Hypothetical: LA To L.A.

[MAS RipCity]

Say the Lakers end up with a Top 2 pick, but want to move it for a star. Would you deal Aldridge to the Lakers for said pick as the base of the deal?

*Disclaimer* I'm not advocating moving LaMarcus. I just want to see what everyone thinks. I'm not sure I would, but to me, it wouldn't be the worst thing we could do.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

It's a ballsy (potentially souring) move, but depending on who you get, it could pay dividends in 5 years. I'd want two unprotected firsts from L.A., which I think have to be non-consecutive... so 2014's and 2016's picks. And Pau. And whoever their best younger player is.

If we're losing the best player in the deal, I want to fleece them.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

It really depends on LA's choice. Does he want to be here for the rest of his career? Does he want a trade to a major market? I think he has earned the right to have the decision himself if he wants to be on this team or not.

If he wants to be a Blazer and brake all the franchise records and lead this team as far as it could take him, I would say "no". If he has any inkling of wanting to be moved, quietly and out of the media, I'd probably do it in this draft.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

It really depends on LA's choice. Does he want to be here for the rest of his career? Does he want a trade to a major market?

If he wants to be a Blazer and brake all the franchise records and lead this team as far as it could take him, I would say "no". If he has any inkling of wanting to be moved, quietly and out of the media, I'd probably do it in this draft.

Good point. I'm very very happy to have LaMarcus be a one-team player if he wants to be. I'd love to have him retire a Blazer at the top of the heap. The fans deserve one player like that. He deserves the records.

But if he wants to move, I want the best possible deal for him. I want picks and players and more picks.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

Good point. I'm very very happy to have LaMarcus be a one-team player if he wants to be. I'd love to have him retire a Blazer at the top of the heap. The fans deserve one player like that. He deserves the records.

But if he wants to move, I want the best possible deal for him. I want picks and players and more picks.

I just want one. A top pick. This draft is supposedly pretty awesome with multiple franchise type players, so a top 2 pick is probably worth it. From a franchise-morale level, probably not, but from a strictly "basketball reasons" viewpoint, it probably is.

 

[PapaG]

I just want one. A top pick. This draft is supposedly pretty awesome with multiple franchise type players, so a top 2 pick is probably worth it. From a franchise-morale level, probably not, but from a strictly "basketball reasons" viewpoint, it probably is.

Really? I don't see a single MVP-level player in this draft. All of the players at the top have glaring weaknesses.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

All players have glaring weaknesses they eventually get over. Dunno, I don't follow college hoops. But Wiggins seems like the next explosive scoring wing. Embiid looks pretty solid.

 

[PapaG]

All players have glaring weaknesses they eventually get over. Dunno, I don't follow college hoops. But Wiggins seems like the next explosive scoring wing. Embiid looks pretty solid.

Embid is raw, and Wiggins is a string bean. Parker is probably the best, but he's not exactly explosive athletically. Nobody in this draft is at the level of a Durant or LeBron James, and any of them can bust. Wiggins reminds me a bit of Harrison Barnes, which should be frightening for any team taking him.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

I hate the idea, but if the offer is Wiggins + Cap space, I don't think we could pass that up, even though the Lakers are involved. Of course I don't think the Lakers offer both pick and cap space.

 

[MARIS61]

You lost me at L.A..

 

[Draco]

It's like paying $100 for a scratch off ticket that has a chance of winning $80.

You want a #2 pick? LaMarcus was a #2 pick! Then we got lucky and he greatly exceeded his projections. Sheesh.

 

[illmatic99]

fwiw I think Jabari has some serious bust potential. We'd have a tough time filling LA's shoes

 

[Mediocre Man]

I wouldn't, but would for a young piece AND that pick.

Again, my belief is that PG and wing position is the most important (yes there are exceptions) So would I trade Aldridge for someone like Favors and a top 5 pick? Probably, if Wiggins or Exum was there. Not that they would do it though.

Again, this is NOT a crack against LA, but instead, a nod toward what I think is more important. Which is wing play. You'd also clear up a lot of cap room for a damn good bench and still have your arguably best player in Lillard

 

[BlazerWookee]

Say the Lakers end up with a Top 2 pick, but want to move it for a star. Would you deal Aldridge to the Lakers for said pick as the base of the deal?

*Disclaimer* I'm not advocating moving LaMarcus. I just want to see what everyone thinks. I'm not sure I would, but to me, it wouldn't be the worst thing we could do.

You're wrong, that is the worst thing we can do. Trading LaMarcus for a fucking draft pick is bad enough, but trading him to the fucking L*kers? That's heresy...

 

[santeesioux]

I would hate to see LMA in a Lolker jersey, but a Wiggins would be cool.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

It's really tough to say. But if we drafted Jabari, slid Nic to the 2 and also traded Wes... I would consider it. We could have a ton of cap space to bring in a guy like Greg Monroe.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Just remember that Neil trades big pieces if he feels he can get a deal. These idle discussions might prove to be prescient.

 

[Natebishop3]

The question you have to ask is this:

How close is our team to actually contending for a championship? Are we a couple bench players away? Do we need a third star?

If you think our team can contend with LA and Dame as the two centerpieces, then you keep LA and you try to add bench players. If you don't think LA and Dame is enough, you start to consider trades because LA will be 30 next summer. I'm sure Aldridge will be able to play effectively until his mid-to-late 30's, but will he be dominant? Can we win a championship in the next couple years while he's in his prime? That's the whole point of us talking about windows last summer. We are looking at maybe some cap space next summer, and then that's fucking it. Dame will get a big extension, LA will get a huge extension, Wes is due for a new contract, so is Rolo. We will not be able to add another major piece for a while unless we make a trade.

Personally, I think we need a couple bench guys and we're good to go. Dame is only going to get better. I think he can be a superstar. He's on track to be a superstar statistically.

 

[Mediocre Man]

The question you have to ask is this:

How close is our team to actually contending for a championship? Are we a couple bench players away? Do we need a third star?

If you think our team can contend with LA and Dame as the two centerpieces, then you keep LA and you try to add bench players. If you don't think LA and Dame is enough, you start to consider trades because LA will be 30 next summer. I'm sure Aldridge will be able to play effectively until his mid-to-late 30's, but will he be dominant? Can we win a championship in the next couple years while he's in his prime? That's the whole point of us talking about windows last summer. We are looking at maybe some cap space next summer, and then that's fucking it. Dame will get a big extension, LA will get a huge extension, Wes is due for a new contract, so is Rolo. We will not be able to add another major piece for a while unless we make a trade.

Personally, I think we need a couple bench guys and we're good to go. Dame is only going to get better. I think he can be a superstar. He's on track to be a superstar statistically.

Great post. I am of the opinion we need a third star

 

[Sinobas]

Yes because you get a top prospect and open up enough cap room to sign someone to the max.

 

[Natebishop3]

Great post. I am of the opinion we need a third star

A third star like Luol Deng, or a third star like Carmelo Anthony?

 

[SlyPokerDog]

A third star like Luol Deng, or a third star like Carmelo Anthony?

A lot of teams and fan bases would consider Batum a 3rd star.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Great post. I am of the opinion we need a third star

It's a fine strategy, but if you trade LA, you have one star and whoever you get back. So instead of needing one star, we need two (or one and time for the second to grow up after being drafted). We'd still need to somehow lure a free agent (Melo? ) here to get that third star, and he'd have to be on LA's level to keep us from losing ground.

On days when I'm feeling generous, I think Minny's an ineptly run franchise, and Love could help us. I still smell Shareef Abdur Rahim on Love, but the idea that trading LA for Love and Minny's pick if it's high enough would be either disastrous, or perfect.

Again, this is a pure thought experiment... fantasy basketball almost.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

A lot of teams and fan bases would consider Batum a 3rd star.

I think we need a third star like Chris Bosh. Batum is fine though, being third wheel can't be easy.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

First you have to assess the risk of LMA leaving. He still might, Lillard blows a knee, he's gone. A few injuries next year, Rolo, Batum, etc, the Blazers miss the playoffs and LMA is gone. If LMA even gets the hint of a rebuild he is out the door.

The person you have to talk to is Lillard. He's been around the league two years now, he wants to be a champion, he has the drive to be great. But he also knows what kind of player(s) he needs to get to the next level. You need to consult with Lillard. If he says he can do better with a more banging, closer to the basket PF or a 3pt shooting pf like Love you have to consider it.

 

[Hey]

It makes some sense business-wise, but there's no way the Blazers do this, assuming Aldridge wants to say (and it seems he does). Olshey would be crucified.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

It makes some sense business-wise, but there's no way the Blazers do this, assuming Aldridge wants to say (and it seems he does). Olshey would be crucified.

Yeah, you only do this if LA calls a secret meeting and says he wants to play where there's more glitz and exposure.

 

[Natebishop3]

First you have to assess the risk of LMA leaving. He still might, Lillard blows a knee, he's gone. A few injuries next year, Rolo, Batum, etc, the Blazers miss the playoffs and LMA is gone. If LMA even gets the hint of a rebuild he is out the door.

The person you have to talk to is Lillard. He's been around the league two years now, he wants to be a champion, he has the drive to be great. But he also knows what kind of player(s) he needs to get to the next level. You need to consult with Lillard. If he says he can do better with a more banging, closer to the basket PF or a 3pt shooting pf like Love you have to consider it.

Sly is a Lillard homer!

 

[Scalma]

No because I feel Portland is close to contending. They got a window right now. Isn't that the goal? Why close it?

 

[Schilly]

I think Neils plans should be partly based on the potential that Lamarcus leaves. In other words he should be trying to land another star that will make the team better now while Lamarcus is here but also will be here along with Lillard should Lamarcus leave.