One would assume we'd look to deal him for another guard.. I have another idea. I'd look for a young big who can become Joel's eventual replacement who can also play the four. The player I'm thinking of we'd have to add in more than just Jerryd but a player worth making a run at: Javale McGee
Wow I like it. I think you would have to consider throwing in someone else along with Bayless to get it done especially since they are light on the Bigs end of the equation. Of course they are in win now mode and if they had Joel and a healthy agent zero, Caron and Jamison that would be a pretty decent team in the Leastern conference. Do they have any other youngsters or decent veterans we could add to the equation? Edit: On second thought I like this better. Outlaw and Bayless for Javale McGee and Mike James (Expiring $6 million contract)
I agree that the Blazers should look to shop Bayless. I also feel like the Blazers still like Petteri Koponen a lot and feel like he could come in after a few years and be their Tony Parker. The odds are that he won't be that guy, but you never know. It seems like you could get a quality backup for a Bayless/Outlaw package, especially from an Eastern team looking for some young talent and a proven bench player. I know that I am going to get killed for this, but I would honestly go after Marc Gasol. They just drafted Thabeet and have the Iranian kid signed for the next three years. At PF they have ZBO and Darrell Arthur, so it is not like they don't have enough gas in the tank on the frontline. Gasol has the shortest contract of all those guys and will probably walk away after his contract is up. Marc Gasol can pass, has a decent post game, and for a Euro he actually bangs down low pretty well. I would think a Bayless & Outlaw for Gasol trade would be great.
I don't think it makes sense to move Bayless for a prospect at another position... PG is still the weakest spot on our team long-term. If we can move him for an upgrade in the rotation, or for a superior prospect (rather than the same level prospect at another position) I'd be interested. I just don't think the Blazers need to feel compelled to trade him. He's still so young and he's still under contract for a while. Ed O.
I know Michael Heisley is a moron (Chris Wallace doesn't really pull the strings in that organization ... but he deserves some blame for having no shame and staying there ) but this deal would be just awful for the Grizzlies. Gasol and Thabeet at least gives them some size and I think Gasol now and for the long haul is a much better player than Thabeet trading him for Travis Outlaw as the only player coming back with any length just makes no sense at all. At best you might be able to prise Conley away, but it would cost you at least Bayless, Blake, Outlaw and probably taking on a bad contract like Jaric. A good rule of thumb: Teams rarely trade young, talented prospects who are outperforming their rookie scale deals. Especially if it means trading them for non-stars, journeymen or other young players on rookie scale deals who are underperforming their deal.
B/U PF is still a need. I don't know what Turiaff's salary is off the top of my head but I think he would fit in perfect. Kind of a Poor Man's Milsap. Also I think Kurt Thomas would be a home run. He makes 3.8M W/ one year left. Does Milwaukie need Travis ? I also wouldn't mind overspending on Turiaff because I think he would be a long term piece. I'm not sure what G.S needs but I might consider Outlaw, picks and cash. Adding Miller and Thomas while the Youngin's gain experience, I'D have to give KP a A-. Sign BROY and LA and I'll give him a straight A. This team needs time to grow and find it's identity. I still think we need a second option on offense who is willing to take that last second shot when the game is on the line. It was brutal watching Brandon trying to do everything while the other four players on the court were just standing and watching him go.
