Gerald Wallace to Portland Trade Rumors: Can He Coexist with Brandon Roy?

The Portland Trail Blazers have just acquired swing-man Gerald Wallace from the Charlotte Bobcats.

Portland is in the thick of the playoff race, just a game behind New Orleans for the five seed in the Western conference.

Without an All-Star this year, and two-time All-Star Brandon Roy out since Dec. 15 with injuries to both knees, Portland hopes that the addition of Wallace will keep them in the thick of the playoff race.

But can he coexist with Brandon Roy?

Style of Play

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DALLAS, TX - DECEMBER 15: Guard Brandon Roy #7 of the Portland Trail Blazers at American Airlines Center on December 15, 2010 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User

Both players are slashers who can hit the outside shot.

However, Roy is more of a distributor than Wallace, and his offensive approach could change depending on how his knees hold up.

Roy returned to the line-up last night against the Lakers, scoring five points in 16 minutes of play.

Could Wallace Play Power Forward In a Small Line-Up?

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CHICAGO, IL - FEBRUARY 15: Derrick Rose #1 of the Chicago Bulls goes up for a shot against Gerald Wallace #3 of the Charlotte Bobcats at the United Center on February 15, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Bobcats 106-94. NOTE TO USER: User

With injuries hampering center Marcus Camby, LaMarcus Aldridge could see increased minutes at the 5.

That could leave Wallace to play power forward with Nicolas Batum, Roy and Andre Miller rounding out a small line-up.

Wallace On Defense

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CHICAGO, IL - FEBRUARY 15: Derrick Rose #1 of the Chicago Bulls moves between Shaun Livingston #2 and Gerald Wallace #3 of the Charlotte Bobcats at the United Center on February 15, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Bobcats 106-94. NOTE TO

The addition of Wallace allows either he or small forward Nicolas Batum to pick up the other team's top perimeter scorer.

This will allow Roy to save his legs for the offensive side of the ball.

Will They Have To Coexist?

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DALLAS, TX - DECEMBER 15: Guard Brandon Roy #7 of the Portland Trail Blazers dribbles the ball past DeShawn Stevenson #2 of the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on December 15, 2010 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges

The Portland franchise has had a litany of knee injuries in its history.

Roy is just the latest following center Greg Oden, and even coach Nate McMillan. After having knee trouble in college at Washington, those problems finally caught up to Roy this season.

It's possible they won't have to coexist. In that case, Wallace will simply be a replacement for a player whose career could be significantly slowed due to injury.