June 28, 2007 The twilight of the "Jail Blazers" What happened: The Blazers traded Zach Randolph to New York as part of a multiplayer trade. Why it mattered: The deal accomplished two important things. First, it turned the power forward position over to LaMarcus Aldridge, who had just spent his rookie season as Randolph's backup, and has since blossomed into an All-Star. Second, it rid the Blazers of Randolph's enormous contract, which at the time had four years and $61 million left on it. Randolph's exit also cleared the final remnant of the "Jail Blazers" era out of the franchise. June 26, 2008 Complex deal yields Batum What happened: On draft day, the Blazers purchased the rights to New Orleans' first-round pick, Darrell Arthur. Why it mattered: Later that day, Arthur became a key piece of a three-team deal involving Portland, Memphis and Houston in which the Blazers got the rights to Houston's No. 25 pick, Nicolas Batum, who has since started 202 games in four seasons with the Blazers. The other three players involved in the deal -- Arthur, Joey Dorsey and Donte Green -- have a combined 135 NBA starts. June 24, 2010 Paving the way for Matthews What happened: On draft day, the Blazers acquired the draft rights to Luke Babbitt, along with Ryan Gomes, from Minnesota in a trade for Martell Webster. Why it mattered: Aside from the players directly involved, the deal brought the Blazers a trade exception that they were able to use in free agency, allowing them to craft an offer sheet to restricted free agent Wesley Matthews that Utah declined to match. Matthews has been Portland's starting shooting guard since. Dec. 15, 2011 Parting ways with No. 7 What happened: The Blazers, using the amnesty clause, waived Brandon Roy, who then announced his retirement because of his chronically ailing knees. Why it mattered: Although Roy has since returned and is playing for Minnesota, nullifying any insurance help the Blazers could have gotten to pay Roy's salary, the money they pay Roy won't count against the team's salary cap. When the Blazers waived Roy, they owed him $68million over four years, which, if it had remained on their salary cap, would have severely undercut their ability to upgrade their roster in coming seasons. March 14, 2012 Landing Lillard, with an assist from Howard What happened: Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard, who seemed on the cusp of being traded to New Jersey, abruptly announced -- one day before the trade deadline -- that he would pick up his 2012-13 option with the Magic. Why it mattered: The Nets, who were trying to appease free-agent-to-be point guard Deron Williams, were suddenly left at the altar. In what seemed a desperation move, they made a deal the next day with the Blazers for forward Gerald Wallace, sending two players and their 2012 first-round draft pick with only top-three protection. The deal came on the same day the Blazers fired Nate McMillan as coach in his seventh season and traded starting center Marcus Camby. The Wallace deal, however, could have the biggest impact. The Blazers got to keep the pick when it ended up being the No. 6, and they used it to draft point guard Damian Lillard, who they hope will be the franchise point guard they have been trying to get for years. --Mike Tokito http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/i...tml?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
Hard to believe the best prospect Portland has had since Bill Walton wasn't even mentioned in this article. Oden's story line is a bigger deal than any of these. His knees are the difference between being a perennial contender and, well, what we have.
1) Oden - 2 possible future HOFers lost at the beginning of the season. 2) the vets turning on Nate, so we dumped them and went young, again.
1. Didn't fire Nate. 2. Didn't fire Nate. 3. Didn't fire Nate. 4. Didn't fire Nate. 5. Didn't fire Nate.
Imaginary Cap Space. Basically 2 years of limbo when they should have been agressive. The above is a horrible list. Firing pritchard and the incompetence at the top of the organization should be up there too.
I don't think acquiring Matthews and Batum are "defining moments". They are not superstars or even close to being all stars. They are role players.
