http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/story/_/page/TradeGrades-110315/deadline-deals Portland: A The Blazers are flailing, but this was absolutely the right move for them -- a means to a quickie rebuilding project that can have them back in the West's upper crust while LaMarcus Aldridge is still in his prime. Or so they hope. The top-3 protected draft choice from the Nets is the key. It's likely to fall in the 6-to-10 range, giving the Blazers a shot at a high lottery pick. There are two other angles here. First, they are assured that Wallace won't opt in for $9.5 million next year and screw up their cap situation; instead they're locked into $3.1 million for Williams and roughly $2.5 million for the first-round pick. If they also deal Jamal Crawford (or if he opts out, which seems likely), they'll be $25 million under the cap next summer, which means they have the wherewithal to re-sign Nicolas Batum and plunge into the free-agent market. Second, while Williams was useless in New Jersey as a 3, he's had some success as a 4 off the bench. That could be his role in Portland, since Wallace had effectively taken over as the backup power forward. Alternatively, the trade could open playing time for Luke Babbitt -- who has played well in recent garbage-time stints -- or the scandalously underutilized Craig Smith. Finally, this clears up a perimeter jumble for Portland. Batum gets to start at the 3, his natural position, and if Crawford goes, it appears Wes Matthews and Elliot Williams can share the shooting guard spot.
Hollinger's grades for the Blazers' moves. http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/story/_/page/TradeGrades-110315/deadline-deals Camby Deal Wallace Deal: No word yet on the firing of Nate MacMillan, but I'm going to guess A++?
D. Kept the malcontents and slackers, filled no needed spots, got nothing that will amount to anything in return. Still looks like selling the team to me.
You'll understand once we have an owner unwilling to spend money in a small market. The grass is not always greener...
I don't want the team sold buddy. I love Allen as an owner. I'm just saying that he's publicly said he will no longer be in luxury cap mode ever again. Those were his words.
They couldn't go on and lose by 40 every night. Getting a real nice lottery pick and tons of cap space is probably the best they could've done. "A" from me.
They tried to trade Felton. Camby was a slacker by most accounts. How can you say a high draft pick in a great draft will not amount to anything? It in itself is something very valuable. Face it - it's time to rebuild.
No those words were said before the lock-out. But regardless, it's the truth. It's actually not such a bad idea either. We will never have that Miles albotross contracts that we hate any longer. It makes the organization do their "due diligence" and find the right talent too.
Guess what? You're wrong. He said that in an interview on December 19th, 2011. http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/i...ers_owner_paul_allen_says_he_isnt_sellin.html
Under the new salary cap even Allen wasn't going to be able to do that ... his only advantage as an owner evaporated in the middle of December when they ratified the new CBA
it's time to get a better PG thats for sure. I wish there were some highly touted one's projected in the next draft, but of course picks can be used in trades to. Anyhoo, I'm late to the fire sale uproar, so sorry if this has been already posted, but it's more food for thought http://www.portlandroundballsociety...deconstructing-the-blazers-trade-deadlin.html STOMP
Nobody wants to pay luxury tax these days, but that hardly means everyone suddenly has the same spending habits and commitment to winning. I haven't been a big fan of Allen's since the day he fired Pritchard, but it could still be worse. So it depends on who would buy the team.
