Trade Idea How We can Fix this Team, both Short Term and Long Term, by the Trade Deadline

[Minstrel]

If you could put Turner's defense and Crabbe's shooting into one of their bodies, then you'd have a passable Wes Matthews.

Of course, the body that got Crabbe's defense and Turner's shooting would be almost as bad a player as Meyers Leonard. (I kid, Leonard fans...only a little, though.)

 

[Minstrel]

I explained "beg the question" to my mom just recently--she was flabbergasted. "More" vs "fewer" is my present pet peeve. That, and people typing "defiantly" when they mean "definitely"; that one drives me nuts.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I'll just quit now. What is wrong with me? Clearly I was up too late last night. I sacrificed my ability to think for a day in exchange for a container of homemade mini-quiches. I still think I came out ahead on that deal though.

 

[Minstrel]

I'll just quit now. What is wrong with me? Clearly I was up too late last night. I sacrificed my ability to think for a day in exchange for a container of homemade mini-quiches. I still think I came out ahead on that deal though.

"The man who would trade brainpower for mini-quiches deserves neither." -Gandhi

 

[PtldPlatypus]

"The man who would trade brainpower for mini-quiches deserves neither." -Gandhi

That response was other-level clever. I wish I could like it multiple times. Well done...sir?

 

[Minstrel]

That response was other-level clever. I wish I could like it multiple times. Well done...sir?

Thanks! Unexpected, but I definitely appreciate it.

 

[Boob-No-More]

Thanks! Unexpected, but I definitely appreciate it.

I'd accuse both of you of hijacking my thread, except for one thing. You made it better.

BNM

 

[Boob-No-More]

If you could put Turner's defense and Crabbe's shooting into one of their bodies, then you'd have a passable Wes Matthews.

Of course, the body that got Crabbe's defense and Turner's shooting would be almost as bad a player as Meyers Leonard. (I kid, Leonard fans...only a little, though.)

You forgot the most important part. Wes' heart.

Oh, and can we keep Turner's ball handling and passing, too. Then we'd have an even better version of Wes Matthews.

BNM

 

[Boob-No-More]

We need to tank.

How did Cleveland become good? Lottery.

Right. They basically tanked for 11 years, and even then it took some truly extraordinary circumstances to finally win a championship.

So, this is all we'd need to do to replicate Cleveland's success.

1) Identify the next LeBron James. Let's call him the LeBron James of the Future, or LBJotF or short.

2) Make sure he's from the Portland area, grew up a Blazers fan and always dreamed of winning a title for his hometown team.

3) Suck for five years before he will be draft eligible so you have 5 top 8 draft picks to stock your roster with (hopefully) cheap, young talent to build around LBJotF, or trade for more proven veteran talent (you know, like Ricky Davis).

4) The season before LBJotF becomes draft eligible, deliberately suck and lose as many games as absolutely possible so you will have a 25% chance of drafting LBJotF.

5) Defy the odds and win the lottery and draft LBJotF.

6) Lose enough games to be in the lottery for the 7th straight season, because you STILL don't have enough talent to actually make the playoffs.

7) Fail to surround LBJotF with enough talent to win a title so that after seven seasons he flees south for a warmer, sunnier climate to form a super team to learn how to win it all.

8) Have Paul Allen take out a full page ad in the Oregonian calling LBJotF a traitorous, backstabbing coward.

8) Since this is the West Coast/Western Conference version of this fairy tail, watch in disgust as LBJotF leads the Lakers to four finals appearances and two titles over the next four years.

9) Suck badly enough during those four years to get five more top 4 picks, including THE No. 1 pick in three of those four years.

10) Rejoice in splendor as LBJotF returns to lead your team to first a finals appearance, and then, finally, 13 years after drafting him (and 18 years after putting your plan in motion) winning that elusive championship.

Sure, it can happen. Lighting can strike twice. That is the perfect version of this fairy tale.

Unfortunately, this is what would actually happen:

1) Identify the next LeBron James. Let's call him the LeBron James of the Future, or LBJotF or short.

2) Make sure he's from the Seattle area, and always dreamed of triumphantly returning a team to his hometown and leading them to a championship.

3) Suck for five years before he will be draft eligible so you have 5 top 8 draft picks to stock your roster with (hopefully) cheap, young talent to build around LBJotF, or trade for more proven veteran talent (you know, like Ricky Davis).

4) The season before LBJotF becomes draft eligible, deliberately suck and lose as many games as absolutely possible so you will have a 25% chance of drafting LBJotF.

5) Defy the odds and win the lottery and draft LBJotF.

6) Lose enough games to be in the lottery for the 7th straight season, because you STILL don't have enough talent to actually make the playoffs.

7) Fail to surround LBJotF with enough talent to win a title so that after seven seasons he flees south for a warmer, sunnier climate to form a super team to learn how to win it all.

8) Have Paul Allen take out a full page ad in the Oregonian calling LBJotF a traitorous, backstabbing coward. Refuse to click on link to John Canzano's click-bait column applauding LBJotF's decision to seek a title elsewhere.

8) Since this is the West Coast/Western Conference version of this fairy tail, watch in disgust as LBJotF leads the Lakers to four finals appearances and two titles over the next four years.

9) Suck badly enough during those four years to get five more top 4 picks, including THE No. 1 pick in three of those four years.

10) Watch in horror as attendance at home games sinks to an all time low, that 30-year iron clad lease expires, and Paul Allen moves the team to Seattle.

11) Vomit in disgust as LBJotF returns to his hometown of Seattle to lead his team to first a finals appearance, and then, finally, 13 years after drafting him (and 18 years after putting your plan in motion) winning that elusive championship for the city of Seattle.

Sure, sign me up!

BNM

 

[BigGameDamian]

I hope Neil does a trade that pisses people off but is good for the team in the long run!

 

[Nikolokolus]

I hope Neil does a trade that pisses people off but is good for the team in the long run!

The first part is a given.

 

[BigGameDamian]

The first part is a given.

Hope so!

 

[Boob-No-More]

I hope Neil does a trade that pisses people off but is good for the team in the long run!

Why do you want a trade that pisses people off. That seem childish and counter productive. Don't you want the fans firmly behind any new players we acquire, especially if we will need to re-sign them in the upcoming off season.

Unless by "people" you meant Dwight Jaynes and John Canzano. Then yeah, fuck those guys.

BNM

 

[riverman]

I don't have another 40 year stretch to tank waiting for a championship so let's just win one in the next few years for the old guys around here!

 

[Orion Bailey]

Right. They basically tanked for 11 years, and even then it took some truly extraordinary circumstances to finally win a championship.

So, this is all we'd need to do to replicate Cleveland's success.

1) Identify the next LeBron James. Let's call him the LeBron James of the Future, or LBJotF or short.

2) Make sure he's from the Portland area, grew up a Blazers fan and always dreamed of winning a title for his hometown team.

3) Suck for five years before he will be draft eligible so you have 5 top 8 draft picks to stock your roster with (hopefully) cheap, young talent to build around LBJotF, or trade for more proven veteran talent (you know, like Ricky Davis).

4) The season before LBJotF becomes draft eligible, deliberately suck and lose as many games as absolutely possible so you will have a 25% chance of drafting LBJotF.

5) Defy the odds and win the lottery and draft LBJotF.

6) Lose enough games to be in the lottery for the 7th straight season, because you STILL don't have enough talent to actually make the playoffs.

7) Fail to surround LBJotF with enough talent to win a title so that after seven seasons he flees south for a warmer, sunnier climate to form a super team to learn how to win it all.

8) Have Paul Allen take out a full page ad in the Oregonian calling LBJotF a traitorous, backstabbing coward.

8) Since this is the West Coast/Western Conference version of this fairy tail, watch in disgust as LBJotF leads the Lakers to four finals appearances and two titles over the next four years.

9) Suck badly enough during those four years to get five more top 4 picks, including THE No. 1 pick in three of those four years.

10) Rejoice in splendor as LBJotF returns to lead your team to first a finals appearance, and then, finally, 13 years after drafting him (and 18 years after putting your plan in motion) winning that elusive championship.

Sure, it can happen. Lighting can strike twice. That is the perfect version of this fairy tale.

Unfortunately, this is what would actually happen:

1) Identify the next LeBron James. Let's call him the LeBron James of the Future, or LBJotF or short.

2) Make sure he's from the Seattle area, and always dreamed of triumphantly returning a team to his hometown and leading them to a championship.

3) Suck for five years before he will be draft eligible so you have 5 top 8 draft picks to stock your roster with (hopefully) cheap, young talent to build around LBJotF, or trade for more proven veteran talent (you know, like Ricky Davis).

4) The season before LBJotF becomes draft eligible, deliberately suck and lose as many games as absolutely possible so you will have a 25% chance of drafting LBJotF.

5) Defy the odds and win the lottery and draft LBJotF.

6) Lose enough games to be in the lottery for the 7th straight season, because you STILL don't have enough talent to actually make the playoffs.

7) Fail to surround LBJotF with enough talent to win a title so that after seven seasons he flees south for a warmer, sunnier climate to form a super team to learn how to win it all.

8) Have Paul Allen take out a full page ad in the Oregonian calling LBJotF a traitorous, backstabbing coward. Refuse to click on link to John Canzano's click-bait column applauding LBJotF's decision to seek a title elsewhere.

8) Since this is the West Coast/Western Conference version of this fairy tail, watch in disgust as LBJotF leads the Lakers to four finals appearances and two titles over the next four years.

9) Suck badly enough during those four years to get five more top 4 picks, including THE No. 1 pick in three of those four years.

10) Watch in horror as attendance at home games sinks to an all time low, that 30-year iron clad lease expires, and Paul Allen moves the team to Seattle.

10) Vomit in disgust as LBJotF returns to his hometown of Seattle to lead his team to first a finals appearance, and then, finally, 13 years after drafting him (and 18 years after putting your plan in motion) winning that elusive championship for the city of Seattle.

Sure, sign me up!

BNM

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CCCCLLLLLASSSSSIIICCCCCCC!!!!!

 

[Strenuus]

I hope Neil does a trade that pisses people off but is good for the team in the long run!

Care to elaborate? No? Usual.

 

[dviss1]

Right. They basically tanked for 11 years, and even then it took some truly extraordinary circumstances to finally win a championship.

So, this is all we'd need to do to replicate Cleveland's success.

1) Identify the next LeBron James. Let's call him the LeBron James of the Future, or LBJotF or short.

2) Make sure he's from the Portland area, grew up a Blazers fan and always dreamed of winning a title for his hometown team.

3) Suck for five years before he will be draft eligible so you have 5 top 8 draft picks to stock your roster with (hopefully) cheap, young talent to build around LBJotF, or trade for more proven veteran talent (you know, like Ricky Davis).

4) The season before LBJotF becomes draft eligible, deliberately suck and lose as many games as absolutely possible so you will have a 25% chance of drafting LBJotF.

5) Defy the odds and win the lottery and draft LBJotF.

6) Lose enough games to be in the lottery for the 7th straight season, because you STILL don't have enough talent to actually make the playoffs.

7) Fail to surround LBJotF with enough talent to win a title so that after seven seasons he flees south for a warmer, sunnier climate to form a super team to learn how to win it all.

8) Have Paul Allen take out a full page ad in the Oregonian calling LBJotF a traitorous, backstabbing coward.

8) Since this is the West Coast/Western Conference version of this fairy tail, watch in disgust as LBJotF leads the Lakers to four finals appearances and two titles over the next four years.

9) Suck badly enough during those four years to get five more top 4 picks, including THE No. 1 pick in three of those four years.

10) Rejoice in splendor as LBJotF returns to lead your team to first a finals appearance, and then, finally, 13 years after drafting him (and 18 years after putting your plan in motion) winning that elusive championship.

Sure, it can happen. Lighting can strike twice. That is the perfect version of this fairy tale.

Unfortunately, this is what would actually happen:

1) Identify the next LeBron James. Let's call him the LeBron James of the Future, or LBJotF or short.

2) Make sure he's from the Seattle area, and always dreamed of triumphantly returning a team to his hometown and leading them to a championship.

3) Suck for five years before he will be draft eligible so you have 5 top 8 draft picks to stock your roster with (hopefully) cheap, young talent to build around LBJotF, or trade for more proven veteran talent (you know, like Ricky Davis).

4) The season before LBJotF becomes draft eligible, deliberately suck and lose as many games as absolutely possible so you will have a 25% chance of drafting LBJotF.

5) Defy the odds and win the lottery and draft LBJotF.

6) Lose enough games to be in the lottery for the 7th straight season, because you STILL don't have enough talent to actually make the playoffs.

7) Fail to surround LBJotF with enough talent to win a title so that after seven seasons he flees south for a warmer, sunnier climate to form a super team to learn how to win it all.

8) Have Paul Allen take out a full page ad in the Oregonian calling LBJotF a traitorous, backstabbing coward. Refuse to click on link to John Canzano's click-bait column applauding LBJotF's decision to seek a title elsewhere.

8) Since this is the West Coast/Western Conference version of this fairy tail, watch in disgust as LBJotF leads the Lakers to four finals appearances and two titles over the next four years.

9) Suck badly enough during those four years to get five more top 4 picks, including THE No. 1 pick in three of those four years.

10) Watch in horror as attendance at home games sinks to an all time low, that 30-year iron clad lease expires, and Paul Allen moves the team to Seattle.

11) Vomit in disgust as LBJotF returns to his hometown of Seattle to lead his team to first a finals appearance, and then, finally, 13 years after drafting him (and 18 years after putting your plan in motion) winning that elusive championship for the city of Seattle.

Sure, sign me up!

BNM

 

[Nikolokolus]

Hope so!

My point was that no matter what trades are made there will always be some fan pissed off about it. I'm sure somebody broke their keyboard in rage when Sergio got traded.

Hoping that a trade pisses people off accomplishes nothing; the only thing that matters is getting value. We shouldn't give two shits about how it makes people feel, that's moronic.

 

[riverman]

My point was that no matter what trades are made there will always be some fan pissed off about it. I'm sure somebody broke their keyboard in rage when Sergio got traded.

Hoping that a trade pisses people off accomplishes nothing; the only thing that matters is getting value. We shouldn't give two shits about how it makes people feel, that's moronic.

I exhausted myself for a couple years telling people how good Batum was and how bad Felton was......looking back it didn't add up to a sack of beans

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Marcus Smart.

Jahlil Okafor.

 

[Scalma]

Marcus Smart.

Jahlil Okafor.

I would LOVE Marcus smart. He's a dog, and I mean that as a compliment. I know Boston could use a guy like Ed Davis, so how about Davis and Vonleh for Smart? Vonleh is a local kid, and could develop behind horford. Davis gives them more instant help rebounding. Then trade for Noel and watch the defense take off. Ideally I would trade CJ for Cousins. Just imagine this

Lillard
Crabbe
Harkless
Aminu
Cousins

Smart and ET the guards off the bench. Have familiarity with each other from their time in Boston. Shit we could get Cousins and still trade for Noel as a backup who'd see plenty of minutes and compliments Leonard.

 

[Boob-No-More]

I would LOVE Marcus smart. He's a dog, and I mean that as a compliment. I know Boston could use a guy like Ed Davis, so how about Davis and Vonleh for Smart? Vonleh is a local kid, and could develop behind horford. Davis gives them more instant help rebounding. Then trade for Noel and watch the defense take off. Ideally I would trade CJ for Cousins. Just imagine this

Lillard
Crabbe
Harkless
Aminu
Cousins

Smart and ET the guards off the bench. Have familiarity with each other from their time in Boston. Shit we could get Cousins and still trade for Noel as a backup who'd see plenty of minutes and compliments Leonard.

I don't see this actually happening, but if it did, I'd start Noel at center and Cousins at PF. Now that Cousins has 3-point range, they could work together.

BNM

 

[dviss1]

I don't see this actually happening, but if it did, I'd start Noel at center and Cousins at PF. Now that Cousins has 3-point range, they could work together.

BNM

He doesn't even need to though. He has a solid 15-17 footer that will provide plenty of space.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

I wonder (again) if Boston would take Turner back. They seem to be doing pretty well without him. But maybe if we just ask for Jonas Jerebko and Tyler Zeller (whom they re-signed to a longish contract but who is getting no minutes? I'd prefer Amir Johnson, of course, but he's a lot more useful. We'd only get him if they thought he would ask too much in free agency (which is how we got Turner...). Maybe Jerebko, Zeller and some low-value pick? Anything to clear a logjam and make it feel like we know there's a problem.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Serious question: are most of our players untradeable? CJ's got that poison pill thing, Olshey knows he'd lose his job if he traded Lillard, and nobody else is worth a damn.

 

[TBpup]

Serious question: are most of our players untradeable? CJ's got that poison pill thing, Olshey knows he'd lose his job if he traded Lillard, and nobody else is worth a damn.

The thing is, it's not hard to imagine some of these 'not worth a damn' players being quite productive in SA.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

The thing is, it's not hard to imagine some of these 'not worth a damn' players being quite productive in SA.

Sigh. Patty Mills.

Thing is, if SA had them, they would not only be better, they would be paid a lot less.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

I guess I stuck this in the wrong thread yesterday; maybe one of the coaches should ask Harkless what should be done.
http://www.blazersedge.com/2016/12/...f-id-tell-you-why-blazers-are-losing-portland

 

[TBpup]

Harkless has hinted before at what he thought was the issue and the frustration around what he was feeling. He said something to the effect of, 'we can't just try to outscore teams' but I can't find the link. He didn't elaborate on that and went silent.

If this losing continues, eventually it will come out.

 

[Minstrel]

I'm sure Crabbe and/or Turner would be useful/productive players in San Antonio or Golden State. Turner is something like a Shaun Livingston. The problem with both players is entirely in what they're paid. Livingston makes a third what Turner makes. As I've mentioned before, Ian Clark makes a tenth what Crabbe makes. Those are the prices where role-players become real assets to good teams. If Crabbe and Turner were making a tenth or a quarter or a third what they're currently making, I'd love having both players on the team.

Leonard is unsafe at any price, though.