http://realgm.com/src_wiretap_archi...e_has_40_to_50_percent_chance_of_being_dealt/ That said heres a few trades that work under salary cap rules. Really dont see Pheonix as a good trade partner unless we are willing to give up Oden or LMA but these are just idea. Incoming Players Amare Stoudemire 6-10 20.8 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 1.0 apg in 34.7 minutes Outgoing Players Joel Przybilla 7-1 4.1 ppg, 7.9 rpg Rudolfo Fernandez 6-6 SG 8.1 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 2.0 apg in 22.2 minutes Steve Blake (Contract Year) 6-3 PG from Maryland 7.9 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 3.6 apg in 28.8 minutes Travis Outlaw (Contract Year) 6-9 SF from Starkville (HS) 9.9 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 0.7 apg in 21.0 minutes
I really don't see Amare' settling for living and playing in Portland long term. When he hits free agency this summer I'm 90% sure he'd bolt.
No team can afford more than 3 players who carry near max contracts without slipping into luxury tax territory. The Blazers have two now and presumably will add Oden to that list after next season. KP said the other day in the ESPN Radio interview that contracts like Rudy's, where you've got a guy who can make big contributions to the team but only makes minimum dollars, are absolute gold in the NBA right now. I don't think there's any way that the team makes a play for a big contract player unless it involves one of our top 3 going the other direction.
I have watched a lot of PHX games lately. I am not sure what is going on there, but it seems to me that Amare is starting to get sick of what is going on in PHX, and lately, once the Suns start repeating the same old "loss" pattern of building up a big lead, and then proceeding to blow it, you can see the look on his face as he starts to give up. It's the "hear we go again" look. The "I am not going to run the court on this play because we are screwed" look. I believe he will want out, and want to go to a winning team.
I think Aldridge would have to go out if Amare comes. Amare would be great right now... but I like the balance of Aldridge with Oden next year. We need that outside pop shot of his in our offense. Patience.
First, note that I said "near max". Second, the old truism that "big gets paid" in the NBA is hard to argue with. Tyson Chandler, who's injury problems are pretty heavy is making $12.6 mil. as an example. I don't see the Blazers or Oden wanting to make an early extension on his rookie contract next summer, but assuming Greg comes back an plays most of the season at anywhere near the clip he was right before he went down, he's going to get at least Aldridge-level money.
I think Oden's situation is a lot more different. Chandler got his contract before his injuries. He only missed significant time in 1 of his first 7 seasons. Also, Oden is up for an extension this summer. I think he will either settle for a bargain deal out of guilt (even though it's no one's fault), or we're not extending him. True, if he comes back and plays injury-free and at his current level, then as a restricted FA, there's a chance someone with cap space will give him Aldridge-level money but that depends on a lot of things (there could be a lockout that offseason).
Try and find a starting center in the NBA who after his rookie contract makes less than $10 mil. Assuming Oden is healthy, he's going to get money in that range. Obviously, his health is a big question mark, but the fact remains that the Blazers want him to be healthy and to be their center for the future. They're going to have to assume that they're going to be paying him more than $10 mil a year. For that reason, I don't see them being willing to take on another max contract player like Amare...even assuming there was a way to obtain him without giving up Roy or Aldridge. Edit: BTW, Andrew Bynum who had major knee issues before his extension, was awarded a contract that pays him $12.5 mil. this year.
