<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (cpawfan @ Mar 5 2008, 04:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Dumpy @ Mar 5 2008, 04:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Oh, dear. Back on message already. Oh well. I don't doubt that you know someone in Portland's front office, whatever that means. You can never anticipate how another team will value their assets or your players. There is never any harm in pursuing something like this, unless you're the type that gets depressed whn told that they're not interested. My point was that Portland needs to make a deal where they give up more assets than they receive back, and you never know what other offers they are or aren't getting. How do you think the Lakers came away with Pau, and not another team?</div> The Lakers got Gasol because they were offering expiring contracts, a young prospect and future picks. The cap space was of greater value to Memphis than the other offers which included more talented players. (that would be the Stern-approved answer) Portland has 14 players under contract for next season plus their first round pick, the rights to Rudy, Playboy Pete, Freeland and a gaggle of second round picks. It is easy to sell second round picks or trade them for future assets. The picks can also be used on other Euro stashes. That 14 includes James Jones who can opt out of his contract and McRoberts who has a non-guaranteed contract. Players like Frye and Jack could easily be included in draft day trades as well. The Blazers don't have to give up any of their highly valued assets unless it is in a consolidation trade that heavily favors them. </div> that's all true, but teams--like businesses--must constantly reassess their strategies. I'm in the camp that believes that just because something was true yesterday doesn't necessarily mean that something is true tomorrow. I think of decision-making processes as dynamic, not static. For all we know, as the draft approaches, Portland's assessments of their assets and plans may fluctuate. Perhaps the two Euros will throw down the gauntlet and force their hand, as Navarro did last summer. Yes, it is possible that Portland will stick to their guns, and/or they have no interest in an obvious stud such as RJ. But, you've got to ask, and ask, and ask. That's why all GMs say that no trade talks are truly ever dead.
