The GM in Cleveland whose last ditch effort to save his job involved acquiring Luol Deng was still fired, so the speculation is that Deng might go too. I can't imagine they really think he'd want to stay there (he even said to the press something to the effect of the atmosphere being shockingly bad), so now's the time to shift him. If I had to bet, I would bet that Phoenix have already offered Okafor's expiring contract and a couple of their (protected/low) 2014 first rounders for him. Now, I would love to get Deng, but NOT at the expense of Batum. Would you give up CJ McCollum to get Deng, bearing in mind that he is a FA at the end of the season? For me the answer is "of course" - Deng is a very good player, and in particular, a stellar defender, which we really need. I doubt we really have a shot at him, but I hope Olshey's trying.
I'd offer this. I dunno if it would be enough - it sort of depends what others are offering. The Cavs might actually like to get Mo back, given how cheap he is now and his connection with the glory years. But it might hinge on them offloading Jack. You've got to think they'd prefer cap space and picks, but we ain't got either to offer.
You can play both together very easily. Both can guard multiple positions. Deng can even play PF in a pinch - he's a very good rebounder. Deng would begin by coming off the bench in this scenario (he pretty much would BE the bench with the trade I've suggested, which is a bit of a problem, at least until his GB teammate Freeland came back) but if anyone eventually got pushed to the bench for him it would be Wesley.
So our front court depth to make a playoff push is Aldridge/nobody Lopez/nobody Brilliant move Solid.
It would take more than Deng for CJ ... and no, I wouldn't give up CJ for Deng right now, based on contracts.
There are big men out there that can be signed to a veteran minimum who can give you what Robinson and Leonard are giving you. Kwame Brown, Jason Collins...
CJ is a good trading chip, but I don't think the Blazers should trade him. It seems like the new CBA is having an impact on teams just spending money freely. While there are players with more alert than CJ, his contract is such that you can lock him up for cheap for the next 4-5 yrs while spending money on free agents. These days a cheap contract for a good player is pretty valuable. Hate to trade that for the opportunity to pay the most to Deng this summer.
In all likelihood we won't move CJ. But I don't see CJ ever being a starter for us while we've got Lillard. And wouldn't it be nice to have an all-NBA perimeter defender? I don't care if we have to pay him a lot. He's worth it.
Yes, they're not good. But they're as good as Robinson and Leonard. In fact, better defensively. LOL.
Would I trade CJ McCollum for Luol Deng? Do you really have to ask? Anyone would be a damn fool to say no!
That is one if the absolute worst trade proposals I have ever read on here. So impatient to make even the second round willing to shut the window that just opened. Sent from my LG-LS995 using Tapatalk
That would indeed be an achievement. What window would that be? The one Robinson, Leonard and CJ would lead us through?
Yes that window. This team isn't ready for a title run yet, trading all those young guys for one much older guy doesn't make us a legit contender especially if we are saying Jason Collins is going to save us. On top of that Deng would bolt to a team that would start him or if we re-signed him we have no money to add more pieces and again we are stuck with an awful bench. CJ is looking like he can be a competent reserve at absolute worst. Leonard is a 21 yo second year player at a position that is traditionally a slower one for players out of college to adapt to. Robinson is a lot like Leonard in terms of simply having physical intangibles that are valuable for bench calibre players in the NBA. Are the great now no. Will they get great? Maybe, maybe not. They aren't going to get worse and chances are they are going to get better over the next year. Meanwhile our starting lineup is still young. They guys mentioned who are free agents... It's not like they are free agents because they are too good to be signed because rheumatoid make team's too good. Sent from my LG-LS995 using Tapatalk
An old guy? What is LaMarcus Aldridge and Wes Mathews then? Deng is only 28 and that's an old guy? By your logic we better be ready to trade Aldridge in the next few seasons.
