How Rudy Affects Mills, Johnson Roster Spots

[Hunter]

According to Brian T. Smith of the Columbian, the Blazers will decide soon about Patty Mills and Armon Johnson.

Both played well in the Summer League, but space isn't quite there on the roster right now for both.

Yet, Smith reports that "there is a chance both could make the team if Portland creates roster space with a trade."

So if the Blazers are able to facilitate a trade for Rudy Fernandez -- something we told you on Wednesday they're actively working on -- it's possible the team would have room for both Mills and Johnson.

Yet, that would likely require the Blazers to package another player or two with Fernandez and get back less players in return.

Trading Fernandez straight up for someone, or straight up for two players, conceivably wouldn't make any more room on the roster for both Mills or Johnson.

- Ryan Corazza

 

[Nikolokolus]

I could live with that. Mills and Johnson would give them two very different looks at the backup point guard spot, and if Rudy is shipped elsewhere it would be nice to keep ahold of Mills. But I wouldn't expect either to be big parts of the rotation any time soon.

 

[maxiep]

I don't quite understand why we have to decide now. If we make a consolidation trade sometime in the next few months than we keep both. Regardless, we know Rudy is gone, so we should plan like he's not going to be here.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

I don't quite understand why we have to decide now. If we make a consolidation trade sometime in the next few months than we keep both. Regardless, we know Rudy is gone, so we should plan like he's not going to be here.

From what I understood from a Ben Golliver interview with Chad Buchanan, any team could make him an offer right now and Blazers would have to decide whether to match.

 

[Nikolokolus]

From what I understood from a Ben Golliver interview with Chad Buchanan, any team could make him an offer right now and Blazers would have to decide whether to match.

Right ... and after the buzz he generated at Summer League I imagine Mills will get at least some interest; there are a ton of teams that need a backup point guard.

 

[hasoos]

The other thing to think about is since Mills is under contract, he may be a piece that is traded too. It is non guaranteed isn't it?

 

[jlprk]

I don't quite understand why we have to decide now. If we make a consolidation trade sometime in the next few months than we keep both. Regardless, we know Rudy is gone, so we should plan like he's not going to be here.

Because a thread started at least a week ago says it will be decided within 48 hours! As I posted many days ago, this sure is a very long 48 hours.

There's nothing new in this thread's original post, but it's nice to get out of that old thread anyway.

 

[Nikolokolus]

The other thing to think about is since Mills is under contract, he may be a piece that is traded too. It is non guaranteed isn't it?

Nope. He's a restricted free agent. They've just extended the qualifying offer and he hasn't even signed it yet.