We've all heard these terms. They relate to basketball too. I've read countless posts (some of which I've written) about bringing in a top-tier player (or near to it) playing at a top-tier level, but that's very difficult to do if you're not sending back a similar top-tier player. I've also read many of your comments, poo-pooing the idea of bringing in a player that is either underperforming relative to his past seasons or to his hype. Well, in the same way that Pritchard has a draft system that can gauge non-NBA talent, he likely has a similar system that predicts players playing below, at, or above their capabilities. We're looking at the Caron Butlers and Jose Calerons of the NBA, when maybe it's the other guys that are undervalued due the system/culture they're in or stage of development they're at. Or, possibly Pritchard can appropriately overvalue players due to what they could potentially become within our system/culture. Look at Steve Blake, Channing Frye, and Joel Przybilla. With the exception of Frye, these guys are playing out of their minds this season. And, Frye did the same last year compared with his results in New York. I maintain that Frye would be posting even better numbers, over last years, if he had a consistent role with this team. So while Kirk Hinrich may not sound as sexy as Steve Nash or Jason Kidd, he may be the perfect compliment to Brandon's game when you factor in his relative low price. If Steve Blake can shine this bright in Portland, how brightly could Kirk shine? A guy like Richard Jefferson (I actually wouldn't be very supportive of this move, I'm just throwing it out there as an example) might be able to reinvent himself here, and again for a relative low price. It would be great to get a Vince Carter or Jose Calderon, but I think we're looking at too high of asking prices. Plus I think we're underestimating how the "culture" here and how masterful Pritchard's team is at evaluating players.
From what I understand guys like Jose Calderon, Joakim Noah, Bargnani, Jamison or Butler in DC, and others are really being undervalued and their teams are looking to ship them. I would make a move for Calderon in a second, he's significantly better than Blake and Sergio. I wouldn't give up Bayless to get him but with a combo like Outlaw, Blake, Sergio, Frye I would. I'd love to acquire Caron Butler but it doesn't seem likely. We need to consolidate for a starting PG and let Bayless be the backup.
Every move is a risk. You either buy him low and see him flourish - or you buy him "low" (it only cost you an expiring) and are stuck with his $8m/year for 4 more years (or whatever it is with Kirk). On paper - Kirk is an upgrade over Blake for the simple reason that his defense is stout. But - his last year was pretty miserable and he is wounded.
I am a big believer in the "Buy low, Sell high" philosophy. However, at this time it is almost impossible to do because many of our young players are mostly x-factors. Is trading Webster or Outlaw selling high or selling low?
Sell high of course. But the Blazers are always way too conservative these days. We kept dudes like Zbo and Bonzi like they were Worldcom stock that we got stuck holding. It's time to take some chances KP.
