My Opinion: No moves. Play out the season.

I say fuck this season, sign a free agent big man either by getting a second exception or by dumping Tolliver, and draft a center over the summer (or bring in Joel Freeland). We don't need to negotiate with the sharks out there in the league. We don't have to come to them hat in hand and let them take advantage of us.

This season is done. Trading assets away to help with this season is in my opinion short-sighted, and begging to be accosted in a horrible trade.

 

I'm guessing Cole Aldrich if we properly tank, maybe Ekpe Udoh, or Solomon Alabi if I'm being more realistic.

 

Making the playoffs this year won't make the players any more secure about health.

That's one reason why missing the playoffs won't put doubts in their heads.

Not if they have you and me as teammates. We'd hustle, but we'd still lose. Even with prime Michael Jordan.

No doubt. That doesn't mean failing to make the playoffs in the face of incredible adversity would make the players doubt themselves.

I doubt they'd say what Schilly said. But it would still be true: it's not a failure to miss the playoffs when much of your rotation is injured.

Nah. Just play hard.

 

KP isn't going to get completely fleeced. He's too shrewd for that.

I think we need to look at TO and Blake's contracts as a bundle this season like we looked at RLEC last year.

 

You're a wolf pack of one.

I'll say this I think we should make a trade to balance our roster. But that doens't mean trading anyone but Steve Blake. We might only get a TE for him, but then we could at least sign another post player for the remainder of the season.

Trade Blake to Miami for TE and a 2nd rounder, then see about bringing Freeland over now.

The problem with your theory MIXUM is you never consider what it would take to give up to get players that you want to get to accomplish what you want.

Healthy players
Miller, Blake, Roy, Bayless, Webster, Cunningham, Howard, Aldridge, Pendergraph

Howard, Cunningham and Pendergraph have very little trade value. We aren't going to trade Roy or Aldridge as not only are they our future, but they are both Poison Pills.

That leaves Miller, Blake, Bayless and Webster to trade. What could we get with those 4 that would make us distinctively better this season?

 

If the Blazers can still make the playoffs this year, it would be such such a statement to the mental strength of this team. Think about that. So we make the playoffs, lose at some point. But the point would be, we made it, we did what nobody thought we would do. All of the bench would be that much better. All of the bench would be that much more experienced. Roy and Aldridge would have to step up and lead, otherwise it has no chance. Those two have to put down 50 a night from here on out. No nights off. Then we go into next season hardened. Ready. Resolved. Deep.

Now here is the bonus. Say we make the playoffs in the #8 spot. Might as well finish it off by taking a pop at the Lakers aye? Lets go! They haven't won in Portland in years. Lets get it to a game 7 and see what happens. So what if we lose. We weren't supposed to be there to begin with.

 

I love the way you think. Everything is about screwing the Lakers.

 

I agree. This might be how the team learns how to play team defense without Oden or Joel as their safety net down low. I know it's wishful thinking, but I dare to dream sometimes.

 

I can't rep you again so soon... but man I love the way you think!

 

My two cents is play it out. No tanking, no trades. Let the chips fall where they may.

Go Blazers

 

I wish the chips would quit falling on us!

 

I do think a trade is in order, but not because of the circumstances. Rudy will be back in 3-4 weeks and at that time it is going to be very difficult to find time for 5 guards. Mills will also be back and should be competent enough to be a 3rd string PG. We should actively try to move one of those Guards (Blake IMO) for a 4/5 than can at least help a bit this year and possibly next.

 

rudy should be back in exactly 2 weeks. maybe 3 tops. he needs to show some heart an dhelp his team.

but yes... a trade (even if we dont want playoffs) for a center is needed BADLY.

you guys really think howard holds up for 50+ games with major minutes? cmon.

 

Wow that is a tough order. Were looking for a big, multiple for one. I am thinking that in reality, Pendergraph gets thrown into the fire. Time for the witch test.

 

1st off we always want playoffs. Howard will hold up but will he be effective?
2nd I would imagine that within 5 games Pendergraph will be starting.
3rd Rudy himself early this week said he is 4p5 weeks away.
4th yes a center is needed, how about instead of stating the obvious why don't you provide a reasonable solution. Players out players in and make sure it works financially.

 

I agree.

 

hes been out 2 weeks. original diagnosis was 4-6. now hes added a week on?

 

I don't think so, last I had heard is just what you said. 4-6 weeks total. Were almost through with the bulk of Batums missed action as well. We only have about another 5 or so weeks until there will be a possibility of him coming back.

 

The original estimate was pure PR bull-dada. Didn't people learn anything from the Webster situation? The team spent an entire season telling people he was out 6 weeks.

 

A trade makes sense, if only for the fact that we are under the cap this year, and will not next year. Might not even be a big one - but it would be stupid not to use it. Add the fact that we have too many guards, not enough centers, and not enough healthy small-forwards, and something needs to happen. Does not need to be a blockbuster. But, getting a prospect or just a healthy secondary big for cap relief/expiring makes sense.