Who will be out there in free agency for backup PF/C?

[jaspitzer]

I've been posting for months that I would mostly like to see us go after A) Marc Gasol B) Nene C) DeAndre Jordan... I would also like Kenyon Martin, he could give Greg a lot of advice about injuries and surgeries. Give him some confidence too. I think he's one of the few players to ever make the comeback after micro-fracture surgery. We really need to make another free agency splash this offseason. I'm tired of seeing Wallace not playing his true position. He may flourish as a 3 in portland, but until we get another backup PF we'll never know.

 

[Public Defender]

I think DeAndre Jordan would be great, but I don't know that the Blazers are going to be able to attract him. Outbidding the Clippers shouldn't be too hard - it's the rest of the NBA I'd be worried about!

 

[shamelessblazer]

I still think we should make a move for Millsap. His defense is sub-par, but the move by nature is a gamble that Greg can come back. If Oden comes back then Millsap will always be playing with two of Wallace/Batum and Aldridge/Oden/Camby, I think it's fine to have one weak link if they bring scoring and rebounding.

For this season we get by for the first half(?) without him and rely on Camby and/or re-signed Joel, we're just really screwed if camby goes down and then aldridge has to play center a ton. But say at the end of the season, camby retires, if greg's back it's Millsap/Aldridge/Oden. Obviously Aldridge plays some 4 and 5, but he's always next to an elite rebounder and can leak out for the break. Millsap would be perfect next to Oden with his mid-range jumper and energy, and I think he can defend the lesser of the 4/5 perfectly adequately most of the time, it just is tough when he's currently with Okur, Jefferson, and Favors because none of them are adequate defenders either.

As far as saying he couldn't be had, I just don't buy it. The Utah boards (not that they matter that much) really seem to think he could be had and want a shooting guard really badly. They'd like to have Wes back, and I don't think it's that unrealistic to shoot for Wes + our first rounder next year, Babbit, and filler for Millsap might work. It's a gamble on Roy's knees, but we could always try to get Raja Bell thrown in, which would make it less so.

Felton/Smith/Johnson
Roy/Bell
Wallace/Batum
Aldridge/Millsap
Camby/Aldridge/Johnson (Oden when healthy)

I like that 9 man rotation, if nate allows them to run. I think there's plenty of rebounding (Millsap, Camby) and defense (Felton, Wallace, Oden) to set up the running game too.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

There are a lot of rumors that the Portland Trail Blazers are targeting Nene from the Denver Nuggets during the NBA offseason. It's time to officially throw some water on those rumors.

With no ability to sign Nene as a free agent and the Nuggets extremely unlikely to trade him to the Blazers, there doesn't seem to be a scenario where he would be coming to Portland anytime soon. It's not the news that some Blazers fans want to hear, because Nene would certainly work well in the same lineup as LaMarcus Aldridge(notes) and Gerald Wallace(notes), giving the team even more length. It's simply not going to happen though.

Just a Denver Fan's take: LINK​

 

[3RA1N1AC]

I've said this before a long time ago, but I would do a toxic offer to Marc Gasol, if only just to piss off the Grizzlies.

gasol should get a bigger deal than the mle anyways

 

[glazeduck]

A name that was being thrown around a lot on draft day was Robin Lopez. He seems like a younger Joel to me, and fits what I envision us looking for in a 4th or 5th big man option...

Off of ESPN's list, the other names that stick out to me are Jeff Green (pipedream as a stretch 4, I know), Big Baby, Troy Murphy, Tyson Chandler, Nene, Jerebko, Wilcox, Lou Amondson, Chuck Hayes, McRoberts, DeAndre Jordan, Marc Gasol, Kris Humphries, Aaron Gray, DJ Mbenga, Earl Clark, Dalembert, Joey Dorsey, and AK47...

Obviously much of this is subject to change pending a new CBA, but these are the guys that stick out to me. On the positive side of things, I see Chris Johnson as having a real chance to stick for us as a backup big. LOVED what we saw from him in the playoffs.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Some names you haven't mentioned (probably because you didn't think them worth it):

Andrei Kirilenko: I wonder if he'd agree to the MLE after so many years of being outrageously overpaid. At this stage he's made the Robert Horry transition from SF to PF. This would mean more minutes for Aldridge at the 5, obviously, but with Wallace at the 3 it might balance out.
Dante Cunningham: Seriously. Obviously can't play C, but is probably bigger than Faried.
Shelden Williams: maybe we can get a Duke thing going here...
Brian Cardinal: Hey - they took Rudy, and playing Cardinal over Peja was the turning point in the finals...
Hamed Haddadi: serious rebounder... feet of lead.
Dan Gadzuric: has stuck in the NBA for surprisingly long.
Francisco Elson: didn't he start for the Spurs once? And are both he and Gadzuric Dutch?
Kyrylo Fesenko: funny guy and actually not untalented.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

On the positive side of things, I see Chris Johnson as having a real chance to stick for us as a backup big. LOVED what we saw from him in the playoffs.

Supposedly he has already put on (the semi-mythical) 15lbs of muscle since the playoffs...

And hey, what about Babbitt as that "stretch 4"? If he and Johnson can just be force-fed creatine for a few months and forced to wrestle alligators or something...

 

[Blazinaway]

I think DeAndre Jordan would be great, but I don't know that the Blazers are going to be able to attract him. Outbidding the Clippers shouldn't be too hard - it's the rest of the NBA I'd be worried about!

how do we out bid anyone when we have no capspace? and who knows what the new CBA will bring in terms of an MLE

 

[Blaze01]

Some names you haven't mentioned (probably because you didn't think them worth it):

Andrei Kirilenko: I wonder if he'd agree to the MLE after so many years of being outrageously overpaid. At this stage he's made the Robert Horry transition from SF to PF. This would mean more minutes for Aldridge at the 5, obviously, but with Wallace at the 3 it might balance out.
Dante Cunningham: Seriously. Obviously can't play C, but is probably bigger than Faried.
Shelden Williams: maybe we can get a Duke thing going here...
Brian Cardinal: Hey - they took Rudy, and playing Cardinal over Peja was the turning point in the finals...
Hamed Haddadi: serious rebounder... feet of lead.
Dan Gadzuric: has stuck in the NBA for surprisingly long.
Francisco Elson: didn't he start for the Spurs once? And are both he and Gadzuric Dutch?
Kyrylo Fesenko: funny guy and actually not untalented.

If POR ends up with someone from that list then they really have screwed up in the FA market....

They need a solid 4, preferably one who can score...

Target New Orleans, they are strapped for cash and if West opts out (rumours are he will) then target him or go after Landry with a toxic offer, best case for POR is that New Orleans will likely have to choose b\t the two and chances are they will not resign both....

After that, I would go after a big man, either DeAndre Jordan a RFA from the Clips or Marc Gasol an RFA from MEM....I thnk MEM will resign Gasol at any cost, but it would be great brinksmanship by POR to leverage a MEM owner (Heisley) who already has Gay and Zach signed to BIG long term contracts and now you add Gasol, and he has to resign Mayo.

Or go after Jordan, LA Clips owner (Donald Sterling) is a notorious tightwad, sign Jordan to a toxic heavily cash front loaded contract and force Sterling to part with his cash, he has claimed that he will resign Jordan no matter what, he has siad similiar before and then let a player walk. Force his hand again....
I think Eric Gordon is coming up for a new contract soom too? Or maybe you threaten to sign Jordan and then negotiate a deal to pickup Kaman on the chaep...that is probably why they are shopping him in the first place (to cut salary)...

 

[glazeduck]

how do we out bid anyone when we have no capspace? and who knows what the new CBA will bring in terms of an MLE

Obviously it depends on how the CBA shakes out, but - and this is a serious question that may, or may not answer yours - how many teams expected to be under the salary cap will seriously influence our odds of being able to provide a competitive offer to a big man...

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

One thing this thread seems to illustrate, is, that there may be a lot more adequate/good backup PF's available than backup PG's, which might help explain why Blazers took Smith.

 

[Blazinaway]

One thing this thread seems to illustrate, is, that there may be a lot more adequate/good backup PF's available than backup PG's, which might help explain why Blazers took Smith.

as far as a C goes, I'm actually more interested in next summer as we have the "potential" to be WAY under the cap if there is an amnesty clause that allows ROY to be gone with no cap implications. If I'm the Blazeras I try to plug some holes in what will likely be a strike shortened season, and see what gives next summer.

Anyone know the FA "center" or PF/C list for summer of 2012?

OK, did a little research - UFA Centers for 2012 which would garner any interest are Dwight-Bynum-Kamam-Okur

 

[Minstrel]

OK, did a little research - UFA Centers for 2012 which would garner any interest are Dwight-Bynum-Kaman-Okur

And Oden, depending on what happens, both contract-wise and performance-wise, this year.

 

[Blazinaway]

And Oden, depending on what happens, both contract-wise and performance-wise, this year.

lol yeah, I thought Oden was obvious

 

[Targus]

Martin

 

[MickZagger]

Supposedly he has already put on (the semi-mythical) 15lbs of muscle since the playoffs...

And hey, what about Babbitt as that "stretch 4"? If he and Johnson can just be force-fed creatine for a few months and forced to wrestle alligators or something...

Link on the 15lbs of muscle?

 

[Blazinaway]

Link on the 15lbs of muscle?

funny I could of sworn I heard Chad B say 8

 

[Run BJM]

Matt Steinmentz says Portland one of a few teams (Houston the only other one listed) inquiring about Andris Biedrins...

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Matt Steinmentz says Portland one of a few teams (Houston the only other one listed) inquiring about Andris Biedrins...

Interesting. Are the Warriors ready to let Ekpe Udoh start at C?

 

[Run BJM]

He started the last couple months of last season and the team was much, much better with him on the court. Ultimately hes really more of a PF though he'd be a fine 3rd big on a good team. Udoh said he planned on adding weight all summer but I haven't heard any updates on that. I do believe the Warriors will go after a big starting C this offseason though and play Udoh as that 4/5 off the bench. If they don't get a new C and are stuck with Udoh/Beans then UDoh is really the guy who earned the job last season. That said, they wouldn't want to wreck Biedrins' value so they may just start him but play him fewer minutes.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

The last two seasons he put up a 12.6-PER. The epitome of 'meh'.

What are the Warriors looking for in return?

 

[Pinwheel1]

The last two seasons he put up a 12.6-PER. The epitome of 'meh'.

What are the Warriors looking for in return?[/QUOTE]

They would take Camby in a heart beat. Biedrin has 3 years at 10.5. Camby has one year of 11.0
You want him? he is ours, No doubt in my mind. Damn the new CBA, With the old rules I let paul go over the cap. Yes I know he is over paid. But most of them are.


Edit: The numbers are off between hoopshype, and this website. Either way, GS saves 2 extra years by trading Biedins for Camby.

 

[Run BJM]

Pretty much what Pinwheel said. We'd like him gone. But we do need a C to fill in for him. Hes a potential target for amnesty but its sort of up in the air because there has been some trade interest. Why amnesty him and his ~30 mil over 3 years when you could just trade for Thabeet + Hill (both expiring) and amnesty one of them and save 25 mil?

I'd definitely move him for Camby. I'd move him for expiring contracts or any decent prospects. We would have an even bigger hole at C though so I'm not sure it solves anything. After all we could just keep him and as the years dwindle down he'll gain trade value. Hes still only like 24 years old and used to be a double double machine. Hes had "confidence issues" and there's even rumors he may be struggling with alcoholism but I'm not sure there's anything substantial to that. Anyway he'd be fine if he got back to being a top 5 player in rebound rate and FG% like he was for a couple years. Something happened to him mentally though and hes dealt with a lot of injuries the last few seasons.

 

[Masbee]

Why do several posters keep talking about making "toxic offers" to other team's free agents?

The Blazers are above the current cap. They have no cap space to make an offer to any good free agents.

Am I missing something here?

We either sign minimum salary players. Or use whatever version of the MLE that survives into the new CBA (and note the NBA wants it eliminated). Or make a trade.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Yes, you are missing something.

I am not a cap guy, so I will try to explain this the best I can.

A 'toxic offer" is what we offered Wes Matthews. Extremely front loaded, with guaranteed money due right away. A lot financially strapped or financially conscience teams don't like those because it hinders them financially.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

I heard the rumor of Thabeet + Hill for Biedrins, and also that the Warriors turned it down. I find both to be implausible, unless Thabeet/Hill are less than worthless or lockerroom cancers, because Biedrins's game has just gone in the toilet, and he was overpaid for when it wasn't. (Really, he's just Louis Amundson with a longer neck and a total inability to hit free throws.) If the offer is genuine, then I say "three-way it" - the Warriors get Camby and we get Thabeet and Hill.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

beans used to draw about 4 fta a game...he shot 56 free throws the last 2 years combined in 92 games...thats almost impossible for a big man, not to mention...he made 14 of them...

14/56 in the last 2 years...
year before that he shot 119 for 216 good for 55 percent or so

he is fucking terrified of getting fouled, and doesnt shoot from outside, bad combination

his game has fell completely off the map, if he goes back to getting 12/11/ with a 1.5 blocks and a steal, with a 19 PER, hes a bargain at 10 million

 

[Minstrel]

Biedrins's game has just gone in the toilet, and he was overpaid for when it wasn't.

I agree that Biedrins' game has gone into the toilet, but not that he was overpaid prior to that. He was extremely productive, a very good defensive presence and still so young that significant improvement should have been expected. Something really changed the trajectory of his career, though.

If he can be had for essentially salary relief, I'd consider it. I think it's a long-shot that he'll ever be what he used to be, but he hasn't (that I recall) suffered career-altering injury, so it's possible that he can be "fixed." The concern with shipping Camby for him is that Oden won't be available for at least the first couple of months of the season, so do we really want Biedrins as the team's starting center? As it stands now, I sure don't. And if Oden doesn't return healthy and stay healthy, Biedrins will be the team's only center all season (barring a trade, but acquiring a solid starting center isn't easy).

 

[Masbee]

Yes, you are missing something.

I am not a cap guy, so I will try to explain this the best I can.

A 'toxic offer" is what we offered Wes Matthews. Extremely front loaded, with guaranteed money due right away. A lot financially strapped or financially conscience teams don't like those because it hinders them financially.

I still don't think so:

1) I said "good" free agent. Wes Matthews was not considered a plum free agent last summer. That is why he could be "stolen" by overpaying. Sorry. Truth. In this thread names like Nene were been thrown around. Please.

2) Bigs get paid more than guards. Usually a LOT more. You can't steal a big from another team that is worth a damn with an MLE offer. Old guy. Stiff. Yes. Good player. No.

3) As I said in my previous post, the MLE is dead man walking. The NBA has proposed eliminating it entirely. Sure, could be a negotiating position, but many owners hate the Wes Matthews type of deals. If the MLE even survives, it will be tightened up. The NBA has stated they want to make it easier for teams to retain players they want to keep and still be able to stay within the cap.