We can't trade Miller until 12/15/09 at the earliest IIRC. I suspect a consolidation trade (PLEASE GOD LET IT BE FOR CONLEY!) involving some of the following: Bayless, Martell, Przybilla, Outlaw, Fernandez, Blake, Pendergraph and Cunningham. You could even do something super epic like this. I expect something alot simpler if a trade occurs though. This would shore up the PG spot and get rid of the glut of guys who needs shots. We also get a great back up F/C in Gasol.
Right and Hollinger's predictions hold up oh so well. I'm sure adding Miller and dropping Frye/Sergio was plus 7 wins or so. Thus far the board seems to think we will implode (and by the board I mean about three or four vocal minority types). I was just trying to send Joel home and Blake with him while getting rid of guys who need shots in Rudy, Bayless and Outlaw while bringing us back potential future PG's (Flynn and Conley) and a decent backup big in Gasol. I'm sure my trade would never happen, you can't solve all your problems in one move...except on ESPN trade machine!
Trail Blazers notes: Patty Mills signing explained http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2009/10/trail_blazers_notes_patty_mill_1.html
So it looks like Mills forced their hand, probably in the expectation he will become a free agent, and able to compete for some team not so deep. I would be really surprised if the Blazers don't waive him.
I read it as they were doing him a favor, by signing him to the non guaranteed contract and eventually waiving him/picking him for the 15th spot, he's free to get some PT elsewhere once his foot heals and not stuck in a 4PG rotation.
I don't think they will drop him. When they drafted him, they were awfully high on him. I have to assume they still are. What he did, when he signed the contract, I believe sealed the fate of Udoka and Collins.
I'd like to see what mills can do on this team. Anyone know how good his perimeter d is? Random ot. Is the game televised tonight? I'm in Vegas and would like to catch it if I can
Mills is 5'11" to 6'0" ... it doesn't matter how much "scrappy do" he's got in him I don't think you would ever be able to think of him as a defender; he's slightly built, he built his college career on speed on the offensive end of the court and guys are always going to be able to either post him up or shoot over the top of him.
I don't see it as them doing him a favor; they are forced by NBA rules to tender a contract; I think they advised him it would be best if he not accept the contract, but instead play in Europe for a year. I think he decided not to take their advice, thereby putting the Blazers in kind of a bad spot. In this case I think his priorities are right, his loyalty at this time is to himself, not to the Blazers. He can still play in Europe after the Blazers waive him, but then next year he will be free to sign with any team.
Interesting, I had no idea that the team was required to offer a contract to 2nd round draft picks. Looking at the Coon FAQ, it does appear to be true. It also seems to be the case that the deadline for offering the contract was Sept 6th, so apparently Mills sat on the offer for at least several weeks before deciding to sign it. barfo
From DraftExpress, measurements the year each was drafted: Height w/o shoes: Chris Paul: 5'11.75" Mike Conley: 5'11.75" Patty Mills: 5'11.25" Jameer Nelson: 5'11" TJ Ford: 5'11" Aaron Brooks: 5'10.5" DJ Augustin: 5'10" Weight: Jameer Nelson: 199 Chris Paul: 178 Patty Mills: 175 Mike Conley: 175 DJ Augustin: 172 TJ Ford: 162 Aaron Brooks: 161 Reach: Patty Mills: 7'11" Jameer Nelson: 7'11" Mike Conley: 7'10.5" DJ Augustin: 7'10.5" Aaron Brooks: 7'10" TJ Ford: 7'9.5" Chris Paul: 7'9" Just sayin'. (Remember, Chris Paul was voted First Team All-Defense this past year, and I don't think we'd be talking about waiving any of the players on that list just because they're small.)
I believe they offered him because that was the only chance they had to keep control of him as an asset; IF they were able to persuade him not to sign, but to go over to Europe for a year.
Unless they plan on trading him before the season, he'll either be waived or kept on the 15-man roster. Seems to me they are planning on keeping him as an asset over Udoka or Collins.
I agree... and I didn't know teams HAD to tender offers. Is that the case with first rounders, too? I agree with those that say he won't be a Blazer. I can't see the team using two spots on injured second-rounders. Ed O.
