If you were GM, what would you require from Houston for Aldridge?

Is there a package that Houston could put together that would be decent value for Aldridge and would accelerate a rebuilding process if we went that route? Would you require Asik back? Would a package including some combination of Patrick Beverly, Chandler Parsons, Greg Smith, Terrence Jones, and/or Donatas Motiejunas be enough? Would you want to involve a third team (sending Asik to the other team, and bringing other assets back to Portland)?

What would you do that would work for both teams?

Note: this completely hypothetical thread is based solely on the multiple days' worth of discussion of Aldridge allegedly wanting out, and the report that Dwight told Houston that he would want them to bring in a third all-star if they signed him. In no way does the creation of this thread constitute an endorsement of trading Aldridge for inadequate value. The opinions to be expressed in this thread do not necessarily reflect the opinions and values of the original poster

 

This seems like a better place than the other thread:
Here's the issue, though, for me. Up until the draft, all of my ideas were based around sucking this year, and thus having at least our own 2014 lotto pick (in addition to a piece like Thompson with upside), not worrying about a C (because we picked either Noel or Len) this year because they'd be rehabbing and we could get a better idea of what Leonard could do, and stockpiling assets going forward (since we probably wouldn't have our 2015 pick).

Now, I'm a bit resigned to the fact that, not only is LMA probably not going to be here past 2015 for whatever reason, but there's almost nothing we can do (outside of injuries and multiple other starters going out) that will make us "bottom 12" bad this year. Remember, it took this team ending 0-for-13 even AFTER Batum and Wes were dinged up and Lillard started wearing down to get "bottom 12" bad last year. It seems that it would take trotting out Lillard/Wes/Batum/Robinson/Leonard to be "bottom 12" bad (and therefore getting nothing in return AT ALL this year for LMA), which isn't going to happen. And even then, it's not a lock.

So if we can't possibly tank hard enough (without trading Wes and/or Batum along with LMA, either in the same or separate deals) to get a decent percentage at a top 5 pick, and a very small chance of being "bottom 12" bad, YET LMA doesn't want to stay, then what? Do you look to trade those guys and burn it all down? Maybe, but I don't see teams giving up 2014 or 2015 draft picks for Batum or Wes unless they're teams that will be good with or without them. So it seems as if the thing to do would be to attempt to get a good big on a rookie deal in return for LMA, almost regardless of what else comes with it.

If somehow you get a Cousins (plus add-ins) in a 3-way, or 2 good young players (like Biyambo and MKG), or Drummond or something, then I think you have to jump on it. Getting someone like Asik (who is UFA in 2 years, just like LMA) doesn't seem to be a good return, and HOU has only its own firsts and a boatload of our 2nds.

ATL has 4 1sts in the next two years (their own, BKN's 2014 and BKN's 2015).
ORL has all of their firsts through 2018, as well as the worse 1st of DEN and NYK in 2014, PHI 2016 1st and LAL 2017 1st
PHX has a protected MIN pick in 2014 (through 2016), and LAL 2015 1st

[not really a trade scenario, but CHA could conceivably end up with their own lotto pick (to CHI, but top 10 protected), DET's pick (9 or worse) and our pick (13 or worse) in next year's draft. Adding 3 top 13 picks next year could help almost any team out. Wish there was a way to Pritch-slap Cho.]

Summary: my "best return for LMA" idea has shifted in the last week since the draft and Robinson trade. I don't think there's a very good chance at all that we will suck enough to keep our pick, so I'm basically punting on the tank job/grow-the-youngsters idea, unless it's a total burn-down with Wes and Nic going out also. I just don't see that happening. In that case, getting a rookie-contract good big that we can control for a while (like Griffin, Cousins, Drummond, Monroe, Noel, Len, Henson, Valanciunas, Mirotic) seems like the best case that will help us be a playoff-caliber team this year with SIGNIFICANT upside and surprise potential.

 

That would be amusing--he would be the fourth 2012 lottery pick on our roster. Should we then trade Batum to GSW for Biedrins/Barnes? Matthews to OKC for Lamb/PJ3? That might be a fun strategy...

 

Reprise of hypothetical team-gutting scenario:
Aldridge to Detroit for Drummond/Villanueva (expiring)
Batum to GSW for Barnes/Biedrins (expiring)
Matthews to Toronto for Ross/Kleiza (expiring)

Roster going into 2014:
Lillard/McCollum
Ross/Crabbe/Barton
Barnes/Claver
Robinson/Freeland
Drummond/Leonard/Withey

Total 2014 salary owed: ~25.7M Who's in?