.....The big test for (Blazers') management was to determine where they are right now, what they can become and when.
That's why general manager Kevin Pritchard was one of the most closely watched personnel sharpies during the NBA's recently expired trading-deadline deliberations. With several unsolicited advisors assisting him, Pritchard was informed the Blazers needed a third scoring option, preferably a small forward with more consistency than super-sub Travis Outlaw and much greater offensive chops than rookie Nicolas Batum.
The reported candidates included Charlotte's hard-working Gerald Wallace, highly compensated New Jersey Net Vince Carter and the accomplished Richard Jefferson of the Milwaukee Bucks. After sifting through the list of names that might go away in one of these deals and the length of a big contract coming to Portland in return, Pritchard and the Blazers decided to remain status quo.
While attempting to ride the existing roster into a better playoff position, the Blazers will go into the summer buying season armed with a new trade exception and only $50 million in committed salaries (thank you, Raef LaFrentz) for the 2009-2010 campaign.
In my opinion, Pritchard's patience should reward Portland with the greatest opportunity for long-term success. Adding one of the aforementioned players may have pushed this team into the second round, but probably not to ultimate NBA glory.
The diminishing return on one of those big contracts may have undermined the franchise when extensions are due for key players on the current rotation, which — unless a trade occurs — will return intact next season (for the record, I really whiffed by missing Roy on my list of underpaid players in a column last week).
It also was reported that coach Nate McMillan — who was dealing with an injury to Steve Blake at the time — had pre-deadline concerns about his point guards. But a quick review of the numbers indicates the Blazers are ranked second in offensive efficiency; getting the ball in the basket out of their patterned sets doesn't seem to be a problem.
Portland also checks in at 30th in possessions per 48 minutes, which suggests that instead of going nowhere fast, a slower, half-court oriented offense is allowed to flow through the playing skills of Roy. And if the point guard du jour can bring the ball into the forecourt without incident, defend the position and make open shots, point guard concerns may be overblown.....
