Which PF are you looking to sign who can play 36 mpg and average 20/10 while demanding double teams. I shudder to think of how bad the offense would be without LMA or another elite scorer, because all of the attention would go to Lillard, and Batum/Wes/Lopez can't create offense for themselves. Or, is it assumed that Wiggins steps in and suddenly plays at an All-NBA level? The playoffs this year were bad enough to watch whenever LMA was off the court. Now people want to see an entire season of it, just to draft a player who no experts think is going to be elite anytime soon.
Deng's career averages. 16/6/2 Shooting 2/3/ft 46/33/77 Batum's career averages 11/5/3 45/37/83 Nic's 3 years younger and has missed 9 games the last two seasons combined. Deng has played over 70 games twice in the last 7 seasons. Great idea. Bring in an older player who can't stay healthy, and give him a 4 year contract that eats up cap space.
Deng is a better rebounder and defender than Aldridge, doesn't demand double-teams but I'm tired of these ISO plays for Aldridge anyway, Deng at least plays within the offense.
Why discuss something that has no chance of happening? Neil Olshey has clearly said the Blazers are in "win now" mode. "Asset acquisition" mode is over. The Blazers aren't trading Aldridge for the #1 pick
I don't think they would do the capspace because I believe they may have dreams of a big 3 of LMA-Irving-Lebron
Would I do the trade at all - No I will not trade a Legit Big Man for a small all-star or role players. There is only one way that would make me even consider trading Aldridge. That's if the Cavs are willing to include Irving in the trade as well as the #1 pick in the draft. Without that, I don't even talk to the Cavs.
So let me get this straight, I started my post by saying that I'm totally find with keeping the core together and adding some vets, but that means I want to tear up the team?
With what this team and fan base has been through, I can't believe any of you would sacrifice winning now for something that isn't a sure thing. You pick up Wiggins and he could develop chronic knee issues in the same mold Oden did. You know what you have in LA. You dont in your future first rounder.
You've made plenty of other posts about trading LMA. Also, why would you ask if the team right now can win a title? Are Clippers fans talking about trading Blake Griffin for the #1 pick? Are Bulls fans talking about trading Noah for the #1 pick? No, their fans are talking about bringing in another good player to add to the team, not to regress by trading away proven commodities.
There is a very small, yet vocal, part of this fanbase who seems to almost be fearful of winning. It's much easier for those posters to always be in rebuild mold, where fan expectations aren't as high, than it is to be a team that is close to competing for a title, if the correct pieces are added.
In a star-driven league, the idea is to keep your star players, and add other star players. Not to give away your star players for role players and draft picks.
