Nothing Like a False Three-Way Trade Involving the Portland Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers are looking to upgrade and add even more depth. There is nothing wrong with this, especially since power forward Paul Millsap is one of their targets.

The Blazers offered Millsap a contract, one that they hope can trump any possible counter-proposal by the Utah Jazz, his former team. They definitely see him as a tough competitor that can fill their backup power-forward spot, but it appeared unlikely that he would end up in Portland once a intriguing rumor surfaced.

According to a report by ESPN’s Chad Ford and Mark Stein:

"

“Another major multi-team trade might be looming in the NBA with the Portland Trail Blazers, Utah Jazz and Chicago Bulls having discussed a deal that would be headlined by Carlos Boozer and Kirk Hinrich, according to NBA front-office sources.

"

"

Sources stressed to ESPN.com that no deal was imminent Thursday and that both Portland and Utah are still evaluating multiple trade scenarios. But two sources with knowledge of the three-team proposal confirmed that there have been substantive talks regarding a trade that would land Boozer in Chicago, Hinrich in Portland and Tyrus Thomas in Utah.”

"

I’d like to know who these sources are. A majority of the time, so-called “NBA front-office sources” don’t know what they are talking about. This is the case here, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports…

"

“[The]Bulls haven’t had a “single conversation” about a 3-way deal Blazers and “have nothing going” with Utah about Boozer, Bulls source tells Y!.”

"

Sam Smith, a writer for Bulls.com, similarly refutes the rumored deal, saying “nothing’s going on.”

Since nothing is going on, how does this even get started? The fact that the three sides haven’t even seriously discussed a deal bothers me. Are “sources” bored? Do they get their information from some blogger proposing a hope?

This is most likely the case. The blogger is probably a fan of the Blazers, wondering if such a fabrication would actually lead to some action on the part of General Manager Kevin Pritchard, who has been relatively quiet this offseason aside from the Hedo Turkoglu saga.

Rumors, true or not, are published for the viewing public to stir things up, to get fans excited. Following the posts on the Blazers forum once ESPN’s story hit the web, it appeared the rumor did it’s job. Fans were going crazy, voicing varying opinions. Some wanted Hinrich no matter what it took, while others wanted both him and Millsap.

The competent group wanted Portland to lose Hinrich’s agent’s phone number and focus all their attention on signing Millsap to backup LaMarcus Aldridge, knowing a lack of toughness from that position is their only glaring weakness.

I find it odd that Portland would even go after Hinrich. I don’t blame Pritchard for wanting to upgrade, but Hinrich’s the best he can do? He is a lesser, more expensive version of current point guard Steve Blake.

Playing 26 minutes per game last season, Hinrich averaged 10 points, 2 rebounds, and 4 assists, while shooting 43 percent from the field including 40 percent from the three-point range.

In comparison, Blake played in 69 games to Hinrich’s 51, and averaged 11 points and 5 assists per game, while shooting 43 percent from the field including 43 percent from three-point range. Why is Hinrich even on Portland’s radar? He isn’t even better than Blake.

Blake’s weakness is his inability to keep up with quicker guards. Hinrich, similarly built, is a tougher defender, but isn’t quicker on defense.

So, if the Blazers think that Blake isn’t formidable and that Jerryd Bayless isn’t their future at the position, why not go after a Raymond Felton or Ramon Sessions, two younger guards known for their speed?

I don’t understand why Portland would want a point guard, but since they do, they should at least focus on someone who makes sense.

Because Utah has an inkling to trade Boozer, re-signing Millsap is their top priority. So, even if the Blazers offered him a lucrative contract, the Jazz would have the opportunity to match. Therefore, Portland will most likely lose out on Millsap, meaning they would be more inclined to make a rash decision.

Yet, if they were to sign Millsap, it wouldn’t be too difficult to integrate him into the fold, primarily because he wouldn’t play a substantial amount of minutes. His toughness, rebounding, and aggressive scoring ability would mesh nicely with Portland’s surrounding talent.

Hinrich would adapt quickly as Blazer because he’s so similar to Blake. Yet, because he and Blake differ in some respects, there would still be an adjustment period, which could lead to a slow start to the season. If he didn’t pan out, he’d be an expensive poor-man’s Blake. I would rather stick with what has worked, instead of taking an unnecessary risk.

I hope Pritchard realizes that his team will contend and win 50-plus games without any changes. Millsap would make them better, whereas Hinrich would not.