Just say NO to trades for old guys from Chicago. Funny stuff Denny. Remember Olshey said only trades would be made for younger guys who fit the window of time AND that move the needle. Old Rip and Old Nate don't cut it IMO. I'd rather see Blazers make trades or sign FA's for starters than to worry about a bench before starters are ID'd.
I was fully on the Eric Gordon bandwagon last summer but his knee is a huge red flag now. Their doctors seriously contemplated MF surgery. I'd stay away now. But I think that's the type of SG Neil is looking for.
The team is responsible for the difference between his new contract and what his old one owed him. So if it were a $15M contract and he was cut, signed elsewhere for $5M, the team would be on the hook for $10M. I think Nate is a gem. Not because he's a bull, but because of his play the past two seasons and his vet min sized contract. I don't think the Bulls actually care about which players come back. They might even consider a guy on a multiyear (but very cheap) deal.
But there aren't many of them period. SG is currently the weakest position in the NBA. After you get past the top 3 (or 4 if you include Ginobili still with Kobe, Harden and Wade) then you are left with guys right around Matthews' production this year. http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/hollinger/statistics/_/position/sg/sort/VORP
Nate's a year older than LMA and 2 years older than Wes. Old? Not really. Anyhow, I was just musing on a deal that would get you a guy like jason terry - smallish guy who can play both G positions, instant offense off the bench, etc. And for your bench crap.
IMO Robinson is exactly the kind of player we need on our bench. I would LOVE to get him on a low-value multi-year deal this summer. I also really like the idea of buying low on Evans. Whatever we do, I think keeping Wes as a starter and finding an instant-offense reserve is the way to go.
I would jump on board with Mayo, but there is something I really hate about the guy. I can't really put my finger on it. He seems to be a selfish type player.
If Portland offered Aldridge for George; they would jump on it like flies on shit. Man you guys make me laugh on just how much you devalue Aldridge.
So far the only names that seem like reasonable options to add toi the roster whether you replace Matthews or leave him in the starting unit, are Mayo and Tyreke Evans ... I guess it's remotely possible they could be lured here as free agents (like "bombing Pakistani villages with a remote controlled drone from Langley" remote).
Gortat is likely to be dealt this year. I would make a run at him In the off season go after Dalembert Absolutely have to upgrade Center.
Matthews is fine as long as Batum can solidify himself as a #3 player. That's really hit or miss right now, though, and not a certainty. The Blazers have a decent 1-2 in Lillard and Aldridge. With Batum locked in to a big contract, perhaps the Blazers do have to upgrade the SG position to find that #3. I think it will be hard to find another player as good as Matthews, let alone a SG better than him. Matthews is on a nice contract, too. Hopefully Olshey has an answer.
here's a bit of a different idea, we all know Nic can play the 2 spot well, an old Blazer (Martel webster) is playing very well for the Wiz - especially now that John Wall is back, I think he could play just as well with Lillard. He is a UFA. he might be a nice rotation bench player (he's still only 26) for a reasonable contract - thoughts?
I trust Olshey to dig up another gem of a point guard, to let us run a two-PG lineup like a lot of teams do these days. The Clippers made a lot of noise while Baron Davis was injured running Eric Gordon and Bledsoe at the same time.
