Quick: LA and Deron have talked about playing together

probably being forced to re-sign felton at the last minute just to have an experienced PG on the roster after deron and nash drag things out then turn them down.

 

Let's see

"This team is under .500 and couldn't even make the playoffs. Why go there?"

"This team made the playoffs in the very competitive west and has a young nucleus of players. With me we're right there contending"

I buy Treaty of Batum's argument.

 

I'm shocked.

 

That's what those two lottery picks are for. Either draft a center, trade both picks to move up, if necessary, draft one of the stud power forwards in this draft and move LaMarcus to center, or trade one of the picks for a reasonably young established center. Having two lottery picks offers lots of flexibility.

BNM

 

Shock and Awe

 

Deron wont care if we make or miss the playoffs. If you make a trade with the picks to add an impact player to go with aldridge and batum, he could be thinking instant contender too.

 

I agree with the argument that the best way to possibly maybe lure Deron is to get one very good coach that he wants to play for, two good lotto picks, one max contract for Deron, of course, a second good free agent signing, resign Batum, and have LaMarcus beg and plead for him to come play with us. Hey, it could happen.

 

a capologist will have to comment on whether we will have enough left over to max out deron if we are forced to sign batum to a big number first AND end up with cap holds for 2 lottery picks. seems to me something like batum @ 9 million and picks 5/10 would make adding a max vet contract a little tight, even assuming crawford opts out. dunno.

 

i guess it doesn't really matter since if deron came here is would most likely be via sign and trade with us giving up some lesser assets.

 

I think Deron would be more likely to sign here if we trade the draft picks for a good vet. Hopefully the draft picks are high and we can get an above average starter.

 

I highly doubt he comes here via sign and trade. The big advantage we have in recruiting him is we can add him at a max contract while retaining all our other assets. The Lakers, Magic, Spurs, Mavs, could all do sign and trades.

 

Yes we can fit easily fit draft picks, Batum, and a max offer to a free agent.

Batum's cap hold will only count for ~$5million until he signs his contract. So we can sign Deron and other free agents first then match a huge offer for Batum.

 

Batum might be tricky. The new rules of the CBA only give the team that holds matching rights three days to respond.

 

Good point.

If the Blazers can turn the (hopefully) two lottery picks into one stud big, then Deron could be considering a roster that features two All-Stars (him and LA) and two above average starters - Batum and the new big.

 

i know we'd probably be ok if we had the flexibility to wait on batum. the question was what if we were forced to sign him before doing anything else.

for a rough example:

LMA 13
batum 9.5
matthews 6.5
multiple lottery holds 5ish
babbitt ewill nolan 5
deron 17

that's pretty close to the probable cap right there (56 total) and i don't know if there would be holds on any other roster spots (?)

 

i'm assuming if it were to happen a sign and trade would be for smaller assets and a big trade exception (if that is allowed) to fascilitate the extra year for deron.

 

A young nucleus of Ray Felton and Jamal Crawford?

This team isn't making the playoffs either way. Have you looked at the standings?