I wonder if KP plans on adding a player to fill the Blazers' open 15th roster spot. It seems to me that a solid backup SG would be good insurance against Brandon's hamstring problems. Any thoughts on what decent FAs might be available to sign for the veteran's minimum? Any guys likely to be waived after this round of deadline trades?
Re: The 15th Roster Spot I prefer to keep the flexbility based upon possible free agents left out in the cold after next years free agent market.
Re: The 15th Roster Spot I don't really see that as being a factor. If they sign somebody, I'd think it would just be for the rest of this year.
Re: The 15th Roster Spot A shooting guard? Really? We've got Rudy/Bayless/Roy at the SG, and Mills/Miller/Bayless at the PG. Dante/Webs/Batum @ 3 Pendy/LMA @ 4 Camby/How @ 5 seems like we need some more big men..../shrug
Re: The 15th Roster Spot Yea you would hope so. But oftentimes in order to entice a veteran, they offer more.
Re: The 15th Roster Spot If Roy's healthy, then I'd agree. If not, then I'd think a vet at that position would be needed. All of which, is why it's smart for KP not to make a move right now. Wait and see how Brandon does over the next few weeks before using that slot.
Re: The 15th Roster Spot I'm concerned about the PG position. Bayless' play of late makes me wonder how many minutes you can really play him at that position in playoff implication games and playoff games. Can't wear Miller before the playoffs and if Bayless isn't hitting that outside shot or getting ball movement on offense, that could be trouble in the PG position. Still think it was a good trade, but I see PG as the thinnest spot now.
Re: The 15th Roster Spot The whole point of making this trade was to determine if our young guys can ball at the level management is expecting them to. By the time this year is done, we will know if we need to make another move or not. It's not like we were going to win jack shit in the playoffs this year anyhow.
Re: The 15th Roster Spot Again, I think it depends on Roy's health. A healthy Brandon can play the point with either Rudy or Bayless. If he's out, then we're pretty thin there now that Blake's gone.
Re: The 15th Roster Spot Yes. That's how I think Pritchard would/will use the 15th spot...on a veteran point guard who has point guard skills better than Bayless and Mills at this point of their careers. Miller needs to be kept to 30 minutes per game, maximum.
Re: The 15th Roster Spot With all of these trades going down, many of them simply as salary dumps, there could be quite a few decent players out there as free agents in a matter of days. Big Z, Drew Gooden, maybe even a guy like RJeff (doubtful) or Roger Mason (also doubtful) to be had. I agree that keeping it open allows for flexibility, but the Blake/Trout for Camby trade could become even bigger if we were able to land a difference maker w/ that open roster spot. Probably won't happen, but its clear that the front office is pusing hard for the playoffs, so you never know...
Re: The 15th Roster Spot Does he have anything left in the tank? Even as a third point guard I'm not sure that helps much.
