What is Matthews' value?

[Natebishop3]

Whether we keep Aldridge or trade him, I've got a feeling Wes might be gone before the season starts. Obviously I could be wrong, but we've been adding quite a few guards, so I'm curious:

What value do you think Wes has around the league? What do you realistically think we could get back for him?

I would like to expand this and also ask what you think Nic could bring back, but only if you have time

 

[magnifier661]

I think Matthews can be combined with Leonard for tremendous value. I'm wondering if batum, matthews and Leonard could net us melo?

 

[Rhal]

I think Matthews can be combined with Leonard for tremendous value. I'm wondering if batum, matthews and Leonard could net us melo?

Melo is on the last year of his deal isn't he? No way he stays in Portland after his contract is up, his wife was the one who wanted them to go to New York.

Mathews probably has decent value, not a ball handling two guard but shoots a high % from 3 and is a tenacious defender who gives it his all on most every play. Any team looking at the playoffs or above he would have value to, wouldn't have much value to a rebuilding team.

 

[magnifier661]

Melo is on the last year of his deal isn't he? No way he stays in Portland after his contract is up, his wife was the one who wanted them to go to New York.

Mathews probably has decent value, not a ball handling two guard but shoots a high % from 3 and is a tenacious defender who gives it his all on most every play. Any team looking at the playoffs or above he would have value to, wouldn't have much value to a rebuilding team.

Oh last year? Never mind then. I thought he was on the second year of a 5 year deal.

 

[Rhal]

Oh last year? Never mind then. I thought he was on the second year of a 5 year deal.

I thought he signed a 3 year extension when he got to NY and I believe he has been there for two full seasons. I'll double check real quick.

Edit - yep http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/nba/news/story?id=6145912 Signed a 3 year extension and 2 of those years are already up so he is on the final year of the deal.

 

[Natebishop3]

I thought he signed a 3 year extension when he got to NY and I believe he has been there for two full seasons. I'll double check real quick.

Edit - yep http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/nba/news/story?id=6145912 Signed a 3 year extension and 2 of those years are already up so he is on the final year of the deal.

Melo would definitely be a "swing for the fences" deal that I suggested a while back. If we really want to keep Aldridge, he could be the kind of player that might convince him to stay. Would he stay though? Maybe.... if we're winning.

 

[Run BJM]

Hes easily the most overvalued player on this board. You could realistically get back another solid role player on a similar deal, or maybe some low level prospects or late picks. No ones going to give up any kind of prospect with potential for him, let alone an established needle moving player. Even if you throw in Leonard with him.

If Matthews for Gortat was possible I'd jump at it.

 

[Run BJM]

Melo would definitely be a "swing for the fences" deal that I suggested a while back. If we really want to keep Aldridge, he could be the kind of player that might convince him to stay. Would he stay though? Maybe.... if we're winning.

You might be able to get him if you sent Dame to New York.

 

[Natebishop3]

You might be able to get him if you sent Dame to New York.

Too much for a player that could walk in a year. It's funny because, as good as Melo is, the guy isn't good enough to propel a team to a championship. He's a good second fiddle. Unfortunately, he isn't the second fiddle in New York.

 

[Run BJM]

Too much for a player that could walk in a year. It's funny because, as good as Melo is, the guy isn't good enough to propel a team to a championship. He's a good second fiddle. Unfortunately, he isn't the second fiddle in New York.

The Knicks have been mopping up on a pathetic (I can't stress the word pathetic enough) eastern conference lately and people are REALLY high on him right now. They wouldn't even be close to being considered a contender if they played in the west. The hype train wasn't derailed too much by their loss to the Pacers in the post season, but I think it illustrated that Melo and the Knicks aren't as good as advertised.

 

[Sean.ivity]

Too much for a player that could walk in a year. It's funny because, as good as Melo is, the guy isn't good enough to propel a team to a championship. He's a good second fiddle. Unfortunately, he isn't the second fiddle in New York.

Couldn't agree more with this post.

 

[Natebishop3]

The Knicks have been mopping up on a pathetic (I can't stress the word pathetic enough) eastern conference lately and people are REALLY high on him right now. They wouldn't even be close to being considered a contender if they played in the west. The hype train wasn't derailed too much by their loss to the Pacers in the post season, but I think it illustrated that Melo and the Knicks aren't as good as advertised.

I agree 100%. The guy is quite possibly the best pure scorer in the league, but that's all he is. He would be a great second fiddle. If you put Melo on the Clips with CP3 and Griffin, I think they would be a legit contender. I just don't put him on the same tier as a LeBron, or a Duncan (in his prime), or even a CP3. It's funny because I kind of put Durant on the same level as Melo. Amazing scorer, but is he good enough to win it all? I guess we'll see.

 

[magnifier661]

Matthews, + Freeland + Cap Space for Iggy in a sign and trade with Denver.

Denver wasn't a good perimeter team and having Matthews able to knock em down could be a good thing. Plus he's pretty good on D too!

 

[Natebishop3]

Matthews, + Freeland + Cap Space for Iggy in a sign and trade with Denver.

Denver wasn't a good perimeter team and having Matthews able to knock em down could be a good thing. Plus he's pretty good on D too!

I think it might require Batum.

Nic + Freeland is about 13 million. We could still sign Wright and maybe look for a backup point guard.

 

[Rhal]

Matthews, + Freeland + Cap Space for Iggy in a sign and trade with Denver.

Denver wasn't a good perimeter team and having Matthews able to knock em down could be a good thing. Plus he's pretty good on D too!

They don't do that but my god... if we got that deal I'd shit my pants. We would be a real threat next season.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Natebishop3]

They don't do that but my god... if we got that deal I'd shit my pants. We would be a real threat next season.

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I'm sure it's better than nothing for Denver, but like I said, I think Nic/Freeland guarantees it gets done.

 

[OregonHuskerMan]

I agree 100%. The guy is quite possibly the best pure scorer in the league, but that's all he is. He would be a great second fiddle. If you put Melo on the Clips with CP3 and Griffin, I think they would be a legit contender. I just don't put him on the same tier as a LeBron, or a Duncan (in his prime), or even a CP3. It's funny because I kind of put Durant on the same level as Melo. Amazing scorer, but is he good enough to win it all? I guess we'll see.

I think Durant is a better passer/playmaker than Melo.

But Melo is also a helluva rebounder.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Matthews is most valuable as our most intense player and, more often than not, +/- leader last year. As he has represented the Blazers in an official capacity (at the lottery, I think?) very recently, I don't see him being moved.

 

[Natebishop3]

I think Durant is a better passer/playmaker than Melo.

But Melo is also a helluva rebounder.

They're not identical, obviously, but I think they're both at about the same talent level. The fact that OKC went to shit after Westbrook went down diminishes Durant a bit in my eyes.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

I think Matthews can be combined with Leonard for tremendous value.

I think you're very wrong.

 

[OregonHuskerMan]

Start Lillard Iggy Batum Aldridge Lopez? Defensively, we'd certainly be better. Our bench would have more depth. But I'm not sure Iggy puts us over the top.

 

[Natebishop3]

Start Lillard Iggy Batum Aldridge Lopez? Defensively, we'd certainly be better. Our bench would have more depth. But I'm not sure Iggy puts us over the top.

Over the top in what way? We're not a contender, if that's what you mean, but I think we could get out of the first round.

 

[OregonHuskerMan]

They're not identical, obviously, but I think they're both at about the same talent level. The fact that OKC went to shit after Westbrook went down diminishes Durant a bit in my eyes.

*shrug* I'm one of the very few people who think Westbrook could possibly be better than Durant.

 

[Natebishop3]

*shrug* I'm one of the very few people who think Westbrook could possibly be better than Durant.

I don't think Westbrook is "better" than Durant, but I think he has the killer instinct that guys like Kobe, Jordan, etc have/had. Durant seems too nice to me. He's one of the best players in the league, top five talent, but he won't push Westbrook out of the way and demand control of the team.

 

[OregonHuskerMan]

Over the top in what way? We're not a contender, if that's what you mean, but I think we could get out of the first round.

You essentially dedicate yourself to Iggy (12 million at least) Batum (11 million) Aldridge (16 million?+) Damian (10+ million) over the longhaul. Thats 50 million at least of salary cap right there. (Very rough estimates). Does that core 4 put you in contention for a championship? I'm not sure.

Say Damian is all-star caliber, maybe has a couple MVP-borderline seasons. He is your #1 fiddle.
Aldridge stays the same. #2 guy.
Iggy and Batum fight it out for #3, but they are both rather passive and like to create. Neither of them can really create their OWN shot though, and Iggy has declined every year.

Just not sure how that lineup can compete for a title - or if they would rather. A lot hinges on Damian and I guess McCollum to a lesser extent.

 

[Natebishop3]

What would you think of Danny Granger? Coming off an injury, kind of old, but a good talent when he's healthy. He put up 18 per game before he got hurt. He was one of the best scorers in the league. I wonder if he could be had for Wes/Freeland/cap space.

Lillard
Batum
Granger
Aldridge
Lopez

 

[OregonHuskerMan]

I don't think Westbrook is "better" than Durant, but I think he has the killer instinct that guys like Kobe, Jordan, etc have/had. Durant seems too nice to me. He's one of the best players in the league, top five talent, but he won't push Westbrook out of the way and demand control of the team.

I think if you factor in defense, which is silly underrated by fans, Westbrook is the better overall player. But, defense doesn't get the love offense does because its not quantifiable by stats such as PPG, RBG, or APG.

For instance, Memphis (almost) let Tony Allen walk (supposedly) but people forget their are two ends to a basketball court.

Durant is better offensively and Melo is probably better than him, but I'd take Durant all other things being equal because Durant at least tries on D and doesn't just jack shit up. I understand my belief isn't widely shared, just to me, defense wins championships coupled with offense. Thats what makes LeBron the best player right now.

 

[OregonHuskerMan]

What would you think of Danny Granger? Coming off an injury, kind of old, but a good talent when he's healthy. He put up 18 per game before he got hurt. He was one of the best scorers in the league. I wonder if he could be had for Wes/Freeland/cap space.

Lillard
Batum
Granger
Aldridge
Lopez

I would certainly be more open to that. Especially if Batum is going to continue with the passivity stuff. I like Iggy for his defense, but I'm just not sure how he'll hold up over the next couple years. Granger is also coming off of injury and looked absolutely horrible when he returned (briefly). I think Granger fits the mold of a SF that can get his own shot though.

 

[Natebishop3]

I would certainly be more open to that. Especially if Batum is going to continue with the passivity stuff. I like Iggy for his defense, but I'm just not sure how he'll hold up over the next couple years. Granger is also coming off of injury and looked absolutely horrible when he returned (briefly). I think Granger fits the mold of a SF that can get his own shot though.

You've got to think he'll regain some of his form when he's fully healthy. He averaged almost 19 ppg in 2011-2012.

 

[Rhal]

You've got to think he'll regain some of his form when he's fully healthy. He averaged almost 19 ppg in 2011-2012.

I'm scared of Granger because of his injury. I was listening to a podcast during the NBA season this year that had Stephania Bell on it (She is one of ESPN's Injury Specialist) and she was talking about how the injury to Granger is one that he wont recover 100% from and its going to effect him for the rest of his career, she just wasn't sure how badly it will effect him but was adamant on him not being able to recover from it 100%