We might be ahead of them right now. But I think adding someone like Ronny Turiaff, giving up and Outlaw and Bayless puts us ahead of San Antonio. Mainly, because I think a frontline of Oden, Pryzbilla, LaMarcus and Turiaf would be too much to handle. And it might be too much for the fake show to handle. But this team here: PG-Andre Miller, Steve Blake, Patty Mills SG-Brandon Roy, Rudy Fernadez SF-Martell Webster, Nicolas Batum, Dante Cunningham PF-LaMarcus Aldridge, Ronny Turiaf, Jeff Pendergraph C-Greg Oden, Joel Pryzbilla. Is awfully good.
For some dog, Bayless and Outlaw is overkill in a deal for Turiaf. But I think he makes the team better.
Two years ago when Magnifier and I were sitting courtside at the last Laker game of the season we were heckling Turiaf so bad he finally yelled at us to "FUCK OFF!" on one of his trips down the court. It was one of my most proud moments as a Blazer fan. What's he making a year now? I don't want to get rid of Outlaw until we see what Webster can do.
I'd be all for bringing in a backup PF. We've known that to be one of our weaknesses the past few years, and still haven't really addressed it. I don't know if Pendergraph or Cunningham can be relied upon yet as a solid rotation player for a HCA team in the West.
Outlaw and Bayless for Turiaf? That's horrible. I like Turiaf but I don't even know if he's worth Outlaw, much less Bayless included. This is not good value.
He's worth Outlaw. I wouldn't give up Bayless for him though, either (unless we got back a similar PG prospect -- which GS have none of besides Curry, who they sticked to keeping in a Stoudamire deal)
I doubt KP would be willing to give up Outlaw for him though... and why would GS do that? They have a gazzillion of swingmen... although they have Randolph and Wright ready to break out, they also have Biedrins at C and Nellie likes to play SFs at the 4 spot. So maybe, who knows. Mainly I just doubt the Blazers are interested in adding a backup 4.
I'd be fine with either of them. Don't know about their man-to-man D, Haslem is the better rebounder, but Turiaf is 2 years younger and is a far superior shot-blocker, and produces better overall. I'm not sure we need either of those with Greg/Przy, and both possess the toughness and wide body we lack at the spot. I think they're about the same offensively, just looking at their TS% and career points/36 minutes.
Turiaf is primarily their backup 5 and Wright and Randolph are way too skinny to guard average NBA centers. Like you, I don't see their motivation in a straight Outlaw for Ronny swap as it would just duplicate what they already have and deplete what they don't. As is, I think they've a pretty balanced and decent roster that should compete for the 8th playoff spot... this hypothetical would hurt (not help) that cause STOMP
I'd say Turiaf is probably the better man defender but I rarely see Haslem play so I'm not positive. Turiaf has great on-ball defense- one of the reasons Nellie uses him to close out games and not Biedrins. Haslem is certainly the better rebounder as this is Ronnie's weakest point. Offensively is a little hard to gauge because they're different players. Haslem has a really nice J whereas Ronny's is just starting to come together and be effective (it was looking pretty solid at the end of the season). I think they're both ok at finishing around the rim. I will say Ronnie has two distinct advantages on offense though; 1) his explosiveness and athleticism allows him to make great finishes, excite the crowd, excite the team, etc. and 2) hes a highly underrated passer. Turiaf has excellent passing for a big man, we're not talking Chris Webber/Brad Miller but hes well above average. Overall they're probably a similar caliber of player. For GS I like Ronny more as we need his defense, energy, shotblocking, athleticism, and passing as opposed to another guy who's gonna jack up more jumpshots. Haslem's rebounding sure would be nice though.
How about Outlaw and Bayless for Turiaf and Brendan Wright? http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=kstqr3 Wright is an expiring and also an excellent SF to back up Batum. PG: Miller/Blake/Jeter SG: Roy/Rudy SF: Batum/Wright/Webster PF: LMA/Turiaf/Cunningham C: Oden/Joel/LMA/Turiaf/Pendergraph That looks pretty solid two deep at every position and an absolutely stacked front court. We replace Outlaw at the 3/4 (Wright is 6'10") and still have him as trade bait at the TD or if he doesn't work out he expires at the end of the season. You are basically trading Outlaw for Wright and Bayless for Turiaf. Outlaw > Wright arguably but Turiaf>Bayless at a position of need (backup banger PF). We still can trade Blake/Wright/Webster and/or Joel/Rudy for our starting PG of the future when things open up again at the TD or 2010 draft day.
why not have them throw in Biedrins, Ellis, and all of their 1st round selections for the next decade? STOMP
I like Turiaf, but not enough to give up on Bayless. And regardless of if you like Bayless, I think it is obvious by the trades that have been turned down in the past year that KP does value Bayless highly, and will not be trading him lightly. I think he will work out, but even if he does not, I highly doubt he is traded till at least the end of this coming season.
I like the Haslem idea too. They are both good ideas and I think are the kind of guys that would push this team into legit title contention.
