My Opinion: No moves. Play out the season.

[hasoos]

My two cents is play it out. No tanking, no trades. Let the chips fall where they may.

Go Blazers

I wish the chips would quit falling on us!

 

[Schilly]

I do think a trade is in order, but not because of the circumstances. Rudy will be back in 3-4 weeks and at that time it is going to be very difficult to find time for 5 guards. Mills will also be back and should be competent enough to be a 3rd string PG. We should actively try to move one of those Guards (Blake IMO) for a 4/5 than can at least help a bit this year and possibly next.

 

[MIXUM]

rudy should be back in exactly 2 weeks. maybe 3 tops. he needs to show some heart an dhelp his team.

but yes... a trade (even if we dont want playoffs) for a center is needed BADLY.

you guys really think howard holds up for 50+ games with major minutes? cmon.

 

[hasoos]

I do think a trade is in order, but not because of the circumstances. Rudy will be back in 3-4 weeks and at that time it is going to be very difficult to find time for 5 guards. Mills will also be back and should be competent enough to be a 3rd string PG. We should actively try to move one of those Guards (Blake IMO) for a 4/5 than can at least help a bit this year and possibly next.

Wow that is a tough order. Were looking for a big, multiple for one. I am thinking that in reality, Pendergraph gets thrown into the fire. Time for the witch test.

 

[Schilly]

rudy should be back in exactly 2 weeks. maybe 3 tops. he needs to show some heart an dhelp his team.

but yes... a trade (even if we dont want playoffs) for a center is needed BADLY.

you guys really think howard holds up for 50+ games with major minutes? cmon.

1st off we always want playoffs. Howard will hold up but will he be effective?
2nd I would imagine that within 5 games Pendergraph will be starting.
3rd Rudy himself early this week said he is 4p5 weeks away.
4th yes a center is needed, how about instead of stating the obvious why don't you provide a reasonable solution. Players out players in and make sure it works financially.

 

[Schilly]

Wow that is a tough order. Were looking for a big, multiple for one. I am thinking that in reality, Pendergraph gets thrown into the fire. Time for the witch test.

I agree.

 

[MIXUM]

hes been out 2 weeks. original diagnosis was 4-6. now hes added a week on?

 

[hasoos]

hes been out 2 weeks. original diagnosis was 4-6. now hes added a week on?

I don't think so, last I had heard is just what you said. 4-6 weeks total. Were almost through with the bulk of Batums missed action as well. We only have about another 5 or so weeks until there will be a possibility of him coming back.

 

[oldmangrouch]

hes been out 2 weeks. original diagnosis was 4-6. now hes added a week on?

The original estimate was pure PR bull-dada. Didn't people learn anything from the Webster situation? The team spent an entire season telling people he was out 6 weeks.

 

[andalusian]

A trade makes sense, if only for the fact that we are under the cap this year, and will not next year. Might not even be a big one - but it would be stupid not to use it. Add the fact that we have too many guards, not enough centers, and not enough healthy small-forwards, and something needs to happen. Does not need to be a blockbuster. But, getting a prospect or just a healthy secondary big for cap relief/expiring makes sense.

 

[Nikolokolus]

A trade makes sense, if only for the fact that we are under the cap this year, and will not next year. Might not even be a big one - but it would be stupid not to use it. Add the fact that we have too many guards, not enough centers, and not enough healthy small-forwards, and something needs to happen. Does not need to be a blockbuster. But, getting a prospect or just a healthy secondary big for cap relief/expiring makes sense.

I totally agree. It might have to wait until closer to the deadline when teams will be more "eager" to deal, but I think something has got to give.

 

[BlazerBeav]

Maybe I'm overly optimistic, but I don't think the playoffs are out of the question. There continues to be a lot of bad teams in this league, and a lot of decent/good teams that don't have much inside.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

I would make a move only if we can get a fairly young, very good big man back. I can't think of any centers in the entire league that we would want that we could get. So I'm thinking of power forwards, with Aldridge playing more as a center.

I'm thinking David Lee.

Trades that would work salary-wise and might be acceptable to both teams:

1. Lee and Milicic for Miller, Outlaw, Pendergraph and Howard.

New York would do this if they thought that Miller and Outlaw would work great in their system. They might not want to take Miller because he has another year after this but for some reason they don't have to take nearly as much salary back as they give out on this trade so maybe it doesn't hurt them much.

2. Lee and Curry for Miller, Outlaw, Webster, Pendergraph and Howard.

I think this is a little more salary neutral for them since Curry's contract is so big.

3. Lee and milicic for Blake, Outlaw Webster and Pendergraph.

This is if they like Blake better than Miller, they would have to take back Webster's three years but the trade is unbalanced so they take back a lot less salary on a one year basis.

Of course we could throw in a first round draft pick on any of these trades and probably would need to, and our pick is getting more valuable as we lose players.

 

[KingSpeed]

I agree about making no movies. In fact, I now want to keep Andre Miller. I've been a big proponent of trading Miller but at this point, I think we need his scoring. And he's getting used to playing with these guys. I say we just play out the season. Despite all the injuries, we still have a lot of talent left on the team. That's how deep we were when the season began.

Go Blazers!!

Believe Harder.

 

[maxiep]

no schilly...

1. IF THEY COME BACK HEALTHY.

2. JOELS OUT AT LEAST 1 YEAR.

3. YOUR 2 STARS SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET U TO PLAYOFFS IF THEY ARE REALLY STARS.

4. IT GIVES YOU MORE CONFIDENCE.

5. LOSERS USE WHAT U SAID AS AN EXCUSE.


PLAYOFFS ARE A MUST

Didn't you bet that we'd miss the playoffs last year? Your comfort level with hypocricy is quite remarkable.

 

[mgb]

I can't rep you again so soon... but man I love the way you think!

I did it for you!

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

The Blazers aren't winning the championship this year, so why bother? Spend the rest of the year letting Roy get comfortable with Miller, develop Pendergraph and Mills. Maybe they'll get lucky again in the lottery. Maybe the San Antonio Spurs situation will repeat itself. If nothing else, the Blazer an start the 10-11 season with the same core group as this season, and KP can just move his timetable accordingly.

If anything, the Blazers should fire the entire training/medical staff, bring in all new, fresh people, and take all the players' rehabilitation with fresh looks and attitudes.

Agree 1,000,000%.

 

[Denny Crane]

Not if they have you and me as teammates. We'd hustle, but we'd still lose. Even with prime Michael Jordan.

Jordan would help, but nothing can make up for you escorting your man to the basket on defense.

 

[Denny Crane]

I wouldn't go so far as to say "no moves" period, but I wouldn't go about doing anything until the offseason unless some deal too good to be true is to be had.

The roster is already thin before Joel's injury, and even with a healthy Joel you aren't in a situation where a 2-for-1 to obtain a warm body to fill a position of need is going to help.

The plan going forward is 3 guards, LMA at C, and 12 minutes of whatever backups you can manage at C. Or you go even smaller and play without a C for some of the time.

 

[LittleAlex]

I agree about making no movies. In fact, I now want to keep Andre Miller. I've been a big proponent of trading Miller but at this point, I think we need his scoring. And he's getting used to playing with these guys. I say we just play out the season. Despite all the injuries, we still have a lot of talent left on the team. That's how deep we were when the season began.

Go Blazers!!

Believe Harder.

If there was ever a time for the coaching staff to allow the team to push the pace it is now.

Miller is a more then capable up-tempo point guard.

I just hope that is what they do.

 

[MIXUM]

Its safe to say we are the New York Mets from this past baseball season. We had huge expectations and lost half the team to injuries. You can only fix so many holes. Eventually... you just have no answer. mets didnt make a trade... we wont either.


season over.

 

[andalusian]

I agree about making no movies.

Some people are TV actors. Some people are movie stars. The Blazers are movie stars. I say, yes movies.

 

[Kaydow]

I would make a move only if we can get a fairly young, very good big man back. I can't think of any centers in the entire league that we would want that we could get. So I'm thinking of power forwards, with Aldridge playing more as a center.

I'm thinking David Lee.

Trades that would work salary-wise and might be acceptable to both teams:

1. Lee and Milicic for Miller, Outlaw, Pendergraph and Howard.

New York would do this if they thought that Miller and Outlaw would work great in their system. They might not want to take Miller because he has another year after this but for some reason they don't have to take nearly as much salary back as they give out on this trade so maybe it doesn't hurt them much.

2. Lee and Curry for Miller, Outlaw, Webster, Pendergraph and Howard.

I think this is a little more salary neutral for them since Curry's contract is so big.

3. Lee and milicic for Blake, Outlaw Webster and Pendergraph.

This is if they like Blake better than Miller, they would have to take back Webster's three years but the trade is unbalanced so they take back a lot less salary on a one year basis.

Of course we could throw in a first round draft pick on any of these trades and probably would need to, and our pick is getting more valuable as we lose players.

Forget it - the Knicks aren't trading Lee. He's one of their better players, and they think they are going to make the playoffs this season. But more importantly, he's an expiring contract. Everybody knows the Knicks want cap space for this off season. Plus, it would be very risky obtaining Lee with his Free Agency Looming. I don't know what the odds of him resigned here would be, but I would imagine not so good.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

Forget it - the Knicks aren't trading Lee. He's one of their better players, and they think they are going to make the playoffs this season. But more importantly, he's an expiring contract. Everybody knows the Knicks want cap space for this off season. Plus, it would be very risky obtaining Lee with his Free Agency Looming. I don't know what the odds of him resigned here would be, but I would imagine not so good.

You are probably right; but the Knicks might like to get something for him before they lose him for nothing. There were rumors that the Blazers would have made him an offer this summer except his agent told them he didnt think he would get enough playing time in Portland. In our current situation I think he could anticipate a lot of playing time for years. If the Knicks think they have a good chance at Chris Bosch, they might think it would be good to add a couple players (Miller and Outlaw) who they think will fit their system. And I don't think these trades would hurt their cap space that much.

So, yes it is unlikely but I think he is the kind of player we should be pursuing, somebody who would benefit us over the long run, and of course we would need some reassurance that he would stay in Portland.

 

[southnc]

This is a tough call.

You have to presume you'll get back Oden & Joel for next year. So, signing a long-term contract (or trading for one) on a center is probably a bad idea.

On the other hand, you do have 2 expirings (Blake & Outlaw) which is attractive to other teams. Do you use that for a decent front-man w/o a long-term contract?

 

[hasoos]

Hell we don't even know if Joel will be able to come back. This same injury has finished other players careers before.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

Hell we don't even know if Joel will be able to come back. This same injury has finished other players careers before.

I'd have to agree; neither of those guys was really that durable in the past and now they both have new and serious injuries. I think we have to find a fairly young big.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

Here's another try: Lee and Jeffries for Miller, Outlaw and Pendergraph and we throw in our first round pick if we can get assurance from Lee's agent that he'll sign here longterm.

I actually like this one the best; Jeffries is long and can guard small and power forwards, averages over two steals and a block a game.

This is almost salary neutral for NY and gives them more flexibility going forward. They only do this if they really like Miller and Outlaw and are pretty sure Lee won't resign with them.

 

[hasoos]

Here's another try: Lee and Jeffries for Miller, Outlaw and Pendergraph and we throw in our first round pick if we can get assurance from Lee's agent that he'll sign here longterm.

I actually like this one the best; Jeffries is long and can guard small and power forwards, averages over two steals and a block a game.

This is almost salary neutral for NY and gives them more flexibility going forward. They only do this if they really like Miller and Outlaw and are pretty sure Lee won't resign with them.

Jeffires blows ass in all other sections of the game besides defense though. That trade is not worth it IMO. You have to take David Lee's stats with a grain of salt too, he is in a running system that inflates his stats. In a half court system, he would be much more of a "meh" player.

 

[Minstrel]

I don't want any trades aimed at helping this season, if it significantly affects the future (trading someone like Batum, Bayless or Rudy)...unless the trade will also help into the future. It's not important to do a little bit better this season, in terms of record. It's important to get all the ducks lined up for next season and beyond. So if a good consolidation trade, that makes sense in a "next year" context, comes along...I'd do it, even if it means decimating depth this year even further. I want Bayless (and Batum and Rudy when they're back) to play big minutes, to make their roles next year much less ambiguous. Use this season as fodder for next season...forget record and do things that will help next year's team. By that I don't mean tank and try to lose...I'll still be happy when they win games. But winning games this year shouldn't be the focus of coaching or GM moves.