The 2008 offseason is a big time for Portland’s favorite pro team. With a lottery pick, three early second rounders, and some on-the-block youngn’s, look for GM Kevin Pritchard to make some power moves.While in an earlier article, I looked at the possibilities for the Blazers in the draft, I want to take this opportunity to look into some trade possibilities. There are some hot rumors circulating around the Blazers and many of their players. Below is a synopsis of those rumors and the other teams involved.
(*please note that the trade rumors below consist of only the major pieces. In order for them to work under the CBA, additional players would have to be swapped so the contracts would all match)
Memphis Grizzlies
The Players Sparking Interest: Mike Conley, Kyle Lowry, Mike Miller
The Trade Bait: Travis Outlaw, Jarrett Jack, Channing Frye, #13 Pick
Trade Rumor: Conley/Miller for Outlaw/Jack/#13/2nd round pick
Why it works for the Blazers: It gives them the PG they want to run their dynasty and the veteran SF they so desperately need.
Why it works for the Grizzlies: They have a load of young PG’s already, and if they get Rose in the draft that number would increase. Outlaw gives them a nice complement to Gay and the #13 pick could be used on one of the last pieces the Grizzlies need to set up a great young team of their own. Jack and the 2nd rounder are just extra incentives in a trade that the Blazers probably want more. If you ask me though, Rose/Navarro/Gay/Outlaw is a devastating line-up that would be around for years to come.
Conclusion: I think this would be great for both teams. The Blazers want this more though, so the Grizzlies might ask for too much making this trade just a fantasy. Also look for the Blazers to go after only one of the players listed above.
Toronto Raptors
The Players Sparking Interest: Jose Calderon, TJ Ford
The Trade Bait: Travis Outlaw, Jarrett Jack, #13 Pick, Steve Blake
Trade Rumors: Calderon for Outlaw/Blake or Calderon for #13/Blake
Ford for Outlaw/Blake or Ford for #13/Blake
Why it works for the Blazers: This would give them a young PG they feel can lead their franchise for years to come.
Why it works for the Raptors: They have two superb PG’s, so getting rid of one to get a player like Outlaw or someone they want in the draft isn’t a huge deal. Plus they get a solid, veteran backup in Steve Blake.
Conclusion: This really works for both teams, and I could really see something happening. Toronto may want something else though, since they value both of these PG’s very highly.
New Jersey Nets
The Players Sparking Interest: Richard Jefferson
The Trade Bait: Travis Outlaw, Raef LaFrentz, #13 Pick
Trade Rumor: Jefferson for Outlaw/LaFrentz/#13
Why it works for the Blazers: It gives them a great SF and makes them immediately viable in the west.
Why it works for the Nets: They get a young forward with a ton of upside, another lottery pick to start re-building and an expiring contract that ends next year, giving them their chance to make a run at LeBron.
Conclusion: While I think the Nets would love this deal, I’m not so sure the Blazers would be willing to give up their two biggest trade assets for 1 aging player.
Orlando Magic
The Players Sparking Interest: Keyon Dooling
The Trade Bait: Jarrett Jack, Steve Blake, Travis Outlaw, 2nd round picks
Trade Rumor: Jack/2nd Rounder for Dooling or Outlaw for Dooling
Why it works for the Blazers: It gives them a nice, defensive-minded PG who doesn’t make a lot of mistakes.
Why it works for the Magic: They get a young, solid SG and an early 2nd rounder they can splurge with. Or they get Travis Outlaw, enough said.
Conclusion: If the Blazers trade Outlaw for Dooling I will hang myself in my front lawn. There is no way this will happen. They may however try to get Dooling with Jack and a draft pick, but I’m not sure this makes enough sense for the Magic.
Chicago Bulls
The Players Sparking Interest: Kirk Hinrich
The Trade Bait: Travis Outlaw, #13 pick
Trade Rumor: Outlaw/Hinrich or #13/Hinrich
Why it works for the Blazers: They get a solid PG who can contribute immediately.
Why it works for the Bulls: They get rid of an overpaid PG who they don’t want and get a young player with a ton of upside in return (via Outlaw or the draft)
Conclusion: This could very well happen. The only problem I have with this is the fact that Hinrich is not that much better than Steve Blake, a player the Blazers already have. However, if the Blazers offer this and the Bulls don’t accept, someone in Chicago needs to be fired.
In case you can’t see the trend, the Blazers are after two things: a PG and a SF. They can go about this via the draft, a trade, or a combination of the two. The biggest thing I want to see happen is the acquisition of BOTH of these needs.
In reality, the Blazers have two trade assets: Outlaw and #13. I don’t think they should use both of these pieces for a PG or a SF. They need both. If they use these assets and some of their complementary pieces wisely, they should be able to add what they need to be a playoff team next year.
All I know is that Kevin Pritchard is a man with a plan and anything he does will have a purpose. I trust him. I think. But, my time here is done. It’s time to meditate under my Greg Oden poster. Until next time.
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2 months ago
Nice article. I think the most believable scenario to happen is the Memphis trade. The Grizzlies are in total rebuilding mode. And, as you said they have a plethora of PGs. But one thing that concerns me is that I think they actually have a pretty good/smart guard in Blake. I think the problem with the PG role isn't that they don't have a good one.... it seems more to me that Roy has sorta just been given the task and he runs the offense -- no matter who the PG is. Maybe I'm wrong here -- just seems that with the way they want to run the offense -- the PG role is more of a perimeter threat with some slashing -- not the floor general type.
2 months ago
Good stuff, Chris. I love the strides the Blazers are making toward becoming a playoff caliber squad.
2 months ago
Well, finally someone at least puts some rumors out there, then breaks them down so they make sense (or don't--Dooling). I agree we should get Dooling, nothing against him. I would look to deal with Memphis first, followed by Toronto, then Chicago. I am sure more rumors will surface, since PHX and Dallas both got bounced in the first round. One fantasy trade for us Blazer fans (at least some anyways) would be to offer something for Nash. Yes, total fantasy, but man, wouldn't that be sweet? There probably be some Playoff Franchises calling KP soon, and I am sure he will listen. I do think we don't go for a PG this year, since we will have capspace to make serious runs at the two BIG ones next summer (Paul and Willaims--though, probably a pipe dream). If we get a PG this summer, one KP want's to be the starter with Roy, Oden and LMA, we probably look for a SF the next year.
Either way, nice work. I hope you plan on doing this again when you hear MORE rumors.
Peace
2 months ago
I'll definitely keep posting the rumors. I'm going to be compiling a rumor database for all western conference teams (at least).
As for Goblin's comment about Nash, I am not so sure. And btw, Nash is my all-time favorite ball player. Ever since Phoenix drafted him, when he was nothing, I loved him. However, He just doesn't work with this Blazer team. Yes, we would immediately be a very good team, but how much longer does Nash have? 2...maybe 3 more all star years. That's pushing the boundary as to when the Blazers will be ready to contend for a title. Plus, think about what we'd have to give up for him. Are you willing to part with LMA?
Me either.
2 months ago
That was quite an eloquent argument "nice." I appreciate your insight. You are surely an intelligent human being that I don't know what this world would do without.
2 months ago
Outlaw alone is worth more than any of those. I can see where the Ford thing might be of interest but for the current make-up of the team, giving up Outlaw, a guy on the verge of superstardom if he continues his improvement, for Ford would be a huge error. Add to that the resultant glut at sf if Jones doesn't exercise his option and if Webster sticks around. Portland's trade bait is more in the lines of guys like Przybilla, Frye, the aforementioned Webster and/or Jones, and either of the PG you mentioned, Blake and Jack. The untouchables on the team are, or should be, Oden, Aldridge, Roy, and Outlaw.
2 months ago
This is a pretty solid breakdown of the trades out there. The bottom line, as you mentioned, is that no one will ever know exactly what is going on in KP's head until draft day when it happens. I have a great respect for KP and at this point don't think he's made a bad move. I think what he does over the next two years will really define his legacy in Portland simply because he has so many options and strategies available. Obviously, there is going to be some sort of trade this offseason with the draft picks and Jarret Jack. Above and beyond that is all up to KP whether to wheel and deal this offseason or wait for the additional cap space to free up for next year. Free agency is often a crapshoot where teams are suckered in to paying more than they should for players out of their prime. My hope is that KP recognizes that the only players the Blazers would want (Deron, CP) will simply not be available unless another Pau-like deal goes down.
That being said, the only PG out there that I like is Calderon simply because it (hopefully) wouldn't involve trading too many players and the only con would be a small bidding war with the Raptors giving him around 10-12 million. For some reason I've never liked Conley and I don't think his numbers justify giving up Travis and Channing (both of whom still have great potential). Calderon has double the assists, a much much better FT and FG%. As KP and Nate have stated "getting younger" simply isn't what they're looking for, I think that the likely possibility is for another Calderon push with more money on the table.
You also failed to mention Devin Harris - I'm not sure if that rumor has been debunked or not - simply wanted to point that out to you.
Finally, as a general question, I've always wanted to know why people seem to prefer Webster over Outlaw. Outlaw has better numbers in every category and seems to be a much more consistent, clutch and confident player. With Rudy coming over, one of the two will probably be going out, so I'm unsure why everyone points to Travis as the first option. Most people seem to question whether or not Travis is really a 2. My argument is that Travis is simply a better player.
Good review, keep up the good work and go blazers!
2 months ago
I think its more or less media for Webster's so called favoritism... He kinda busted out the pre-season gate on a scoring frenzy if I remember correctly.
Conley doesn't fit well in the Memphis philosophy. He may be better off in Portland. I don't think Toronto is gonna move Calderon... If anything it maybe Ford -- but as everyone knows he's a potential liability -- with that neck injury -- too risky in my opinion. I can see Toronto trading Ford for Blake...
As for the Nets -- no way they will let go of Devin Harris. So fuggatuhboutit.
Orlando -- Dooling? If they trade Outlaw for Dooling -- it will probably go down as the next to the worst trade in franchise history -- right before Caron Butler/Chucky Atkins for Kwame Brown/Laron Profit.
No way Portland would want Hinrich -- too much $$.
2 months ago
These sound more like forum trade ideas than real rumors. The bulk of the trades make no sense under CBA rules and could never happen.
Conely and Miller make a total of near 12 mil and outlaw/jack/13th/2nd only are worth 5.2 mil so the most the Blazers could take back for trading that package is less than 6mil. Deal does not work.
Ford can not be traded for just a pick. Blazers would need to send out between 7.2 and 8.8 mil. Deal does not work
Calderon will be resigned for around 10 mil most likely. If it's a tad less, than Outlaw/Blake could work, But most likely not. Calderon would never resign for less than the MLE so #13/Blake could never work. Deals do not work.
Outlaw/Blake for Ford is the only trade under the Raptors section that would be allowed under CBA rules.
I could keep going through every one of your "rumors" but thats a waste of my time. These are not only false rumors but they are the ideas of someone with no idea of how the NBA or the CBA (collective Bargaining Agreement) work.
And this is not to mention how lopsided some of the "rumors" are. Don't pass your ideas off for rumors, they are absurd and can't even be true.
from 2 months ago
Nate, thank you for the numbers. I should have included a misnomer saying things would have to be re-worked so salaries match (as they always do). I will include this in the article. However, I can assure you at least some of these "rumors" are real possibilities.
2 months ago
As much as I absolutely love Chris Paul and Deron Williams, I honestly don't see either of them leaving their respective teams unless the Hornets or Jazz totally implode in the next two years. Both of those teams are scary good, and, other than Pedreg and Bonzi for the Hornets, and Matt Harpring for the Jazz, moderately young. I've heard alot about cap space following '09, but I'll be amazed if either of the two top point guards in the west don't get signed to max extensions by their teams.
2 months ago
I am salivating as a Blazer fan looking at that trade with the Grizzlies.
2 months ago
i think we should trade for mike conley. the trade would be. jarrett jack,martell webster,sergio rodriguez and all our second round picks. and i also think we should go out and get a forward like richard jeferson.we would trade travis outlaw,lafrentz and first rounder for richard jefersin.
about 1 month ago
Lame dude...we've all been throwing these "rumors" around since the Allstar break. There is a huge difference in an idea being plausible and a "rumor" actually having legs. To think that Portland would actually give up Outlaw is too short-sided anyway. It's not going to happen, at least for another year. True Memphis tried to offer Miller for Outlaw and #13, but they aren't going to do it. The team wants to see Outlaw play at the 3 next season with Oden in the lineup before they'll consider moving him. If you want to talk about trade "possibilities", you're certainly entitled, but don't pass them off as being rumored, they aren't. You can go into any Blazer fan forum and see the same "rumors" being floated around by high schoolers and fanboys on any given week day.
about 1 month ago
As a Raptors fan, I'd love to see TJ Ford head west and get back Steve Blake and #13...
Make it happen!!
from 20 days ago
Also being a raptors fan I would like to see ford leaving and Outlaw/Blake coming this would give raptors a slsher to the rim and a great back up piont gaurd
13 days ago
Does Channing Frye + 13th overall pick = Mike Conley? Grizzlies would still have a lot of PGs, they'd get a fairly good forward and they would also have two high first rounders. The Blazers would get that PG they want so badly without giving up too much. This would be my dream scenario come draft night.
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