Chris Sheridan says Wiz will likely do Blake/Outlaw for Haywood at last minute

Well it doesn't sound like it's anything more than speculation at this point, and I don't know any GM that can pull the trigger on speculation.

 

Well, of course. I'm just sayin, I think KP is more likely to stand pat at the deadline again rather than make a trade. I'd be surprised if he did a deal that gave up Blake/Outlaw, unless it was overwhelmingly in our favor.

 

I'd be devastated if we traded Travis, especially for a player we wouldn't even need next year when Oden comes back. We've missed Travis this season more than people will give him credit for. Please keep him. Or at least get better than Haywood in return.

 

Are you serious? Tyrus is a king sized head case and appears an azzhole, no thank you.

 

Missing players or not I think we need to shake things up, consolidate, and get a big. IMO anybody other than Roy and Batum can be moved. I place Oden and LMA as highly likely not to be moved, but everyone else is fair game.

 

From ESPN Insider. This would really help the Rockets.

 

That Daryl Morey is a smart aggressive mofo. If he pulls that deal off Houston fans should be very, very pleased with their team's prospects for the next few years.

 

Crap. I had my heart set on a consolidation trade that would bring us both Butler and Haywood. What's worse, it makes Houston much better. I hate it.

 

Deal doesn't make a lot of sense for Washington. Especially if other rumors are to be believed. They want Batum and Rudy for Haywood from us, but are willing to take Al Harrington for Haywood AND Butler? What a crock of shit.

 

Good GM's find a way to get things done...

 

I can't think of any Bigs who didn't play their best ball until their 30's... I've tried looking up a few now. Could you give me a few examples of the many?

except that he's taller longer heavier then Batum or Webster (who are about the same size) which is probably why he's spent a good percentage of time guarding backup 4s while they haven't. Pendergraph Howard and LA can all guard most 5s adequately and Cunningham is also decent at guarding most backup 4s. Travis's addition will be helpful not only in bolstering their Big depth but as a crunch time option when they need someone who can create his look.

To me the redundant guy/odd man out has always been Webster. He's the same size as Batum and clearly the lesser player. His lack of a handle make him a liability at SG so he's pretty much pigeon holed as a 3 needing to play off the ball. Half the team can shoot 3's at a good clip so even his one skill is redundant. I don't have much faith that he'll be good in limited minutes backing up as he never has... the buy low sell high saying would seem to say sell now.

Brendan brings legit 5 size and is a good shotblocker, but he's pretty mediocre to worthless at most everything else. I'd dangle Martell and Blake

does anyone know whether Portland would hold Haywood's Bird rights? That would make him more appealing.

STOMP

 

Harrington is no star (just like Rudy isn't) but he can ball a little bit. He's certainly more of an upgrade than Steve and Outlaw (our rumored counter-offer to the Wiz).

 

but it's (NY) rumored to be Al for Haywood + Butler

STOMP

 

I think all the Wiz want out of a deal is a player, to this point all the Blazers have been reputed to be offering are Travis and Steve. Love it or hate it, Harrington is probably perceived as a starting quality stretch 4, while Steve is probably viewed as nothing more than an expiring journeyman, and Travis a tweener forward with questionable hoops IQ. and don't forget the fact that a first rounder and cash would be needed to round out the deal.

 

Yep reality sucks, but that, is the truth.

 

If Butler is on the table, I'd expect Portland to sweeten their offer if they wanted both him and Haywood.

but regardless... a borderline starter quality 5 + a stud SF in their prime for an undersized no D gunner 4 = the dial tone if I'm the Wiz. Do you seriously consider Al to be a starting quality 4 on anything but a loser?

STOMP

 

I think Al would be great as a 6th man. Much like Crawford is now. He doesn't take to well to it from what I have seen in the past though.

 

You do? That certainly sounds logical, but I don't think KP is all that objective about the players he's drafted and signed.

I don't particularly care for Harrington, he plays like a 3 more than a 4, but considering that Grunfeld gave Agent Zero the contract that he did, I'm not so sure you can give him the benefit of the doubt for having any kind of sense or ability to reasonably evaluate talent.

(FWIW, Harrington is putting up 17/6 with a 17.3 PER, whereas Caron is having a down year and from the sounds of things Haywood is expecting a pretty big payday this coming off-season which is a something the Wizards are probably loathe to give him. If they acquire Harrington then I fully expect them to move Jamison to Cleveland for draft picks and a guy like JJ Hickson or Big Z.

 

Sure, many bigs don't hit their peak until around 30, but here's a few you may have heard of:

Dikembe Mutombo (four best years of his career starting at age 30)
Hakeem Olajuwon (four best years starting at age 30. DPOY at 30 and 31, MVP at 31, Finals MVP at 31 and 32)
Karl Malone (best years at 33 and 34, MVP at 33 and 35)
Marcus Camby (2nd and 3rd best years of his career at 31 and 32)
Rick Smits (best two years at 32 and 31)
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (best year at 30)
Dale Davis (best two years at 32 and 30)
Antonio Davis (best two years at 30 and 32)
Ben Wallace (2nd and 3rd best years at 31 and 30)
Kevin Willis (4 best years at 29, 31, 35, 30)

That's just a small sample. I just checked a few players I knew played their best ball in their early 30s. I'm sure if you check journeyman bigmen, you would find many more. My original quote was many big men don't peak until their late 20s or early 30s. If you include late 20s, there are many, many more (like Shaq, Robert Parrish, David Robinson, Kevin McHale, etc.).

I was just pointing out that Haywood having a career year at 30 is not a rare occurence. I didn't (and don't) intend to compile a list of all bigs who peaked at, or around, the age of 30. Feel free to add to the list.

BNM