Woj: Ask yourself this

[Blazer4ever]

DWade could be a candidate if he opts out and MIA abandons him. Giving him a large $$ deal but for only 2-3 years is something I could get behind. Maybe.

But one guy I really have my eye on is Marc Gasol next summer. Would be a dream scenario of combining Lamarcgasoldridge.

Lol at Lamarcgasoldridge!

 

[BlazerCaravan]

I would swoon at LaMarcGasolDridge. (also that name is so f'ing brilliant it needs to actually happen)

 

[Strenuus]

I would swoon at LaMarcGasolDridge. (also that name is so f'ing brilliant it needs to actually happen)

Which begs two questions. What would their babies look like? And what would they looked like morphed together? (Do it Conan!)

Now not only is this a trade LMA thread.......

 

[BlazerWookee]

 

[STOMP]

It would cost the Blazers a fan, namely me.

Woj is just exploring the whats next for LeBron question. Wade is fading and so are The Heat's chances of contending, so that opens the door for speculation that he leaves. If he were to go, what would be his main motivation in choosing a new franchise... money? best chance to win? legacy?

10 years into the league, dude has made some money. 250M banked, he earned 73M in endorsements & salary last season alone. But his endorsement income dwarfs his yearly salary & of course those dollars increase when starring in a marquee franchise. Come to PDX LeBron, you'll make far less in endorsements + we'll give you our full MLE!

If somehow maximizing cash was down the list of his priorities with the top 3 being winning, winning & winning then Portland actually is an attractive option for him. They've a legit player at every position and plenty of outside shooting to spread the court & play off of his drives. No one is approaching retirement age or dealing with chronic injuries. Adding him to their starters would seem to make an amazingly talented & balanced team that would probably be a heavy favorite to win it all each season through LBJ's prime.

would be tough to lose out on BlazerWookee though

STOMP

 

[jlprk]

I've given this some thought, and I just can't part with BlazerWookee. So I'll have to let LeBron and the 1st pick go. Maybe next time.

 

[illmatic99]

I would swoon at LaMarcGasolDridge. (also that name is so f'ing brilliant it needs to actually happen)

+ They'd be a sick PF/C combo as their games would mesh just as perfectly as their names.

 

[cmeese47]

It would cost the Blazers a fan, namely me.

Pretty sure Paul Allen would trade your fandom and all your friends and family for Lebron.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

if the blazers had 20 million in cap room i have no doubt they could make a strong pitch to lebron.

but they dont.

the best, non gutting deal i can dream on would be...

mccollum
freeland
trob
wright
nards
claver

for

a 2nd/cap space

would a team like philly take that deal? eats up a bit of their cap space, but they get to take a look and a few younger guys, and intensify their tank job the next two seasons...idk

if mo opts out that would clear up around 18.5 million under the cap...

lillard
wes
lebron
lma
rolo

batum off the bench?

this would leave batum as the odd man out in the starting lineup, and in that case you could deal him in the original deal, or bring him off the bench, or in a new deal for some big man depth or WHO THE FUCK KNOWS. FUCK.

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

if the blazers had 20 million in cap room i have no doubt they could make a strong pitch to lebron.

but they dont.

the best, non gutting deal i can dream on would be...

mccollum
freeland
trob
wright
nards
claver

for

a 2nd/cap space

would a team like philly take that deal? eats up a bit of their cap space, but they get to take a look and a few younger guys, and intensify their tank job the next two seasons...idk

if mo opts out that would clear up around 18.5 million under the cap...

lillard
wes
lebron
lma
rolo

batum off the bench?

this would leave batum as the odd man out in the starting lineup, and in that case you could deal him in the original deal, or bring him off the bench, or in a new deal for some big man depth or WHO THE FUCK KNOWS. FUCK.

LeBron could force his way to Portland. I guarantee you Miami would take batum, future firsts, Leonard, McCollum for LeBron. Superstars decide where they want to go. We could trade batum for nothing and make it work if LeBron said he wanted to come.

But it will never happen. LeBron will never want to come here.

I get a boner thinking about it though

 

[The_Lillard_King]

GS never seems to have cap space, yet they are always involved in rumors to get a top FA . . . and last year made it happen.

Last year they got Iggy, this year they are trying to get Love and Melo (although Love is technically not a FA so GS can trade for him)

I rarely see the Blazers come up in rumors. This year's teams popping up in rumors (mainly for Melo and Love) are Boston, GS, Chicago and Dallas

 

[PapaG]

GS never seems to have cap space, yet they are always involved in rumors to get a top FA . . . and last year made it happen.

If 'making it happen' means being being bounced out of the playoffs early, I guess they 'made it happen.' Now they fired their coach, and are looking to bring in one of a handful of the worst defensive 'superstars' in NBA history to make them better. They regressed last season, and giving up Klay Thompson for Kevin Love would be a huge mistake, IMO.

 

[PapaG]

Iguadola went for 13/5/4 with a 12.6 PER (16.7 USG) in the playoffs for Golden State, and is considered a decent player who was worth the money.

Batum goes for 15/8/5 with a 14.5 PER (16.9 USG), and gets destroyed by his own fanbase.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

If 'making it happen' means being being bounced out of the playoffs early, I guess they 'made it happen.' Now they fired their coach, and are looking to bring in two of the worst defensive 'superstars' in NBA history to make them better. They regressed last season, and giving up Klay Thompson for Kevin Love would be a huge mistake, IMO.

"Made it happen" in the context I was talking about is they didn't have cap space yet found a way to sign Iggy.

But I know you're just giving me a hard time. Same can be said for Houston who didn't have ap space for Howard but made it happen only to get bounced in the first round by some team in the NBA.

Getting Love or Melo on most teams will improve those teams, IMO. But I see what you are saying about those 2, and you're not alone in these thought on this board . . . for once. (just giving you a hard time right back)

Biggest point is being over the cap doesn't automatically mean you can't be a player for FAs.

 

[PapaG]

"Made it happen" in the context I was talking about is they didn't have cap space yet found a way to sign Iggy.

But I know you're just giving me a hard time. Same can be said for Houston who didn't have ap space for Howard but made it happen only to get bounced in the first round by some team in the NBA.

Getting Love or Melo on most teams will improve those teams, IMO. But I see what you are saying about those 2, and you're not alone in these thought on this board . . . for once. (just giving you a hard time right back)

Biggest point is being over the cap doesn't automatically mean you can't be a player for FAs.

I wasn't really giving you a hard time. Golden State made a big move, and in terms of results, it didn't improve the team. I don't see Kevin Love or Carmelo Anthony winning a title with that team, especially with no Klay Thompson. Sometimes the best moves are the minor moves.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

If Houston can trade Lin and asik for cap space . . . Blazers could trade Wes and Batum for cap space.

Not saying Blazers should trade either, but if Olshey could actually convince Melo to sign with Blazers (he can't) . . . it could get done. (Papag twitches in fear of that thought)

 

[ehizzy3]

if you trade wes and batum you have to get lebron. trading those two for melo would be a disaster and would not work out

 

[PapaG]

If Houston can trade Lin and asik for cap space . . . Blazers could trade Wes and Batum for cap space.

Not saying Blazers should trade either, but if Olshey could actually convince Melo to sign with Blazers (he can't) . . . it could get done. (Papag twitches in fear of that thought)

Give up 2 solid starters for a ball-stopping forward? I hate the idea of that move. I admit I'm biased against Anthony, though, because I don't think he's at the level of a James/Durant/Bryant. I wouldn't trade LMA for Anthony straight up if I were Olshey and the Knicks asked about a sign-and-trade.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

wouldnt need to trade both of them, but yeah. no to melo.

 

[Reep]

Give up 2 solid starters for a ball-stopping forward? I hate the idea of that move. I admit I'm biased against Anthony, though, because I don't think he's at the level of a James/Durant/Bryant. I wouldn't trade LMA for Anthony straight up if I were Olshey and the Knicks asked about a sign-and-trade.

Don't forget the great defense Melo would add to your team.

 

[PDXFonz]

Don't forget the great defense Melo would add to your team.

I still think melo is a very capable defender, he's too athletic and skilled not to be. It just doesn't happen for whatever reason.

 

[BlazerWookee]

Don't forget the great defense attorneys Melo would add to your team.

FIFY.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

if you trade wes and batum you have to get lebron. trading those two for melo would be a disaster and would not work out

Would you need to trade both? Batum plus Trob plus . . .

It seems like the board (generally) doesn't want Melo . . . I see Melo as one of those star players you do what you have to make it work and that he isn't the team killer others think he is. But I understand where the anti-Melo posters are coming from.

The fact that some other GMs around the league are fighting to get Melo (even at the max contract) means my position isn't entirely way out there either.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

Here is a guy who knows a little something about basketball defense:

The Bulls’ push to acquire New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony is heating up heading into NBA draft week, and perhaps no one wants his services more than coach Tom Thibodeau. According to one of Anthony’s former coaches, Thibodeau has reached out to him and to several other coaches who have worked with Anthony with numerous calls. ‘‘I even told Tom that there may be days he will want to blow his own head off when it comes to Melo’s defense, but he keeps saying he knows he can make it work,’’ the coach said. ‘‘It’s not that Carmelo can’t play defense, it’s just how often. And he knows every trick in the book on getting around that.’’ Chicago Sun-Times

Problem with Melo is if Blazers aren't winning, I can see him put up an attitude playing in a small market and try to turn into a one man offensive show and play no defense. However, it is a risk I would be willing to take

all this doesn't matter because he wouldn't come to Ptd anyways. Reports are he is considering Chicago and Houston . . . heavily leaning towards Chicago.

 

[Stevenson]

Yes, Melo is a superstar, but he is the worst superstar in this generation. Only a fool for a GM would build a team around him.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

Yes, Melo is a superstar, but he is the worst superstar in this generation. Only a fool for a GM would build a team around him.

Oronly a fan who thinks he knows more than a GM is a fool.

 

[Sheldon Shape]

Here is a guy who knows a little something about basketball defense:

The Bulls’ push to acquire New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony is heating up heading into NBA draft week, and perhaps no one wants his services more than coach Tom Thibodeau. According to one of Anthony’s former coaches, Thibodeau has reached out to him and to several other coaches who have worked with Anthony with numerous calls. ‘‘I even told Tom that there may be days he will want to blow his own head off when it comes to Melo’s defense, but he keeps saying he knows he can make it work,’’ the coach said. ‘‘It’s not that Carmelo can’t play defense, it’s just how often. And he knows every trick in the book on getting around that.’’ Chicago Sun-Times

Problem with Melo is if Blazers aren't winning, I can see him put up an attitude playing in a small market and try to turn into a one man offensive show and play no defense. However, it is a risk I would be willing to take

all this doesn't matter because he wouldn't come to Ptd anyways. Reports are he is considering Chicago and Houston . . . heavily leaning towards Chicago.

I'm in the camp of wanting to get Melo because he adds tremendous talent to this team. When that is available, you take it and try to figure it out later. If his defense is good enough for Thibodeau then it's good enough for me as a Blazers fan. I've never been a huge Melo fan, but put him with Damian and LMA, we have 3 tremendous talents that would be difficult to stop.

The Blazers must upgrade their talent SIGNIFICANTLY if they expect to compete with the west next season. The Thunder will find a way to get better, as well the Spurs, Rockets and everyone else. Simply upgrading the bench won't be enough. Neil should be speaking with Melo's agent on July 1st to see if there would be interest in a sign & trade.

 

[BlazerWookee]

I'm in the camp of wanting to get Melo because he adds tremendous talent to this team. When that is available, you take it and try to figure it out later. If his defense is good enough for Thibodeau then it's good enough for me as a Blazers fan. I've never been a huge Melo fan, but put him with Damian and LMA, we have 3 tremendous talents that would be difficult to stop.

The Blazers must upgrade their talent SIGNIFICANTLY if they expect to compete with the west next season. The Thunder will find a way to get better, as well the Spurs, Rockets and everyone else. Simply upgrading the bench won't be enough. Neil should be speaking with Melo's agent on July 1st to see if there would be interest in a sign & trade.

Our starting five is as good or better than any in the NBA. Upgrading our bench to a point where we can give the starters a few extra minutes of rest each game will go a REALLY long way.

 

[Scalma]

The best part is that LMA would needed to be on the team for any high-profile star to come to Portland. Otherwise, why would they come to PDX, if not to play with two All-Stars?

Clown Town

Why would lebron go back to the cavs then?

 

[RR7]

Why would lebron go back to the cavs then?

He's from the area.