If I was Olshey and I felt like I really had something special in a three-guard rotation with Lillard, Maynor and Matthews, *and* I really liked Hickson's offensive spunk, I'd think about trading LMA, Leonard, Freeland, Babbitt, whoever for a Marc Gasol. Memphis is in a unique position where Z-Bo ain't getting any younger, and they don't really use Marc to his fullest.
How are Z-Bo and LMA going to play better together then Hickson and LMA? Really you could say that Hickson has been 90% of Z-Bo this year.
I'm not opposed to trading Aldridge because I think Hickson duplicates a lot of the same skills, with a higher rebounding average and a much higher FG%. I also think Aldridge would bring more in trade.
Not my problem, because I'll have Marc Gasol. But yeah, it's a tough proposition to try and pry someone that good off of Memphis. However, the way NOVoodoo tells it, they barely use him to his full Sabas-like potential. Maybe they'd rather have LMA and the flexibility to deal Z-Bo for someone else? I can dream.
That's really the crux... if you felt really good about Hickson (and his defensive liabilities) at PF, and knew you'd get a Top-5 center in return for LMA, you trade LMA. Olshey traded Eric Gordon. He's not afraid to shake shit up if the reward is right.
The thing is, Aldridge isn't even a good defender. He's better than Hickson, but that's not saying much. Maybe try to deal Aldridge to a team with a little cap space this summer and free up some more room to make a run at Mayo or Redick.
I do think trading LMA has to at least be explored if we can get a C we want and perhaps added value. For example would you consider Asik from HOU? and then add players like T Rob and/or someone else (Parsons?), and/or a pick? just throwin ideas out
When I go to games on the road, everyone around me talks about how great they think Aldridge is. Just sayin. I don't think you appreciate what we have, natebishop.
I completely understand what Aldridge is. He's a power forward that can score points. He's not a particularly good defender, he doesn't rebound very well, and he seems to disappear late in games. He's a really good player, there's no doubt. Probably one of the best power forwards in the game, but he's not a superstar and we have some holes to fill. We have another player on our team who is younger, who rebounds better, and who can score without needing a lot of shots. Why not use one chip to get another chip of greater need? The goal is to win championships, Eric. Not to make the playoffs.
Olshey will not trade lma for picks and prospects. Only way lma gets traded is for an upgrade (see Gordon for cp3) or if lma forced his way out.
I can get down with this idea. How about Asik/Jones/Delfino for LA. Gets us a starting 5 as well as capable backups at 2 & 4. Seems like exactly the kind of deal that Morey has been stockpiling assets for, and gives him a solid big 3 with Lin/Harden/Aldridge, plus sends LA back home to Texas where he wants to be. Our resultant 2-deep would be: Lillard/Maynor Matthews/Delfino Batum/Claver Hickson/Jones Asik/Leonard It's the type of trade that makes way too much sense for both teams for it to ever actually happen.
There's an inherent problem with offering the QO. If we give it to him, and he mulls it over for a period, we are stuck with his 5+ mil caphold taking up some of caproom. It might be better to give up his rights, wait to get our big name FA(s), then sign him with our remaining capspace.
Hickson's "explosion" last season was even greater than Maynor, and he didn't get much interest in the offseason. Maynor has had 4 good games for us. 6 mil a year would be crazy for Maynor. Look at other PG FAs next year, and their salaries, to compare. But kudos to the Blazers GMs, for getting back to back pieces for basically nothing the last two years. The Blazers can play 3 man rotations and many positions. This franchise has always been good at finding gems in the 2nd round and making the most out of under-valued players. They just really suck at picking in the top 3.
