Packing Heat, Packing Bags

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">That is why General Manager John Nash waited patiently to rid the Blazers of a part of that troubled past: Ruben Patterson.

Patterson was one of the many names involved in a four-team trade between the Blazers, Seattle Sonics, Denver Nuggets, and Sacramento Kings. The names to know here ( for Portland fans at least) are as follows: Patterson and Charles Smith to Denver, Voshon Lenard to Portland. Portland also acquired Brian Skinner from the Kings for Sergei Monia.

Now that is a trade. Multiple teams, multiple players. This trade actually had something the deal that brought Steve Francis to the New York Knicks didn't have: sense.

The trade on this deadline day makes complete sense to all teams involved. Denver gets Patterson, a guy whose energy will fit nicely into George Karl's system. Charles Smith could be waived before too long (unfortunate for a good guy like Smith). The Blazers receive an expiring contract ($3.5 million this season) in Lenard. With Patterson due to collect $7 million next season, Portland saves a little over $3 million in salary.

And as we know,It all comes down to the salary-cap for Portland. It's what the future will be built on. But it also helps to have veterans like Lenard and Skinner to help put the building blocks in place. It's unlikely that either will be around after the end of the season. For now, the two journeymen will help the other vets and Nate McMillan teach the kids what work ethic means.

Both Lenard and Skinner are blue collar workers. Skinner comes to play, to do the things unseen in the box score. His numbers won't blow up the stat sheet. But he has that "Patterson" in him, isn't afraid to do the dirty work, and is a nice big body to have off the bench. Portland should explore keeping him on the payroll after this year. They may have to if Joel Pryzbilla has other plans.

Not sure if the same can be said for Lenard. The guy can shoot. No secret there. He has range Portland has been without since the days of Steve Smith and Wesley Persons. But Portland is far more intersted in his expiring contract. Which means Lenard's stay in Portland will be breif.

Here is a closer look at the newest Blazers:

Brian Skinner F/C
Height: 6-9
Weight: 265 lbs.
Age: 29
College: Baylor
Drafted: 1998, 1st round, 22nd pick by Clippers
PPG 2.3 | RPG 2.7 | BPG 0.5


Voshon Lenard S/G
Height: 6-4
Weight: 215 lbs.
College: Minnesota
PPG 8.3 | APG 1.5 | 3P% .286</div>

link: http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_16272.shtml