Playing devils advocate since I know a lot of people here like thinking about trade possibilities. I wouldn't be disappointed if the team stands pat, but if they should make a move or two here are some I would like to see. Here are a few I would consider with the limited knowledge I have of the off the court synergy. I'm going to put the videos in spoiler alerts to reduce clutter. http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=mn5pmt8 --He hasn't been the same since he suffered that injury a few years back. But he also hasn't had the same usage rate, or been in an offensive system like Portland runs. I think he could thrive here, and that this could be the perfect situation to rejuvenate his career. He has some playoff experience and has played on a couple teams with savvy vets where he has surely gained some insight. I think he could potentially be a perfect spark plug off the bench, and when he gets going he can be lights out. I'd give him the green light off of the bench. CJ hasn't looked very good since the injury and while I haven't given up hope that he can develop into a good player, I'm not sure that time will come this season. I think his upside is enough for Miami to make this trade. You might have to throw in some form of a pick, I don't know how much value the Heat have placed on Granger. Spoiler: Trade 1 http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=pla4heb --I don't think Johnson is near his ceiling. This move is mainly offensive minded, but Johnson is hardly a liability on the defensive end. One could argue that he is a streaky shooter, but he can knock down the three efficiently and is an lengthy athletic wing who can create his own shot. He has a hip strain which he suffered a week or so ago, but I don't think its anything serious. Barton, while very athletic, often plays out of control. His style of play is the kind that can cost you in the playoffs. Turnovers and poor shot selection. I think Barton quite possibly has the lowest upside of anyone on the Blazers. I honestly don't know if the L*kers would go for this. I would also look at CJ and a trade exception for Johnson. Again you might have to include a draft pick of some form, I don't know what the L*kers have in mind for their future. Spoiler: Trade 2 What are your thoughts? I'll continue looking at the trade machine and coming up with other trade options.
I don't think he is, I think he just needs the right situation. He's the same age as Livingston , who was highly coveted, and took a while to come back from an even worse injury. He doesn't rely on athleticism as much as Livingston does to be productive. It could be all for not though. I think the Heat likely take their chances with him unless we give them a great offer, at which point the Blazers are taking a very big risk. Frankly it is probably too much of a risk for a team in the Blazers' position to take. He could end up being a huge steal for the Heat should he continue improving. I'll take a deeper look at him post injury. Edit: I would approach this trade with a watchful eye, monitoring his progress as he continues to get his legs back. He ran out of gas last year with the Clippers, but that doesn't mean the story of his career from here on out needs to follow that. I also think the Clippers had unrealistic expectations of Granger that quickly after his return from injury. They wanted him to turn around immediately and be the player he was, I don't think he will ever be able to drive the lane as efficiently as he used to, but I do believe he can still be a valuable offensive player. First here is an article about Granger and his effort to return to form. He's spent much of this season trying to regain his strength and get to where he feels he needs to be to help his team out. Since that article he has been averaging 26.8 minutes per game, which is more than he would need to play in Portland. He still hasn't played any great games since his return, but there are some signs that he still has the offensive prowess from his Pacer days. Going 6-7 from downtown on one occasion and a couple of efficient 2-3 nights from long range. I'm sure many are goin to argue about the small sample size, and they are justified in doing so. However as the sample size grows, the chance of his value skyrocketing increases. Grangers usage rate is down 4.5 points since the 13-14 season with the clippers during which he posted a PER of 10.90. He did not contribute much in the 10.3 minutes he averaged in the playoffs that year, but the playoff experience is there, and the struggles could be chalked up to recovery from the injury. His TS% is down from his 56.11 average in his first 7 years prior to injury. However that number has been going up as he recovers, and is at 54.7 in his limited play this season (up from 35% in 12-13, and 50.2 in 13-14). He clearly won't be able to get to the rim to create his own shot as he could prior to injury, but I am looking at him more as a legitimate threat off the bench who can give you fairly consistent offense. Think Peja Stojakovic for the 2010-2011 Mavs. Peja had a slightly higher TS% for the Mavs while helping play a part in their playoff success (58.8) however he only averaged 18.4 minutes in the playoffs, and did miss some playoff games. It would definitely be a high risk, high reward move, and only one that should be considered if the team is in win now mode. McCollum still has yet to show much consistency during his short NBA career, and while he has had okay games, he doesn't have anywhere near the postseason experience as Granger. Don't read too much into the player offered, that depends mainly on who the FO values going into playoffs. In my mind I see Crabbe being a bigger part of the playoffs than McCollum, which is why I would make this move over one such as Crabbe/Claver Or Barton/Claver. I started thinking about why he was released by the Clippers, but quickly dismissed any thoughts that it might be a sign he doesn't have it left in him. If you look at the clippers organization there are red flags all over. If you think about Olsheys departure you have to start wondering what was going on (outside of a racist owner). He left a team that seemingly had one of the brightest futures in the league. Since his departure they have made some questionable moves, and I'm not sure they are best suited to call Granger a lost cause.
There is only room for one chucker on this team. If I had a choice, I would rather have wroten then Chandler. Wroten is a big time slasher and gets to the line. I think that "slasher/getting to the line" player is really our missing piece.
I agree I would rather have Wroten as well, watching him at Washington shows me he can play in a team system like the Blazers. I just included Chandler because he seems to be the hot topic right now. Also if Chandler is considered a chucker then so is Kamen.
Kudos for using the Spoiler Alert as links to videos, that was sick! As for the actual trades, I think a 2013 Lottery Pick (McCollum) is still too hefty a price to pay for a veteran on the decline (Granger). Also, I see the Johnson-for-Barton swap as a wash and considering The Thrill is a good locker room guy, it wouldn't be enough of an upgrade to make that move.
I would be fine with the second trade (not sure why they would do it though) but the first trade is a no-go.
I'm not sure Philly has much incentive to move anybody. There have been talks that the Clippers are interested in Wroten, but those went quiet last month. I'm not sure the team moves CJ and T-Rob, I think that is more one or the other.
For Wroten, you could easily use T.Rob. Philly lacks a PF and T.Rob isn't good enough to hurt their tank
I'd wait a couple weeks to see how he plays coming off of surgery but this is my idea. http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=msgolsr
That is a no-brainer. So much a no-brainer that I can't see it happening unless the Wizards are trying to cut salary for this off-season.
I gave that a long hard thought. Glad someone else came up with it. He was on my radar last season but I was concerned the injury hurt his game. Not sure about what we give though.
Idk, without Webster they've been great. They have a solid backup wing situation without him in Rasual Butler, Otto Porter Jr and Garrett Temple. T-Rob would get to go back home and the Wizards get an energy guy off the bench that they don't really have in the frontcourt.
http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=l66tzh5 -- I started by going for low key trades that were under the radar. Here is one for players that has been talked about. Phoenix probably only does this of they fall hard out of playoff contention. This move brings in expiring contracts for them to be able to target a big name free agent in the summer to pair with Thomas and Bledsoe. The Rockets have interest in Dragic, so I think they make this move. Houston and Portland would definitely be throwing in a combination of picks/cash as well as the players. Two western playoff teams get much stronger, and a fringe team looks to re tool to be competitive next season. I honestly don't think Phoenix is there, but I'd they get a big name free agent then they will be. Before you come out and say "why help the rockets get better?", you would likely need 3 teams to get green to Portland, and this was the first thing that came to mind since houston has their eyes on Dragic.
Of course you have to get him to waive his no trade clause. Now, I will go run for cover. http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=ox6ba4f
