Deng (but NOT for Batum)

[Rastapopoulos]

The GM in Cleveland whose last ditch effort to save his job involved acquiring Luol Deng was still fired, so the speculation is that Deng might go too. I can't imagine they really think he'd want to stay there (he even said to the press something to the effect of the atmosphere being shockingly bad), so now's the time to shift him. If I had to bet, I would bet that Phoenix have already offered Okafor's expiring contract and a couple of their (protected/low) 2014 first rounders for him. Now, I would love to get Deng, but NOT at the expense of Batum. Would you give up CJ McCollum to get Deng, bearing in mind that he is a FA at the end of the season? For me the answer is "of course" - Deng is a very good player, and in particular, a stellar defender, which we really need. I doubt we really have a shot at him, but I hope Olshey's trying.

 

[BBert]

Does it make sense to get Deng if we keep Batum? Is Batum a SG?

 

[Rastapopoulos]

I'd offer this. I dunno if it would be enough - it sort of depends what others are offering. The Cavs might actually like to get Mo back, given how cheap he is now and his connection with the glory years. But it might hinge on them offloading Jack. You've got to think they'd prefer cap space and picks, but we ain't got either to offer.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Does it make sense to get Deng if we keep Batum? Is Batum a SG?

You can play both together very easily. Both can guard multiple positions. Deng can even play PF in a pinch - he's a very good rebounder. Deng would begin by coming off the bench in this scenario (he pretty much would BE the bench with the trade I've suggested, which is a bit of a problem, at least until his GB teammate Freeland came back) but if anyone eventually got pushed to the bench for him it would be Wesley.

 

[BBert]

Gotta admit that's intriguing.

 

[RR7]

I'd offer this. I dunno if it would be enough - it sort of depends what others are offering. The Cavs might actually like to get Mo back, given how cheap he is now and his connection with the glory years. But it might hinge on them offloading Jack. You've got to think they'd prefer cap space and picks, but we ain't got either to offer.

So our front court depth to make a playoff push is

Aldridge/nobody
Lopez/nobody

Brilliant move

Solid.

 

[PapaG]

The GM in Cleveland whose last ditch effort to save his job involved acquiring Luol Deng was still fired, so the speculation is that Deng might go too. I can't imagine they really think he'd want to stay there (he even said to the press something to the effect of the atmosphere being shockingly bad), so now's the time to shift him. If I had to bet, I would bet that Phoenix have already offered Okafor's expiring contract and a couple of their (protected/low) 2014 first rounders for him. Now, I would love to get Deng, but NOT at the expense of Batum. Would you give up CJ McCollum to get Deng, bearing in mind that he is a FA at the end of the season? For me the answer is "of course" - Deng is a very good player, and in particular, a stellar defender, which we really need. I doubt we really have a shot at him, but I hope Olshey's trying.

It would take more than Deng for CJ ... and no, I wouldn't give up CJ for Deng right now, based on contracts.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

So our front court depth to make a playoff push is
Aldridge/nobody
Lopez/nobody
Brilliant move
Solid.

Thanks! Right now "nobody" has considerably better +/- numbers than Robinson or Leonard.

 

[PapaG]

Thanks! Right now "nobody" has considerably better +/- numbers than Robinson or Leonard.

That's a solid argument.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

There are big men out there that can be signed to a veteran minimum who can give you what Robinson and Leonard are giving you. Kwame Brown, Jason Collins...

 

[The_Lillard_King]

CJ is a good trading chip, but I don't think the Blazers should trade him. It seems like the new CBA is having an impact on teams just spending money freely. While there are players with more alert than CJ, his contract is such that you can lock him up for cheap for the next 4-5 yrs while spending money on free agents.

These days a cheap contract for a good player is pretty valuable. Hate to trade that for the opportunity to pay the most to Deng this summer.

 

[PapaG]

There are big men out there that can be signed to a veteran minimum who can give you what Robinson and Leonard are giving you. Kwame Brown, Jason Collins...

HAHAHAHAHA! Yes, those two guys. I'd take old Shawn Kemp over either of those stiffs. LOL

 

[Rastapopoulos]

CJ is a good trading chip, but I don't think the Blazers should trade him. It seems like the new CBA is having an impact on teams just spending money freely. While there are players with more alert than CJ, his contract is such that you can lock him up for cheap for the next 4-5 yrs while spending money on free agents.

These days a cheap contract for a good player is pretty valuable. Hate to trade that for the opportunity to pay the most to Deng this summer.

In all likelihood we won't move CJ. But I don't see CJ ever being a starter for us while we've got Lillard. And wouldn't it be nice to have an all-NBA perimeter defender? I don't care if we have to pay him a lot. He's worth it.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

HAHAHAHAHA! Yes, those two guys. I'd take old Shawn Kemp over either of those stiffs. LOL

Yes, they're not good. But they're as good as Robinson and Leonard. In fact, better defensively.

LOL.

 

[BigGameDamian]

Would I trade CJ McCollum for Luol Deng? Do you really have to ask? Anyone would be a damn fool to say no!

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Fwiw Ivan Johnson is still on the market.

 

[Schilly]

That is one if the absolute worst trade proposals I have ever read on here. So impatient to make even the second round willing to shut the window that just opened.

Sent from my LG-LS995 using Tapatalk

 

[Rastapopoulos]

That is one if the absolute worst trade proposals I have ever read on here.

That would indeed be an achievement.

So impatient to make even the second round willing to shut the window that just opened.

What window would that be? The one Robinson, Leonard and CJ would lead us through?

 

[Schilly]

Yes that window. This team isn't ready for a title run yet, trading all those young guys for one much older guy doesn't make us a legit contender especially if we are saying Jason Collins is going to save us. On top of that Deng would bolt to a team that would start him or if we re-signed him we have no money to add more pieces and again we are stuck with an awful bench. CJ is looking like he can be a competent reserve at absolute worst. Leonard is a 21 yo second year player at a position that is traditionally a slower one for players out of college to adapt to. Robinson is a lot like Leonard in terms of simply having physical intangibles that are valuable for bench calibre players in the NBA. Are the great now no. Will they get great? Maybe, maybe not. They aren't going to get worse and chances are they are going to get better over the next year. Meanwhile our starting lineup is still young.

They guys mentioned who are free agents... It's not like they are free agents because they are too good to be signed because rheumatoid make team's too good.

Sent from my LG-LS995 using Tapatalk

 

[BigGameDamian]

Yes that window. This team isn't ready for a title run yet, trading all those young guys for one much older guy doesn't make us a legit contender especially if we are saying Jason Collins is going to save us. On top of that Deng would bolt to a team that would start him or if we re-signed him we have no money to add more pieces and again we are stuck with an awful bench. CJ is looking like he can be a competent reserve at absolute worst. Leonard is a 21 yo second year player at a position that is traditionally a slower one for players out of college to adapt to. Robinson is a lot like Leonard in terms of simply having physical intangibles that are valuable for bench calibre players in the NBA. Are the great now no. Will they get great? Maybe, maybe not. They aren't going to get worse and chances are they are going to get better over the next year. Meanwhile our starting lineup is still young.

They guys mentioned who are free agents... It's not like they are free agents because they are too good to be signed because rheumatoid make team's too good.

Sent from my LG-LS995 using Tapatalk

An old guy? What is LaMarcus Aldridge and Wes Mathews then? Deng is only 28 and that's an old guy? By your logic we better be ready to trade Aldridge in the next few seasons.

 

[Schilly]

Actually to say by that logic is missing the point. Yes Lamarcus is 28 as is Deng. Deng will be 29 in April and Lamarcus in July. Wes will be 28 in October. The bigger point since you were more focused in the smaller is this trade would not make us better... at all. Everyone complains that our depth in the post is a problem so the solution is to trade our whole 2nd unit for a small forward? Really? Then our saviors are Keane Brown and Jason Collins 2 unsigned bigs when bugs are so valuable to team's trying to make playoffs. Yeah our young guys are learning the game and make mistakes. Those other guys are old and weren't good to begin with.

Sent from my LG-LS995 using Tapatalk

 

[KingSpeed]

Not interested

 

[PapaG]

Yes that window. This team isn't ready for a title run yet, trading all those young guys for one much older guy doesn't make us a legit contender especially if we are saying Jason Collins is going to save us. On top of that Deng would bolt to a team that would start him or if we re-signed him we have no money to add more pieces and again we are stuck with an awful bench. CJ is looking like he can be a competent reserve at absolute worst. Leonard is a 21 yo second year player at a position that is traditionally a slower one for players out of college to adapt to. Robinson is a lot like Leonard in terms of simply having physical intangibles that are valuable for bench calibre players in the NBA. Are the great now no. Will they get great? Maybe, maybe not. They aren't going to get worse and chances are they are going to get better over the next year. Meanwhile our starting lineup is still young.

They guys mentioned who are free agents... It's not like they are free agents because they are too good to be signed because rheumatoid make team's too good.

Sent from my LG-LS995 using Tapatalk

You're going to be really disappointed posting on this board if you have an eye toward anything past this season. This is Imaginary Trade Land, Cap Be Damned, and if you disagree, you don't ever want to win a title. Mortgage the future for a futile run this year! Deng isn't going to lead the Blazers past OKC, anyhow. This is OKC's season to make the Finals. What they do with it, who knows, but teams like the Blazers that come out of nowhere don't make NBA Finals, no matter what bench players are added during the season.

 

[Schilly]

I used to CM this board... I don't have the highest expectations.

Sent from my LG-LS995 using Tapatalk

 

[Schilly]

Actually let me phrase that more accurately. I was a mod at fanhome then when that community moved to bbb I was CM there, and proud to say I had the distinct honor of banning mixum from there myself. I was asked to CM here when it started but opted to pass on the opportunity.

Sent from my LG-LS995 using Tapatalk

 

[PapaG]

Actually let me phrase that more accurately. I was a mod at fanhome then when that community moved to bbb I was CM there, and proud to say I had the distinct honor of banning mixum from there myself. I was asked to CM here when it started but opted to pass on the opportunity.

Sent from my LG-LS995 using Tapatalk

The O-Live posters are taking over this board, or so I'm told.

 

[Schilly]

Never a good sign.

Sent from my LG-LS995 using Tapatalk

 

[Pinwheel1]

CJ has the potential to give this team a second guard who can create his own shot. Now granted he has not played 20 games yet, but he is showing signs to be pretty damn good. I get that Deng overall is a better player right now, but moving CJ at this moment for an UFA....... does not seem like the smart thing to do.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Actually let me phrase that more accurately. I was a mod at fanhome then when that community moved to bbb I was CM there, and proud to say I had the distinct honor of banning mixum from there myself. I was asked to CM here when it started but opted to pass on the opportunity.

Sent from my LG-LS995 using Tapatalk

You passing on "the opportunity" opened the door for the evil reign of SlyPokerDog! Muhahahahahahaha! Kneel before me in fear!

 

[Schilly]

Lord knows ed o ain't doin it.

Sent from my LG-LS995 using Tapatalk