chicago would be so all over that, i would think we could get a better player/package for LMA and outlaw Chicago probably cuts Diogu and Randolph, maybe even Frye (they're all free agents at the end of the year), so they end up with Outlaw and Aldridge as the centerpieces to the trade
Hinrich and Deng seems like a reasonable value for Amar'e Maybe all parties could be persuaded to go for something like this? http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=b3n58q
Take out Rudy and Sergio, put in Bayless and Frye and I see it being entirely possible. I just don't see in anyway KP trading Rudy
I think Batum would need to go to Phoenix. IMO, Chicago gets plenty of value, landing the single best player in Amare. The Suns gets Batum and Rudy instead of Bayless. While I hate to lose them, both would be long-term backups with Roy and Deng locked in as young starters. Bayless would become much, much more valuable than the other two, to Portland, in that scenario.
Butler? Wallace? http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=c6nnzq Blake/Augistin Roy/Rudy Wallace/Batum Amare/ Oden/Przybilla
I love his defense and his ability to contribute at a young age, but his offensive abilities are too uncertain for me to consider him a deal-breaker if Portland gets a very good, young small forward like Deng.
Batum is really good but you don't hang onto him when you can upgrade as significantly as Deng would be. We improve both of our weaker starting positions with guys who fit into our timeframe. I don't know how you pass that up.
Batum has showed more, as a rookie, than Prince his rookie year. He has the defensive instincts and length to become an elite defender. I would not want to trade him. I really don't think we'll have to considering the package we apparently already have on the table.
Exactly.... pick up Amare for Bayless and table scraps, then move either Amare or LMA for something quality. I don't see why Batum should even be included in the discussion.
I'd rather Batum were in the conversation than Bayless, basically. I think Bayless can be an elite level player at a tough to fill position. I like Portland's chances of swinging a deal for a top young wing more than I do of finding a top young point guard, so I definitely view Batum as more expendable than Bayless.
Well ya, but it seems that the talks have centered on Bayless. He seems to be the sticking point for Phoenix, and I don't think the Blazers get Amare without dealing away Jerryd.
My rubric for trading away young players usually boils down to, "How much do I fear them playing the Blazers two years down the line?" Bayless tops that list with Rudy and Batum closely behind.
*nod* If that's the case, so be it. Portland still wins on talent in a big way. But I'd even do Rudy + Batum, to avoid losing Bayless.
I don't see this one going down. Phoenix would have to go through Portland to get to the Finals, and Roy+Amare+ Oden/Aldridge + whatever they trade Oden/Aldridge for is too much damn talent.
