Isn't that the truth! I hate this talk of trading Pryz. He's a great shotblocker and rebounder, and we would miss him dearly.
It makes sense if you can convert a backup like Pryzbilla (most likely as part of a package) into a solid or better starter. Przybilla is hardly invaluable. He's valuable, so a trade of Przybilla would have to return something at least as valuable.
This "Toxic" contrat talk reminds me when the Viqueens signed steve hutchenson from the Seahawks and put wording in the contrat that if Hutch was not the highest paid lineman on his team at the signing of the contract that Seattle could not match the offer. It was dubbed the "poison pill" contract that a few came after that with the NFL banning them soon after. I bet with Tom Penn they have found some loophole to do such a thing to make it nearly impossible to match the offer. That would be awesome, giving the Jazz the business!
Aldridge shifts to center, Millsap starts at power forward. An injury to someone as valuable as Oden always sucks. Even without Przybilla, Portland would be better able to handle it, with Millsap on the roster, than most teams would be able to handle such a significant loss. And when Oden isn't hurt, you have the benefit of the better starter that you got out of the Przybilla deal.
I just don't see how Millsap just automatically replaces everything Joel does. Joel was a better rebounder and shot blocker than Millsap last year unless there is some weird stat I don't know about it. You see him leading the defense a lot of times and telling people where to be, and he's really the tough guy that sort of sets the tone, sort of like Ben Wallace did in a way.
Some teams in the league could use a good starting center...including Houston with Yao in limbo. But we'd have to get value. If we got a Milsap or even a David Lee I would be okay with sending Pryz away...unless you think he'll stick around and resign next year to become a career backup when he can probably start on several teams (geez, put him with the young core in OKC...fuck). But we may not have a choice. I personally think that PG is a much more important for us than SF with Batum developing, but I don't know what kind of PG we can get with Pryzbilla honestly.
How sure are we (or Blazers management for that matter) that Joel will opt out? I agree it seems logical based upon money and playing time but if he doesnt how much longer is his contract?
He doesn't "automatically replace everything Joel does," whatever that means. He's a valuable big man who has his own strengths and weaknesses. Having him gives Portland a surplus of excellent big men to deal from to address positions that the team is weaker at.
Until Greg Oden shows that he can play extended minutes without fouling out, I just don't see the team being willing to trade Joel.
It goes back to Dave's piece on Blazers Edge. Who do the Blazers feel are the absolute core of the team heading forward? Who does the team absolutely want to build around and expect to be here for a long time? And for most, that list would include Roy, Aldridge, Oden and possibly Nicolas. I love Joel, everyone loves Joel, no one can say a bad thing about Joel, but that doesn't make him untouchable IF you can bring in a good piece to replace him. And getting an up-and-coming 24-year-old big like Millsap is not a terrible thing to take the backup big minutes at PF and C, and have a three-man rotation of Greg/Millsap/LA is pretty good, plus taking down a division rival.
I can see Przybilla staying in Portland for less. I think that's exactly what he did when he signed his last contract with the Blazers, although I could be wrong.
A team badly in need of vet experience is not going to trade Joel . . . especially when the so called back up center started last year and Oden has yet to prove he can stay in a game and contribute on a consistent basis.
I don't know if Hinrich, specifically, is that starter. But I think I'd probably do that. Hinrich is pretty close to the "point guard version" of Hinrich. A defense-first role-player who's either an amazing backup or an okay starter. obviously doesn't give you the rebounding Przybilla does, but gives you offense that Przybilla doesn't, including passing and shooting. And he solidifies Portland's weakest position.
You're reading my mind! (Or my post #159 in this thread ) I think that is a brilliant couple of moves. That lineup is in my mind ready to challenge for WCF. I think it would vault us ahead of anyone in the West not named LA.
