Lets just say that for whatever reason the Blazers were suddenly in a "win at all costs" mode? Is there a trade the Blazers could make today that would put them in the finals? The only one I could possibly think of is LMA, Rudy and Batum for Tim Duncan. (a 3rd or 4th team would have to get involved for salaries to work.) Adding Bosh, No. Adding Amare, No. Adding CP3, Not this year but we'd be a better team for it in future years. Lebron? Not happening.
I thought about this the other day. If PA was like "Gut the team, I wanna win one", the following is the closest I could get. You'd have to gut the team and fill in some min-salary guys To POR: Nash, Duncan To PHX: Miller, Rudy, Bayless, Pendergraph To SAS: LMA, Przy, Webster, Howard Nash/Mills Roy/ Batum Duncan/Cunningham Camby/Oden
I'm not even sure that team would win it all. Maybe a couple of years ago when Nash and Duncan were younger, but I don't think it's a guarantee anymore that Nash and Duncan are going to carry you to the promised land.
I think that lineup, a $50 million donation to the ref's retirement fund and about the same to Stern and we'd have a pretty good chance.
They turned Grant Hill's ghost into a productive player, they massaged Shaq's bottom to give him 3 more years in the league. I think if they come next to the Blazers they will automatically fix Brandon's hammy, magically will get us Greg in the Playoffs, Allow Andre to elevate more than 2 inches off the ground, fix Martell's self-doubts, inflict pain on Ronny Brewer anytime someone hits Nic's shoulder and add courage to LMA's heart to go harder into the post. Win-win.
If duncan can't get to the finals with his current cast, what makes you think he can with what's left of the Blazers after you trade 3 players for him. The Dude looks broken down to me.
If Chris Paul were healthy, I think he would make Portland a legitimate title threat this year (assuming Roy returns). Deron Williams might. Dwight Howard probably would. LeBron James, of course.
