OT: Detroit Radio 97.1 reports Boozer for Rip trade in the works?

If they're willing to lose a lot, yes. But then...

If so, they wouldn't have spent big dollars on two rather mediocre free agents when there's a much better free agent class next year. Their actions this off-season say that they DO want to win this year.

 

So basically, you want them to tank.

 

Yeah, it seems like most off-season "winner/loser" analyses boil down to "number of famous names in vs. number of famous names out."

 

Why wouldn't they?


Let's say they absolutely blow this year and end up with a top pick.

Then have somewhere in the neighborhood of 20 million under the cap next summer.

A core roster of

Stuckey
Gordon
Prince
Villanueva
Maxiel

Then add in a high lotto pick and a couple of high end FA's, and you have rebuilt quickly.

 

Why would Utah, which was looking to dump Boozer's one year of remaining salary from their books, take on a long term large salary that would ensure that they pay luxury tax for the next several years?

 

I don't think just moving Rip for Boozer is going to get them 20 million in cap space, though. Their current roster, with the additions of Gordon and Villanueva is sitting right around 50 million. Take away Boozer's 12, and they are at 38. Adding in the cap hold of let's say a top 10 pick (Let's say #10) is another 1.8. They only have 7 players under contract. Add in 4 roster holds, and it is closer to 8 million in cap space. Still, I agree with you that they should move Rip and probably tank. I just think they should look for someone younger/more long term than Boozer. I think they should have tried to move him to Washington for the 5th pick. Butas is, they aren't good enough to do anything. I hat emore than anything teams that refuse to realize they blow, and continue to shovel shit on top of shit, because they worry people will stop showing up. People already stopped showing up there. You're not atitle contender. They should have traded Sheed last year at the deadline for anything they could get, and started the rebuild. Oh well.

 

I don't agree with you on Hamilton rapidly declining. With the AI situation, the reality was he was put in a position where he was set up to fail. Bad coach. Bad GM decision. Bad team chemistry, as Chauncey Billups was key to getting Rip the ball where he was comfortable operating, with good timing on the passes, which is critical for off the ball, using screens to get open for shots type of play. So that being said, I think Hamilton has to fit your system, and you have to have guys which can get him the ball in the right spots. Declining fast though, is hardly warranted.

 

I am showing them with a little under 30 million next season if they traded Hamilton and let Boozer and Kwame walk. There would be cap holds, but I don't think I am that far off.

 

Boozer acknowledged on a Chicago radio station that a trade was in the works and he is very happy about it.


Edit: I just heard the interview. He actually didn't say that. He said he would be traded soon but that doesn't mean he thinks one is in the works. The SLC radio station made it sound like one was imminent

 

Teyshaun, Gordon, Villanueva, Stuckey, Daye, Maxiell adds up to 37.5 roughly.

 

you're right, looking at the stats he hasn't declined that much, even with the AI circus, and I thought he was a few years older than he really is.

 

That trade puts Utah out of serious contention. That's how it helps Portland.

 

How much do you have for Gordon and Charlie?

Prince - 11.1
Maxiel - 5.0
Stuckey 2.7
Daye - 1.6
Villanueva - 6.0
Gordon 8.5


I am higher than I was at first, but I still come in at a little over 34 million.


Charlie V signed for 35 million, so that starts at 6 million
Gordon signed for 55 million, so that starts around 8.5 million

 

How does a line up of

Williams, Hamilton, AK47, Millsap and Okur

take them out of serious contention?

It's as good or better than our current line up

 

Williams > any of our PGs

Hamilton < Roy

AK47 = Batum

Millsap < LMA

Okur = GO/Przy

UTA Bench < POR Bench

We wipe the floor with that Jazz team. They're overpaid, underperforming and locked up in cap hell.

 

What? I know AK is overpaid, but he's still a better player than Batum.

 

This just doesn't pass the smell test. There is one reason why Utah is looking to trade Boozer, and thats to save enough money to retain Milsap. Rip has a worse contract, just as big, but longer. No way does this happen no matter if it makes sense or not for Detroit.

 

I think AK is better than any of our SF's

Harpring, Korver, Miles, Brewer are a decent bench.


The cap hell part is right, but I think they would be a lot better than you are giving them credit for.


You also forgot Sloan > Mr. Sonic

 

You are right.

My thinking was maybe Utah can't find anyone to take Boozer for cap relief and have decided that they will not let Portland get Millsap, so why not get some talent back?

 

Have you seen Kirilenko play? His game has seriously dropped off. I meant to put Kirilenko = Batum/Outlaw/Webster, but I'll stand by my initial post.