I believe it's the wrong move to move any of our quality young players for any superior player nearing the end of his prime playing years. Adding Jason Kidd, Vince Carter, or Baron Davis is asking for trouble. They're entering the stage in their careers where injuries are more likely and age takes away more and more spring from their steps. Don't kid yourselves, these aren't the players they used to be. Odds are, in one year from now, they won't even be the players they are today. I'm not saying we shouldn't make a move to better the club. Players such as Kirk Hinrich or Gerald Wallace would improve the team without sacrificing its future. However, if those players are not reasonably attainable, then keep with the plan and build from within. This team is going to be very good, and has a chance at being once-in-a-lifetime good. Let's not derail that just so the Blazers can secure a higher Playoff seed. Really other than Gerald Wallace, I'm not crazy about any of the available players that are being bantered about on the web. Personally, I'd rather just keep what we have. We're all a bit frustrated about our PG play. How about giving Rudy or Brandon Blake's minutes and giving Blake Sergio's minutes. Or, flip-flopping Sergio and Blake's roles. What about Jerryd Bayless making his way into the rotation? I'm a lot more excited about seeing any number of these lineup changes than adding a grizzled vet like Baron Davis to the team! The same goes for our SF position. Batum is only becoming more and more impressive as each game goes by. It's obvious that Outlaw's off-season work on his handles, defensive awareness, and applied aggressiveness has come to fruition. Webster's another year older. There's no reason to think that his game won't also progress further. To be honest, I'm having a difficult time even considering moving one of these three in a deal for Wallace. Obviously the team will now need to deal with Sergio Rodriguez, and because of restricted free agency, sooner than later Channing Frye and Ike Diogu. Management is in the driver's seat though. Don't move them for a vet, but instead invest in the team's future. I'd rather see them get more draft picks or another team's project. We all just need to be more patient.
I agree and disagree. Blazers could use a solid veteran. However, I don't know of one of any real value that I would really want. So, I agree that given what is really available, and the associated cost, I would rather hold on to the team they have and let the cream rise to the top. Oden, Batum and Bayless need to get more experience. When they do, watch out.
We need a defensive upgrade (on the perimeter mainly) and a player that can get to the FT line for some easy buckets. It doesn't have to be a vet, but I don't know any young players that are available via trade that can fill those needs.
We already have a defensive upgrade. His name is Jarred Bayless. What are people writing him off because he hasn't played much yet? Nate is still fishing for his lineups. I still fully expect Bayless to crack the guard rotation by end of year. I still fully expect Blake and Sergios playing time to drop to zero. But you have to wait for it to happen, we can't get impatient now.
Long term I agree. A defensive backcourt of Bayless, Roy and Batum is pretty solid. All three defend on the perimeter well (Roy when he wants to). I think Nate is just breaking Bayless' ego. I expect to see him starting by the end of the year also.
