Prince frustrated; Marion on trade block

[mook]

After the Portland game:

Curry simply said: "Tay didn't play well tonight." That was news to Prince, who expressed disbelief when told about Curry's comments. "Huh?" said Prince, who scored 10 points on 4-for-8 shooting in 22 minutes. "Wow, I thought I was playing pretty good if you ask me. ... I don't know. It's up to them to see what's going on, and I guess their decision was to sit me down. I was playing well." Prince expressed frustration with his point-forward role. "I was upset when I came out of the game in the first quarter because I thought I started the game off well trying to get the guys in the flow. It's always tough for me because I'm in the position where I'm put at the point-guard position; I'm trying to make plays for them, get them guys going. Sometimes I'm going to have a good night doing it. Sometimes it's going to take me out of my rhythm." And he had still more to say: "I don't know what's going. Hopefully, they could have said something after the game to let us know, but they didn't do it." Detroit Free Press

Prince really did look frustrated at his teammates during the game.
I doubt Detroit trades Prince, but it does make you dream, doesn't it? You could send a package including Bayless, Outlaw and Webster, and Detroit would be nicely reloaded.

An NBA source said the disappointing Heat have been heating up their efforts to move four-time All-Star forward Shawn Marion, who is making $17.8 million in the final year of his contract.
Boston Globe

Seems like a Raef+Outlaw (or Webster) plus a pick would get that done. Hard to imagine them getting much more for Marion, given that he's a free agent at the end of the year.

 

[Crimson the Cat]

Is Prince or Marion going to be fine with coming off the bench?

With Batum playing so well, I don't see Pritchard making a move for a starting SF.

 

[Tortimer]

I would take Prince but sort of doubt the Pistons would trade him. He has played well most of the year.

I was earlier thinking Marion would be a pretty good fit with his contract and if he didn't work out we could not sign him back and still have the cap space next summer. I now think with Batum playing so well and Webster coming back I don't think we need to trade for a SF anymore. I could see us trading for a PG but even then unless we get a good veteran PG that fits I wouldn't even try to trade for a PG.

I know we need to consolidate our roster and I have really been trying to figure how we can do that but I'm beginning to think we don't make any trades this year. We then try and make a trade this summer or let some of the players go like Frye who I really like.

The one position I would like to add maybe through the draft is a center. It isn't because I'm not happy with Oden but just would like a project center that we can developed and be our backup if Joel isn't resigned or wants to leave because he isn't starting. If we can get a good project center in the draft this year that can bang and develop over the next couple years I would be very happy. I like Frye but he isn't a center and if Oden is injured or Joel gets traded or next year doesn't want to stay because of not getting enough minutes I think we need another center.

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

I'm happy with Batum and Webster as our SF's.

 

[crowTrobot]

Seems like a Raef+Outlaw (or Webster) plus a pick would get that done. Hard to imagine them getting much more for Marion, given that he's a free agent at the end of the year.

yes lets give up 2 valuable assets + a pick to rent an aging player who isn't playing any more effectively than batum right now and give him all batum's minutes, then watch him walk at the end of the season because someone else will want to overpay him. brilliant.

 

[drexlersdad]

i would be in favor of tayshaun or maybe even jamison, that might really put us over the top for the next couple of years. we dont need all of our players to be the same age, it makes no sense. and in a couple of years, those players will be large expirings as well.

 

[Nikolokolus]

yes lets give up 2 valuable assets + a pick to rent an aging player who isn't playing any more effectively than batum right now and give him all batum's minutes, then watch him walk at the end of the season because someone else will want to overpay him. brilliant.

Worst case scenario, Marion comes off the books and we're still "stuck" with a boatload of capspace. Best case he turns out to be the missing piece to put us in title contention and he agrees to sign for a reasonable contract (something in the 8-10 million range for 3 years might do it).

In any case, I don't covet Marion and I think we can get by just fine without him.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

Worst case scenario, Marion comes off the books and we're still "stuck" with a boatload of capspace. Best case he turns out to be the missing piece to put us in title contention and he agrees to sign for a reasonable contract (something in the 8-10 million range for 3 years might do it).

In any case, I don't covet Marion and I think we can get by just fine without him.

Actually worst case senario is you trade a Webster or Outlaw (+Raef) and Marion walks at the end of the year and Webster or Outlaw blow up and become all stars. Also, by making the trade you burn up Raef's expiring contract and other trade possiblities. Add to that formula that Marion isn't afraid to complain about playing time and there is a possiblity of creating a toxic mix in Blazer land while losing two assets.

 

[crowTrobot]

Worst case scenario, Marion comes off the books and we're still "stuck" with a boatload of capspace. Best case he turns out to be the missing piece to put us in title contention and he agrees to sign for a reasonable contract (something in the 8-10 million range for 3 years might do it).

worst case scenario is we stunt batum and webster's confidence and growth to give big minutes to someone who isn't any better than batum and isn't likley to be part of long-term plans.

 

[BrianFromWA]

If you don't make a trade, you burn up RLEC. I'm not saying I want Marion, but I'm not sure sticking heads in the sand Chicago-style and thinking your team is set seems a little off to me.

 

[Tortimer]

If you don't make a trade, you burn up RLEC. I'm not saying I want Marion, but I'm not sure sticking heads in the sand Chicago-style and thinking your team is set seems a little off to me.

I don't think you make a trade just to make a trade. We would be better letting our players walk like Frye, Ike then making a bad trade which Marion etc would be. If we could get the right fit like a Prince sure go ahead and make the trade. I'm sure KP is trying to get the right fit like Prince. I would guess now unless a real good fit comes up that we could trade just LaFrenz and maybe one or two of our players there will be no trades. I also want to win now but most of the trades that are available won't help us win. Like I said a Prince or Harris or someone like that would be great but I highly doubt that it would happen.

 

[andalusian]

This team needs to consolidate some talent. So far - there are not a lot of cries about minutes (other than Sergio) - but you can not expect it to continue like that.

The team has too many small-forwards, the team is questionable in long-term PG and to a degree in the long-term backup PF positions. Attacking the rim off the dribble is also a concern - we have Roy who is one of the best in the league doing it - but after that - we only have Bayless's potential. The team needs an upgrade in PG defense (again, maybe the solution is Bayless) and another post scorer would not hurt (we have Greg, LaMarcus sometimes and Ike if we want to pretend that he is actually a productive NBA player).

I think it would be crazy not to use Raef's expiring in some way, shape or form - either via a trade or in free-agency.

Personally, I would not touch Marion with a 10-ft pole. Prince is also much less of a need with Batum and either Outlaw or Webster on the roster.

Personally, I would look into getting someone like Jason Maxiel or Landry or Milsap if the opportunity presents itself (but for all we know - Freeland might be the answer there).

Conley would be very nice as a long-term backup PG on this team - but I do not think you rush to make this deal. Oden will be fine with Conley on the roster or not.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

I hear Amare is frustrated.

 

[BIG Q]

If you don't make a trade, you burn up RLEC. I'm not saying I want Marion, but I'm not sure sticking heads in the sand Chicago-style and thinking your team is set seems a little off to me.

It is not "Chicago-style." The Baby Bulls never had a post game, and after drafting Thomas and Noah, they still don't. They wasted their cap space on Ben freaking Wallace. They did not put their heads in the sand, they drafted poorly and also spent their free agent dollars poorly. Now they are suffering for it. They still need a post game.

Portland has a good combo of a post and perimeter game with lots of depth. What this team needs is experience. That comes with playing. If we are truly 2 years away from being contenders, then just develop our youth and they will soon be seasoned vets.

 

[crowTrobot]

If you don't make a trade, you burn up RLEC.

better to let him walk than to force a trade that doesn't improve us long-term. anyway letting him walk, or possibly trading him for a roll player who expires in 2010 might be our best shot at getting one of the big 2010 names.

but I'm not sure sticking heads in the sand Chicago-style and thinking your team is set seems a little off to me.

normally yes, but you also have to consider how special what batum is doing right now at age 19 is. in a year or two he could easlily be better than any SF we could realistically trade for right now.

 

[1 Eye Jack]

I hear Amare is frustrated.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Actually worst case senario is you trade a Webster or Outlaw (+Raef) and Marion walks at the end of the year and Webster or Outlaw blow up and become all stars. Also, by making the trade you burn up Raef's expiring contract and other trade possiblities. Add to that formula that Marion isn't afraid to complain about playing time and there is a possiblity of creating a toxic mix in Blazer land while losing two assets.

Ridiculous, neither Outlaw or Martell are ever going to be all-stars.

None of this shit matters anyway, I don't see KP trading for Marion.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

 

[hasoos]

If you were actually watching the Blazer footage the other day, you will note, Webster and Batum were taking the same shots, from the same spots on the floor. This is because in the Blazers offense, they are set up for shots, on a certain part of the floor, in order to play a certain role. Both of those guys can fit that role well, as you have noticed Batum is now knocking those shots down with regularity, part of that being for the young guys, is where exactly the shot is coming from, and being comfortable with it. Now that being said, I am unsure if either of those dudes(Marion, Prince) would fit here. Marion is out of Phoenix for a reason. That reason is because he was a dickhead. If you want the type of player who values himself above the rest of the team, you pick up Marion. As for Prince, I believe he is struggling with the point forward role, and that is what happens when AI comes to a team. When AI is on your team, there are so many players that have to do things in their role to adjust because of things AI will not do. AI will not set up an offense. AI often doesn't like to bring the ball up the floor. AI will not set up Richard Hamilton. Hence Prince brings up the ball, because AI won't do what AI won't do. Now Prince is unhappy, so what have you gained? Now that being said, of the 2 guys listed above, I would go for Prince because he is more versatile and a better defender. I also believe he buys into the team concept more.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

Ridiculous, neither Outlaw or Martell are ever going to be all-stars.

None of this shit matters anyway, I don't see KP trading for Marion.

About as ridiculous as Marion being the "missing piece to put us in title contention and he agrees to sign for a reasonable contract"

 

[Nikolokolus]

About as ridiculous as Marion being the "missing piece to put us in title contention and he agrees to sign for a reasonable contract"

I said that was a best case, not probable.

 

[LittleAlex]

I hear Amare is frustrated.

Because he doesn't believe he is the focal point of the offense. This is when he is getting the most shots and minutes on the team.

He is a talented player who thinks he is better then he actually is. I would have a hard time swallowing Amare as a blazer.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

I said that was a best case, not probable.

You gave a worst case senario and best case senario with regard to Marion. A couple posters explained that wasn't the worst case senario and I gave an example. You discredit my worst case senario example because it was ridiculous.

My point is no it was no more ridiculous than your best case senario.

 

[Nikolokolus]

You gave a worst case senario and best case senario with regard to Marion. A couple posters explained that wasn't the worst case senario and I gave an example. You discredit my worst case senario example because it was ridiculous.

My point is no it was no more ridiculous than your best case senario.

I just don't get why you are so certain that Marion would be a locker room cancer, or wouldn't be productive? I think it's slightly more likely that Marion could be a good fit at small forward than it is likely that Martell and Outlaw blow up (ala Jermaine O'Neal) elsewhere, or Batum wilts because he's given less minutes in his rookie season.

I was never advocating that KP should do whatever it takes to get Marion, I was simply pointing out that you have to at least consider the pluses and minuses of a trade for him. Personally I think it ends up being a push and not worth doing.

 

[1 Eye Jack]

Not sure if you've seen all the articles on Amare over the last couple of years. He is a me first guy who as recently as yesterday said the offense should run through him. Talent wise as good as it gets but a cancer as a teammate. We have some great things going bringing in a cancer could ruin everything KP has built.

 

[BlazersBlood]

I just don't get why you are so certain that Marion would be a locker room cancer, or wouldn't be productive? I think it's slightly more likely that Marion could be a good fit at small forward than it is likely that Martell and Outlaw blow up (ala Jermaine O'Neal) elsewhere, or Batum wilts because he's given less minutes in his rookie season.

I was never advocating that KP should do whatever it takes to get Marion, I was simply pointing out that you have to at least consider the pluses and minuses of a trade for him. Personally I think it ends up being a push and not worth doing.

Marion during his best times in Phoenix played at PF. When he played SF, he was a liability because he didn't have the quickness advantage.

Sure Marion is a great defender, but he's best at the 4 in an uptempo offense. I don't think he'd be a good fit.

On top of that, if he had ego issues playing with the most unselfish PG in the game, how the hell would he be content playing 2nd or 3rd banana on the Blazers? Marion would be a bad idea.

 

[MAS RipCity]

Antwan Jamison would be PERFECT off the bench, BUT his deal is really long, so KP has o be sure he is the guy we use our space with.
I think Channing, Martell, Raef and a future pick would be enough.
PG-Blake/Rodriguez/Bayless
SG-Roy/Rudy
SF-Batum/(Trav/Jamison)
PF-LMA/(Trav/Jamison)/Diagu
C- Oden/Pryzbilla

That right there could get it all the way DONE! Jamison has been on a losing team for so long, I don't think he'd min being a backup. I love our versatility off of the bench, but again, it comes down to how KP wants to use our cap space.