Merged: Wallace and Butler and RJeff, oh, my!

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craigehlo

craigehlo

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The hottest name at the trade deadline? A guy who hasn't played a game this season -- Raef LaFrentz of the Portland Trail Blazers.

The focus for the Blazers right now appears to be at the small forward position. It appears that three players -- Gerald Wallace, Caron Butler and Richard Jefferson -- are on Pritchard's radar screen. A fourth one, Mike Miller, is also a favorite of the Blazers, but the Wolves have been reluctant to include him in a deal.

Sources say that the Blazers have intensified their focus on Wallace. He's young, athletic, and physical, and he doesn't need to score to be an impact player. He has four years and $38 million left on his contract, which is a lot, but given his age and production the past few years, it's not unreasonable. The problem for the Blazers is that the Bobcats want Portland to take back Nazr Mohammed as part of the deal. That could be a deal breaker for Pritchard.

Butler may be the best player of the group when he's healthy. He was an All-Star last year and is excellent in the mid-range game. He too has a reasonable contract with just two years and $21 million left on his deal. But it's unclear what the Wizards would want in return and whether they'll ultimately opt to keep Butler and reevaluate the team when Gilbert Arenas returns. If the Wizards are to make such a deal, certainly they'll want the Blazers to take back Etan Thomas' contract, and they'll likely also demand one or two young players from the Blazers. That price might be too high for Portland.

Jefferson is the most available. The Bucks need to clear his salary from their cap if they're going to re-sign their two restricted free agents this summer -- Charlie Villanueva and Ramon Sessions. Sources say there have been conversations that have included both Jefferson and Milwaukee point guard Luke Ridnour, though the talk has quieted down.
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http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=ford_chad&page=TradeTalk-090217
 
Re: Blazers have intensified their focus on Wallace

I really don't see why KP would choose Wallace over Butler. Both teams want to send a bad contract along with Caron and Gerald, so it comes down to talent and Butler, IMO, is clearly the superior player.
 
Re: Blazers have intensified their focus on Wallace

"If you asked owners in the league who they'd rather have right now, LaFrentz or Stoudemire, I think more than half of them would prefer LaFrentz," one executive told me. "That's how screwed up this thing has been. I guarantee you [Blazers GM] Kevin Pritchard has gotten better offers for LaFrentz than the Suns have gotten for Stoudemire."
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Now this is fucking crazy.
 
Re: Blazers have intensified their focus on Wallace

Fez said:
Now this is fucking crazy.
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I know. But it's so good.

Nice to see the Wallace thing heat up as we head into the final couple days. I have a feeling they got rebuffed on Butler.
 
Re: Blazers have intensified their focus on Wallace

Fez said:
Now this is fucking crazy.
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There's nothing quite like selling high in a down market. :devilwink:
 
Re: Blazers have intensified their focus on Wallace

I actually decided I really like Wallace... he will look funny w/ no headband... he should buzz his head for us since he can't wear a headband for Nate. But I love his fit, and I think he is a good age for us... Great SF, imo... I think I likle his fit more than Butlers, but Butler is the better player.
 
Re: Blazers have intensified their focus on Wallace

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Wallace! Wallace! Wallace!
 
Re: Blazers have intensified their focus on Wallace

MrJayremmie said:
I actually decided I really like Wallace... he will look funny w/ no headband... he should buzz his head for us since he can't wear a headband for Nate. But I love his fit, and I think he is a good age for us... Great SF, imo... I think I like his fit more than Butlers...
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I attended that OT loss in Charlotte. He flat-out dominated in that game. Oh, and that ferocious dunk over Oden was naaaasty! It was following that game that I began to pray for KP to get this guy.
 
Re: Blazers have intensified their focus on Wallace

Yeah man, I think his skillset is a perfect fit. Better than Butler for this team, imo. He is a defensive monster and gets to the rim which we need... he also moves on offense all the time which will really help.
 
Re: Blazers have intensified their focus on Wallace

Adding Butler would be like adding a young Paul Pierce to this core. I really hope KP can get this done.

Wallace would be a nice plan-B, though.
 
Re: Blazers have intensified their focus on Wallace

Nazr Mohammed? Yuck!
 
Re: Blazers have intensified their focus on Wallace

If Wallace stays (gets-?) healthy, he is the perfect fit for us at SF. He is like the anti-Outlaw. Solid D, Aggressive, takes it to the hole. I love his intensity, one of my favorite SFs to watch.

Butler would be great too, but I feel that Wallace would do better with fewer touches, he is a significantly better rebounder (Rebound Rate 12.3 to 9.0 for Butler), and I prefer his commitment to defense over Butler's.

That said, Butler makes us an even more efficient offensive monster, and while neither is an 'iron man' in terms of game attendance, CB has a leg up in that area...

Either would make me very happy.
 
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Re: Blazers have intensified their focus on Wallace

And just SAY NO! to Richard Jefferson.
 
Re: Blazers have intensified their focus on Wallace

Expand the deal to include Augustin! :ghoti: Bayless+1st rounder or something. I think DJ is going to be a seriously good PG who has the skill set that complements Roy to a T. Tim Hardaway-esqe.

Ahh pipedreams...
 
Re: Blazers have intensified their focus on Wallace

Fez said:
Expand the deal to include Augustin! :ghoti: Bayless+1st rounder or something. I think DJ is going to be a seriously good PG who has the skill set that complements Roy to a T. Tim Hardaway-esqe.

Ahh pipedreams...
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I disagree with this. Bayless will be much better than Augustin imo.
 
Re: Blazers have intensified their focus on Wallace

Fez said:
I really don't see why KP would choose Wallace over Butler. Both teams want to send a bad contract along with Caron and Gerald, so it comes down to talent and Butler, IMO, is clearly the superior player.
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The way I read the ESPN column is that the writer has some actual knowledge that Charlotte wants us to take the Mohamed contract but that he is entirely speculating on what Washington might want.
 
Re: Blazers have intensified their focus on Wallace

Fez said:
Expand the deal to include Augustin! :ghoti: Bayless+1st rounder or something. I DJ is going to be a seriously good PG who has the skill set that complements Roy to a T. Ahh pipedreams...
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No on Augustine. I like Bayless 100 times better then DJ but I would love to get Wallace. I don't think KP would even want DJ and never did want him.
 
Re: Blazers have intensified their focus on Wallace

Augustin has shown he can get to the rim at will, finish, and shoot the three. On top of this, he has actual PG skills. Watching him going back to his Texas days, he really reminds me of Tim Hardaway. His height is his drawback but his length and reach actually allows him to play bigger than Chris Paul when you compare combine measurements.

One of my favorite up-and-coming guards in the League.
 
Re: Blazers have intensified their focus on Wallace

Fez said:
Augustin has shown he can get to the rim at will, finish, and shoot the three. On top of this, he has actual PG skills. Watching him going back to his Texas days, he really reminds me of Tim Hardaway. His height is his drawback but his length and reach actually allows him to play bigger than Chris Paul when you compare combine measurements.

One of my favorite up-and-coming guards in the League.
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Poor D.
 
Re: Blazers have intensified their focus on Wallace

craigehlo said:
It's not his fault he's a midget. He tries, but almost anyone can get their shot off over him.
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Which is why Bayless is better.
 
my pick butler, but it was not an easy choice because I love wallace on defense. But I think Bulter is the better all around player.
 
Re: Wallace vs Butler, who should KP get?

Depends on the price, but I'd be happy with either one.
 
Re: Blazers have intensified their focus on Wallace

Reach:

Chris Paul: 7'9"
DJ Augustin: 7' 10.5"

Bayless is clearly the better defender but DJ is better at almost every other aspect of the game.

Of course, Bayless could improve his jumper and decision making turning this into his favor. It all depends on how he develops his PG game. Can he convert from a SG to a PG?
 
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Re: Wallace vs Butler, who should KP get?

Easy choice: Caron Butler!

A Roy/Butler combo would be pretty hard to stop. He's this years Pau Gasol, IMO.
 
Re: Blazers have intensified their focus on Wallace

Fez said:
Reach:

Chris Paul: 7'9"
DJ Augustin: 7' 10.5"

Bayless is clearly the better defender but DJ is better at almost every aspect of the game.
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Not at driving and finishing.

Btw, Paul is sort of an anomaly for short PGs. I don't see the comparison between the two.
 
Re: Blazers have intensified their focus on Wallace

"If you asked owners in the league who they'd rather have right now, LaFrentz or Stoudemire, I think more than half of them would prefer LaFrentz," one executive told me. "That's how screwed up this thing has been. I guarantee you [Blazers GM] Kevin Pritchard has gotten better offers for LaFrentz than the Suns have gotten for Stoudemire."
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Fez said:
Now this is fucking crazy.
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I had to re-read that part too. The priorities in this league are way beyond fucked up if this is true. Oh well, at least it's too our advantage.

Seems to me the odds are really good we're getting a new starting small forward this week. Thank god. That's been a massive hole on this team since Miles fell apart.
 
Re: Wallace vs Butler, who should KP get?

If Kp gets butler we are on our way to a showdown with the lakers
 
Re: Blazers have intensified their focus on Wallace

they won't trade augustin for bayless so that's moot. larry brown loves him.
 
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