If Bayless is to improve, it won't be with the Blazers (unless EVERYONE gets injured). He didn't get minutes ahead of Sergio - and Nate HATED Sergio! He CERTAINLY isn't going to get minutes ahead of Miller. And as for shooting guard minutes - not only do we have Roy and Rudy, we have Webster coming back who might take spot SG minutes (after all, he was supposed to be a SG when we drafted him).
So... where's he going to play? I foresee even fewer minutes for him this year than last, and that's even if he's improved. How patient is he going to be? How much value will he have in trade if he never plays?
Here's a thought that keeps recurring: trade him to the Nets for Terrence Williams (11th pick for 11th pick). Williams is actually a better passer and a better defender, and can guard 3 positions, as well as play alongside other scorers (something Bayless is practically useless for). Terrence Williams has a lot
more potential as a PG of the future than Bayless does. Plus -
Brandon Roy taught him basketball!
And he has the endorsement of Nate's ex-teammate:
...