May
31
John Hollinger With An Interesting Proposal
By caseyholdahl Posted in: 2012draft, draft2012
It hasn't even been 24 hours since the Trail Blazers secured the 6th and 11th picks in the 2012 Draft, and fans and pundits alike are already coming up with all kinds of interesting ways to utilize those two assets.
One of the best suggestions I've seen, one that seems to make sense for both teams, was proposed by
John Hollinger in a fan chat on ESPN.com:
Mike (Idaho)
If the Jazz did decide to move Al or Sap, what could they reasonably get back? And should they move one?
John Hollinger
Have to look for backcourt help, and especially shooting. Ideally trade him for a young point guard, or perhaps do something like trading Millsap to Portland for the No. 6 pick and taking Lillard.
An inspired idea. The Jazz are sitting on a bevy post players in Millsap, Al Jefferson, Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter. All those guys are or will soon be starting-caliber players who require starter-caliber money and minutes. Maybe the Jazz can make it work, but that's a lot of resources tied up at one position. I think, if you're the Jazz, you feel good about an opportunity to save some cash and address a position of need while clearing a logjam. As worth noting that Weber State, where Lillard played his college ball, is in Ogden, UT.
From Portland's perspective, you get a big man
you've liked for a while to pair with LaMarcus Aldridge. If the goal is to get back to being competitive in a hurry, trading a pick and maybe a player for a borderline all-star who, again, fills a position of need seems like a great deal. It would cut into Portland's cap space, but I think you live with it for a player of Millsap's quality.
A few other choice Trail Blazers tidbits from Hollinger's chat today.
Tim (San Diego)
If Portland has two high picks. Trade them to the Bobcats for the #2? MJ is a gambler and a bad one at that. Possibility?
John Hollinger
Not happening. Rich Cho is in charge of those decisions now and he's not going to trade a blue chip for two reds. The Blazers most likely path is to trade at least one of the picks for a current player, although they may use one on a point guard like Damian Lillard.
For what it's worth, I don't think we'd do that deal either. I'm not sure the second-best player in this draft is worth more than No. 6 and No. 11. Doesn't strike me as a particularly effective use of assets, unless of course you think whoever gets taken second is a sure-fire all-star.
Peter (Phx)
If Nash wants to leave, do you think the suns can do a sign and trade for him? Would portland be willing to give both raymond Felton and one of their picks for Nash??
John Hollinger
Portland is under the cap and wouldn't need to do a sign-and-trade, there's really no advantage for them to do one. Also, the draft is before free agency, so they can't do a deal like that using this year's picks. The main benefit to sign-and-trade is if the Blazers (or another team) is already at the cap, and have a player the Suns would want in return.
There are about four different reason why this scenario makes no sense for the Trail Blazers, and Hollinger addresses the most important two. Ain't happening.