I would first try to get Butler, Harris, Price, Granger etc but if we didn't make a trade it might not be that bad. Everyone is going to think I'm crazy but I would try playing all 3 Oden, LMA and Amare together. If that didn't work bring Oden off the bench and play Amare or LMA at center and bring oden in to replace one of them. I think the only problem would be where is Joel going to get time. I doubt it happens but even with Bayless being my favorte or second favorite Blazer I would do that trade and not look back as long as we don't include LMA.
Hmm, okay. I had read that there was a window...I guess it's the incorrect media reports he mentions.
Phoenix is done thinking about going to the finals for quite some time I'd wager -- their youth movement is about to happen in full force.
Phoenix is so far from championship contention, I doubt that's a primary issue. I think creating a solid basis to rebuild from is their concern.
For Phoenix it's all about cap relief and prospects. Raef's contract is the most valuable expiring in the NBA. Unmatched value. And it's not even close. We can offer a better package than any team after Amare.
Yeah, but the problem I see with this, is it would set Portland up to contend for a decade with that core. And not just contend, but be pretty dominant in doing it. And I'm sure Phoenix's rebuilding plan is to rebuild fast, and be in contention within the decade. They're obviously a team who goes for the championship rather than just being good. I do think though, that we will see the money makers in the NBA get more and more loaded at the deadline. By that, I mean Cleveland, Chicago, Lakers, Blazers, and maybe the Spurs are going to look to stock up on talent while other teams are hurting from the recession. The Bulls beat guy on the Score said that the Bulls are planning on completely revamping the team at the deadline, and could make two, three, maybe four trades. I think Portland will get something nice at the deadline using Raef's contract, just not Amare, at least for the Bayless package. I think if they offer Aldridge, they will lock up Amare. Rudy Fernandez might be enough to get Phoenix to trade within conference. The Bayless package just doesn't look like enough to get it done.
Whatever that means. Brandon Roy is this generation's Shareef Abdur-Rahim. Durant is. Granger is. You can make such vaguely negative claims about anyone. Deng's game doesn't resemble Abdur-Rahim's at all. Not to mention, Abdur-Rahim was a tremendous player who played his prime on a team largely devoid of talent.
I was gonna post the link to the FAQ, but barfo beat me to it. There IS no window to package a guy within 24, 48, or any other number of hours. He needs to be part of a three-way day, traded by himself, or after two months after the trade happens. Ed O.
And you think mediocre prospects like Tyrus Thomas and Jokim Noah can get it done? Phoenix would be the door mat of the NBA for many moons to come if they took that. But I'm pretty sure they aren't that stupid.
I'm also skeptical that the Bayless package is enough. Then again, I really have no idea how much Phoenix wants cap relief. The rumoured Bulls offer (Thomas, Noah, Gooden, draft pick) looks extremely poor, also. So Phoenix may not have many choices if they're determined to get significant expiring deals.
The Bulls package is very poor. PHX would get an expiring but neither Tyrus or Noah are starters on a playoff team. Thomas, though having a good stretch of games, is still a 6'7" PF with no post game or jumper. He's a hustle player you'd bring off the bench. Talent wise, Phx best bet is the Blazers.
