I wonder if KP makes the Clippers' trade of Travis Outlaw without such recent performances from Dante Cunningham. DC has been a reliable mid-range shooter, a good defender, and a hard-working, heady player from the start. Did Cunningham's emergence make Outlaw easier to deal? Or, is this trade really a rental, and KP is likely to look at re-signing Outlaw in the summer?
Yes, Dante's pretty solid play was probably a factor, but let's be real, Travis was probably hoping for a payday and I don't think the two sides were going to be all that close, so it was likely Trav ended up somewhere else anyway.
Agreed. We were likely to let them (Blake and Travis) go after the season anyway. But instead of RLEC, which we let go for profit reasons (we saved Paul Allen some decent coin by not trading for a player), KP made the trade he needed to make. Now we have effectively a $3million rental of Marcus Camby, which in the NBA is like a Redbox rental. Dante's emergence as a great (52.1%) shooter from 18-feet in and decent defender did make Outlaw more easily expendable, though.
Cunningham definitely played a role, but it was the simple fact that we just didn't have time for Travis or Blake anymore. KP needed to clear out the roster a bit, and this was a great consolidation trade. It opens up time for Bayless, Cunningham, Martell, and Batum. I'd still like to see another move that gets us either a backup four or a solid wing. I'm not sold on Martell, and I have a feeling that Batum is few years away from putting it all together. I suspect we will see flashes from Nic regularly, but I would like to get a guy that could fill an Andre Miller type role in the small forward position. Someone who could start for a couple of seasons until Batum is ready to take over. That's why I wouldn't be opposed to a Salmons/Thomas trade. Miller/Bayless/Mills Roy/Bayless/Salmons Salmons/Batum/Cunningham Aldridge/Thomas/Cunningham Camby/Howard/Pender/Oden (until healthy)
Travis had some great highlights, but there were many games he wouldn't show up for and most games it took him a long time to get going. Cunningham has some decent highlights as well, but he seems to get going quickly and doesn't make too many mistakes on either end of the court. I will miss Travis, but Dante will make the team better.
Sorry I feel like crap today so my mind isnt functioning that well. Did they do Joel and Martell for Salmons and Thomas? Not arguing the point I just cant tell lol.
Travis Outlaw made Travis Outlaw irrelevant. His lack of rebounding and defense was holding us back. Sure he hit some big shots, but the real question is "why were we in so many close game with mediocre teams?" This team needs to get to the point where there's fewer nail biters vs. the teams that are worse than us. Upgrading form inconsistent players like TO is the way to get to the next level.
I think Cunningham and Pendergrast. While neither has shown the clutch shooting that Trav had, both are solid, cost little, and the roster does need pruning. Blakie was caught in a minutes crunch.
The correct answer: Yes. I already like Cunningham more than I ever liked Outlaw, and I'll bet Pritchard does, too.
I feel like I am the biggest Outlaw fan and even I was worried when I saw the play of Dante. Then when Nic came back so strong I knew the writing was on the wall. I wish you the best Travis and so does my wife and son.
That, Nic and Rudy. Something tells me that if we didn't lose Joel and Greg, this trade would not have happened though. Another silver lining of the injuries. We really needed to get rid of those guys.
Probably a little. DC has played far better then Portland could have expected. I am starting to believe that Portland's late first round and second round picks should all be guys who have extensive Euroleague experiance or at least 3 years in college. They won't come in and be stars but they tend to contribute right away.
