espn daily dime: Richard Jefferson available

That's true for just about anyone we trade for. What if we trade for Hinrich and it doesn't work out the way we want it to? What if we trade for Deng and it doesn't work out the way we want it to? What if we trade for Iguodala and it doesn't work the way we want it to? etc...

Every trade is a risk, and if you don't want to take that risk, then you can keep RLEC. However, history shows that taking risks can result in huge payoffs.

 

When I think of a starting lineup of
Bayless
Roy
Jefferson
Aldridge
Oden

with a bench of
Blake (or Sergio)
Rudy
Batum (or Web when he is healthy)
This is the one that sucks - Frye or Ike
Przybilla

Thats one exciting rotation and one that is very well balanced. I think a guy like RJ would do a lot to strengthen this team in the immediate, and next year, and would be easy to slide out as an expiring after that. Win in the now and win in the future. Thats a good mix bitch.

 

It's not just a question of taking risks, it's also about evaluating the chances that the risk will pay off.

Jefferson has had two bad years in the last three (including this year). His defense seems clearly worse than it was a few years ago. He's been through semi-serious injuries, so the chances that his play (including defense) has been adversely affected by injuries seems a lot higher to me than that he's simply "not excited."

I think people are largely evaluating Jefferson based on his name value, rather than on his actual level of play lately.

 

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jefferi01.html

You really call that down? He had his best statistical season last year. He's basically hovered around his career average for the other two seasons.

As for defense, I'm not going to claim that he can get back to the way he was playing a few years ago, but from the few Nets and Milwaukee games I've seen, it looks more like a lack of effort, kind of like Greg.

 

He's never been unavailable, for good reason.

Bake it.

 

Look at the advanced stats. His Rebound Rate has declined quite a bit, as has his Assist Rate. He's a significantly less efficient scorer. Observationally, his defense has gone from very good to mediocre. His PPG is superficially healthy, he's just not nearly as good an all-around player as he once was.

He's 28, but injuries can cause a decline as well. Watching him play, he seems to have significantly less athleticism, which has taken a toll on almost every aspect of his game. He can't lock down his man anymore, he doesn't have the explosiveness in going to the hoop or in going after rebounds. Even his passing has become worse, though I don't know why.

 

He had injuries two years ago. He played 82 games last season. He hasn't missed a single game this year.

Much of his "decline" is due to him having to be the first option imo. He's simply not comfortable in that role. In his "up" years, he's had a good Jason Kidd, Kenyon Martin, and Vince Carter. Now in Milwaukee's he's got freaking Charlie V, and Michael Redd in a wheelchair. Of course he's not going to expend the same amount of energy on passing and defense when he has to try and carry the load on offense. (Which he can't)

Of course, all of that is just theory, and maybe he is getting worse. I highly doubt it though.

 

his shooting percentages are down, but he still would be a monumental upgrade for the next couple of years. we need to deal raef for a contract that we can deal a few years down the road for another upgrade and so on forever and ever amen.

 

at this point...i dont think we have a choice. we need a legit SF who can score more then 5 points a night

 

I don't know personally about Jefferson, but what I don't think has been mentioned is bringing in vet leadership. Sort like the James Jones effect.

If KP goes after him, it is probably to bring in that presence of a vet who had been in the NBA and knows what it takes day in and day out to be a successful in this league. Basically he brings a very professional attitude to the club (someone who has seen good times and bad).

Again, I don't know if Jefferson is that personality. The little I see of him, he gets physical and does little things on the court and he looks like he could be a good locker room vet.

One of KP strengths is evaluating good team guys, IMO, so if they go after Jefferson, I think that would be why.

 

2008 PER
outlaw 14.69
RJ 13.90

 

I'd be very happy with Jefferson. I'd love some of the other players mentioned like Butler or Granger, but those just aren't going to happen. How often does a young, rising all-star player get traded. Jefferson has reached the mid-point of his career and appears to have digressed perhaps a bit, although it's hard to tell. For example, you could attribute RJ's rebounds going down to do the fact that the Nets had horrible rebounders at PF/C for a long time and have recently gotten some better inside talent (as Milwaukee has as well). He'd be great as a third scoring option, has good size, and can shoot outside at a decent clip. If we don't have to give up too much to get him, I would be all for it. Especially with his age and when his contract will end.

He's also a veteran that has a lot of playoff experience, which certainly wouldn't hurt at all for our team. So if it's Outlaw and RLEC and not some other big piece like Bayless or Rudy, I'm down for making this deal. I don't see us getting anything better with our potential cap space. I mean, Hedo? Artest? Who do you realistically think we'll have a shot at signing. RJ may be our best and safest option, although it may mean giving up some talent such as TO.

 

If we can't swing a deal for Butler, RJeff is the next best thing on the market. He's a veteran presence that plays both ends of the court.

Anyone thinking that he and Outlaw are even in the same discussion are delusional. He just dropped a 27 on the Nets and for to the FT line 16 times. We need guys that can get cheap buckets to avoid the epic scoring droughts in Nate's offense.

 

Jefferson may be the best we can get, ultimately, but his benefit is so small that I don't think it's worth completely shutting off the hope of getting a better player. I don't have any hope of getting a Caron Butler or Danny Granger, of course, but I think a player like Vince Carter or Gerald Wallace might be possible...if not by the trade deadline, then in the off-season (cap space can be used in trade, by taking back more salary than is sent out).

 

I understand, the issue is whether or not Gerald Wallace is someone that's going to be available. I like his game (except I hate his poor outside and FT shooting), but don't know if he's the perfect fit (though I certainly wouldn't complain).

As for Vince Carter...how much left in the tank do you think he really has? He just turned 32 and that is the age that all NBA SG's except for Jordan and R.Miller have digressed significantly (I read an article about that a few months back, they showed lots of great SG's and when they lost it).

So maybe there can be something there, but I'm skeptical of VC's future and G.Wallace remains an injury waiting to happen. Jefferson may be about our best option...that's what I'm really thinking at this point.

 

anyone who thinks he'd be a "monumental" upgrade is delusional.

 

He did hold Durant to 12 points the last time they played. That's a monumental upgrade in my book compared to the "deer in headlights" defense TO plays.

 

I think Jefferson would be a great addition to the team. Coming to Portland would likely reenergize him as he'd be on an up and coming team. Also, he is still relatively young at 28.

would he be a big upgrade over Outlaw? I think the odds are yes- because he has the potential to return to playing good defense and is at least as good offensively as Outlaw (with a couple 20 pt seasons).

I'd be happy if we spent our trade exception on Jefferson.

 

Since he's still playing at a high level, I think he's a better bet to be a strong contributor for the next couple of seasons than Jefferson, who really isn't playing at a high level. Carter is a risk, as any player heading away from his age-30 season is, but I think he's less of a risk than hoping for a player who's already declined rediscovering his form.