Utah's bigs

[Rastapopoulos]

Utah now has Al Jefferson and Enes Kanter (aren't they the same player?) AND Derrick Favors (who Chad Ford said would "no question" have been the #1 pick in this draft if he'd stayed in college one more year) AND Milsap.

That's a lot of beef. Seems to me the one that needs to go is Jefferson. They picked him up with a trade exception they got for Boozer. I think they should offer him to Cleveland for their LeBron James exception. If the Cavs want to unload salary instead, how about we get involved? I like this idea:

Cleveland gets Al Jefferson (works with Tristan Thompson who is a defender but not a scorer, the opposite of Jefferson)
Portland gets Varejao and either Ramon Sessions (who would get cut) or Raja Bell (who might not)
Utah gets Marcus Camby (and possibly Ramon Sessions for Raja Bell)

Yes, I still long for Varejao. Trouble is, so does his old coach, who is reportedly lobbying hard for the Lakers to trade for him. I can see them offering The Artist formerly known as Artest or even possibly Lamar Odom, which might be more tempting, especially as Cleveland could get Jefferson for that exception.

 

[HailBlazers]

This is the Million Dollar Question IMO. What will Portland do to stack up in a conference that just got tougher.

 

[Mediocre Man]

This is the Million Dollar Question IMO. What will Portland do to stack up in a conference that just got tougher.

It is an absolutely foolish, and risky plan, but I think they just have to hope to fuck that Oden can play a little this season.

Either that or bite the bullet and deal Batum or Crash for an established front line guy.

 

[Pinwheel1]

This is the Million Dollar Question IMO. What will Portland do to stack up in a conference that just got tougher.

I don't see how Utah and Minnesota got better for next year. They added unproven rookies. Of course we always have to get better, but yesterday did nothing to make them leap frog us.

 

[Draco]

I don't see how Utah and Minnesota got better for next year. They added unproven rookies. Of course we always have to get better, but yesterday did nothing to make them leap frog us.

Perhaps Utah and Minnesota did get better, but those teams improvement is irrelevant to our success next season. An improved Utah or Minnesota team will not be fighting for a playoff spot. We only need to worry about the teams that actually did make the playoffs last season.

 

[Draco]

This could be a possible trade deadline deal. If the Utah frontcourt doesn't have a big injury it could be a crowded place after a few months. Canter and Favors would be the two future starters, and Millsap the main backup. They might be willing to unload the year and a half left on Jefferson's contract for an expiring. So yes, at the deadline I could see a Camby for Jefferson deal happening.

Also if Felton isn't fitting in at PG we may be interested in doing the same with Devin Harris.

I think these trades would be much less likely at the moment. Utah isn't sure how all the big men fit in, maybe Canter is a flop or Jefferson is the best of the bunch. Utah perhaps thinks they have a chance at contending for a playoff spot, they would be more likely to do a deal during the year when the playoffs are out of reach.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

or you know, they could just keep them and kick our ass for the next decade or so

 

[HailBlazers]

I don't see how Utah and Minnesota got better for next year. They added unproven rookies. Of course we always have to get better, but yesterday did nothing to make them leap frog us.

I said tougher, not better. I'm not worried about them leap frogging us, I'm worried about Teams pushing us around/Imposing their will, It's a long season.

IMO you control the glass/paint you control the game. If you wanna be known as a defensive team it starts there.

 

[Mediocre Man]

I said tougher, not better. I'm not worried about them leap frogging us, I'm worried about Teams pushing us around/Imposing their will, It's a long season.

IMO you control the glass/paint you control the game. If you wanna be known as a defensive team it starts there.

Why isn't Utah better than us next year?

 

[Rastapopoulos]

or you know, they could just keep them and kick our ass for the next decade or so

If they keep Jefferson, they won't be kicking anybody's ass. He gives up more than he provides. He's the player Zach used to be before he was teamed up with Marc Gasol.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Why isn't Utah better than us next year?

Because they're really soft in the middle, Devin Harris will be injured again and doesn't fit anyway, and neither of their guards can hit from the outside. And Favors is still really raw. They'll be like the Clippers were this season. If they're lucky.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I said tougher, not better. I'm not worried about them leap frogging us, I'm worried about Teams pushing us around/Imposing their will, It's a long season.

IMO you control the glass/paint you control the game. If you wanna be known as a defensive team it starts there.

OK so who got "tougher" last night? The Jazz with Kanter? Who we have not seen play. Who else?

I agree we need a tough center if Oden is not able to go. But if a player does not have skills they will not play. Not sure what players in the draft last night is tough and skilled enough to make a difference.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Another thought: Houston is another team that now has too many PFs, especially if Patrick Patterson is a keeper. They've got Patterson, Jordan Hill, Luis Scola and Marcus Morris (who wants to be a SF but is probably too slow). Scola is starting to get up there - they'll keep him if Yao can play again, but if not, I wonder if he's gettable.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

If they keep Jefferson, they won't be kicking anybody's ass. He gives up more than he provides. He's the player Zach used to be before he was teamed up with Marc Gasol.

ahh so a younger zbo, yeah that would suck as your 4th best big