When looking for a backup 5, we have to also think it'd have to be someone who is going to be o being completely out of the rotation when Nurk comes back, most likely.
If Nurk comes back and proves to be healthy then we trade Whiteside or the vet min big. If either plays well they should have value at the deadline.
Here's a breakdown of the top players at each position searching for landing spots. NBA free agency: Available point guards Player Status Trey Burke Unrestricted free agent Jeremy Lin Unrestricted free agent Jerian Grant Unrestricted free agent Jerryd Bayless Unrestricted free agent Shaun Livingston Unrestricted free agent NBA free agency: Available shooting guards Player Status Lance Stephenson Unrestricted free agent Justin Holiday Unrestricted free agent Iman Shumpert Unrestricted free agent Vince Carter Unrestricted free agent Jamal Crawford Unrestricted free agent Jodie Meeks Unrestricted free agent NBA free agency: Available forwards Player Status Kelly Oubre Jr. Restricted free agent Kenneth Faried Unrestricted free agent Thabo Sefolosha Unrestricted free agent Carmelo Anthony Unrestricted free agent Trey Lyles Unrestricted free agent NBA free agency: Available centers Player Status Nene Hilario Unrestricted free agent Pau Gasol Unrestricted free agent Joakim Noah Unrestricted free agent Zaza Pachulia Unrestricted free agent Tyson Chandler Unrestricted free agent
Livingston will be 34 in September but his skill set is not exactly dependent on his athleticism. Once he clears waivers I would try to get him. He would have a calming effect with the 2nd unit.
This would not surprise me. But I really think he would fit with Portland better. (Especially compared to the Lakers) He was drafted by the Clippers, maybe he does not want the same result. Bad memories.
From Dviss's's's' list, my knee jerk (heavy on the jerk) reaction is: Available point guards Trey Burke or Shaun Livingston (Bayless: NEVER) Available shooting guards Justin Holiday or Vince Carter (Jamal Crawford: NEVER!) Available forwards Kelly Oubre Jr. or Thabo Sefolosha (Carmelo Anthony: NEVER!!) Available centers I have no clue if any of these guys are or would stay healthy, or if they can still play for that matter. Zaza Pachulia or Tyson Chandler ?? (Is Monroe off the list? Not unrestricted?)
What if Whiteside plays better than Nurkic (nobody would be surprised if he was clearly better around the hoop) and the Blazers are in the top 4 in the WC?
Livingston and Dwight please. Dame / Livingston CJ / Ant / Trent Hood / Baze / Little Collins / Hezonja / Skal / Tolliver Nurk* / Whiteside / Dwight
In that case, the Blazers either bring Nurk back along extremely slowly and don't play him more than 20 minutes a game the whole season/playoffs or Whiteside has increased his trade value and we can get more for him.