If Tyreke Evans becames available...

[BigGameDamian]

by trade deadline should the Blazers be interested and if so what would you give up? Or should the Blazers be content with Wes Mathews at the starting SG spot? Might you gamble of free agency and wait it out? I'm just curious to what fans think of Evens and if he could fit with Lillard.

 

[Natebishop3]

I don't think he could fit with Lillard. We need a Rip Hamilton at shooting guard, not Brandon Roy.

 

[mook]

I like Matthews more at this point, especially next to Lillard. Much better three point shooter, better defender, better track record of staying healthy, doesn't need the ball a lot to be effective, seems like a better locker room guy.

Evans is three years younger, but he's also had declining stats every year in the league so the upside argument is kind of a wash.

Besides, I really hate shooting guards who can't shoot.

 

[BrianFromWA]

Not really. I'd rather have more of a "professional role player" than a guy who thinks he's Roy, Jr. I mean, I think Blanky would be a better fit than Evans.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

If we could get him without giving up a starter, then we do it in a heartbeat, play him ~30 mpg off the bench and see what happens. If it would require trading Matthews to get him, then we pass.

Pretty simple question, IMO.

 

[BrianFromWA]

For that matter, I think we're relatively set at the 1-2-3. We need a backup combo guard who can play 8 minutes of decent PG in a pinch, and we need resolution on the LMA/Hickson situation. If LMA is staying, and Meyers is the C of the future, I think there's a need for a defensive-minded backup big. If Hickson is staying and we're trying to swap LMA out for a good young player and assets, then I think you have some flexibility with your draft and FA choices and don't necessarily need a big coming back. If you're trading away both LMA and Hickson (or just letting JJ go in FA), then you need to ensure you have a quality scoring big among the assets you're getting back.

 

[mook]

For that matter, I think we're relatively set at the 1-2-3. We need a backup combo guard who can play 8 minutes of decent PG in a pinch, and we need resolution on the LMA/Hickson situation. If LMA is staying, and Meyers is the C of the future, I think there's a need for a defensive-minded backup big. If Hickson is staying and we're trying to swap LMA out for a good young player and assets, then I think you have some flexibility with your draft and FA choices and don't necessarily need a big coming back. If you're trading away both LMA and Hickson (or just letting JJ go in FA), then you need to ensure you have a quality scoring big among the assets you're getting back.

My thinking exactly. I really, really like the way Lillard/Matthews/Batum fit together. I think that's a trio of starters for a contending team if they continue to progress as they've done so far.

It's everything else about this team I'm not so sure about. Portland has so many problems on interior defense and the bench. Aldridge and Hickson are incompatible--neither is even a competent shot blocker/intimidator (although Aldridge is a good post defender).

I'd really like to see Stotts experiment with bringing Hickson off the bench and starting Leonard, even if Leonard's overall minutes don't increase that much. But the truth is that we have a lot of gaps to fill, and Aldridge is the most valuable asset we have that could buy several solutions (while also making the team younger). There's just not much else on our team that I'd be willing to trade that anybody would want.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Evans might love a role as 6th man?

 

[Pinwheel1]

For that matter, I think we're relatively set at the 1-2-3. We need a backup combo guard who can play 8 minutes of decent PG in a pinch, and we need resolution on the LMA/Hickson situation. If LMA is staying, and Meyers is the C of the future, I think there's a need for a defensive-minded backup big. If Hickson is staying and we're trying to swap LMA out for a good young player and assets, then I think you have some flexibility with your draft and FA choices and don't necessarily need a big coming back. If you're trading away both LMA and Hickson (or just letting JJ go in FA), then you need to ensure you have a quality scoring big among the assets you're getting back.

It does look like Lillard, Wes and Batum complement each other, and the chances are LMA is not going anywhere. So I would go with your plan of getting a defensive minded backup big.

A backup Combo guard is needed too, or just a really good back up PG that would work well with Lillard as well allowing him to slide over and play some SG. We can get away with going small for 8 minutes a game. But ideally the back up PG would have good size too.

 

[BrianFromWA]

the one I keep coming back to (though I don't know why they would do it) is LMA to WAS for Okafor, Seraphin, Livingston and their draft pick. With Nene, Okafor is an expensive luxury and Seraphin isn't getting enough burn. Wall/Beal/Ariza (or Vesely)/LMA/Nene can do pretty well going forward in the east. Okafor is about the same cap hit as LMA for the next two years, so we don't lose our flexibility this summer while picking up Livingston to back up LIllard/Wes, and another project big. And WAS's first, which would be late-lotto to mid-first, but since they started off this year crappily there isn't much chance they'll give up a pick this year unless it's heavily protected.

The other options that I'm intrigued with (Gibson + picks/Mirotic, or Ibaka + TOR's pick) are under poison pill and horribly tough to trade for. To GSW for Lee and Thompson isn't enough, though I like Thompson a lot -- Lee is paid a bunch for a long time to not be close to an All-Star PF.

 

[illmatic99]

Don't like Evans' game at all. I prefer Mayo as a backup combo guard for us.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Don't like Evans' game at all. I prefer Mayo as a backup combo guard for us.

I know the perfect back up combo guard for us

 

[Pinwheel1]

the one I keep coming back to (though I don't know why they would do it) is LMA to WAS for Okafor, Seraphin, Livingston and their draft pick. With Nene, Okafor is an expensive luxury and Seraphin isn't getting enough burn. Wall/Beal/Ariza (or Vesely)/LMA/Nene can do pretty well going forward in the east. Okafor is about the same cap hit as LMA for the next two years, so we don't lose our flexibility this summer while picking up Livingston to back up LIllard/Wes, and another project big. And WAS's first, which would be late-lotto to mid-first, but since they started off this year crappily there isn't much chance they'll give up a pick this year unless it's heavily protected.

The other options that I'm intrigued with (Gibson + picks/Mirotic, or Ibaka + TOR's pick) are under poison pill and horribly tough to trade for. To GSW for Lee and Thompson isn't enough, though I like Thompson a lot -- Lee is paid a bunch for a long time to not be close to an All-Star PF.

I think we should hold out for picking up an Okafor type player for crap. (By crap I mean not LMA)

Take a big contract off someone's hands and give them little in return. Teams will get desperate if they are losing and are looking at a big the luxury cap hit.

But if we trade something of value I guess I would have to choose JJ. Are their restrictions on trading Hickson? He will not be happy coming off the bench and eventually he will have to.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

It seems like the environment there isn't the best for young players.

Heck, look at T-Rob! He was a model citizen at KU and that elbow he gave Jonas (Detroit) was totally out of character.

I'm still firmly on the DeMarcus to Portland bandwagon. His talent and size is super rare. I like the potential of a Cousins/Leonard frontcourt. An insane risk but one worth taking IMO.

 

[BrianFromWA]

two potential issues with that are:
1) I could see LMA's agent saying "My client has 50M in the bank. There's no way he's ever putting on a Sacramento jersey."
2) I'm not sure that the Canzano/Haynes/Jaynes/Quick/Rip City Soccer Mom environment is the best for someone who probably wouldn't like to be under a microscope 24.7.365.

 

[BrianFromWA]

two potential issues with that are:
1) I could see LMA's agent saying "My client has 50M in the bank. There's no way he's ever putting on a Sacramento jersey."
2) I'm not sure that the Canzano/Haynes/Jaynes/Quick/Rip City Soccer Mom environment is the best for someone who probably wouldn't like to be under a microscope 24.7.365.

basketball-wise, though, it's intriguing. Especially if Jimmer and some picks get thrown in.

 

[blue9]

I was thinking about this a few weeks back. I've never liked Tyreke Evans - he's just not a good basketball player. HOWEVER, I think I might entertain the idea of trading LMA for Evans & Cousins.

http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=c6pvybn

I'm leery of this because I don't like the sort of knucklehead that Cousins appears to be (I'm not against having a knucklehead on the team, though). However, if we could also get SAC to include a lotto pick I think I'd be all over this trade. But, I would bring Evans off the bench as our 6th man. That's the only role he'll ever experience wins in. Wes is a much better player and works far better with Lillard/Nic.

 

[Pinwheel1]

It seems like the environment there isn't the best for young players.

Heck, look at T-Rob! He was a model citizen at KU and that elbow he gave Jonas (Detroit) was totally out of character.

I'm still firmly on the DeMarcus to Portland bandwagon. His talent and size is super rare. I like the potential of a Cousins/Leonard frontcourt. An insane risk but one worth taking IMO.

It is one thing to take a chance on a "knucklehead", and a completely different one to take a chance on him while trading arguably your best player for him. Leonard and a draft pick for Cousins....sure I would roll the dice. But "insane risks" can set you back quite a few years.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

he would immediately become our best bench 1-3 guy by a landslide, of course you bring him in for cheap

wouldnt trade anyone in our top 6 for him though

 

[Nikolokolus]

Evans would be a horrendous back-court mate with Lillard. Completely non-complimentary in every sense.

Lillard needs somebody who can shoot and is best when they are shooting (think Ray Allen). Basically, it would be pretty awesome if Wesley Matthews was better at handling the ball at least some.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

Evans would be a horrendous back-court mate with Lillard. Completely non-complimentary in every sense.

Lillard needs somebody who can shoot and is best when they are shooting (think Ray Allen). Basically, it would be pretty awesome if Wesley Matthews was better at handling the ball at least some.

lillard IS that shooter, tyreke dishing out to lillard mathews and batum would be deadly

 

[BigGameDamian]

I know both Lillard and Evens are considered prolific scorers first. At least I think that's safe to say? Damon and Bonzi where both prolific scorers first as well.

 

[jlprk]

If Lillard is compatible with Matthews' shortcomings, then Lillard can play with Evans' deficiencies, too.

 

[craigehlo]

At least Evans can drive to the rim. I like Matthews' energy, but he's got awful handles.

 

[Nikolokolus]

lillard IS that shooter, tyreke dishing out to lillard mathews and batum would be deadly

Tyreke dominates the ball and he can't really shoot and Lillard seems to shoot best by pulling up, not off the catch ... that doesn't sound like a winning formula to me

 

[jlprk]

In what skills is Matthews better than Evans? (Other than public speaking and the speeding ticket.)

 

[BrianFromWA]

um, shooting? Which, for a shooting guard is relatively important?

 

[jlprk]

Alright, Matthews is a better shooter but not a drop dead shooter. I figured out what to do. Get Evans. He's 6-6 or 6-7. Put 20 pounds onto him. Play him at SF. Have Hickson and inconsistent Batum share the PF spot. Trade Aldridge for a great-shooting SG.

 

[BigGameDamian]

Mathews maybe a bit better defensively but Evens can drop 20+ in consecutive games on just about any team. I don't know the same can be said for Mathews.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

hes a 6'6" barely 23 year old with a 17 per that does a little bit of everything except shoot 3s, and who would greatly upgrade our pathetic "rotation"

as far as dominating the ball, its just not as true anymore, he has a usg of 22 this season

if he was free you take him instantly obviously, thats the crux of this conversation though