What about something like this: Hickson, Bledsoe, Nolan to Hornets Ryan Anderson, Elliot Williams to Clippers Deandre Jordan to Portland Do you think we might have to throw in meyers or a draft pick? Jordan might be a little overpaid and it seems like the Clippers are willing to make a change. Ryan Anderson would be a perfect fit for them. Probably to steep of a price for them to pay and I think they might want a future pick out of us, but it'd set us up for. Lillard Matthews/Barton Batum/Claver Aldridge/Freeland Jordan Which is $56 million in guaranteed salary. Not leaving much to fill out the bench with. Maybe it'd make sense to try to make a move or two now so we can get some guys under contract/bird rights rather and still use our MLE. We could try to help the suns get Josh Smith and end up with a (moderately overpaid but good fit) Channing Frye or something. I would imagine if he doesn't play or is forced to retire we don't have to pay him (salary or luxury tax). Gortat/Ewill to Atlanta JSmith/Freeland to PHX Frye to Portland Now we're at $59M with full MLE available and: Lillard/ Matthews/Barton Batum/Claver Aldridge/Frye Jordan/Frye The team would still need a b/u center for fouls (minimum: Joel Pryz or Jermaine O'neal, something like that), b/u PG/SG scorer (1/2 MLE), and b/u 2/3 (1/2 MLE). Just throwing ideas out there, not sure how feasible it'd be, but Stotts is familiar with Beaubious, he could be interesting if the playbook was extremely simple for him, one shift of running for about 9 minutes each half w/Batum running the point, and Webster, who still lives here in the offseason. Lillard (36)/Batum (12) Matthews (30)/Beabious (18) Batum (24)/Webster (24) Aldridge (36)/Frye (12) Jordan (30)/Frye (18) spot minutes for Pryzbilla, Ronnie Price, Claver? A lot would have to go right (Beaubious/Webster consistency, Frye being able to play again), but I don't think that team would be far out from being a contender.
So the Clips basicallt get Ryan Anderson for DeAndre Jordan and Eric Bledsoe? That's beyond crappy for them
Clippers don't get enough in that trade. Not nearly enough. They give up their starting center and their insurance policy on Paul for a power forward and a guard that hasn't played even a quarter of a season since he came into the league. They could get much more for those two guys.
supposedly the clips would give up those two for Garnett though. Anderson would be a good fit next to Griffin and the pick n roll game and is on a really fantastic deal for his talents. Jordan is somewhat feuding with Del Negro and on a more expensive deal, this helps them retain financial flexibility. I kind of assumed Meyers or a future 1st would be heading their way too. Doesn't Anderson have more value than Millsap (who they would give up Bledsoe for according to rumors)?
It's our best move. But POR won't trade the "centerpiece" "fan favorite" until his value has dropped at least 40%.
So we're going to magically trade for two HOFers? Even Pierce in his heyday was better than anyone we currently have on the team.
Why not? There are disgruntled players all the time. Once the demand is made, then you get those players for cheap. In the meantime, you collect as much talent as you can to absorb that bargain.
Garnett didn't want to go to Boston. He had a no-trade-clause and he was going to exercise it. The only reason why he eventually said yes was because they acquired Allen. Looking back, the Sonics/Thunder sure didn't get much for Allen, but he wasn't disgruntled. They wanted to build around Durant. So again, what makes you think that a superstar would want to come here? We're a small market and it seems like you have to already have a superstar for them to join.
Imagine a player like Howard; who is chasing a ring. What if Howard just said "Fuck it!" and decides to come to Portland for our max available. If Howard was smart he would go to the team that could net him a ring. There are no contending teams that have that much cap space. Aldridge has enough years in him to give Howard at least 5 years of contention. There are only 6 superstars that have 5 years + of superstar level talent in the league right now: Westbrook, Harden, Durant, Howard, Irving, and Rose. The other big time players are really far below those players.
Oh shit I forgot about LBJ. He is definitely a superstar that can produce for at least another 5 years at that level. And Harden will not even be close to the value of LBJ ever.
Okay - I was just very confused by a list that omitted LBJ but included Westbrook and Rose. I think other players could be added to the list. I mean, if Westbrook/Rose are on the list shouldn't you include Melo, Griffin, maybe Curry, Rondo, DWill, and Davis? And new stars are added to the league every couple of years.
