After the Portland game: Prince really did look frustrated at his teammates during the game. I doubt Detroit trades Prince, but it does make you dream, doesn't it? You could send a package including Bayless, Outlaw and Webster, and Detroit would be nicely reloaded. Seems like a Raef+Outlaw (or Webster) plus a pick would get that done. Hard to imagine them getting much more for Marion, given that he's a free agent at the end of the year.
Is Prince or Marion going to be fine with coming off the bench? With Batum playing so well, I don't see Pritchard making a move for a starting SF.
I would take Prince but sort of doubt the Pistons would trade him. He has played well most of the year. I was earlier thinking Marion would be a pretty good fit with his contract and if he didn't work out we could not sign him back and still have the cap space next summer. I now think with Batum playing so well and Webster coming back I don't think we need to trade for a SF anymore. I could see us trading for a PG but even then unless we get a good veteran PG that fits I wouldn't even try to trade for a PG. I know we need to consolidate our roster and I have really been trying to figure how we can do that but I'm beginning to think we don't make any trades this year. We then try and make a trade this summer or let some of the players go like Frye who I really like. The one position I would like to add maybe through the draft is a center. It isn't because I'm not happy with Oden but just would like a project center that we can developed and be our backup if Joel isn't resigned or wants to leave because he isn't starting. If we can get a good project center in the draft this year that can bang and develop over the next couple years I would be very happy. I like Frye but he isn't a center and if Oden is injured or Joel gets traded or next year doesn't want to stay because of not getting enough minutes I think we need another center.
yes lets give up 2 valuable assets + a pick to rent an aging player who isn't playing any more effectively than batum right now and give him all batum's minutes, then watch him walk at the end of the season because someone else will want to overpay him. brilliant.
i would be in favor of tayshaun or maybe even jamison, that might really put us over the top for the next couple of years. we dont need all of our players to be the same age, it makes no sense. and in a couple of years, those players will be large expirings as well.
Worst case scenario, Marion comes off the books and we're still "stuck" with a boatload of capspace. Best case he turns out to be the missing piece to put us in title contention and he agrees to sign for a reasonable contract (something in the 8-10 million range for 3 years might do it). In any case, I don't covet Marion and I think we can get by just fine without him.
Actually worst case senario is you trade a Webster or Outlaw (+Raef) and Marion walks at the end of the year and Webster or Outlaw blow up and become all stars. Also, by making the trade you burn up Raef's expiring contract and other trade possiblities. Add to that formula that Marion isn't afraid to complain about playing time and there is a possiblity of creating a toxic mix in Blazer land while losing two assets.
worst case scenario is we stunt batum and webster's confidence and growth to give big minutes to someone who isn't any better than batum and isn't likley to be part of long-term plans.
If you don't make a trade, you burn up RLEC. I'm not saying I want Marion, but I'm not sure sticking heads in the sand Chicago-style and thinking your team is set seems a little off to me.
I don't think you make a trade just to make a trade. We would be better letting our players walk like Frye, Ike then making a bad trade which Marion etc would be. If we could get the right fit like a Prince sure go ahead and make the trade. I'm sure KP is trying to get the right fit like Prince. I would guess now unless a real good fit comes up that we could trade just LaFrenz and maybe one or two of our players there will be no trades. I also want to win now but most of the trades that are available won't help us win. Like I said a Prince or Harris or someone like that would be great but I highly doubt that it would happen.
This team needs to consolidate some talent. So far - there are not a lot of cries about minutes (other than Sergio) - but you can not expect it to continue like that. The team has too many small-forwards, the team is questionable in long-term PG and to a degree in the long-term backup PF positions. Attacking the rim off the dribble is also a concern - we have Roy who is one of the best in the league doing it - but after that - we only have Bayless's potential. The team needs an upgrade in PG defense (again, maybe the solution is Bayless) and another post scorer would not hurt (we have Greg, LaMarcus sometimes and Ike if we want to pretend that he is actually a productive NBA player). I think it would be crazy not to use Raef's expiring in some way, shape or form - either via a trade or in free-agency. Personally, I would not touch Marion with a 10-ft pole. Prince is also much less of a need with Batum and either Outlaw or Webster on the roster. Personally, I would look into getting someone like Jason Maxiel or Landry or Milsap if the opportunity presents itself (but for all we know - Freeland might be the answer there). Conley would be very nice as a long-term backup PG on this team - but I do not think you rush to make this deal. Oden will be fine with Conley on the roster or not.
It is not "Chicago-style." The Baby Bulls never had a post game, and after drafting Thomas and Noah, they still don't. They wasted their cap space on Ben freaking Wallace. They did not put their heads in the sand, they drafted poorly and also spent their free agent dollars poorly. Now they are suffering for it. They still need a post game. Portland has a good combo of a post and perimeter game with lots of depth. What this team needs is experience. That comes with playing. If we are truly 2 years away from being contenders, then just develop our youth and they will soon be seasoned vets.
better to let him walk than to force a trade that doesn't improve us long-term. anyway letting him walk, or possibly trading him for a roll player who expires in 2010 might be our best shot at getting one of the big 2010 names. normally yes, but you also have to consider how special what batum is doing right now at age 19 is. in a year or two he could easlily be better than any SF we could realistically trade for right now.
Ridiculous, neither Outlaw or Martell are ever going to be all-stars. None of this shit matters anyway, I don't see KP trading for Marion.
If you were actually watching the Blazer footage the other day, you will note, Webster and Batum were taking the same shots, from the same spots on the floor. This is because in the Blazers offense, they are set up for shots, on a certain part of the floor, in order to play a certain role. Both of those guys can fit that role well, as you have noticed Batum is now knocking those shots down with regularity, part of that being for the young guys, is where exactly the shot is coming from, and being comfortable with it. Now that being said, I am unsure if either of those dudes(Marion, Prince) would fit here. Marion is out of Phoenix for a reason. That reason is because he was a dickhead. If you want the type of player who values himself above the rest of the team, you pick up Marion. As for Prince, I believe he is struggling with the point forward role, and that is what happens when AI comes to a team. When AI is on your team, there are so many players that have to do things in their role to adjust because of things AI will not do. AI will not set up an offense. AI often doesn't like to bring the ball up the floor. AI will not set up Richard Hamilton. Hence Prince brings up the ball, because AI won't do what AI won't do. Now Prince is unhappy, so what have you gained? Now that being said, of the 2 guys listed above, I would go for Prince because he is more versatile and a better defender. I also believe he buys into the team concept more.
About as ridiculous as Marion being the "missing piece to put us in title contention and he agrees to sign for a reasonable contract"
