Kidd or Hedo?

[Fez Hammersticks]

For all the Portland Trail Blazers’ usual misdirection plays about moving up in the draft, few say they’re sincere in climbing into the lottery. Ultimately, it’s thought that the Blazers are trying to clear cap space – perhaps as much as $10 million – and multiple league executives think Portland is determined to sign Orlando Magic free agent Hedo Turkoglu.

For now, the Blazers are trying to find a taker for point guard Sergio Rodriguez(notes) and his $1.6 million salary. They’re interested in Dallas Mavericks free agent Jason Kidd(notes), too. The Mavericks want to keep Kidd, who will probably ask for $8 million a season.

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[MAS RipCity]

Hedo, yes
Kidd, yes, but no @ 8 mill a season

 

[alex42083]

"Determined" is a strong word. I don't think anyone knows what KP is going to do.

 

[Crimson the Cat]

Neither. Man, can we not have someone with shelf life of more than a dairy product.

 

[THE HCP]

Kidd for 3 years!

 

[Nikolokolus]

Either, but I'd lean toward Kidd I guess.

 

[Sinobas]

I think Hedo and Artest through free agency makes the most sense, of any of the rumors I've heard. I really don't think we should go after old-man Nash or Kidd. Maybe Andre Miller though.

If we could find a way to land Devin Harris that would be awesome as well!

 

[RickyRubio]

Why are you guys so concerned with Kidds age? He could teach Jerryd SO much. He still has gas left in the tank. Let him come here. Play while he still can and at the same time teach Jerryd how to be a PG.

I would rather have Kidd. But either would be a major addition to our team.

 

[RickyRubio]

I think Hedo and Artest through free agency makes the most sense, of any of the rumors I've heard. I really don't think we should go after old-man Nash or Kidd. Maybe Andre Miller though.

If we could find a way to land Devin Harris that would be awesome as well!

So you think we are going to land Hedo and Artest through FA? With what money?

 

[Minstrel]

Neither. Man, can we not have someone with shelf life of more than a dairy product.

I like the idea of young talent that we can expect to be with the team a while too, but there's definitely a good argument for developed good players who are older: a Turkoglu or Kidd may immediately elevate the team to title contention. They may only last for a few years, but the team can always look to trade them near the end of their deal to acquire another veteran. The team has its young core...a "revolving door" veteran star/good player that opens the championship window earlier without closing it earlier would certainly be worthwhile.

 

[RickyRubio]

Look at what a good PG did for Denver. Imagine if we had one of the best play makers in the game who is not selfish on scoring points. I think Kidd would put us ahead of the L*kers and in the Finals next year.

 

[Wheels]

Kidd... Kidd.. a thousand times Kidd.

 

[Boise Blazer]

Why are you guys so concerned with Kidds age? He could teach Jerryd SO much. He still has gas left in the tank. Let him come here. Play while he still can and at the same time teach Jerryd how to be a PG.

I would rather have Kidd. But either would be a major addition to our team.

I tend to agree. Its not like we are going to be a run and gun team with Kidd. His defense cant be any worse than Blake so we arent losing anything there. He shoots the 3 as well as Blake. He isnt going to be around for longer than 2-3 years to take away time from Bayless. So if the Blazers feel that Bayless is the PG of the future it almost makes perfect sense.

So that leaves 2 questions:

1. Do the Blazers really view Bayless as the PG of the future?
2. Is it even possible to get him (would the Mavs give him up)?

If the answer to question 1 is no then dont even bother asking question 2.

 

[andalusian]

As a basketball player - Kidd.

But Hedo would probably have more access to fresh Rahat Lukum and that's very important too.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Having Kidd would be like having a coach on the floor. Hedo is going to cost A LOT, maybe too much.

 

[RickyRubio]

As a basketball player - Kidd.

But Hedo would probably have more access to fresh Rahat Lukum and that's very important too.

 

[andalusian]

And I can see why! 2009 and I still use a CRT. Of course I fail!

Oh, and by the way.

 

[tlongII]

Neither.

 

[RoyToy]

Kidd is declining more and more, Hedo will cost too much and it weakens the Blazers perimeter D.

No ty.

 

[LittleAlex]

Kidd more then Hedo, if only because Kidd may accept a shorter term deal then Hedo. Turk is probably going to want at least a 4 year deal starting at 11 million. Kidd may take a 2 year deal starting at 8.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Having Kidd would be like having a coach on the floor. Hedo is going to cost A LOT, maybe too much.

One wonders what Nate's working relationship with JK was on team USA ... Nate always speaks very glowingly of him and his smarts and defense -- Kidd is by all definitions a Nate guy and Nate style point guard: big, plays D, can spot up and hit an outside shot (finally) and is nothing but a pass first guy who rebounds like a mad man for his position

 

[Sinobas]

So you think we are going to land Hedo and Artest through FA? With what money?

We can create more than enough FA money to land them if we renounce Blake, Travis, playboy and Freeland. We could also clear cap space by trading Sergio for nothing, and trading our pick for a future pick. We could potentially have over 13 million in cap space.

 

[Natebishop3]

8 million is waaaaay too much for Kidd at this age.

 

[Sinobas]

Having Kidd would be like having a coach on the floor. Hedo is going to cost A LOT, maybe too much.

Who knows in this economy though? Many teams are saving up for 2010, and Hedo, at age 30, would probably prefer to go to a contender.

Nate McMillen could be a coach on the floor as well, but that doesn't change the fact that he's too old to play. Kidd is 36 and very few players even play at that age. And his presence didn't quite put the Mavs over the top.

As a reference point, look at some players who had among the longest careers in NBA history. Gary Payton was 36 when he joined Boston. Pippen turned 36 his 3rd year in Portland. And Rod Strickland, another great PG, was 34 when he came back to Portland for his 2nd tour of duty(which lead to the collapse of the franchise) Neither of those players had much impact at that point. Perhaps the only PG in history that you can say was still a good starter that late in his career was John Stockton.

So if you had to chose one or the other, I'd chose Hedo, no question. I'd sign Kidd to a modest 1 to 2 year contract. He'd probably still be an upgrade over Blake...but I'm sure that he'll stay in Dallas.


Check out this page, it's interesting to see how many ex-Blazers are in the 1000 club (96 players) from the 89-90 championship team are on that list
http://www.basketball-reference.com/leaders/g_career.html

 

[Da_O]

I wouldn't want Kidd. His defense isn't what it used to be and he's going to want too much. His playmaking abilities are not what they used to be either.

 

[Nikolokolus]

8 million is waaaaay too much for Kidd at this age.

Pretty much, but when it comes to point guards you are almost always going to overpay ... just look at Beno Udrih getting that ridiculous full MLE deal last year or Luke Ridnour making 6 million per year. I wouldn't be happy about paying Kidd that much, but if that's what it took I'm guessing KP would bite the bullet, unless he's got a better target in mind.

 

[Da_O]

Get Hedo then trade Blake+Outlaw+Webster for Hinrich and then draft a PF in the draft.

PG Hinrich/Bayless
SG Roy/Rudy
SF Hedo/Batum
PF Aldridge/(Blair/Hansbrough/James Johnson/Young/ Lawal/Summers)
C Oden/Przybilla

Sweet. Okay back to reality, I don't know if we would have enough assets to get Hinrich depending on what we would have to do to get Hedo.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Get Hedo then trade Blake+Outlaw+Webster for Hinrich and then draft a PF in the draft.

PG Hinrich/Bayless
SG Roy/Rudy
SF Hedo/Batum
PF Aldridge/(Blair/Hansbrough/James Johnson/Young/ Lawal/Summers)
C Oden/Przybilla

Sweet. Okay back to reality, I don't know if we would have enough assets to get Hinrich depending on what we would have to do to get Hedo.

I think the Bulls are more interested in cap room than they are ton of players and salary coming back for Kirk, you could probably offer them Blake, some second round picks and maybe our first round pick and I think it's possible they would bite.

Also I think you could add Jeff Pendergraph to your list of 4s, he's likely to be available when we pick at 32 and I think he's got a chance to be a player.

 

[Minstrel]

A perfect (and somewhat realistic) off-season to me would be to sign Sessions and draft Blair in the first round (sending out some spare assets like Blake, Sergio, Outlaw/Webster, cash, purchased first-round pick, trade exception, to move up in the first round) and Pendergraph in the second round.

Having a power forward rotation of Aldridge/Blair/Pendergraph seems more than solid. It seems pretty spectacular.

 

[KingSpeed]

I would be sooooooo happy if we got Hedo:

1) He's clutch. Don't make me post all his game winning shots again.
2) He's a seasoned playoff veteran from his days with Orlando as well as Sacramento
3) His scoring rose as the playoffs went on. He's a big game player.
4) He can play all 5 positions, esp PG and SF where we need some help
5) He would give us the legit third option we did not have in 09

If we get him, I expect us to go the Finals next season.

Don't forget his clutch D:

[video=youtube;rE69d0H9bz0]