If Melo is traded...Billups

[Further]

If Melo is traded, then I think Billups will be next to go for Denver. I have no idea if they would be willing to trade with the Blazers, but I think that although Billups is 34 years old and has perhaps lost a step, he is the right fit for Roy.

The big problem the Blazers have had for some time if finding the right match for Roy. Blake was a good pairing, meaning that his skill-set matched well, but the problem was that he is just not that good of a player. Miller is a better player, but his skill-set does not click with Roy. Bayless does not seem to have the right skill-set nor are we sure how good of a player he is. And so on, and so on.

But Billups does seem to fit well. He can shoot, he is an excellent distributor, he is a facilitator and not a star. He plays well with star wings like Melo. He can play good D, although that is likely deteriorating.

Miller + Bayless + Rudy for Billups works for a trade, throw in 3 mil and a second rounder if needed, and I think that is a good trade for both teams.

Denver saves a couple mil, has an adequate PG in Miller and two young players who may flourish in Rudy and Bayless. According to the Melo-NY trades talked about on Simmons podcast, Denver would be saving 19mil on that trade, and getting back some pieces for a rebuild. The trade I am proposing would seem to marry well with that the Melo trade since it would further both of denvers goals if they are losing Melo, to get young potential and save bucks.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Two questions

1. How does a distributing PG that likes the ball fit with Roy?

2. Why would Denver send their best remaining player to an inner division rival?

 

[maxiep]

I have a friend with whom I work out who works for the Nugs. We generally talk Redskins instead of hoops, but he says that if Melo gets traded, they're going to "blow it up". I think they'd try to do right by Chauncey, even if it meant sending him to a division rival. Of course, they'll probably trade him to LAL or MIA.

 

[Further]

Two questions

1. How does a distributing PG that likes the ball fit with Roy?

2. Why would Denver send their best remaining player to an inner division rival?

1 - He is good at distributing ,but not really a ball-in-hand type of player. He used to be that more, but he very often brings the ball up and quickly releases to Melo or someone else, then comes off or sets screens to help offensive flow. He can catch and shoot, which works real well with Roy. He CAN dominate the ball, and get offense when needed, but that does not seem to be his modus operandi anymore. Just watch how well he works with Melo, and I think it shows that he works to get others in the right situation, be that with or without the ball.

2 - As I said in the start of the original post, not sure if they would. But,
A) He would not be needed for their team since they would not be competing for the immediate, but for the future.
B) If they are going to send him out, they will want a mix of several things all of which the Blazers can provide. Savings, short low-risk high reward contracts, young players, picks, cash.
C) Billups is old, and sending him to the Blazers when he only has a couple seasons left is not a big risk to send to a rival when you don't expect to compete for a couple seasons.

I can also see reasons why they would not want to send him to the Blazers, and I have not thought about which other teams would be looking ot get Billups, but I do think that if they are going to deal Billups (and I think they will if Melo is dealt) that the Blazers would have to be in the running with the assets we could provide.

 

[THE HCP]

I have a friend with whom I work out who works for the Nugs.

You mean the BirdMan!

 

[Natebishop3]

I have a friend with whom I work out who works for the Nugs. We generally talk Redskins instead of hoops, but he says that if Melo gets traded, they're going to "blow it up". I think they'd try to do right by Chauncey, even if it meant sending him to a division rival. Of course, they'll probably trade him to LAL or MIA.

That is extremely unsatisfactory. I wonder if they would take Miller and his expiring contract..

 

[THE HCP]

I'm sure they wouldn't think of even dealing with us!

 

[Further]

I have a friend with whom I work out who works for the Nugs. We generally talk Redskins instead of hoops, but he says that if Melo gets traded, they're going to "blow it up". I think they'd try to do right by Chauncey, even if it meant sending him to a division rival. Of course, they'll probably trade him to LAL or MIA.

The problem with LAL or MIA is what would they get back. MIA has nothing at all to offer. LAL has some parts, but not much. Although Denver might want to do right by Billups, they are also going to be in a total rebuild and would be stupid to take pennies on the dollar in a trade. So my guess is that they would pass on MIA and LAL and look for second tier teams that could both, give back value, and be a respectable landing pad for Billups. Teams like PDX, Hawks, or Magic. Many that are in that tier however, have their PG's and would not be good for Billups since they are set at that position like Utah, Bulls, Dallas, and Boston. All in all, I think there are maybe 5 or so teams that would have the need for Billups, the quality for Billups to be sent there, and have the assets to trade for Denver.

 

[THE HCP]

watch the Lakers get Billups for Adam Morrison straight up!

 

[maxiep]

That is extremely unsatisfactory. I wonder if they would take Miller and his expiring contract..

Joel + Andre +Rudy would probably get it done.

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=2bdavyl

 

[Minstrel]

I'm sure they wouldn't think of even dealing with us!

If they're blowing it up, I sincerely doubt they'd care where they send Billups. By the time they'd be contending again, Billups would be done as an effective player.

 

[maxiep]

The problem with LAL or MIA is what would they get back. MIA has nothing at all to offer. LAL has some parts, but not much. Although Denver might want to do right by Billups, they are also going to be in a total rebuild and would be stupid to take pennies on the dollar in a trade. So my guess is that they would pass on MIA and LAL and look for second tier teams that could both, give back value, and be a respectable landing pad for Billups. Teams like PDX, Hawks, or Magic. Many that are in that tier however, have their PG's and would not be good for Billups since they are set at that position like Utah, Bulls, Dallas, and Boston. All in all, I think there are maybe 5 or so teams that would have the need for Billups, the quality for Billups to be sent there, and have the assets to trade for Denver.

I was mostly speculating that we'd probably get fucked over by Chauncey going to one of our main rivals. I actually think we have the pieces to do it. I also think that Denver isn't going to care about improving our team in the short term. They hate LAL, DAL and UTA, not us so much.

 

[Natebishop3]

I was mostly speculating that we'd probably get fucked over by Chauncey going to one of our main rivals. I actually think we have the pieces to do it. I also think that Denver isn't going to care about improving our team in the short term. They hate LAL, DAL and UTA, not us so much.

And Wark is gone from that organization, which definitely helps our cause.

 

[truebluefan]

I agree with you about Billups being dealt when Melo is traded.

A team like the Blazers may interest him!

 

[hasoos]

watch the Lakers get Billups for Adam Morrison straight up!

Morrison is playing for the Bobcats now.