I know its a little early and a little harsh perhaps but I already have an idea on what position(s) the Blazers need the help out most. So heres a poll now for peoples gut feeling.
I'm not really sure how to reply. I am of the opinion that the term "untouchable" is badly overused. It seems to me that you have to be constantly measuring a player's value to the team against their value on the market. When the latter exceeds the former, it is time for the GM to work the phones. To put it more bluntly, there is no one on that list I absolutely wouldn't trade. Batum is the only one I would even feel bad about. I would even expand the list.
With which we sign whom? (And if you cut Outlaw, you're cutting the best-liked (by the team), longest-lasting player on the team, and the only player besides Roy who can create his own shot.
I don't think it's mandatory we trade anyone. If we can make a trade to improve the team, then do so.
To bad he couldn't do it when it counted. That is not to say Portland should dump him for nothing, but if they can get a more consistent player in a trade that includes Outlaw I think they would have to pull the trigger.
Travis is a marketable commodity so I would consider trading him. We must get value in return though.
have they released the figures setting the cap lines or are you just throwing out optimistic/best guess numbers? If renouncing those 4 garners 16M in capspace, I'd probably rather keep either Trav or Blake and reduce that figure to around 12M which would be more then enough for KP to play with. On the poll... someone is going to trade for Randolph or Ruffin??? STOMP
Think lopsided trades people; when you are under the cap you are not required to match salary. In some ways it's probably better to try and trade Blake and Trav during the draft, whomever gets them will then have the option to release them before July 1st which would save them even more cap room should they choose to go that route.
Out of Travis and Blake...I'd rather see Blake gone. He's not nearly as fan friendly as Travis. Travis was horrible in the playoffs but so was Blake. And every family has someone that doesn't quite get it but is so likable they like having them around. That's Travis. I hope we keep him. He won't get as many minutes next year if we are healthy. If he does that means he's improved his game.
Frye/Randolph/Ruffin are free agents. Among players who might, possibly, have trade value, I'd most want to trade Rodriguez. Unlike Nik, I don't think I'd just dump him for nothing (I'm still too caught in the "what if he puts it together?" spell to lose him for nothing), but if I could actually get some value for him, I'd do it.
I meant, which Blazer is the first one to be traded no one else included in the deal. Just your first gut feeling.
Depending on the deal, Greg Oden could be my first to be traded along with fillers if a superstar like Chris Paul could come in return, and New Orleans may be looking at a fire sale this summer. I can't say I'd definitively trade any player without knowing what is coming back to PDX.
That would be awesome if NO was in trouble, but I don't see it. I would definitley do Bayless/Oden/Outlaw/1st for Paul and a contract or w/e.
poll should have allowed more than one answer, and asked "who wouldn't you trade" - answer is Batum. I answered Outlaw, because I wouldn't trade Batum, and Outlaw is the only one with trade value.
