What should the Blazers do this offseason ... ... if they win the lottery? ... if they get the #2 pick and the player they want goes #1? ... if they get the #3 pick? ... if they get stuck with the #13 or #14 pick?
I'll start with what I would do if they get stuck at #13 or #14. Lose Miles. (Done!) Trade the 55th pick and either 33rd or 36th for 31st pick. Use 31st on a European who would have been a first round pick if not for contract issues. Leave them overseas. If we have another second round pick, use it on another European. Leave them overseas too. Buy the Phoenix first round pick again. Trade Przybilla and Jack for Jason Collins and a draft pick. Trade two of our three first round draft picks (Portland, Philadelphia and Phoenix in this dream) for a pick high enough to get Gallinari. Pick the best C available with the other first round pick. Sign Webster and Frye to extensions. Renounce Wafer. Pick up options for Roy, Aldridge, Outlaw and Rodriguez as needed. Bring over Fernandez and Koponen. I think the 31st pick is very valuable as the first pick with no guaranteed contract and buyout limit attached to it, still, an extra pick might be enough to move up two spots to get that pick, but probably not five spots. If Phoenix wises up and refuses to sell us another pick, hope Gallinari falls to 13 like I just read in a Chad Ford article, or try to buy a slightly higher pick than 13th. The idea behind the Jason Collins trade is to get a defensive backup C, even if he is not as good as Joel, with an expiring contract, and get rid of Jack to thin the rotation and see what Nate does without his crutch. Philadelphia gets a pretty good combo guard and a better C. We might have to use the 36th pick in the Jason Collins trade or to buy the 15th pick from Phoenix. Either of those is fine with me. This is what we have as far as young players to grow for the next 10 years: Koponen/Rodriguez Roy/Fernandez Webster/Outlaw Aldridge/Frye Oden/? We haven't seen anything from Koponen, and not much more from Rodriguez, but at least we have young players at that position to evaluate and possibly keep in our rotation for the next 10 years or so. Freeland doesn't seem to be a true C, especially not the defender/rebounder/shot blocker that I want there, and I haven't heard anything from Sinanovic in a while. We mostly talk about drafting a PG, but I see C as our biggest need for another young player still. Jason Collins is a good defender, but he's getting old and is a nice fix for one year, not 10. If we could also trade LaFrentz for a veteran 3rd string SG also with an expiring contract or LaFrentz, Blake and possibly draft picks for a veteran SG with an expiring contract and an upgrade over Blake at PG that either has an expiring contract or is worth spending our cap space on, that would be best of all. 2009 will bring lots of cap space to get the last piece for our up and coming young team.
Not much changes if we get the 3rd pick, except we are looking at taking Brook Lopez instead of one of the centers available later in the draft or trading down instead of up.
If I were the Blazers, and got the #3 pick, I'd package it in a trade. Also, I'm not sure I'd keep Frye. Unless it's for a really low price.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (pegs @ May 12 2008, 08:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>If I were the Blazers, and got the #3 pick, I'd package it in a trade. Also, I'm not sure I'd keep Frye. Unless it's for a really low price.</div> Would you trade down in the first round or out of it altogether? Which team/player(s)/pick(s) would you target? How about if we don't move up in the draft? As long as he doesn't demand a huge contract that destroys our cap space, I think Frye is a great backup PF for Aldridge, he plays the same style so we don't have to change the offense when he comes in.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (pegs @ May 12 2008, 10:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>If I were the Blazers, and got the #3 pick, I'd package it in a trade. Also, I'm not sure I'd keep Frye. Unless it's for a really low price.</div> I totally agree. They already have 3 great young players to build around. But it's tricky, because while I'm totally for this idea, I really have noooo idea what to trade the pick for. I'm not sure they want an established star on their team, and selling a #3 pick for "hopefully good" role players sounds like something they'd regret in the future.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (gambitnut @ May 12 2008, 11:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (pegs @ May 12 2008, 08:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>If I were the Blazers, and got the #3 pick, I'd package it in a trade. Also, I'm not sure I'd keep Frye. Unless it's for a really low price.</div> Would you trade down in the first round or out of it altogether? Which team/player(s)/pick(s) would you target? How about if we don't move up in the draft? As long as he doesn't demand a huge contract that destroys our cap space, I think Frye is a great backup PF for Aldridge, he plays the same style so we don't have to change the offense when he comes in. </div> Well, Frye's a softie. That's just my opinion, I can't stand the guy. But, if he works in the offense, keep him. I'd trade for a good scorer. The team seems to lack a go-to scorer, other than Roy...and he just doesn't really impress me all that much. If those rumors are true, possibly Carmelo? (He plays good in a zone defense, too) But, since he probably isn't available, I'd say you trade all of your picks (the 1st rounder, all 2nd rounders) to whoever has the 1st/2nd overall pick. Or, maybe anyone in the top 5, for the chance to get a good PG/SG to play alongside Roy. If you can't hook that up...hm. Well, there's probably many options. Maybe pick up Duhon? He seems like a good option. And he's better than Jack. Possibly could be better than Blake, who knows. And then package all picks with Przybilla and Jack to get an upgrade at backup SG/SF. Not sure where to go for that.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (pegs @ May 12 2008, 08:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (gambitnut @ May 12 2008, 11:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (pegs @ May 12 2008, 08:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>If I were the Blazers, and got the #3 pick, I'd package it in a trade. Also, I'm not sure I'd keep Frye. Unless it's for a really low price.</div> Would you trade down in the first round or out of it altogether? Which team/player(s)/pick(s) would you target? How about if we don't move up in the draft? As long as he doesn't demand a huge contract that destroys our cap space, I think Frye is a great backup PF for Aldridge, he plays the same style so we don't have to change the offense when he comes in. </div> Well, Frye's a softie. That's just my opinion, I can't stand the guy. But, if he works in the offense, keep him. I'd trade for a good scorer. The team seems to lack a go-to scorer, other than Roy...and he just doesn't really impress me all that much. If those rumors are true, possibly Carmelo? (He plays good in a zone defense, too) But, since he probably isn't available, I'd say you trade all of your picks (the 1st rounder, all 2nd rounders) to whoever has the 1st/2nd overall pick. Or, maybe anyone in the top 5, for the chance to get a good PG/SG to play alongside Roy. If you can't hook that up...hm. Well, there's probably many options. Maybe pick up Duhon? He seems like a good option. And he's better than Jack. Possibly could be better than Blake, who knows. And then package all picks with Przybilla and Jack to get an upgrade at backup SG/SF. Not sure where to go for that. </div> Yes, Frye is a bit soft, so is Aldridge a bit, although he's working on that, but we have Oden and either Przybilla or Collins to play tough defense inside. We don't want all of our PFs and Cs banging inside, they'd just get in each other's way. Other than Rose, which PG/SG do you think would be a good fit with Roy and an upgrade/better fit over Koponen/Rodriguez if Roy plays SG or Fernandez when Roy shifts to PG? If Duhon might not be better than our current starter, Blake, why bother?
I think picking up Collins would be a good decision. He's know for his defense, but he is also a leader in many ways. With that being said, someone like Roy Hibbert or a Lopez wouldn't be a bad draft choice either.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Astral @ May 12 2008, 08:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (pegs @ May 12 2008, 10:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>If I were the Blazers, and got the #3 pick, I'd package it in a trade. Also, I'm not sure I'd keep Frye. Unless it's for a really low price.</div> I totally agree. They already have 3 great young players to build around. But it's tricky, because while I'm totally for this idea, I really have noooo idea what to trade the pick for. I'm not sure they want an established star on their team, and selling a #3 pick for "hopefully good" role players sounds like something they'd regret in the future. </div> I agree, about trading the 3rd pick, but that would be hard to the Blazers to sell to most if their fans after we traded down from the 3rd pick to get Webster and extra picks instead of picking Chris Paul or Deron Williams.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (pegs @ May 12 2008, 10:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (gambitnut @ May 12 2008, 11:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (pegs @ May 12 2008, 08:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>If I were the Blazers, and got the #3 pick, I'd package it in a trade. Also, I'm not sure I'd keep Frye. Unless it's for a really low price.</div> Would you trade down in the first round or out of it altogether? Which team/player(s)/pick(s) would you target? How about if we don't move up in the draft? As long as he doesn't demand a huge contract that destroys our cap space, I think Frye is a great backup PF for Aldridge, he plays the same style so we don't have to change the offense when he comes in. </div> If you can't hook that up...hm. Well, there's probably many options. Maybe pick up Duhon? He seems like a good option. And he's better than Jack. Possibly could be better than Blake, who knows. And then package all picks with Przybilla and Jack to get an upgrade at backup SG/SF. Not sure where to go for that. </div> Duhon is not much better than Jack actually
Trading Pryz and Jack for Collins and a draft pick is ridiculous. Collins sucks and Pryz is one of the heart and soul players on the team. If the Blazers got the third pick they should take Bayless or Mayo, either would fit next to Roy and make an amazing backcourt ( I would lean towards Mayo for his killer instinct)
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (JFizzleRaider @ May 12 2008, 09:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Trading Pryz and Jack for Collins and a draft pick is ridiculous. Collins sucks and Pryz is one of the heart and soul players on the team. If the Blazers got the third pick they should take Bayless or Mayo, either would fit next to Roy and make an amazing backcourt ( I would lean towards Mayo for his killer instinct)</div> What's your offseason plan if we don't get the 3rd pick?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (gambitnut @ May 13 2008, 12:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Yes, Frye is a bit soft, so is Aldridge a bit, although he's working on that, but we have Oden and either Przybilla or Collins to play tough defense inside. We don't want all of our PFs and Cs banging inside, they'd just get in each other's way. Other than Rose, which PG/SG do you think would be a good fit with Roy and an upgrade/better fit over Koponen/Rodriguez if Roy plays SG or Fernandez when Roy shifts to PG? If Duhon might not be better than our current starter, Blake, why bother?</div> I keep forgetting Rudy Fernandez is coming over, too. And that Rodriguez is on the team. Forget Duhon, then. I was thinking he's a slightly better defender and he's younger than Blake, but that sort of becomes a moot point if Fernandez is expected to start. I figure a good scorer would be someone to pick up: Not OJ Mayo, because Portland might want to stay away from those sketchy players from now on. But maybe Gordon or Bayless? But who knows how they'll pan out in the NBA. I guess the best way to go is Rose or bust. Also, what if Travis Outlaw really comes out next season, as in...possibly, a 20 ppg scorer? Then, you're pretty much set, other than role players (which you pretty much already have). Either way, Portland has way too many draft picks. They've gotta do something with 'em.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (gambitnut @ May 12 2008, 11:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (JFizzleRaider @ May 12 2008, 09:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Trading Pryz and Jack for Collins and a draft pick is ridiculous. Collins sucks and Pryz is one of the heart and soul players on the team. If the Blazers got the third pick they should take Bayless or Mayo, either would fit next to Roy and make an amazing backcourt ( I would lean towards Mayo for his killer instinct)</div> What's your offseason plan if we don't get the 3rd pick? </div> I dont really have a full plan but heres what I think.... Blazers as of now: PG: Blake, Jack, Sergio SG: Roy, Von Wafer SF: Webster, Outlaw, Jones PF: Aldridge, Frye, McRoberts C: Oden, Przybilla, Lafrentz Rights to Fernandez, Koponen, Freeland Let Von Wafer go Trade one of Webster or Jones (too similar of players) Do whatever with McRoberts since hes not very good. Trade Jack, Webster, pick whatever for a good SF Pick Lester Hudson with their 2nd round pick PG: Blake, Sergio, Hudson SG: Roy, Fernandez SF: Good SF, Outlaw PF: Aldridge, Frye C: Oden, Przybilla, Lafrentz Something along those lines.
