Posted 06/03/2012 8:08 PM

lol.  I got an idea.  How about Portland not re-sign any players, and everyone who's still under contract, trade them for draft picks.  

then we can have...

C Davis/Drummond - Zeller
PF Robinson/Jones - Henson
SF MKG/Barnes - PJ3
SG Beal/Waiters - Lamb
PG Marshall/Lillard - Machado

Other possibilities:  Harkless instead of PJ3, Moultrie instead of Zeller or Henson, Sullinger instead of PJ3 or Zeller.

I think that's a great idea.  Portland's rebuilding anyway, so why not land every top player in the draft and start with a completely clean slate.  Maybe we can get Calipari to leave Kentucky or get Coach K to leave Duke.

Posted 06/03/2012 8:49 PM

I think you need a few veterans but I would not be opposed to a bunch of new rookies 

Posted 06/03/2012 10:04 PM

I highly doubt New Orleans would go for the first trade. As much as LA is an expected all-star, he also is not exactly a dominant force on the defensive end.

Posted 06/03/2012 10:48 PM

Why on earth does New Orleans do that trade? In fact, when was the last time the #1 pick was dealt? New Orleans is still in rebuilding mode and they got the perfect chip (Davis), so I just can't see them giving that pick up plus the #10 for Aldridge. It's not that LA isn't worth but, but more that it doesn't fit into New Orleans' vision.

Posted 06/04/2012 12:29 AM

See my blog

Posted 06/04/2012 12:42 AM

get out

Posted 06/04/2012 11:59 AM

If Lamarcus can't net the number one pick in the draft then what exactly is his trade value? Is he worth Luol Deng and Taj Gibson? Is he worth two of Kanter, Favors, Millsap or Jefferson? Is he worth Demarcus Cousins and the #5 pick? Is he worth Granger and George? 

Posted 06/04/2012 1:39 PM

i think he is worth #1 pick, but NO will not trade it, because they are rebuilding and he has potential - only thing working in that trade is LA and Monty williams know each other well, but wont happen

Posted 06/04/2012 8:59 PM

ya know cmeese, i got to thinking a bit more about trading L.A. for Davis and I guess the question I have is how good do people think Davis is going to be?  

I'm going to dream with you for a little bit...

As you say, Davis is going to give us about 8 more years than L.A. now.  But I don't think N.O. would give up the #1 pick for L.A. even straight up for the reason you said... Aldridge is so much older.  I think they would want something along with L.A., maybe even our #6 pick....

Since Portland is rebuilding, why not this:

POINT GUARD
Sign Dragic (young, bright future), via free agency, let Felton go
Resign Flynn (I think he's a FA).

End result = Dragic, N.Smith, Flynn

sidenote, I still want Machado in 2nd round, but for this plan to work, I may have to sacrifice.

SHOOTING GUARD
Crawford won't stay
Hopefully select John Jenkins with 40th pick

End result = Matthews, Jenkins, and Williams

SMALL FORWARD
I really don't see Portland matching Batum, but if we do this plan, Portland won't be able to get Barnes or MKG, so Portland has to match Batum.

Shawne Williams stays I suppose?

End result = Batum, Babbitt, and Williams

POWER FORWARD
Portland matches whatever Hickson's offered, Craig Smith can stay or go
With the 11th pick, Portland selects Terrence Jones

End Result = Hickson, Jones, Smith

CENTER
Anthony Davis taken with top pick
I like Przy and Thabeet, hopefully retain them both
Kurt Thomas is gone

End Result = Davis, Przy, Thabeet

Now, if all that went down, we still have the 41st pick to think about.  What would the most pressing need be?  
I'm not sure, I see balance at every position, but maybe Machado to help at PG?

Kyle O'Quinn wouldn't be needed, but he might be the top guy on the board.

Toughness wouldn't be needed, but a physical player I like (who we've discussed before) is Jae Crowder and he should be there.

Athletic 2-guards as well, even tho we get sharp-shooter Jenkins, I still love the upside of Will Barton and Cunningham or Doron Lamb are possibilities.  

Well, the possibilities are endless, I like many guys in the 2nd round better than some of the risky athletic first rounders, mainly b/c the 2nd round is filled with so many experienced players from smaller schools.


anyway, starting 5 next year would be:

Anthony Davis
JJ Hickson
Nicolas Batum
Wesley Matthews
Goran Dragic
6th man - Terrence Jones

Solid lineup baby.  Good balance and chemistry.  Portland should have plenty of scoring options in the starting lineup and off the bench.  Bright future.  And it works because the Blazers already have plenty of room under the cap to match offers to Batum and Hickson, and the money left by Aldridge's departure is what's used to sign draft picks.

I just don't know if Thabett will be retained and if not, then I'd go after O'Quinn in the 2nd round for sure, but I hope Portland gives Thab a chance.

Posted 06/04/2012 9:30 PM

My main motivation for trading Lamarcus is to get younger I think this team needs to start rebuilding now because we can get a playoff team out of free agency but there is not really outside of Deron Williams any championship caliber talent available. 

Posted 06/04/2012 10:22 PM

Eric Gordon and OJ Mayo are restricted free agents.  

Ya know, if you look at the roster now, I think Portland may be the youngest team in the NBA. After Felton, Thomas, and Crawford are officially gone, the only guy over 30 is prz and he's a FA.  

Aldridge is only 26 and I think he's in his prime.  Portland is rebuilding and they're rebuilding around Aldridge and if you were to tweet Paul Allen, I bet you he'd tell you there's a 100% chance L.A. is staying put... I just feel that strongly about it.

Having said that, Portland has gutted their team like I've never seen happen in the history of the Blazers and there is more uncertainty now with the roster than ever before.

There's no guarantee restricted FAs Batum or Hickson are back and the rest are:

Przybilla
Felton
Flynn
Crawford
S.Williams
Thabett

also Okur and Oden (who aren't even on the official roster anymore )

Let's just say that none of them return, Portland is left with:

Aldridge 26 years old
Matthews 25
Nolan 23
Babbitt 22
Craig S 28
and, well, old man river Kurt Thomas who will be released I imagine?

That's a 5 man roster... FIVE MEN UNDER CONTRACT.  Man, we are gutted.  We ARE rebuilding and I guarantee to you when Portland made all the trades they made last year, it was to put themselves in this exact position... very few guys under contract.  I bet you most the current free agents are gone.  If they keep Thabeet, I'm surprised.  Same with Flynn.  These guys can easily be cut loose.   

I think there's loyalty to Batum, but the fact that it's come down to signing him this year leads me to believe there are doubts about whether they want to keep him, or they just want to see what the going rate is.  If it's too much, Portland will not pony up.

And I do not see Portland going after any high priced free agents, not in a rebuilding year like this...

You are right that this is the time to part with LA and bring in a younger option, but I just think he's the guy we're building around... and when the smoke clears, there's going to be probably 2 or 3 new starters by his side in the starting lineup and a very young bench that's going to include at least 4 rookies and at least a few free agent signings.  I doubt we're going to see Gordon, Williams, Nash, Mayo, or Kidd, but it would be nice if Portland makes a play for Gordon or Mayo... they're young enough and talented enough to where they'd be good pieces go build our future around LA with.  

and as far as PG goes, well, i honestly wouldn't put it past portland to take Lillard if he's there at 11, or go with Marshall if he's not.

So what I want, and what I think are 2 completely different things.

I see Aldridge with Drummond and Marshall, but I am really torn on Batum.  I just don't think Portland's going to pay him, so that means instead of Drummond, maybe Barnes... it's a logical choice.  I just hope our new GM gets to work and we get a game plan. I want to know before the draft if Batum's staying or going.

The draft is the 28th and free agency begins on the 30th, is that right?  So I guess we don't find out about restricted free agents until (probably long) after the draft... 

and if i'm right, then that puts a real damper on draft day strategy... knowing if we have to draft a batum replacement or not would be a big help.

Posted 06/04/2012 11:01 PM

Yes Portland could have a young roster potentially but compare it to someone like OKC.

They have Westbrook 23
Durant 23
Harden 22
Ibaka 22
Perkins 27
Sefolosha 28 and a few young scrubs that is 3 all star caliber players and 3 key role players all under 30. 

We would have 1 all-star in LA 2 role players in Williams and Matthews and a couple of scrubs. Kind of a big difference.

Posted 06/05/2012 12:42 PM

yeah, well, Portland's done what OKC did... built through the draft.  Difference is, they didn't have 2 guys breakdown.  Add Oden and Roy and well, forget about age; those guys playing to their potential and our future would be a lot brighter and we might be playing OKC in the playoffs right now.  Portland's just had a string of bad luck. 

If Portland wants to win now, they need to do it via trades because like everyone's said, there's a lot of hit and miss in this draft, a lot of projects, and the best free agents are either restricted or older.

What I think is Portland would be best served keeping the 6 and getting the surest thing they can.  Maybe Drummond or Barnes as we've all discussed.  Then my idea is trade 11 down and hopefully do so with boston to get both their picks.  If we get drummond at 6, I'd say go after someone like harkless and maybe fab melo.

Point is, build for the future; we may not have a better opportunity in the future to do what we can do now.  Fans are going to have to be patient, and we have to hope Drummond develops offensively, hammers defensively, and maybe in 3 years our 2012 crop of rookies will put us where OKC is now... and if that happens without injuries or any significant snags, then maybe your vision will actually be a reality in 3 years.

Posted 06/05/2012 12:49 PM

actually, man, if my plan came into place:

6. drummond
20. harkless or waiters
21. melo
40. machado
41. jenkins (or o'quinn)

lol.  that's a draft I'd be happy with... and of course some of the picks are dependent upon whether or not we actually get others on the list.  Harless if we don't take barnes, o'quinn if we don't get melo or drummond, jenkins if we don't get waiters, and if we don't get harkless then maybe target a SF at 41.

very young, bright future, we don't replace LA like you want, but the way LA's going, I think he'll be fine into his 30s and over the next few years we're going to see him dominating the west.  I think we'll want his experience with the youngsters in a few years.

Posted 06/05/2012 1:02 PM

Jenkins will likely go to Chicago or Miami at the bottom of the first round.

Posted 06/05/2012 1:24 PM

We wouldn't get very far with Iggy at the PF spot.

Posted 06/05/2012 1:34 PM

Iggy would play SF for this team not sure why you thought he would be a PF

Posted 06/05/2012 8:22 PM

im sorry, but anyone who thinks trading lamarcus is a step up is just stupid

Posted 06/05/2012 8:59 PM

No one is saying step up it is a building block for the future. Plus his injuries are scary, blood disease, bad heart, twice injured hip. With as many injuries issues as this team has faced LA makes me nervous

Posted 06/06/2012 5:37 AM

I am in favor of moving LaMarcus, provided equal value comes back.  I don't believe this team can, or will, ever contend for a title while Aldridge is still in a Blazer uniform.  Having LaMarcus, a soft jumpshooting PF on the floor necessitates that you compliment him with a 5 that both leads the team in rebounds most nights AND is the teams primary post threat.  How many centers in todays NBA fit that description?  If Aldridge can't (or won't) return to his '10-'11 form, ship him. 

Posted 06/06/2012 12:38 PM

why don't we just trade away and waive everyone for future draft picks -- like 5 years in the future -- and then go sign 15 midget wrestlers to minimum rookie free agent contracts!

~ KMM

PS: cemeese47, the current hip injury to LaMarcus is on the opposite hip as before, so it's not a twice-injured hip.

Posted 06/06/2012 3:24 PM

Sorry Kassandra should have said two hip injuries and as awesome as midget wrestlers would look close-lining Lebron as he drives the lame none of them have the potential of Anthony Davis. 

Posted 06/06/2012 3:32 PM

oh ... you apparently haven't seen the same midget wrestlers play that i have (actually, there is a really bad joke i am not adding here in the name of political correctness)!

point is, you can't judge LaMarcus' game last season without looking at the inconsistency of his supporting cast. LaMarcus is the real deal. he can shoot, yes, but he has also proven he can go inside. those criticisms that he is only an outside shooter really should have died a couple of years ago. it's definitely not time to trade him just when he is about to enter his prime.

the bottom line is that it takes two (or more) teams to trade, and i just don't really see any of the other teams you mention pulling the trigger on the deals you mentioned in your original comment.

~ KMM

Posted 06/07/2012 8:21 AM

we have to be realistic with these trade ideas. they have to appeal to the other team too.
NO would never trade davis for lamarcus and a draft pick. not gonna happen.  i know to the fans LA is great, and he is a very good PF, but he is a PF that doesn't rebound and that keeps him out of the elite category.  seriously, the guy should average more than 7 rebounds per game.  i have been very disappointed in LA's rebounding and each season I hope he steps it up but i really think we've seen the best of LA.  how about LA and pick 6 for K Love? that is a more realistic trade.  not sure we could do it for LA and 11 but that would be even better. a straight across deal would be even better but Adleman would have to be high to approve of that trade.  speaking of which, let's get Adleman back as our coach.  I'd say he's a top 3 coach in the league and obviously he likes Portland. 

Posted 06/07/2012 11:50 AM

He averaged 8 rebounds a game last year. What more do you want from him? He's not going to go out there and get 20 and 15 like Dwight Howard, that's not his game. To trade him would be 100 percent ridiculous, especially since we have two lottery picks right now. Davis might end up being better, but we can keep LMA and get better at other positions that we actually have a problem with. Don't fix what isn't broken, and LMA is not broken.

Posted 06/07/2012 11:50 AM

LA averaged 8 rebounds a game this year and he is one of the top 20-25 players in NBA right now. Dirk never rebounded and he is elite. I would love to see us try and get Kevin Love but Minnesota will not trade him.

The problem is that everyone believes that Davis will be the next KG and not the next Marcus Camby. KG in his prime was one of the 5 best players in the NBA. 

The biggest issue is New Orleans has nothing so rebuilding to them is probably more appealing than trading for an all-star and trying to build around him.

Posted 06/08/2012 5:11 PM

Posted By BDawg on 06/06/2012 5:37 AM
I am in favor of moving LaMarcus, provided equal value comes back.  I don't believe this team can, or will, ever contend for a title while Aldridge is still in a Blazer uniform.  Having LaMarcus, a soft jumpshooting PF on the floor necessitates that you compliment him with a 5 that both leads the team in rebounds most nights AND is the teams primary post threat.  How many centers in todays NBA fit that description?  If Aldridge can't (or won't) return to his '10-'11 form, ship him. 

Sounds to me like you would rather have a Karl Malone or Dennis Rodman type of guy in place of L.A... did you not know what Portland was getting when they drafted L.A.?  You thought he was a center, or a banger?

I suppose if you were a spurs fan, you'd be disappointed with Tim Duncan?  

L.A.'s the best thing going for Portland and if the Blazers can get back to the playoffs, it'll be him guiding the way.  Only reason I liked cmeese's idea is if Portland is willing to contest that this may not be a playoff year and we may not make the playoffs for a few years, then let's get younger and let everyone grow together.  And in that instance, I'd hope Portland could find a way to trade L.A. with a pick to move up to the top spot and grab the only sure thing in this draft.

But that won't happen, so we'll see how the team and L.A. does.  This year, I don't think moving L.A. is an option Allen's considering.  Next year, who knows.

Lastly, I dunno what you mean about L.A. needing to get in his 10-11 form... he's been pretty consistent the past few years, always raising his game, shooting better.  I think L.A.'s fine, he just needs help from his friends.

Posted 06/08/2012 8:34 PM

I think what they were referring to was it seemed like last season Lamarcus started to drift out of the low post, which was on of the keys that made him an all-star. LA's free throw attempts and offensive rebounds both took a significant hit versus his 2010-2011 numbers, which is likely where this argument is coming from. 

Posted 06/09/2012 10:30 AM

He is just trying to play his game. Yeah, he went inside more last year at the beginning. The thing is he likes his turnaround jumper, but right now he is being forced into playing center. Once we get a center, he will be able to play his game more comfortably and I bet these little complaints go out the window.

Posted 06/09/2012 9:02 PM

Um.....no, no, and did i say HELL NO?!!

Posted 06/09/2012 9:34 PM

think people here are under appreciating LA, he would be the perfect #2 option, just need a #1 player, weither it be draft trade or FA

Posted 06/09/2012 10:45 PM

Word is that N.O. is going to shop the #1 pick. LA and N. Smith to N.O. for #1, #10 and 2013 #1, then Matthews to Boston for #21 and #22, then Sign and trade Batum to Houston for #14 and #16............... Then we start with #1, #6, #10, #11, #14, #16, #21, #22  We should look to sign Hickson 4yrs 22 million, Illasova 4yrs 24 million, Dragic 4yrs 34 million, Bayless 4yrs 13.2 million, then either Freeland or Clavier or a free-agent or 2 then use Idaho NBADL for the 1 or 2 extra guys......... WOW if paper were reality.

Posted 06/10/2012 5:24 PM

@mbmurr even if New Orleans was going to shop the number 1 pick this close to the draft that pick is worth a ton. I could see them maybe doing LA, Smith and #11 for #1, #10 and a second round pick. OR LA for #10 and a #1 next season. 

 

Posted 06/16/2012 3:05 AM

Thank god, that no one of the fans can trade our players! How can you even think about to trade LaMarcus!? I can understand that many of us are desperate... but stay cool and don`t become crazy.

Posted 06/16/2012 3:16 AM

I mean this is not a video game where everthing works just fine! We have other problems, Felton for example. And why the f... we didn`t try to keep wallace?! I really don`t like this trading mania in the whole league. KEEP LaMarcus! Stop this discussion!
LET`S GO BLAZERS!

Posted 06/16/2012 9:12 AM

The reason is because Davis looks like a monster he could be a multiple time defensive player of the year. But unlike normal awesome defenders he can guard the post and the perimeter. He also has more scoring potential than the likes of ibaka or boyombo putting his potential up around Garnett and Duncan

Posted 06/17/2012 4:10 PM

Let's see... college superstar or NBA all star? Tough call???

LaMarcus wins as the better PF. I'm not having that discussion. I will jump in on the "better for Portland's future" idea. The roster is going to change; it's not like we're talking about trading some immortal form of Clyde Drexler. These are basketball players that become Trailblazers and stop being Blazers when they leave.

But I'm not pulling the trigger on this one. Davis is going to get pushed around in the post once he's competing with NBA bigs, and it's going to take out a lot of the positives in his game. LaMarcus FINALLY bulked up, and you want to ship him out for a bean-pole? No way. Trade for some good wing players so LA can play in the front court without drawing a double or triple team every time. Then trade LaMarcus when the time is right. The time is not right, don't pull the trigger too early or it will be a total misfire.

Posted 06/17/2012 11:52 PM

My only thing with LA is that he just doesn't play defense. I mean look at the man, he looks like a freaking beast yet it doesn't seem like he even wants to put effort into the defensive side of the ball. When you compare Kevin Love and LA, you would think that LA would out rebound and defend in comparison to Love, but he isn't. I wouldn't trade him unless the right trade came along, yet anything is plausible.

Posted 06/18/2012 3:45 PM

I don't really question LA's defensive effort, but you can tell that his IQ and footwork on defense are nothing like they are on offense. But LaMarcus is a good off-ball shot blocker, and I think that's where Davis will live and die as well. He's just too scrawny to play physical post defense right now. And I think LA can learn it sooner than Davis can.

Posted 06/18/2012 8:07 PM

Davis has very quick feet and is an excellent on the ball defender. He has the ability to guard the perimeter players and should be a force on pick and roll. Davis would get pushed around by people like Bynum, Love, Howard etc but the good thing for him is it is Okafor's job to check them. 

Posted 06/18/2012 10:17 PM

Posted By jamsmashers on 06/09/2012 9:34 PM
think people here are under appreciating LA, he would be the perfect #2 option, just need a #1 player, weither it be draft trade or FA

I think that's really the gist of this thread. We love LA but he is a #2 option. How far can we go without a legit #1 option? We need to find that Batman and maybe a guy like Anthony Davis is the answer..who knows? Obviously NO isn't dealing the pick but you get where I'm going.

Posted 06/18/2012 10:36 PM

I think if we can add 2 more players of LA's caliber it would give us a great team. You don't need a transcendent talent to have a contending team. Maybe someone like Lillard and Batum can become those other two players. You throw in some role players like Matthews and Hickson. You start to get a pretty good team.  

Posted 06/18/2012 10:59 PM

Posted By cmeese47 on 06/18/2012 8:07 PM
Davis has very quick feet and is an excellent on the ball defender. He has the ability to guard the perimeter players and should be a force on pick and roll. Davis would get pushed around by people like Bynum, Love, Howard etc but the good thing for him is it is Okafor's job to check them. 

My point exactly. He can do all these things in college, but you put him in with half the NBA bigs and he's bouncing around like a pinball. He'll be in a great situation if it's Okafor's job to check the powerful bigs; that's why I'm saying don't trade our best player for Davis when we don't have an Okafor to take the physical pressure off of him. Maybe if Joel were in his prime, but he can't play the minutes at 5 alongside Davis that would allow him to play his own game.

Posted 06/19/2012 9:23 AM

I am not against the idea of trading LA, but I would be against trading him to get Davis. If we could trade him to bring in a #1 go to player, yeah. Davis will be a great player in the NBA but he will not be the guy you go to  down the stretch and for a winning shot.

Why trade our proven #2 go to guy and one of our top picks and whoever else just to replace what we already got?

Posted 06/19/2012 5:55 PM

I think Davis will bulk up in the next couple of seasons and he will become a monster at either the 4 or 5