I was thinking that the Blazers don't want to trade Outlaw because he is Roy's best friend on the team. However, If some other team offers a better contract to Outlaw, then they can part ways without the Blazers looking like bad guys to Roy.
The biggest thing with Joel is that if he waits until this July he's no longer bound by the rookie scale and can negotiate for up to the full MLE ... my guess is that they'd probably offer him something in the Martell range (4.5-5 million per year). If he came over this year, he'd be making peanuts for the next three years as the 30th overall pick (~1-2 million per year).
I get the same feeling. I would not be surprised to see Outlaw back on the roster with the same kind of deal Webster got. Heck, if they manage to do that - that would be great. Outlaw gives you get production for this kind of salary.
Some would also put Rudy on that list. But I think not having Outlaw around has shown us that it's always good to have more guys that can create their own shot. You probably don't want a lineup with Bayless, Roy, Rudy and Outlaw out there all at once very often, but it's nice to have all those guys at your disposal. I highly doubt anyone offers him more than the MLE. He's out for the season with a broken foot. Who offers a guy with a broken foot a big contract?
How much of a problem is it? Sam Bowie played more in his first three seasons than Greg has. The way I look at it you either believe in Greg Oden or you trade him. But maybe that's being a little narrow minded. Maybe you fit in with the John Canzano frame of mind that you keep Greg knowing that if he's healthy and productive for one year that could mean you win a championship. Looking back at the Sam Bowie situation, we were close to a championship in 91 and 92. Bowie was healthy and productive those years. Maybe if we would have kept him around we would have won one.
Not entirely fair, since Duck was healthy and productive in both years... If we'd had Sabas though... I get your point, though. I'm willing to stick with Greg Oden expecting that he may only have 3 or 4 "healthy" seasons in the NBA. And that's because when he's healthy, he can be completely dominant. It's a risk I'm willing to take, personally.
You are likely correct, but the one thing that Outlaw does have in his favor is the season that his contract is up. A ton of teams are all clearing space to get the Bron, Wade and Boshes that are out there. But, most likely, Bron and Wade stay put. Bosh might not even get signed by one of these money teams, he could end up leaving in a sign and trade. That leaves a lot of teams with a lot of money to spend. And, as the Blazers got Miller last season because we had cash to spend, a lot of teams this off-season will be in the same boat. Outlaw might get over MLE just because a small bidding war happens over the scraps that are left from bron chase.
I think that will ultimately hurt Outlaw, having other teams looking at the big names, and saving their money, if those guys delay, the smaller tier guys will either take what they can get, or be stuck waiting and waiting and waiting, and risk missing out. If someone offered him 5 years 20 million, I think he'd take it as opposed to waiting for ALL of the pieces to settle, just to hope for an additional million or two a year, which might not come.
Travis isn't just about offense off the bench. He brings us versatility that allows us to move LMA to the center position for stretches.
Didn't we trade Bowie for Buck Williams? Buck was the difference between winning and losing in those years.
LOL. OK, so he brings us offense at the 4 spot in small ball lineups ... it's still offense. Because it's certainly not consistent defense or consistent rebounding, no?
