Hickson signed the 1-year $4 million deal thinking he would get ample playing time to show his true value. He'll want more than $4 million per year if he plays well (possible double-double) during the first half of the season and our team may not want to pay him that much if they're going after a prized free agent or two. The Blazers positioned themselves nicely with cap space by declining options for Babbitt, Smith, and Elliot. It'll give them cap flexibility for possible trades made by the trade deadline or utilize the cap space for the next FA class. In the end, they may decide to trade him for expiring contracts, and draft picks. Then make a play for a prized Free Agent. Of course, they'll need Hickson's approval. "The Blazers re-signed J.J. Hickson for one season at $4 million and since they have his Bird Rights, Hickson can block any trade." http://www.hoopsworld.com/nba-pm-trade-veto-power/ Also, here's a link to the 2013 Free Agent Class according to hoopsworld.com (it needs to be updated) http://www.hoopsworld.com/2013-nba-free-agents/
As long as we sign him with an eye to him being a backup, I'm fine. That, of course, means paying him backup wages. I want to keep powder dry to make a lopsided trade when we stand a chance of being decent.
It's pretty simple. Keep him for the right price or otherwise trade him if possible. Who knows what he'll want.
Yep. We are having a hard enough time finding production. There is no sense in trading him. I doubt he would agree to a trade anyway. He is on a one year deal, would lose his bird rights, and has a team he has been putting up numbers with.
I still say see what his value is at trade deadline and go from there. He should have good trade value and to say he's only 24 and plays hard is easy to say. I doubt Hickson will want to stay on the Blazers when he could go and be a big building block player for another team that needs a true PF. He's never going to be that type of player for the Blazers when we have Aldridge, Batum, Lillard. What would Hickson, Mathews and smith bring back?
Pekovic, Bynum, and possibly AI. Tyreke Evans, Kevin Martin, Al Jefferson, Milsap, Mayo, Manu. And to clarify, Keep him this year? Yep Keep him after this year? Depends on price and the development of Freeland Trade him this year? Highly doubt he agrees to it.
Those players aren't better than Hickson, especially if you give credit for his 2-position versatility. As an energy player, he sets an example and shames others into playing harder. (Why is everyone looking at Aldridge?)
if Leonard is the future, then we won't go with Pekovic or Bynum or Jefferson. Not interested in Iverson or Iguodala. Martin and Evans suck. Mayo is the only guy on this list I'm interested in. Lillard/Mayo/Batum/Aldridge/Leonard is not bad. Are there any good backup PGs available?
We have to keep him at this point, our frontline is so weak. It's not like we have Kenneth Faried or anything.
