Obviously it's a big "if" because of the source, but if it's true it raises a few questions. 1) Why would the team be looking to trade Aldridge? Is it because Aldridge wants to be traded or is it because the team wants to trade Aldridge? 2) What does the team want to get back for him? Young players? Vets? Picks? 3) What is the current plan? Obviously things have changed because of the recent Olshey quotes about wishing he had upgraded the bench. Is Olshey in a "win now" mode? If that's true, why would they want to trade Aldridge? I've looked around the league and I simply don't see a good trade partner. What are our holes? Basically our whole bench. We need a backup point guard, we need a backup shooting guard, we need a backup small forward.... Should we go for vets for these positions or should we keep trying to bring in young talent to build around our core? It seems like the team is caught between a desire to build long term and an unforeseen quicker advance in the progress of Lillard and the other starters.
This was a Clownzano "rumor" correct? I'm not saying it's impossible that the Blazers want to trade LaMarcus, but part of me wonders if it isn't just JC throwing something out there to stir up page hits or drive up his flagging ratings for his shitty radio show. Assuming that it's real, my guess is that they'd be seeking a likely lottery pick and a young big man. Maybe they'd want to work a trade with a team like the Wizards who seem to be stuck in lottery purgatory every year? I'm not sure what it would take to make the value part work out or how much salary would need to come back, but I wouldn't completely object to an unprotected pick in either this year's draft of next (or both?) and say somebody like Kevin Seraphin and Nene (or Okafor I suppose?) -- that still feels a little bit "thin" but maybe something along those lines?
I was thinking Orlando. Aldridge, Matthews, Babbitt, and Smith for Vucevic, Davis, Redick, Afflalo and their lotto pick. We get a young big and a lottery pick, plus some vets that help with the "win now" mentality.
Why? Because LA is our best trading chip and can help us fill more glaring holes. My proposal as I mentioned in the other thread is to trade him for Monroe. Then sign Iggy, Millsap, and Patty in the off season, and let Hickson walk if his valuation is too high. Then roll with: Dame/ Wes/ Nic/ Millsap/ Monroe bench: Patty/ Iggy / Barton/ Vic/ Leonard
I wouldn't object to the Orlando deal ... but it seems like a lot of moving parts and I'm not sure Orlando comes away from that feeling great about themselves.
The price might be a little too steep for the Magic, I agree, but they would get a new face to the franchise. There really isn't anyone on that team that they can market since they lost Howard. Redick is a free agent this summer anyway. Maybe they wouldn't give up the pick, but I'd still the deal without the pick. It would fill a lot of holes. We re-sign Hickson in the offseason and then the only real holes that would need feeling is backup point guard and maybe small forward.
A big IF to be sure, but I would imagine it is a mutual thing. Aldridge probably had the talk with Olshey early in the season, and Olshey said he wouldn't trade him, but Aldridge probably said it was ok to. Olshey being a stand up guy will look to trade him to a place he would want to be. So that being said OKC http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=bxp2tnh OKC also sends Tor pick HOU http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=a9htnb8 Hou also sends future firsts DAL Not a good trade partner LAL Not a good trade partner LAC http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=b4cklhm MIA Not a good trade partner NYK Not a good trade partner BLN http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=av5cm2p MULTIPLE, AND I MEAN MULTIPLE firsts going to Portland. Not a good trade partner though CHI http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=a4lvr68 First's coming back to Portland Those places are close to home or in demand for most NBA player destinations I have never thought the plan was a win now plan, so I think the Blazers would require youth, expirings and picks
Let's trade the whole team for just picks. Let's sit out the next few seasons until a good draft emerges. After all, it's not about "now" it's about building for the future. Actual players always disappoint.
We didn't make up the rumor.... we're merely discussing the rumor that was presented. Or were you talking to Neil Olshey?
