If we have to pick up D-Miles contract, which I think is inevitable, I think plan-B is to scrap the cap space this coming summer and use LaFrentz and some of our young pieces to grab a star SF. This summer on Courtside they mentioned we did talk to Denver about Carmelo Anthony but talks died after Denver asked for LaMarcus. If Denver has a sub-par season, maybe we could pry him away without our big four of LaMarcus, Greg, Roy, Rudy towards the all-star break. Raef's contract is extremely valuable. Another player KP has his eye on is Granger. Battier is another intriguing option too.
I'm not a big Melo fan either. He plays no defense, and is ineffective without the ball in his hands. We'll be fine when we get healthy, and when Brandon is actually playing and doing his thing.
I don't think we could get Carmelo but maybe Granger and Battier. I'm hoping with Artest Houston would be willing to trade Battier. There will be someone available maybe Marion, Battier, Prince, Granger, R.Jefferson etc depending on how the team is doing. I think LaFrenz plus one or two players from Outlaw, Diogu, Frye, Bayless, Sergio etc. would get us a good SF at the trade deadline but we will have to see which teams want to rebuild or save money.
Shit, at this point I'm almost ready to promote Batum (in Martell's absence) and just let him have the year to work out the kinks ... the kid looks like he's got a shot at being the lockdown perimeter defender this team has been seeking ... obviously we've only seen him in very limited action, and we need a larger body of work to judge him on, but hopefully good things await. As for free agents, I'd like to see the team make a run at Josh Childress this coming summer and even with Miles back on the books we'd have enough cap room to acquire him. If the team tries to trade Raef and other spare parts then I'd love to see Granger added to this team, or maybe somebody like Tayshaun Prince.
The price will be high, but I still think Tayshaun Prince would be perfect for this team. And as someone who spends part of the year living five miles from Melo, if the wind is blowing right I can smell the stinky weed coming from his house. Seriously, I'm friendly with one of the Nugs assistant coaches, and he tells me that Carmelo Anthony could be twice the player he is if he just gave a rat's ass. However, in his opinion, Melo is always going to be about Melo. No thanks.
I agree that Prince would be my ideal SF for the Blazers. I doubt we get him but it doesn't hurt to keep trying.
Miles could BARELY throw down an open dunk tonight on a wide open play. I wonder how he will look after another 3.5 weeks of camp?
This summer, according to Courtside, KP did talk to Detroit about Prince and they wanted Roy in return. So in short, there is no way we are trading for Tay. I like Melo. Surrounded by players better than him (Roy/Oden), he wont have the pressure of carrying the team on his back and could flourish in this environment. Maybe he could be the Rasheed type that puts us over the top. The most logical choice is Battier. Solid vet that would make us better on both ends instantly. Also, there is no better mentor for Batum than Shane.
Batum is Travis Outlaw without a jump shot. Start him? Really??? That is simply not going to happen this year.
The one name that seems to have fallen off the back of the turnip truck is Shawn Marion. Great defender, tremendous rebounder freakish athlete and a good shooter despite having the worst form in the league. I don't think the price for him would be unreasonable.
Outlaw doesn't fit in well with the starters. And Batum is a better defender, he might be able to provide something other than bricks like Travis.
I think Batum already plays better defense then Outlaw but he doesn't have a great shot yet. I agree that Nate won't start Batum this year unless we have a bunch more injuries and even then he might just try a small lineup. I did see a lot of positive play from Batum tonight which I wasn't expecting. I think he does now have a chance to be a future starting SF for us.
I love Marion's game, but I have some questions about what he expects out of whatever situation he finds himself in; playing 2nd or 3rd banana doesn't seem like it's high on his priority list.
Batum is nothing like Travis. The only thing they have in common is their frame. Still very raw, Batum has a high basketball IQ and can really pass the basketball. Right now these are his strong points and two things that Outlaw lacks.
I agree but if we didn't have to give up to much maybe LaFrenz and Outlaw plus maybe a pick we have nothing to lose. His contract is up after this year and if he doesn't fit in or wants way to much money we would still have the cap space to try and sign someone else next summer. I just have a feeling he might like to play here even if he is the 2nd, 3rd or even 4th option. I think all 3 or 4 options will all get close to the same amount of shots and if we are winning there isn't a better place for Marion IMO.
