If KP Were After A Point Guard

[MrJayremmie]

Definitely trade or FA, imo. I'm not too big a fan of this draft.

 

[Nikolokolus]

For what it's worth, a Milwaukee sports writer on the unlikelihood that the Bucks will keep both, or even one, of their two restricted free agents:



http://www.jsonline.com/sports/bucks/42640872.html

Sucks for the Bucks, but it gives me some hope that KP will be able to really get aggressive and add great up and coming young player at a position of need.

But if they are really committed to staying below the luxury line, it's likely they'd want to dump a bad contract on us in any kind of sign and trade in addition to getting at least a serviceable replacement for what they'd lose with Sessions.

I tend to think Bayless is going to end up being a good NBA guard (combo, point or otherwise) but I'd trade him for Sessions without batting an eye. One wonders if a deal of Bayless + cash or Sergio + cash and picks and a sign and trade for Sessions along with taking back a deadweight contract like Charlie Bell or Dan Gadzuric (blech on both!) would get a deal done -- that might even be overly generous from Portland's perspective, depending on the competition for Sessions services and Milwaukee's desperation.

 

[Minstrel]

Sucks for the Bucks, but it gives me some hope that KP will be able to really get aggressive and add great up and coming young player at a position of need.

But if they are really committed to staying below the luxury line, it's likely they'd want to dump a bad contract on us in any kind of sign and trade in addition to getting at least a serviceable replacement for what they'd lose with Sessions.

Yeah...and if KP offered to take Sessions and a bad contract, that could give them room to at least retain Villaneuva.

I tend to think Bayless is going to end up being a good NBA guard (combo, point or otherwise) but I'd trade him for Sessions without batting an eye. One wonders if a deal of Bayless + cash or Sergio + cash and picks and a sign and trade for Sessions along with taking back a deadweight contract like Charlie Bell or Dan Gadzuric (blech on both!) would get a deal done.

I might do that, but I think if Portland is taking back a bad contract, they shouldn't have to give up as good a prospect as Bayless. I think Bayless has a very nice future ahead of him. This may not be a popular sentiment, but I'd rather give up Rudy. Ideally, though, Portland would give up Webster and/or Outlaw plus Sergio, since Portland is enabling them to retain one of their valuable RFAs by taking back a bad contract. I'd also throw in Portland's first-round pick this year.

 

[WarriorFan]

Can you guys think of an example when the #2 pick was traded. The most recent I can think of is when Chicago traded away Brand who, iirc, was ROY the previous season. I just don't think any combination of Outlaw/Sergio/Rudy or anyone other than Oden, Roy, or LMA will get Rubio, no matter how much cash you throw at the deal.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Realistically speaking, the best PG we can trade up to get is probably Lawson.

And I'd be very happy with that.

Three years college in an outstanding program. Got better each year. Really "led" that team to the NCAA title. He has great skills.

I think we could trade our #1 this year, Channing and one one other draft pick for him.

I'd do it.

 

[andalusian]

Can you guys think of an example when the #2 pick was traded. The most recent I can think of is when Chicago traded away Brand who, iirc, was ROY the previous season. I just don't think any combination of Outlaw/Sergio/Rudy or anyone other than Oden, Roy, or LMA will get Rubio, no matter how much cash you throw at the deal.

Aldridge was taken #2 by the Bulls in 2006. I am pretty sure we have seen him around here in some other uniform.

 

[Nikolokolus]

I might do that, but I think if Portland is taking back a bad contract, they shouldn't have to give up as good a prospect as Bayless. I think Bayless has a very nice future ahead of him. This may not be a popular sentiment, but I'd rather give up Rudy. Ideally, though, Portland would give up Webster and/or Outlaw plus Sergio, since Portland is enabling them to retain one of their valuable RFAs by taking back a bad contract. I'd also throw in Portland's first-round pick this year.

Sure, I was just giving more of a "This is as far as I'd be willing to go" scenario. I think Bayless has true 'stud' potential, I'm just not so sure he's going to be capable of reaching that status playing for the Blazers.

Ideally I'd love to see an offer of: Sergio, Webster a draft pick and some cash and take back Gadzuric's awful contract in addition to giving Sessions the money he's worth (probably close to 8-11 million per year (average) using the 'Gilbert Arenas' provision of the CBA: http://members.cox.net/lmcoon/salarycap.htm#Q37)

There sure is a lot to like about a possible rotation of:
Sessions/Blake/*Bayless
Roy/Rudy/*Bayless
Batum/Travis
LaMarcus/Travis
Greg/Joel/Gadzuric

The balance of the roster could be filled out with draft picks or perhaps Freeland brought over as some insurance in the front court.

Maybe next year Bayless shows enough improvement to warrant letting Blake go at the end of his contract?

 

[Minstrel]

Can you guys think of an example when the #2 pick was traded. The most recent I can think of is when Chicago traded away Brand who, iirc, was ROY the previous season. I just don't think any combination of Outlaw/Sergio/Rudy or anyone other than Oden, Roy, or LMA will get Rubio, no matter how much cash you throw at the deal.

Rubio may not go #2. He has a contract with his European team that needs to be bought out. NBA teams can only pay a small portion of it, by rule. That means Rubio would have to invest a sizable amount of his rookie salary in paying it off, which he may not choose to do. These contract concerns may cause him to drop in the draft.

gambitnut had an interesting idea, which is to trade up to the top pick in the second round, see if Rubio drops through the first round over concerns that he won't come over and draft him with the first pick of the second round. Second round picks have no required slot salaries. Portland can pay him what they want (up to their cap space limit)...which means they could pay him enough for him to buy out his European contract and still make top-pick salary.

It's an interesting idea. I wonder if it would be legal for KP to contact Rubio and encourage him to put out word that he won't spend his own first-round money on buying out his contract, telling him of this plan. It would be to Rubio's best interest (even better than going #1) and obviously it would be great for Portland. Since Rubio isn't in the NBA, I don't know why it would be against rules.

 

[WarriorFan]

Aldridge was taken #2 by the Bulls in 2006. I am pretty sure we have seen him around here in some other uniform.

Oh yeah, I knew I was forgetting an obvious one. But still, didn't Portland trade #4 to move up. That's much more realistic than trading servicable role players for what looks like a can't miss PG.

 

[Minstrel]

Sure, I was just giving more of a "This is as far as I'd be willing to go" scenario. I think Bayless has true 'stud' potential, I'm just not so sure he's going to be capable of reaching that status playing for the Blazers.

Ideally I'd love to see an offer of: Sergio, Webster a draft pick and some cash and take back Gadzuric's awful contract in addition to giving Sessions the money he's worth (probably close to 8-11 million per year (average) using the 'Gilbert Arenas' provision of the CBA: http://members.cox.net/lmcoon/salarycap.htm#Q37)

There sure is a lot to like about a possible rotation of:
Sessions/Blake/*Bayless
Roy/Rudy/*Bayless
Batum/Travis
LaMarcus/Travis
Greg/Joel/Gadzuric

The balance of the roster could be filled out with draft picks or perhaps Freeland brought over as some insurance in the front court.

Maybe next year Bayless shows enough improvement to warrant letting Blake go at the end of his contract?

Yup, I'd be a big fan of that roster. As you say, Freeland can be brought over and, if he pans out, he could be the dedicated back-up power forward and Outlaw can be the dedicated back-up small forward.

As for Blake, I'd also offer him in the deal for Sessions, since Milwaukee doesn't seem to be a big fan of Ridnour. Blake is having one of his best seasons and has been about an average starter. He may not be exciting, but he'd be a solid piece of value for a team that will need a point guard.

Sessions/Bayless
Roy/Rudy/Bayless
Batum/Travis
LaMarcus/Freeland/Gadzuric
Greg/Joel/Gadzuric

I'd be pretty comfortable with that rotation. Gadzuric is no worse than Frye as an emergency big man. Freeland gets first crack at being an effective reserve...if he fails, Outlaw goes back to swing duty between the 3/4 and KP continues to look for a good backup 4.

 

[andalusian]

Oh yeah, I knew I was forgetting an obvious one. But still, didn't Portland trade #4 to move up. That's much more realistic than trading servicable role players for what looks like a can't miss PG.

If Bayless was in this draft I would be surprised if he was not taken in the top-5. He is as big of a prospect any player out of B-G and Rubio in this draft. Heck - he might be a better chance at being a good NBA player than Rubio when all is said and done. I think Rubio is a no-lose prospect - but there are always big question marks about international prospects.

Portland has the money, prospects, picks and willingness to pay that can help them move up in the draft.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Sign Mike Bibby...

Trade up for:

 

[Tince]

We have enough talent at the core positions, we don't need to risk going for a home run in the draft. Find the sure thing PG in the free agent that meets our team needs.

 

[Nikolokolus]

We have enough talent at the core positions, we don't need to risk going for a home run in the draft. Find the sure thing PG in the free agent that meets our team needs.

Ramon Sessions FTW

 

[cdub503]

Ramon Sessions FTW

im with these guys

 

[MrJayremmie]

I'd give Sessions a 4 yr/30mil$ contract. I think he would be a nice addition as long as he is dedicated to the defensive end.

Edit - alright, well i might actually give him a 5yr/50mil$ contract... the kid is going to be a stud and future star and he is so damn young.

 

[LameR]

I come at this from being a huge Rubio fan. Not as much as Webster and Oden, but pretty big.

I think a lot of you are seriously underestimating what "financial considerations" can do for us. It wouldn't be a straight talent swap for Rubio. I keep going back to thinking that something can be done with WAS if we take on Jamison's contract (we missed the window on getting Arenas without giving up something that we won't --like LMA or Oden's contract).

At the draft we could potentially offer to take Jamison+Rubio for Sergio, Outlaw, Blake and Diogu's exception. This gives WAS the opportunity to cut Outlaw and Blake if they want, saving themselves 12M in deals with 3 full years left and 7M or so in luxury tax. Is their pick worth 22M? Or, if they wanted to keep Outlaw or Blake, they'd have some talent there, too.

We get a big long-term deal in Jamison, but he's the epitome of the veteran scorer/rebounder 3/4, right? If you went into the summer and told KP he'd blow his cap space on Jamison and Rubio, would he go for it?

If we're getting Rubio, I'd really like to keep Rudy.

I don't see Flynn or Lawson helping us much. Honestly, though I don't really like the guy's game much, I could see KP and Nate agreeing that Darren Collison would be a good fit for us.

"Veteran" PGs in the NBA don't excite me much, though I'd offer Kidd the MLE if he'd take it if we made the trade for Rubio.

Kidd/Rubio/Bayless/Kopo
Roy/Rudy
Batum/Webs (or Outlaw, if WAS likes Webster more)
LMA/Jamison/Freeland/Shav
Oden/Joel

**EDIT: I was typing when Nik posted about Kidd's MLE. Great minds think alike.

That'd be sweet, but it's a pipedream.

 

[Natebishop3]

I'd either like to see Kidd/Miler/Bibby or Sessions. I'd be happy with any of those. I think Bibby and Miller would be a better fit than Kidd though, and Sessions is up in the air because of his restricted status.

 

[GoBlazersGo]

You worded the poll what "WOULD" KP do. The likely answer? Draft someone.

If you had asked what he "SHOULD" do, then I would have given the opposite answer.

We know, we know, KP's stupid...














... instead he should've been listening to old*edited: Disagree civilly*whothinkshe'sgodsgifttothegreenearth all these years! I mean, hell, this team might've improved a little bit during his tenure if he had. OH, WAIT... WHAT!? WE HAVE... !? SAY IT AIN'T SO!!!

 

[The_Lillard_King]

Because of the ever crowding roster . . . I hope KP (and Allen) use the economic downturn to steal a quality PG from a team trying to cut salary. Blazers can thin out their roster by trading 2 or 3 reasonable contracts and using the trade exemption to get the perfect PG.

I already threw out my pipe dream of Parker (any chance Duncan decides to hang it up or Pop gets tierd of Parker). I know KP liked Calderon and Toronto has got to be thinking about making some changes. NO's is obviously in deep financial trouble, but the city would revolt if Paul was traded.

My point is I'm hoping KP can uses the Blazer pieces to exploit the financial hardships of some franchise.

 

[Minstrel]

Calderon would be a nice add. Not a fan of his defense, but his passing skills are amazing. What Sergio is at his very best moments, but all the time.