Probably doable, but I would be scared that we might see 'multi-year contract JJ' and we don't want to see that.
The leverage that the Blazers have is that they don't need to make a deal. Trading him for nothing doesn't benefit this team at all, so they would have no incentive to accept a second-rounder. If OKC wants a productive player to pursue a title, then he's available, but we're not going to sell him for pennies on the dollar. In that regard, OKC (or any other potential trading partner) has no leverage either. this would be one of the rare situations where if a trade occurred, it would simply be for the purpose of improving each team.
But OKC will not be able to resign hickson after this season. I just don't see any incentive for them to accept any deal as well.
I sort of doubt Sam Presti is all that worried about adding a garbage man who stuffs the stat sheet and plays pretty bad D, in pursuit of a title. Assuming that some kind of trade can be worked out with another team, getting a second round pick for a guy that the Blazers probably don't want to tie themselves to long-term isn't "nothing." I think a second round pick and 12-14 million dollars in cap room is pretty fair trade off, vs. no pick and the same 12-14 million of cap room if he walks at the end of the year.
Then retaining Hickson for a sign and trade maybe the best option. If there is a team like Detroit that has an up and coming dominant center Drummand and an already good center in Monroe; they may look for a deal for Hickson; especially if they lose Maxiell through free-agency.
This what I'm thinking. If he keeps his bird rights any team in the league can bid on his services. Also I think the Blazers can get more for him in a sign and trade if a trade partner can get him signed to a multi year contract. Now if the Blazers name Leonard the starter and continue to sub Hickson out for Babbitt late in games he may agree to a sign and trade, but I doubt it.
The trouble is, Monroe is still on his rookie deal, i.e. cheap contract + good production > expensive contract + good production. I should also add, that I see Monroe as being more of a power forward than a center, Drummond and Monroe look like long-term duo in Detroit.
True but Drummand is also on a cheap rookie contract and you can't play both Drummand and Monroe at the same time. If they lose Maxiell then things really change for them. Hickson would be a good piece to put with a defensive minded Drummand.
I think they can, if they can get a point guard who actually knows how to pass and help them out. Monroe isn't a great shooter right now, but he's got some tools to get better. Eventually he'll probably end up playing more from the elbow and Drummond will get most of his stuff on putbacks and finishes around the rim, even if he doesn't turn into a great low-post scorer.
I don't know man... I just don't see how Monroe can be scoring outside of the paint. Maybe, but it seems unlikely to me.
Monroe's face-up game is evolving this year, I think eventually he'll be fine. And let's get real here, if Monroe and Drummond are on your team and somebody tries to trade you JJ Hickson for one of them does that really get you excited? Drummond is really raw offensively and Hickson is only good on offense when there's somebody else getting a lot of attention. The Pistons would be five to ten games worse per year with a Hickson, Drummond front-court.
The question I keep coming back to is "could this put us over the top?" I think the answer is unilaterally "no" with regards to resigning Hickson (short of brainwashing him into taking the Veteran's Minimum). I don't disagree with those that are questioning the likelihood of a trade at the deadline, I don't think it's all that high, but as others have mentioned, he's available for a stretch run. Again, any team making that deal would go into it eyes wide open (with the possible exception of ATL, who could possibly look at throwing their entire MLE at him or something in the offseason), but if we were to get something of halfway decent return, I think you have to do it...
I think you undervalue Hickson man... Detroit has the defensive center and Hickson would play at a much better rate at starting PF. The dude is rebounding very efficiently, plus he is averaging 56% FG this year. He didn't get a 20.46 PER by accident. It trips me out how this forum explains that our players are better than what's proposed, but getting the needed players in return can net a higher reward. Why doesn't this apply to Detroit? They could use Monroe, start Drummand, not have to resign Maxiel for an albotross contract and retain a player that is just as effected offensively as Maxiell for about 7-8 million per year, plus get a SG they desperately need.
Starting line-up of: Lillard, Batum, Prince, Aldridge and Monroe Bench: Reddick, B. Knight, Freeland, Clavar Yes this is definitely a line-up that could contend.
We have very different ideas on what it takes to contend. That team could pretend, but not contend. We're much farther away from contending than, it appears, many in here think. Also, beyond just major roster improvements we also need coaching improvements - our defense needs major work, and it can't just be addressed by getting better players.
I don't even mind he he stays on staff. But we clearly need someone who knows what they're doing to design our defense - KC can look over that guy's shoulder for the next 5-8 years and then who knows, maybe he'll be ready himself. Though I also wouldn't care if he were shown the door.
