the same PER; but he's a legit center that defends; which I think is even more valuable.

 

[noknobs]

But Wright and Beaubois are better than Mozgov and give you a better chance of a higher return

That would be a great slogan for the Blazers to roll out if they were ever to make this deal. "Wright and Beaubois. They're better than Mozgov!"

If you're so in love with Wright, then why not just keep Hickson and sign Wright in the offseason? Why trade 1 of 5 players on our team that actually contributes for a guy like Wright? Makes no sense.

 

[RR7]

Cool, what would be better, in your opinion

It's an ok thought. Right idea, just don't care for the return, personally.

 

[Eastoff]

Hickson really should be a PF. He doesn't play well defending other Centers. He has a hard enough time going against other capable PFs (look at Bosh's stats). We can't afford to pay him 9 mil per to be a back up power forward, since we already have a starting forward in Aldridge. So what to do? If there is even a hint that Hickson will demand 7-8 mil, I just don't see Portland wanting that amount of cap to be associated with a back-up PF/C. I think they would much rather use more cap space to grab a legit 7 footer. Maybe this center won't rebound at the same rate as Hickson, or get the same PER; but he's a legit center that defends; which I think is even more valuable.

Well said!

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Jae Crowder or bust!

 

[Mediocre Man]

MM, why the hate on JJ?..man I have seen the math and all the stats..but sometimes numbers do not tell the whole story. I am not ready to fix the guy for a red cape, but if A) the was what we were getting from a draft pick or a potential FA I think you would be jazzed..

I don't hate Hickson at all. I love the guys hustle and energy. We just don't really need him, so why not get something for him. Hickson is a PF, not a center, and while he has done well there, he is not the answer long term. Paying him 7-9 million to be a back up makes no sense to me.

I also think you have to look at his past.

Cleveland dumped him for a scrub and a pick
Sacramento flat out waived him
Portland was able to re-sign him for 4 mm 1 years because he couldn't get a better offer.

There is a reason for that

 

[RR7]

I don't hate Hickson at all. I love the guys hustle and energy. We just don't really need him, so why not get something for him. Hickson is a PF, not a center, and while he has done well there, he is not the answer long term. Paying him 7-9 million to be a back up makes no sense to me.

I also think you have to look at his past.

Cleveland dumped him for a scrub and a pick
Sacramento flat out waived him
Portland was able to re-sign him for 4 mm 1 years because he couldn't get a better offer.

There is a reason for that

You make that argument, but then say someone will pay him 7-9. Seems like with the latter examples in your argument, he'd be worth hanging on to, because we should be able to retain him with a MLE-ish deal.

 

[B-Roy]

You make that argument, but then say someone will pay him 7-9. Seems like with the latter examples in your argument, he'd be worth hanging on to, because we should be able to retain him with a MLE-ish deal.

HIGHLY doubt that.

 

[RR7]

I highly doubt it as well, just going along with the negatives MM was mentioning in regards to his value.
Still, am curious looking at the teams with cap space this offseason:

Charlotte, Atlanta, Cleveland, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Indiana, LAC, Milwaukee, Minnesota, N.O., Orlando, Philly, Phoenix, Portland, Sacramento, SA, Toronto, Utah

I'll cross out Cleveland and Sacramento, his previous two stops. Clippers won't have any money once Paul is retained. SA wouldn't have much of anything once Splitter and Manu are kept.
So Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Indiana, Milwaukee, Minnesota, N.O., Orlando, Philly, Phoenix, Portland, Toronto, Utah.
Can eliminate more willing to go over, Minnesota will have nothing if they keep Pek, Philly close to the same with Bynum retained, If ghey're going over for a big, I imagine Utah would just as soon keep one of their own. Indiana would be out, likely, if they keep West.
Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Milwaukee, N.O., Orlando, Phoenix, Portland, Toronto
This is assuming a cap close to 60.
Orlando, Phoenix an Toronto just dn't seem like likely destinations to me.
So you can look at it from a free agent perspective, and also a trade mid-season perspective. Houston will have plenty of cap space to retain Hickson. Would they part with some of their younger players to try Hickson alongside Asik up front. Might actually pair pretty well alongside eachother, and their rebounding would be tough to beat.
Milwaukee seems unlikely to me, with Gooden locked in, and young guys in Sanders, Henson and Udoh. N.O. with a 3 man rotation of Anderson, Davis and Lopez, the same. Might pair well alongside Drummond and Monroe in Detroit. Could be a decent 3rd big in Atlanta with Smith and Horford.

 

[Mediocre Man]

You make that argument, but then say someone will pay him 7-9. Seems like with the latter examples in your argument, he'd be worth hanging on to, because we should be able to retain him with a MLE-ish deal.

Look at bigs who rebound. They all make more than they are worth

 

[3RA1N1AC]

LA thinks we need a seven footer to help guard the rim...his words, not mine. Why would he be pissed at that deal?

because there is no 7 footer in the deal?

 

[MickZagger]

Wright's advanced stats say he is better than Hickson. I think that qualifies as "legitimate NBA rotation player"

Beaubois first three years in the league (under Stotts) he had Wes Matthews type PER. I think that qualifies as "legitimate NBA rotation player"

Cunningham is a rookie who can play both guard positions and is probably better than anyone on our bench currently

So why does Dallas do it? For Ronnie Price?

 

[Mediocre Man]

So why does Dallas do it? For Ronnie Price?

Maybe they feel, like a lot of our fans feel, that Hickson is a better piece this year and going forward?

 

[3RA1N1AC]

i wonder why wright cant get more than 15mpg

 

[VanillaGorilla]

LA thinks we need a seven footer to help guard the rim...his words, not mine. Why would he be pissed at that deal?

Beaubois - 6'2"
Cunningham - 6'4"
Wright - 6'9"

???

 

[VanillaGorilla]

Not to mention that we suck at rebounding and Brandan Wright is a fucking awful rebounder and a bad defender.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Not to mention that we suck at rebounding and Brandan Wright is a fucking awful rebounder and a bad defender.

Like I said earlier, tough crowd. I will have to go back to the drawing board and see if there is a deal that will help the Blazer win a title this year

 

[BigGameDamian]

Chris Haynes said the Blazers will only deal if it's for a young promising SG in return. So unless Dallas is willing to part with OJ Mayo it's not going to work..

 

[KeepOnRollin]

Chris Haynes said the Blazers will only deal if it's for a young promising SG in return. So unless Dallas is willing to part with OJ Mayo it's not going to work..

SG is the second toughest position in the league to fill lately behind C.

Going to be tough to get a team to part with an good up-and-coming player.

Did he throw out any ideas? I don't think Mayo is the one on POR's radar. It would be with another team I assume.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Chris Haynes said the Blazers will only deal if it's for a young promising SG in return. So unless Dallas is willing to part with OJ Mayo it's not going to work..

Two questions

1. When did Haynes say that?

2. What does OJ Mayo and young promising SG have to do with each other?

 

[VanillaGorilla]

Like I said earlier, tough crowd. I will have to go back to the drawing board and see if there is a deal that will help the Blazer win a title this year

I've always liked Beaubois, and Cunningham intrigues me as well. I have seen and understand the statistics that say Hickson doesn't help our team, but I can't get myself to believe that after watching the games. JJ isn't good at defense but he gets timely offensive rebounds and always hustles. We have no legitamite backup PG but I don't think we can afford to lose Hickson down low unless we get someone better than Wright back.

 

[BBert]

Can someone please link me to where LaMarcus said he wants the Blazers to get him a brand spankin new 7-footer to play with? I keep seeing that posted, but I thought that was something that one Rube dude made up?

 

[magnifier661]

Can someone please link me to where LaMarcus said he wants the Blazers to get him a brand spankin new 7-footer to play with? I keep seeing that posted, but I thought that was something that one Rube dude made up?

It was made up.

 

[GriLtCheeZ]

Can someone please link me to where LaMarcus said he wants the Blazers to get him a brand spankin new 7-footer to play with? I keep seeing that posted, but I thought that was something that one Rube dude made up?

It was an interview with David Aldridge. Blazers edge posted it:
http://www.blazersedge.com/2013/1/1...marcus-aldridge-was-scared-by-rocky-start-but

Me: Can you sustain playing smaller all season?

LA: I think so. I think we can, I think guys have to be versatile and do different things. I think so far that we've shown we can play with the big teams playing small. I think they have to play small with us.

...

Me: [Adding] Somebody large [next summer] would be helpful, right?

LA: Yeah. You know, I love J.J. He's good for us. But somebody seven foot, 7-foot-1, a lot taller than me, that would be great.

 

[BBert]

Thanks. It was a leading question. And an obvious answer. Who wouldn't want a big beefer controlling the paint? We need to turn Leonard into Joel Przybilla with offense. LaMarcus has had to hit the weights pretty hard just to get where he's at. Maybe Leonard will be able to pack on more muscle over the next few years.

 

[Mediocre Man]

It was made up.

Huh?