The Blazers added 3 smalls and most of us thought that the Blazers would be snagging at least one big in this big-heavy draft. From this, I draw two likely conclusions. 1) the trades at the PG/SG positions are not complete. Rudy is the most likely player to be shipped, but all the players not named Roy seem like they could be moved. 2) The Blazers are going to get another big from elsewhere. Two main possibilities I see. First, Gomes for Beasley or some other trade for another big. Second, supposedly last year the Blazers tried to convince Freeland to come over but he wanted to wait till this season when he could sign for some/all of the MLE. Well, Freeland seems like a likely Big to be added to the Blazers. Another conclusion that could be made from our selections is that the Blazers are not happy with Bayless and that his days as a Blazer could be numbered. I am not sure yet how I feel about this.
I would add that the trading of Webster without a vet replacement signals that Nico is off the table in trade discussions. I don't think Bayless is on the block or out of favor, but the Williams picks suggests that we would now move Bayless in the right deal.
We have 3 big centers and 2 PF's. One third of the team are bigs. Then we have three more who are tweeners (Gomes is 250 lbs). I saw no one past the lottery that would help us any more than Perdergraf will. I am not too concerned with the back up PF spot. From a match up standpoint we seemed covered.
I disagree. We picked up Gomes (SF) and traded Webster (SF). It's a wash. As to Bayless, he's a very marginal NBA player and an undersized SG. I think if we don't move him, it's because we can't get anyone to take him. Clearly, he's been a bust.
I would love for us to trade Gomes for Beasley. I would be greedy, however, and demand their #1 pick from next year and either their #1 in 2013 or their second round picks in 2011 and 2012. MIA is desperate, and we should take advantage of that desperation. I think Beasley needs a change of scenery, and a town with a slower lifestyle. He could rehabilitate his career here by playing the role of an Antonio McDyess--a really good backup PF for a playoff team. If he doesn't pull his head out of his ass, we've rolled the dice and we dump him when his contract is up. He costs less than a mid-level guy. Besides, this team is a bunch of squares who may straighten the kid out.
Not really. They only want to dump him because it will give them enough cap room to go after an additional max contract. So they would be willing to lose a good piece to try an lure Lebron, bosh and others to build with wade. They are not dumping him because he is a bad player or because he is a criminal.
I agree with Pinwheel1... we are stacked with bigs. Oden/Joel/Camby/Aldridge/Pendergraph/Howard? Granted Joel is questionable at start of year and Howard is only avail spot minutes if back.
Joel may never recover fully. Oden and Camby have had a lot of health issues and Oden has only played 82 games in 3 seasons. Pendergraph is a decent BU 4 but really not a 5 at all and not capable enough for starter minutes if there are injuries. And Aldridge, he has been fairly healthy, but has had his issues as well. Howard is old and most likely will not even be re-signed. I see the need for one more big. Hopefully the Blazers won't suffer the injuries they did last year, but until either Oden or Joel prove they are completely healthy, I think we have to assume that at least one will not be playing at full capability.
I really doubt Beasley is so contagious that he could somehow infect the character of Batum, Roy, Aldridge and Oden. Those are four very "Rated PG" personalities that comprise the core of the team. Even our lesser players like Pendergraph and Bayless seem to know exactly who they are and want out of life. If we get him, he'll be publicly humiliated that he was traded for a guy like Gomes after so recently being the #1 pick. He'll be in a city where it's difficult to party, and easy to get caught. And he'll be overwhelming outnumbered by character guys. I see the Blazers changing Beasley to be much more likely than Beasley changing the Blazers. But if he continues to be a fuck up, you isolate him and let him go. Just like we did with Darius Miles.
I do think Gomes and Webster are a wash, the inclusion of Babbitt tilts the balance in our favor (I think?). Bayless isn't a point guard, but on the right team (mostly those without a lot of scorers or slashers) he'd be a nice 18 point per game guy, his value around the league is probably very checkered, but he's not a bust.
Then you need to trade Joel or Camby for that extra big man. You can't have 4 centers on the team taking up roster space. Trading Camby would be a mistake imo. Trading Joel while he is hurt is possible around the trade deadline.
San Antonio has shown with strong lockerroom leadership you can have one or two headcases. Portland and Denver have shown you can't have ten of them. Beasley would be fine here.
The telling sign is that his salary works out to giving them room to sign Wade to a max salary and then two others to a max deal as well. Beasley isn't going to be a cornerstone to any franchise. That doesn't mean he can't be a terrific bench player, however.
Joel isn't coming back. He should now be know as JPEC. Camby likely signed his last contract. Oden has yet to prove he can make it through a season. Pendergraph is a marginal player. Howard is gone. We're a lot thinner at the 4/5 than we appear.
Camby can also play the four. In fact, I think that's where he'll see a good deal of his minutes this next season.
