I have heard several people mention moving Joel this summer, but what if KP can't get anything we need moving him. I wonder how having Camby, Oden and Joel going into training camp will play out. I believe Joel can opt out with a player option, but wonder if he will since he is injured. Does anyone know when he has to make that decison? I can see Greg and Camby playing very well together since Camby is a very good high post passer. Rebound wise it would be a exception line-up when LMA sits. I beleive there would not be enough playing time IF everyone stays healthy to keep everyone happy. Wonder what others think about this.
Przybilla still has a long way to go in his recovery. If and when he does return he wont be the player he was before the injury. Reputing the tendon once was horrible but rupturing it for a second time was brutal. Third stringer seems about right. The depth at center wont be an issue, IMO. Camby / Oden / Przybilla
Przybilla will absolutely not opt out. I don't think it's even a question. His career may never get back on track after his (two) injuries. He'd get nothing more than a minimum salary this off-season if he opted out, if even that. Portland would only enter the season with two centers, Oden and Camby, as Przybilla isn't expected to be ready to play until December at the earliest. If he returns and is able to play at a high level (which is unlikely), Portland can try to trade one of Camby or Przybilla. More likely, Przybilla, if he returns, will be extremely limited and will have trade value only for his expiring contract. In which case, he would likely be left inactive (the way Tracy McGrady was by Houston for much of the season until Houston traded him) to keep insurance paying his salary (which will make him even more attractive as a trade asset). There's always the scenario where Przybilla returns at full strength and Portland has "too many" good big men, but it's very remote.
This season was very remote, so I'd say our luck is bound to swing around. IF KP doesn't move a center than this time next year we could have Camby backing up LMA. Talk about dominate, with MC coming off the bench he could be playing like he is 26 again, he proved that's possible, IMO
If he's out for the season, which is entirely possible, when does the league/insurance kick in for the remainder of his contract?
I think it happens after he misses his 41st game, which would start pretty early in the season. I'll have to look it up in Larry Coon's CBA FAQ to be sure.
Joel would be a nice asset at the trade deadline. Of course, if it looks like there will be a lockout, that probably won't matter since saving his salary cost won't mean anything to the team receiving him.
I think this team will have all 3 until the trade deadline, where they will likely look to move Joel, and hopefully won't chicken out of making a deal....
