Its really too bad we cant keep this core together past this year

Since the OKC game Ive been thinking this group could be really special for a few years with lengthy playoff runs. It really sucks that most of these guys wont be here next october. I realize we cna bring in other players but losing Wallace (or Batum) Camby, Crawford and maybe Felton will hurt unless the blazers make some pretty crazy moves. I just hope we aren't rebuilding at this time next year. this is teh best Blazer basketball Ive seen since 07-08 season. Fun to watch and love the guys on this team! Such a shame to only have a shortened season with this group.

 

Camby is very likely gone and IMO Wallace as well unless we really want to play hin and for 4-5 years. My guess is that Jamal leaves as well. I think we can go with a core of LMA-Wes-Batum and I think Felton really wnats to stay here and would signs a fairly reasonable deal if we want him. After that it's that core and a few young guys and posisble deadline trades and capspace. Not too bad depending upon how we trade and what FA's we might get.

 

Camby might come back for a 1 year deal. Wallace the writing is on the wall. He wants big money. I dont see us offering it. Jamal is 100% gone.

 

I'd take him back but only for fairly cheap, 2-3 mil on a 2 yr contract with Blazer option for 2nd yr. I don't think he'd accept that but be happy if he did.

 

I agree on enjoying the "now" - I am, but with the roster we have and so may possibly leaving this summer we HAVE TO think stategically as well IMO

 

yep have to start really looking at next year while we continue to win. if we can get a future stud pg or center by dealing say wallace, batum, or camby..... have to do it.

 

I don't like that core. The only possible "All-star" is Aldridge. That would be a team that maybe good enough to get to the playoffs; but not even come close to winning anything.

 

I think we can keep most of the core. I still believe that we can keep Batum and Wallace as well. Who knows about Oden either. The only player(s) I see not making the cut could be Camby and Thomas. That's about it. If Brass wants this team to stay together, they can keep them. That's the big question...

 

Yeah exactly, do we even want to keep all parts of this core together, or do we want to retool a couple of the positions. I don't see why people assume all our players are going to leave in free agency. First everyone says Oden is surely a goner, now Gerald, and Felton, Batum, Camby.

If we want to keep any of our players why wouldn't they sign here? Except for Crawchuck we can offer all of them as much money as any other team and I think the guys all apear very happy with their situation. Camby has never left any team in his career, the team has always been the one to dump him. Camby enjoys it so much here he threatened to retire if traded away from the team last year.

If we break up this core I think it'll be because either we can bring in a Deron Williams level stud which I would be happy with, or the team and player have decided the fit is not working out for both parties, or some other team is drastically overpaying one of our guys. With the new CBA all teams will be far more hesitant to give out huge long term deals so I think that final scenario is far less likely than many fans are speculating. Caron Butler was in a somewhat similar contract situation as Gerald Wallace and the most he could get was 3 years $24 million.

 

It is kind of shame that the ages and contracts of a large portion of the team make it pretty much now or never, but I guess my advice would be to enjoy it while it lasts.

I just hope that somebody making the personnel decisions this off-season has the stones to make moves proactively and doesn't let sentimentality cloud their judgement -- there's hardly a worse investment in sports than paying a lot of 30+ years old players money for what they used to be and not what they'll actually be able to do on their next contract.

 

maggs... buddy.... fellow blazer fan.....

time to let oden go. its over pal.

 

Nope, I refuse to let it go until he is gone.

 

There's a crop of good players in 2012 free agency. I'm guessing the Blazers will make some questionable moves that actually turn out really well. I don't think they'll be good enough to be contenders though, unless they can somehow....say....pry Deron Williams from the Nets in free agency.

 

I think there's a good chance that many of these guys will be back. Unless we can get Deron Williams, I don't really see many other people worth targeting this summer. I'd rather sink the money into Wallace for four years, Batum, Felton, and maybe even Crawford. It really depends on how well we do down the stretch. There's always a lot of hype about free agency, but who is really available that would come here? If guys like Wallace, Felton, and Crawford want to be in Portland, I say keep them and maybe try to make a trade for one more piece. I really like the combo of Wallace and Aldridge. Wes has been solid. I even like Felton, but if we could somehow add Deron Williams this team would be a legit contender in my opinion.

 

Dallas let Caron Butler go and got a title. They let Tyson Chandler go and are now .500. It's all in how you define "core."

There are only two guys on this team from 3 years ago (Aldridge and Batum). 3 years from now I bet once again there are only 2 guys still on this team (Aldridge and Matthews). That's just how this league works, unless you win a title. And then only sometimes.

 

Mixum alert!

The Blazers are off to their best start in 12 years. Damnit! We need SOMETHING to bring down the mood. I know, I'll start a thread about how we'll lose ALL our potential free agents, even though they all love it here and enjoy playing together. Yeah, that should do it. And, if I repeat it often enough, it will gradually become accepted as fact. Bwaahaha!

BNM

 

Not to mention that before the season there was much discussion around here about how the Blazers needed to be blown up and start over, but now we're wringing our hands about how we can keep this group together. Too funny.

 

Dallas didn't let Butler go til after they won the title. He was just hurt. And why is Crawford 100% gone? He seems very happy here. This thread depresses me.

 

Lets blow it up, guys!