Okay I think this is the pieces we keep. Obviously, you can change or mix it up. Bayless 1/2, Webster 2/3, Batum 3/2 With Roy being the sure fire 2/3, Miller being the surefire 1/2, Aldridge being the 4/5, Oden being 5, and Pryzbilla being 5. Trade pieces: Blake, Outlaw, Fernandez, Dante and Draft picks. The one serious piece I feel we are missing is that big tough 4, that bangs and rebounds. Also can play the 5 if they have to. Then I look mainly on the Eastern conference for a deal, just making sure those players I deal don't punish us 4 games out of the year. So my choice is: Haslem or Maxiell. Both are good bangers, love to play D and love to rebound. A perfect Ying and Yang to Aldridge. Yes they are a little "undersized" to play Center, but I would think Aldridge could move to center and one of these guys could play PF, if Pryzbilla and Oden are in foul trouble. So out of the pieces available, I think they would go for Fernandez and Outlaw. Maybe even less. Then we still have Blake, just in case we need him.
No chance I would give up Fernandez for Maxiell or Haslem. Also, for their careers, Aldridge has been about as good of a rebounder as Maxiell has, and everyone complains about Aldridge's rebounding. I wouldn't mind Haslem. I wouldn't give them Rudy for him.
Blake, outlaw, yes. Absolutley dont trade rudy, or dante they are vital for the future. With trading Blake and Outlaw with draft picks we can complete this team and get that low post power forward we will eventually need to make a valid run in the playoffs.
If everyone is complaining about LA's rebounding, then no one understands hoops. I hate it when people use the terms everyone in assigning an opinion that I'm dead set against. Aldridge plays on one of (if not the) top rebounding clubs in the league... it's the team's goal to grab rebounds not the individuals right? In the team's sets he is usually positioned at the top of the key on offense. This helps create good spacing for the team to board but not him. On D he holds his own and often releases early to sprint down the court. Again this doesn't pad his rebounding stats, but it does make his man have to focus on things other then crashing the offensive boards. I'm with you on nixing Rudy for either of those journeymen. If I'm the GM I'm probably standing pat unless I get a tremendous offer. STOMP
As GM I would look at it like this Not going anywhere Roy Oden LMA Trades that include these players must bring back an All-Star in a consolidation trade Batum Bayless Rudy These players only go out if their position is enhanced Przybilla Miller These players are available for good complimentary peices Webster Outlaw Blake And finally, available as throw-ins in any above trade to sweeten pots Cunningham Howard Pendergraph Millis I don't think a trade is needed, and with the great inside play of Oden, LMA and Przybilla, I don't really think we need a 4 banger that much. If a good trade comes available, then make it, but we really don't need it. Last year this was a need, but with the improvement of Oden (edit: and LMA, have you seen how big he has gotten?) along with the toughness of Miller (I know he is a PG, but he drives and bangs) I just don't think toughness is that much of an issue anymore. Outlaw is playing great right now, and even though he has grown very slowly the last 7 years, he really has kept improving. And he offers a great counterbalance to Joel on the second unit.
