I think now that the initial push of free agent signings is over that Portland will be involved in sign and trade discussions for either PG or back up PF. The interesting thing is reading todays headlines at real GM indicates that players once linked to the Blazers may be available via sign and trade options. For instance: http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/60563/20090714/sixers_in_sign_and_trade_mode_with_miller/ Once looking for 10 million a year, the Sixers are now exploring trading Miller. It sounds like we were interested in Miller, but only in sign and trade options in order to keep our capspace. Plus the link directly below this one mentions that the sixers only have 10 players under contract and are looking to pick up more. I guess the Travis/Blake offer would solve two problems for them (give them a replacement for Miller temporarily, and with Outlaw they would be up to twelve contracts). Also they wouldn't be tied into either player after next year. http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/60560/20090714/76ers_shopping_around_in_las_vegas/ Also in todays headline, it shows the Knicks are interested in Boozer. The only way this works is obviously a sign and trade. A trade of Boozer to the Knicks means Lee would be available. I could see Portland getting involved in sign and trade discussions if Boozer ended up in New York since Lee would no longer be needed and the Knicks wouldn't want to tie up capspace. It was once rumored Portland was interested in signing Lee to an offer sheet but seemed leary since they were sure the Knicks would match. In this scenario we would be a facilitator of the trade therefore the Knicks would not be matching. http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/60557/20090714/walsh_acknowledges_interest_in_boozer/ While I think the 2nd rumor is unlikely I think the Miller to Portland talk will once again pick up steam this week and once Utah matches Millsaps deal (which they will) the options of sign and trade deals for Portland gets better (ie: Miller to Portland for Blake and cash assuming they don't want Travis). Thoughts?
As long as Miller's starting salary isn't too high, we could work the Travis/Blake for Miller trade without impacting our cap space. We would then still have the cap space available to sign Millsap if Utah doesn't match, or be a facilitator in a Boozer trade to the Knicks, or elsewhere. BNM
Exactly. And while Miller isn't the greatest PG out there he is a substantial upgrade from what we have now. I think we took a chance that Miller wouldn't receive much attention as a free agent and apparently Pritchard was right. Also Millers agent mentioned that he had prior talks with Pritchard regarding his client. YOu can bet those talks will once again pick up steam. Now a sign and trade at a modest contract seems like the most likely option for him. This would be a good pick up for Portland at a reasonable contract for 2-3 years IMO.
While I don't mind the Outlaw/Blake for Miller swap, I would want to know we had someone to replace Outlaw off the bench. I'm fine with moving him, have not been a big supporter of his on our team, but if we lost him, and tried to replace him strictly with Pendergraph, it's going to hurt a lot.
Then you replace him with Rudy, Bayless and Cunningham. Travis played 28 minutes last year. You could easily increase Batum's, Bayless' and Rudy's minutes to make up for that. Travis didn't play as many minutes at PF than he did SF anyway. I think it was close to 20 minutes at SF and 8 at PF. That's fairly accurate. Batum only played 18 minhutes a game, so he could easily get more minutes. Rudy, Bayless and Cunningham could make up the other minutes. At PF, we are only talking a few minutes, which Oden will take up at center creating less time at the 4 because Aldridge or Joel will play there more.
You need to combine that with a Necromancer smiley. This bot reached DEEP in the archives. I mean a post from 07/2009 really?
