Mark Cuban pretty much is the Mav's GM and he couldn't play basketball to save his life. I think he's a fine owner and GM.
Re: What would you give up to get Gay if anything?... Not much - and other teams aren't giving much either. A serviceable player and a 1st rounder is what other teams seem to be offering.
So I don't think MEM and POR are a good partner for a Gay trade (pun intended). I know you aren't a big fan of Matthews but really he has played as well as Gay this year. So if not giving up him then who do you give up? Check out Matthews vs. Gay: http://www.basketball-reference.com...sum=1&p1=gayru01&y1=2013&p2=matthwe02&y2=2013 Gay scores more, Matthews shoots better and turns it over less.
Thought about salary cap: PA was known as being a hard liner on salary cap issues and increased luxury tax for going over the cap. I was surprised he took that stance given that the biggest advatage the Blazers have is PA finances and his commitment to trying to win a title. But maybe, PA wanted a stiffer luxury tax and lower salary cap so many teams will avoid going into the luxury tax and either not pay for players or trade off high salary players. . . all the while PA willing to go over the cap and pay luxury tax. Maybe the new CBA, while very tough on small market teams and cheap owners of big market teams, acutally works to the Blazers advantage. Time will tell if PA is willing to go over the cap, but with several teams trying to trade players to stay under the cap, including playoff teams, it makes me wonder if PA is the accidental billionaire or a shrewd business man who is thinking one or two step ahead of the others.
TOR seems intent on trading for Gay. Would love to work out way into the trade to get Calderon...though I don't know that this works for anyone beyond salary requirements: http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=acbonpa
