We seem to be focusing on upgrading our defense. Armon Johnson and Wes Matthews will help in the backcourt and on the wing. But I want a backup big now, and I think Anderson Varejao is not only gettable, but would be huge for us. He's gettable because Byron Scott has already anointed JJ Hickson the starter, and they also have Antawn Jamison, and Scott has also said they'll run a lot more, and Varejao strikes me as a halfcourt player. Finally, he has a long, fairly hefty (although not in this year's numbers) contract. He's desirable because he is a GREAT defender, and, I think, actually had comparable +/- numbers to James in recent years. A trade of Joel + Bayless or Rudy for Varejao works, and they could waive Joel if they wanted and he could stay in Portland and rehab, waiting to be re-signed later in the season if necessary. They'd get a young and exciting player, better suited to an open court style, and also out from under Varejao's contract. A frontcourt rotation of Oden, LA, Camby and Varejao might be fairly offensively challenged, but it would be the best frontcourt defense by a long way, and I think would be a great counter to the Lakers' bigs. (We could throw in Pendergraph or the rights to Freeland if the Cavs want a big in return...)
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=2fdw7zb Easy as pie ... shit call Larry Miller, I've got this GM thing all figured out (just as long as I've got my trusty assistant GM "TradeMachine" to help me with the numbers)
I hate Varejao. Therefore he's annoying ergo he'd be a great add. First though you need to get our PG. I'm for a Varejao trade once we sew up a starting PG.
If the Blazers could pull that off, I will officially apologize for calling Larry Miller just a shoe salesman.
I think Cleveland goes into full re-build. How can they not? They literally have a roster of role players and fringe prospects. Varejao is the most annoying player in the League that the Blazers play against. I think he'd be a great fit in the second unit.
Contract is a little too long and expensive to take a more limited role for the Blazers. I kind of like the way you're thinking though.
Your a talentless poster that only can post because you have Kobe on your team "Learn the game, then post"
OK, OK, maybe the Tony Parker and Raggedy Andy for table scraps trade is a little unrealistic but let's say that Tony Parker is completely off the table (which I suspect he might be) then maybe something like this is a little more realistic for all the sides concerned. http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=25uubh3 They at least get a true point guard who can run their offense in Miller (strange that he'd be going back to where it all started for him), Rudy would get a more prominent role and might be able to thrive, Przybilla might be able to give them some minutes if he really is on track to be ready by training camp. And the Blazers get a decent shooter to pair with Roy in the backcourt (though his defense kind of sucks), but the real player I'd be interested in is Varejao as an eventual replacement for Camby as a forward-center, but who would fortify our front-court rotation and makes the possibility of Oden going down again easier to swallow.
I'm not ahuge Mo Williams fan, and would miss Andre's ability to get to the basket over Mo's better shooting, since we already do nothing but shoot from outside it seems. It also doesn't look as good after talks of Paul and Parker, etc. But I think I'd likely do that deal. I'm all for getting Varejao. Grab him, and move Camby in the offseason as a decent sized expiring, andf let Varejao take his spot. The combo up front would give us incredible defense down low. The thought of an opposing C facing Oden, Camby and Varejao for an entire game is BRUTAL. Let alone having two of them on the court at the same time. Would be hell for opponents big men, as well as guys getting into the paint. The added benefit is, if one gets in foul trouble, you're still alright. Hell, two can get in foul trouble, and you still have Aldridge, let's say Camby, and then Pendy and Cunningham to shuffle in.
I wanted the whole Blazer team to grow their hair out in a huge fro just like Varejo. It is that hair that allows him to get all the charge calls he gets. He gets hit, the hair magnifies the contact, whistle blown. Every Blazer should have a huge floppy fro like his in order to get all the calls we can.
What would be even funnier about Miller to CLE is he left right before LeBron came IIRC. Mo Williams is a bit meh, but might do well next to Roy. Pity about his defense sucking. We need Armon to take over for him sooner rather then later. Also how do people feel about Mike Conley Jr. ? He was quite decent until they added Mayo and turned that team into the Memphis Jail Grizzlies. He might be had for cheap.
I forgot about Pendergraph ... you might have to throw him in that deal just so Cleveland gets at least one healthy big body back in the trade. And as I said, Mo Williams would be a fallback assuming that nothing was able to be consummated with San Antonio, New Orleans, or New Jersey for a more dynamic point guard. But I think I could live with this roster: M. Williams/Bayless/Johnson Roy/Matthews/E. Williams Batum/Cunningham/Babbitt LMA/Verejao/Pendergraph? Oden/Camby I'd be leery that there wouldn't really be a true point guard on the roster (maybe Johnson eventually?) but assuming that Batum continues to expand his repertoire as a point forward with his national team, Bayless can make incremental improvement as a third year player and with Roy liking the ball in his hands as much as he does maybe it would work ... (man I feel like I'm really trying to talk myself into that).
I would like to get Conley before Mo Williams. I know I'm in the minority here but would rather have Conley then even Parker considering age and the Oden factor. Plus how much we might have to give up for Parker.
Maybe something like this since MEM has to know they are going to lose Gasol after this season and Mayo doesn't look to be cutting it as a PG. Nor does Mayo seem to play well with Conley: http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=32bno2y Portland out: AMEC, JPEC, Bayless, Pendergraph Portland In: Marc Gasol Mike Conely Jr. Yeah, I know not too realistic to get Gasol for that. I can dream though. Or this three way might be more realistic: http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=2f8ypzt Portland out: AMEC, JPEC, Bayless, Rudy Portland in: Varejao Mike Conley Jr. Darrell Arthur
The tough part I see is, I don't think Cleveland realizes it should break it all down as much as everyone else seems to. Signing Lowry to a 4 year, 24 million dollar offer sheet? I know it was promptly matched, but sounds like a high price for a PG on a rebuilding team.
