ESPN.com blazer rumors

[ehizzy3]

does someone have the insider at ESPN?

when you goto the front page for the nba it says in the headlines "Rumors:some key blazers on the block now"

edit:does someone have insider and can post the info for people who don't..i'd love to hear what "key" blazer is on the block

 

[Nikolokolus]

does someone have the insider at ESPN?

when you goto the front page for the nba it says in the headlines "Rumors:some key blazers on the block now"

I have insider, I'll give it a look ...

Update:

It's just a reprint of a Portland Tribune article that ran the other day ... here's the excerpt for those that are interested

GM Kevin Pritchard has to decide whether or not to exercise the option on the contracts of point guard Steve Blake and Travis Outlaw.

There could be some money -- perhaps as much as $7 million or $8 million -- to sign a free agent.

I expect to see Sergio Rodriguez and/or Channing Frye involved in a trade before next season. Rodriguez has court vision and passing skills that aren't as appreciated by Nate McMillan as they are by some coaches throughout the league. Frye's perimeter shot will get him an opportunity elsewhere.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Outlaw moved, as well. He provided plenty of regular-season offense, and his character is beyond reproach, but after six years in the league, his defense is still spotty, and his .318 playoff shooting offers questions about his future in Portland. -- The Portland Tribune

 

[Tince]

Insider is becoming more of a news wire than anything.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Insider is becoming more of a news wire than anything.

pretty much. I just get it because I subscribe to ESPN the magazine, but it does offer some useful nuggets from time to time.

Here's another article from the Rumors page that caught my eye:

Bucks Looking For A PG?
The Bucks could be looking for a point guard and are sure to check out those players, along with 19-year-old Brandon Jennings, who played in Italy last season; 21-year-old Eric Maynor from Virginia Commonwealth; and 19-year-old Tyreke Evans from Memphis.

"We'll get someone good there," John Hammond said of the No. 10 slot. "We've been around together now for a year, and I think we'll do a better job in this draft. Having Scott Skiles as our coach now for a year, I think he knows more about us, we know more about him even.

"We want him to be a part of this process. It's a player we want him to like, along with us. It's a player that needs to be on the floor and helping us win games next year." -- Journal Sentinel

Is Sessions seen as being a goner?

 

[ehizzy3]

I have insider, I'll give it a look ...

Update:

It's just a reprint of a Portland Tribune article that ran the other day ... here's the excerpt for those that are interested

thank you...

how weak though compared to the headline

 

[Minstrel]

Is Sessions seen as being a goner?

An article by a Milwaukee beat writer that I read a month or two ago said that the Bucks really have little likelihood of re-signing both Villanueva and Sessions, and may not even re-sign one of them.

So, I'm certainly hoping they let Sessions go.

Also, that Portland Tribune piece said, "I expect to see Sergio Rodriguez and/or Channing Frye involved in a trade before next season."

How is that possible? Isn't Frye a free agent? And if Portland re-signed him, they couldn't trade him for something like six months, I thought.

 

[Nikolokolus]

An article by a Milwaukee beat writer that I read a month or two ago said that the Bucks really have little likelihood of re-signing both Villanueva and Sessions, and may not even re-sign one of them.

So, I'm certainly hoping they let Sessions go.

Also, that Portland Tribune piece said, "I expect to see Sergio Rodriguez and/or Channing Frye involved in a trade before next season."

How is that possible? Isn't Frye a free agent? And if Portland re-signed him, they couldn't trade him for something like six months, I thought.

He's a restricted free agent, so I think you're right, they either match offers on him, or renounce him. Frankly there's not a chance in hell they don't renounce him, his caphold is enormous at around 12 million bucks, which would wipe out any and all cap-space. Buh-bye Chan-man.

 

[Tince]

pretty much. I just get it because I subscribe to ESPN the magazine, but it does offer some useful nuggets from time to time.

Here's another article from the Rumors page that caught my eye:



Is Sessions seen as being a goner?

Same reason I have it. I find it funny that my subscription to ESPN the mag is way less than it costs to be an insider.

 

[Natebishop3]

Insider is becoming more of a news wire than anything.

Becoming?

ESPN Insider was originally Sportstalk.com. I worke for six years as an information gatherer for Sportstalk and ESPN doing nothing but going through newspapers around the country looking for rumors and inputting article links into a database. That's all they've ever been. Their "rumors" are just articles from other news outlets.

 

[RR7]

Here's another article from the Rumors page that caught my eye:



Is Sessions seen as being a goner?

I understand it doesn't always work, and sometimes, guys fit better in some situations than others, but is a guy who is not the answer in Milwaukee really the answer in Portland?

I dunno, could just be that I'm not a big fan of Sessions in general, so then they hype of him annoys me. I think if you're bringing in an outside PG, it needs to be someone that is an absolute upgrade over what you have. If you're bringing in a vet, a guy who isn't going to fight with Blake for the job. If he is on that level, it isn't worth it. And for a backup, or younger guy, somewhat the same. Is he starting for us out of the gate next year? Or is he a 15 minute a game guy, taking minutes allocated to Bayless or Sergio? Meh, just not a huge fan of his.

 

[Nikolokolus]

I understand it doesn't always work, and sometimes, guys fit better in some situations than others, but is a guy who is not the answer in Milwaukee really the answer in Portland?

I dunno, could just be that I'm not a big fan of Sessions in general, so then they hype of him annoys me. I think if you're bringing in an outside PG, it needs to be someone that is an absolute upgrade over what you have. If you're bringing in a vet, a guy who isn't going to fight with Blake for the job. If he is on that level, it isn't worth it. And for a backup, or younger guy, somewhat the same. Is he starting for us out of the gate next year? Or is he a 15 minute a game guy, taking minutes allocated to Bayless or Sergio? Meh, just not a huge fan of his.

You should read the article, the general sense seems to be that they are unsure if they'll be able to retain him and/or Villenueva, it's not about fit or lack of talent, it's lack of money.

Secondly, I'm guessing you're not a fan because you've seen him play twice this season? I highly recommend league-pass.

 

[Denny Crane]

An article by a Milwaukee beat writer that I read a month or two ago said that the Bucks really have little likelihood of re-signing both Villanueva and Sessions, and may not even re-sign one of them.

So, I'm certainly hoping they let Sessions go.

Also, that Portland Tribune piece said, "I expect to see Sergio Rodriguez and/or Channing Frye involved in a trade before next season."

How is that possible? Isn't Frye a free agent? And if Portland re-signed him, they couldn't trade him for something like six months, I thought.

He's a restricted free agent, so I think you're right, they either match offers on him, or renounce him. Frankly there's not a chance in hell they don't renounce him, his caphold is enormous at around 12 million bucks, which would wipe out any and all cap-space. Buh-bye Chan-man.

Both RFA and UFA players can be signed and immediately traded. It's called a sign and trade (S&T). The Bulls signed Jamal Crawford and traded him, and Eddie Curry too. They could have re-signed PJ Brown for just about any amount and used his contract as trade ballast.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Both RFA and UFA players can be signed and immediately traded. It's called a sign and trade (S&T). The Bulls signed Jamal Crawford and traded him, and Eddie Curry too. They could have re-signed PJ Brown for just about any amount and used his contract as trade ballast.

Whoops. Yeah, I completely forgot about sign and trades ... who knows if Milwaukee would want to dance, but with the choice coming down to losing him for nothing or getting at least some value in return for Ramon Sessions it seems reasonable that they'd explore S&T options with him.

I guess we'll see.

 

[Peaceman]

You should read the article, the general sense seems to be that they are unsure if they'll be able to retain him and/or Villenueva, it's not about fit or lack of talent, it's lack of money.

Secondly, I'm guessing you're not a fan because you've seen him play twice this season? I highly recommend league-pass.

I have only seen him play about 5 times this season. He had one good game, and was ok in the others. I worry that his stats are inflated because he is on a bad team. Would he accept 4 million a year or is he looking for big money? One good year on a bad team to me isn't proving yourself for a big contract.

 

[Nikolokolus]

I have only seen him play about 5 times this season. He had one good game, and was ok in the others. I worry that his stats are inflated because he is on a bad team. Would he accept 4 million a year or is he looking for big money? One good year on a bad team to me isn't proving yourself for a big contract.

I hate that argument. By the same logic Brandon was a good player on a bad team two years ago and even last year. The fact of the matter is that when he's been on the court he's performed and done it efficiently. "Good stats on a bad team" labels are mostly reserved for chuckers and ball-hogs, not pass first point guards.

With all of the PG problems the Blazers have had I've had my eye on him for awhile; I tried to watch as many Bucks games as I could, which ended up being about 20 (and I have friends and family from Green Bay, so we talk hoops a fair amount). Ramon Sessions is efficient, he sees the floor well, he has a great draw-foul rate and his mid-range game is solid. He's not a great defender and his 3-point shot is pretty dicey, but when I've watched him he just strikes me as a great fit for this team -- right age, unselfish, and talented.

But aside from subjective assessments, his first two seasons in the league suggest he's already well on his way to becoming a consistent performer
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/sessira01.html
http://www.82games.com/0809/08MIL3.HTM

That's the profile of a very good player, and somebody who is probably worth the full MLE at least (which is the most he can make in the first year of a new contract anyway due to the Gilbert Arenas provision)

 

[Minstrel]

Both RFA and UFA players can be signed and immediately traded. It's called a sign and trade (S&T).

Yeah, duh. Completely lost track of that. Oops.

Anyway, while it's true that Frye could be re-signed and dealt away as salary ballast, there wouldn't be any point at any non-outrageous salary. Portland will be under the cap, so can do a lopsided trade, salary-wise. They don't need "salary ballast."

Technically, Portland could sign Frye to a bigger salary than their cap space and use that as salary filler, but to be higher than their cap space, it would have to be in excess of, like, $8 million. I can't see any team wanting an $9+ million Frye for a year, even if it will expire at the end of the season. They'd still need to pay him that $9+ million for essentially nothing in basketball terms.

 

[Minstrel]

With all of the PG problems the Blazers have had I've had my eye on him for awhile; I tried to watch as many Bucks games as I could, which ended up being about 20 (and I have friends and family from Green Bay, so we talk hoops a fair amount). Ramon Sessions is efficient, he sees the floor well, he has a great draw-foul rate and his mid-range game are solid. He's not a great defender and his 3-point shot is pretty dicey, but when I've watched him he just strikes me as a great fit for this team -- right age, unselfish, and talented.

But aside from subjective assessments, his first two seasons in the league suggest he's already well on his way to becoming a consistent performer
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/sessira01.html
http://www.82games.com/0809/08MIL3.HTM

Yeah. To repeat something I said earlier this season, if I were to try to predict who will be the next Devin Harris (a good young point guard who made the jump to star-level), it would be Ramon Sessions. He's already good...he's young enough that he could become really good (like All-Star caliber).

 

[andalusian]

A thing that is worth looking at when you look at good stats on bad teams numbers is to look at win% when the player is on the court vs. win percent when he is not. Sessions is in the good category - his team had a .415 season - but his team won 48.5% of the time he was on the court. This is either a player that was not playing enough - or a player that excelled in the 2nd unit of his team against the second unit of other teams.

Since Sessions is not going to be brought as a first guard immediately in Portland - but as a likely backup to Blake while he continues to develop - he looks like a guy that would be good to have even if he only excels against backup unit - since our backup PG stunk. If he was just not played enough (would not surprise me with Skiles - he has a reputation as someone that hates playing younger players) - it is even better.

Of the available free-agent PGs on the market - he is the one I covet the most - he might not be as good a player as Miller - but his age and window fit this team much better. Capt. Kirk might be an even better option - especially on defense - but he will require a trade and will probably cost more.

 

[Denny Crane]

Yeah, duh. Completely lost track of that. Oops.

Anyway, while it's true that Frye could be re-signed and dealt away as salary ballast, there wouldn't be any point at any non-outrageous salary. Portland will be under the cap, so can do a lopsided trade, salary-wise. They don't need "salary ballast."

Technically, Portland could sign Frye to a bigger salary than their cap space and use that as salary filler, but to be higher than their cap space, it would have to be in excess of, like, $8 million. I can't see any team wanting an $9+ million Frye for a year, even if it will expire at the end of the season. They'd still need to pay him that $9+ million for essentially nothing in basketball terms.

Until the trade deadline, a lot of people here posted like RLEC was worth a lot. But Frye at $9M wouldn't be?

It would really boil down to whether a team would want Frye at all, IMO.

But as it stands, the Blazers have a decent amount under the cap to absorb a biggish contract in trade. Frye would only make sense in an S&T scenario after a trade puts them over the cap. Look at players with a ~$12M contract for 2+ years and you'll see who might be available for a $9M expiring Frye contract via S&T.

 

[Minstrel]

Until the trade deadline, a lot of people here posted like RLEC was worth a lot. But Frye at $9M wouldn't be?

LaFrentz was covered 80% by insurance and it would have been more than halfway through the season. Teams acquiring the RLEC would have been on the hook for less than 10% of his total salary. Anyone acquiring Frye in the off-season in a sign-and-trade would be on the hook for 100% of his salary. That's a huge difference.

 

[Denny Crane]

LaFrentz was covered 80% by insurance and it would have been more than halfway through the season. Teams acquiring the RLEC would have been on the hook for less than 10% of his total salary. Anyone acquiring Frye in the off-season in a sign-and-trade would be on the hook for 100% of his salary. That's a huge difference.

Paying Frye 1 year @ $9M is cheaper than paying a guy you don't want 2 years @ $12M per ($24M). It's a $15M savings.

You also gain $12M in cap space after a season.

 

[Minstrel]

Paying Frye 1 year @ $9M is cheaper than paying a guy you don't want 2 years @ $12M per ($24M). It's a $15M savings.

You also gain $12M in cap space after a season.

Yeah, it's possible, I guess. I don't recall ever seeing an unproductive player signed to a large, one-year deal just to be dealt as an expiring in a sign-and-trade. I assumed that's because teams don't consider it an attractive proposition, but perhaps it's for some other reason.

 

[Ed O]

Paying Frye 1 year @ $9M is cheaper than paying a guy you don't want 2 years @ $12M per ($24M). It's a $15M savings.

You also gain $12M in cap space after a season.

Frye would have to agree to sign a three year deal with only a single year guaranteed... you can't do any shorter contract as part of a sign and trade.

I'm not sure that he would be willing to do that. Maybe, depending on what other offers are out there and what team he'd be traded to, he would.

Ed O.

 

[Denny Crane]

Frye would have to agree to sign a three year deal with only a single year guaranteed... you can't do any shorter contract as part of a sign and trade.

I'm not sure that he would be willing to do that. Maybe, depending on what other offers are out there and what team he'd be traded to, he would.

Ed O.

True, but what kind of offer is Frye going to get that beats $9M the first year? Plus, if he believes in himself and proves he's worth keeping, then he'll earn the whole contract...

 

[BalancedMan]

Yeah. To repeat something I said earlier this season, if I were to try to predict who will be the next Devin Harris (a good young point guard who made the jump to star-level), it would be Ramon Sessions. He's already good...he's young enough that he could become really good (like All-Star caliber).

I agree with this. There's a lot to like about Sessions. Granted, his outside shooting is suspect, but you could say the same for Harris, Rondo, Parker...Andre Miller. I lot of very good point guards in the league aren't the best outside shooters. If you have to dump Blake (maybe even Outlaw) to go out and get the guy you want, you do it. I think it'd be crazy for Milwaukee to not match for Sessions, as I thought they got rid of Mo Williams in part because they thought Sessions could handle the load (and then Scott Skiles showed up).

I'm am onboard with getting Sessions if possible, as PG is our weakest position, as SF-by-committee at least has the advantage of throwing out different looks and there is some good young talent there. Outside of Bayless, whom many don't think is a true PG, we don't have someone who is going to be the MAN (Sergio? Blake? For long-term please. Webster or Batum on the other hand...).

So yeah, I really hope they pull in Sessions and bring Freeland over. Draft someone if they want in the draft (could stash Euros, lots of 2nd rounders).

And I'd be thrilled heading into next season with a PG who has penetrate the lane and create, drawing fouls. We need more players like that. Take the pressure off Roy.

 

[Minstrel]

I think it'd be crazy for Milwaukee to not match for Sessions, as I thought they got rid of Mo Williams in part because they thought Sessions could handle the load (and then Scott Skiles showed up).

The Bucks are up against the luxury tax, which they're determined not to pay, apparently. Otherwise, I'm sure they'd lock him up. I'm hoping Portland can arrange a sign-and-trade with Milwaukee for Sessions. Much as I like Bayless, I'd trade him to get Sessions. It's a win-win...they can't afford to re-sign Sessions and Villaneuva. They convert Sessions into a much cheaper prospect (who has considerable upside) and can turn their attentions to retaining Villaneuva.

Portland then makes Sessions the starter and Blake settles in as a top-notch back-up point guard.

 

[Nikolokolus]

The Bucks are up against the luxury tax, which they're determined not to pay, apparently. Otherwise, I'm sure they'd lock him up. I'm hoping Portland can arrange a sign-and-trade with Milwaukee for Sessions. Much as I like Bayless, I'd trade him to get Sessions. It's a win-win...they can't afford to re-sign Sessions and Villaneuva. They convert Sessions into a much cheaper prospect (who has considerable upside) and can turn their attentions to retaining Villaneuva.

Portland then makes Sessions the starter and Blake settles in as a top-notch back-up point guard.

That's where my head is at.

In all likelihood Sessions would still be Blake's understudy to start the season, as I'm sure Nate would be very reticent to inject a third year guy (and a newbie to the roster) into the starting lineup ... unless he blew Steve so far out of the water in training camp that the coaches had no other choice.

For the off-season I can see a couple of scenarios that could work:

Plan A:
Sign and trade Bayless for Sessions (or Sergio if they really wanted him, which I can't see) and run with a Sessions/Blake rotation and possibly draft a guy like Eric Maynor (if possible?) to fill your 3rd spot.

Plan B:
Sign Andre Miller and then make a decision on Blake and/or Jerryd as your backup. In this scenario I think you are hoping that Miller would somehow be able to groom Jerryd for the future, and there's a lot to like about that plan, but you wonder how well Miller is going to hold up given his age and there's still some question as to whether or not Bayless is the right fit.

Plan C:
Trade for somebody like Hinrich or whomever and let Bayless back him up and maybe draft a point guard as some emergency depth.

Plan F (as in failure)
Nothing happens at all and we go through the same slog as last year with Blake as the starter, Sergio as his backup and Jerryd stews on the bench until he finally gets sick of it and demands a trade before the deadline.

 

[Minstrel]

That's where my head is at.

In all likelihood Sessions would still be Blake's understudy to start the season, as I'm sure Nate would be very reticent to inject a third year guy (and a newbie to the roster) into the starting lineup ... unless he blew Steve so far out of the water in training camp that the coaches had no other choice.

For the off-season I can see a couple of scenarios that could work:

Plan A:
Sign and trade Bayless for Sessions (or Sergio if they really wanted him, which I can't see) and run with a Sessions/Blake rotation and possibly draft a guy like Eric Maynor (if possible?) to fill your 3rd spot.

Plan B:
Sign Andre Miller and then make a decision on Blake and/or Jerryd as your backup. In this scenario I think you are hoping that Miller would somehow be able to groom Jerryd for the future, and there's a lot to like about that plan, but you wonder how well Miller is going to hold up given his age and there's still some question as to whether or not Bayless is the right fit.

Plan C:
Trade for somebody like Hinrich or whomever and let Bayless back him up and maybe draft a point guard as some emergency depth.

Plan F (as in failure)
Nothing happens at all and we go through the same slog as last year with Blake as the starter, Sergio as his backup and Jerryd stews on the bench until he finally gets sick of it and demands a trade before the deadline.

After watching the Celtics/Bulls series, I'd be relatively content with Plan C. Hinrich's defense would be such a big help, he runs an offense well and he knocks down shots. Sessions is my A#1 choice, but Miller would be nice and Hinrich would be a pretty satisfying fall-back plan.

Plan F can only be contemplated if the Blazers are willing to invest in the surgery necessary to graft the three point guards together.

 

[andalusian]

There is also a plan D - let Sergio go or trade him for something and go with Blake grooming JB - until JB is ready to take the starting minutes.

For all of his faults - Blake is far from a bad starter for the next year or two.

 

[Nikolokolus]

There is also a plan D - let Sergio go or trade him for something and go with Blake grooming JB - until JB is ready to take the starting minutes.

For all of his faults - Blake is far from a bad starter for the next year or two.

It's a possibility, but damn that sure would an opportunity wasted on KP's part. The only way to excuse not addressing the point guard position is if he adds great small forward though sign or trade.