Portland Trail Blazers: 10 Teams That Could Use Brandon Roy's Services
It feels as though that Brandon Roy has virtually disintegrated. Roy has widely been considered throughout his career to be the face of the franchise. But now, it seems that LaMarcus Aldridge has taken his spot, and he is now the player the Blazers will build around.
Roy went inactive in December 2010 with continuing pain in his knees. He was forced to undergo double-arthroscopic knee surgery after his injury and would eventually return about a month later.
The three-time All-Star and former Rookie of the Year returned on Feb. 23 against the Los Angeles Lakers, notching a paltry five points in 16 minutes of play. That's not the Roy we're used to.
It appeared that something just wasn't right over the next few games. It felt like his shooting touch had fallen off, and he couldn't keep up with other players.
I do believe he can return to his old form, but I don't know if it'll be in a Blazers uniform. After all, the team did sign Wesley Matthews, who also plays shooting guard, to a five-year deal worth approximately $35 million last year. So Roy could be the odd man out.
And I'm sure there's a lot of teams out there that would love to add a former All-Star, who is still in the prime of his career, to their team.
Denver Nuggets
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Bet you didn't expect to see the Nuggets on this list, huh?
Although they are division rivals, I could see B-Roy in a Nuggets uniform at some point.
After all, J.R. Smith, Arron Afflalo and Wilson Chandler are free agents (along with Nene, who does not figure into this equation), and Denver wants to bring most, if not all these players back.
But the Blazers and Nuggets could explore a trade that would bring Smith to Portland in a sign-and-trade deal.
The Nuggets would have to absorb Roy's contract, which means that it would be unlikely for them to bring back Afflalo. But if Roy can return to his old form, the Nuggets would be happy to do the deal.
I think Roy could fit well in Denver, alongside Ty Lawson and Raymond Felton running the point. I mean, he's done fairly well with an aging Andre Miller at point guard. I can only imagine how well he could thrive with two young point guards in their primes.
Philadelphia 76ers
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As most of ya'll know, rumors are swirling around about the availability of shooting guard Andre Iguodala.
There have been talks that the Clippers are willing to swap Chris Kaman for Iggy, along with the Warriors wanting to send Monta Ellis their way.
But there has been absolutely nothing concerning Brandon Roy to the Sixers.
The Sixers' biggest need is a shooter, somebody that could go out there every night and score 20 or more points and B-Roy could definitely fill that void, if healthy.
The deal would also benefit the Blazers, as Iguodala would bring an all-around game to the Blazers. After all, Iggy did average 6.3 assists per game, sitting among the top of the list in assists for a 2-guard.
He is also known for his valiant defense, as he is widely considered to be one of the best defenders in the league. Teaming up with Gerald Wallace, Marcus Camby and Nicolas Batum would give the Blazers a very talented group of defenders.
Not to mention, the contracts of the two are roughly just a million apart, so a one-for-one swap could happen. However, the Sixers would probably demand something else be put in the puzzle because of Roy's injury concerns.
Chicago Bulls
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The Bulls are in desperate need of a reliable shooting guard. At times this season, the Bulls used a rotation consisting of Ronnie Brewer, Keith Bogans and Kyle Korver, and this proved to be one of their downfalls that led to their elimination in the playoffs.
There have been talks about Golden State sending Monta Ellis to Chicago, but what about Roy?
Roy, when healthy, is just as good, if not better than Ellis.
I'm sure the Bulls could figure up some type of package to send Portland's way.
They very well could possibly send Carlos Boozer to Portland in exchange for Roy, another play and/or a pick. Boozer was booed at some points during the season for his inconsistent play and with the emergence of Taj Gibson, Boozer could be shown the door at some point.
If a deal like this were to happen, the Blazers would most certainly have to line LaMarcus Aldridge up at center with Boozer at power forward.
The only problem with that is Aldridge's ability to bang with other centers, but if a 6'6" Chuck Hayes can do it, I'm sure Aldridge can, too.
New Orleans Hornets
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The Hornets, like the Bulls, are in desperate need of a valuable shooting guard. I just don't see Marco Belinelli and Willie Green cutting it for very long, especially in the tough Western Conference.
New Orleans also needs a shooter to line up alongside star player Chris Paul, who is arguably considered to be the best point guard in the league.
As showed in the playoffs against the Lakers in the opening round, CP3 can't do it all by himself. He needs help, more like a shooter than anything else. He has David West and Emeka Okafor down low, along with Trevor Ariza lining up at small forward.
West is very capable of averaging 18 to 20 points per game, but injuries are a concern, and it is not known if West will be a Hornet next season. Ariza is roughly a 15-point per game scorer, and Okafor is explicitly a rebounder.
A Paul-Roy backcourt could be considered one of the best in the league, especially if Roy returns to old form.
If the Hornets are able to add Roy, they could be a very tough team to beat in the West. But they would need a lot of help to acquire Roy, most likely giving up either Ariza,West or Okafor.
Charlotte Bobcats
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The Bobcats made the playoffs for the first time in franchise history in the 2009-10 season, but fell off this season, as they were unable to return to the postseason.
Charlotte was absolutely horrible offensively last season. It was practically non-existent. In terms of points per game, the Bobcats ranked 29th out of 30 teams, averaging just 93.9 points per contest (Milwaukee was the worst with 91.9).
It is abundantly clear that the Bobcats need another scoring option besides Stephen Jackson. If there's something that's been shown to us, it's that Boris Diaw, D.J. Augustin, Gerald Henderson and Tyrus Thomas are not legitimate No. 2 scoring options.
They're just not. And that need has to be helped before the 2011-12 season starts. If anything, Michael Jordan needs to throw on a jersey and walk the hardwood once again.
With teams such as the Bulls, Celtics, Heat, Magic and Hawks practically locks for the postseason, there are roughly three spots open in the East. The Bobcats can easily get one of those three if they had an offense.
They were 11th in terms of opponent's points per game, so they are a good defensive team, at least better than middle-of-the-pack. If they got another scorer to line up alongside Jackson, they could make the postseason for the second time in their history.
Michael Jordan needs to make a move so he can better this team.
New York Knicks
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Besides Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups and Amare Stoudemire, the Knicks roster really doesn't have much.
They did, however, make the playoffs last season, so it is completely doable again. But they can't do it by themselves, they need help like a lot of teams.
Please note that this is one of most unlikeliest scenarios, as the Knicks do not have many trade chips but anything can happen.
The Knicks need a shooting guard, plain and simple. Landry Fields showed to be a very reliable option for the Knicks, but does he fit into their long-term plans?
He brought a lot to the table last season and was one of the top rookies in the class, but the Knicks need a seasoned veteran occupying that spot when it comes to the postseason. Fields was pretty much non-existent in the playoffs, as they were swept 4-0 by the Celtics.
I could definitely see the Blazers dealing him to the Knicks for Billups and then sending Andre Miller away in a separate deal (perhaps for a better selection to nab Kemba Walker).
If the Knicks could pull off the heist of the century, it would definitely benefit them. Frankly, I believe that an injured B-Roy is better than a healthy Fields (nothing against Landry, I like him as a player).
But that's the way Roy is. He's a former three-time All-Star, so he can get the job done, even on the NBA's biggest stage at MSG.
Dallas Mavericks
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I hope Roy wouldn't make that face if he got dealt to the Mavs, who are just one win away from collecting their first championship hardware.
This could also be one of the most unlikeliest scenarios, but anything can happen.
The Mavericks already have Jason "The Jet" Terry at shooting guard, but he has shown that he is a much better player coming off the bench (just like Atlanta's Jamal Crawford).
The other shooting guards on the roster? DeShawn Stevenson, Dominique Jones and Roddy Beaubois (who can play either the point or shooting guard).
So some help could be needed in the starting rotation at shooting guard.
I don't know who the Mavs would give up in the deal, as it could range anywhere from the injured Caron Butler in a sign-and-trade deal or a package including Brendan Haywood since Portland is in need of a center and can't depend on Greg Oden.
The possible acquisition of Roy could make the Mavericks even better than this season's team. Not to mention, Roy could be a viable scoring option next to Dirk Nowitzki.
I think a deal like that would help both sides.
Indiana Pacers
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The Pacers gave the Bulls fits in the first round of the playoffs, and nothing against the Pacers, but their team wasn't that great.
Like quite a few teams, the Pacers need a legitimate second scoring option behind Danny Granger. They acquired Darren Collison in the offseason, but he is not a 20-point per game scorer. Roy Hibbert is a solid player, but he will never be a 20-10 player.
Currently on the depth chart, the Pacers list Dahntay Jones, Brandon Rush, and Lance Stephenson as the shooting guards. And those players clearly aren't going to cut it.
And if the Pacers expect to advance past the first round of the playoffs, they need somebody else to go out there and score besides Granger.
But if the Pacers did acquire Roy, he would not have to be thrust into the starting rotation.
The Pacers could throw Granger in at shooting guard and pencil in their 2010 first-round pick Paul George at small forward, who most people are very high on.
Minnesota Timberwolves
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Where do I even begin about the league's worst team? They need help at practically every position. They are clearly in the re-building process, and it could be a few years before we see them challenging for a playoff spot.
They are in the Blazers' division, but they are hardly a threat to wrecking Portland's playoff chances. Sending a player like Roy to Minnesota is like sending wide receivers to Oakland. They just seem to die and not produce to their expectations.
But I believe that Roy could help turn that franchise around, if given the opportunity.
He could serve as a mentor to a few of the younger players such as Ricky Rubio, Jonny Flynn, Wayne Ellington, Lazar Hayward and Michael Beasley (if he's there next season).
Not to mention, the Timberwolves are in desperate need of a shooting guard. Ellington is the only 2-guard on the roster, so clearly, they need help.
Acquiring Roy would give Minnesota another scoring option and help relieve pressure off of Kevin Love.
With Ricky Rubio coming to the NBA this season, it would give him an experienced veteran and a 20-point per game scorer to pass to. It could really help Rubio's development in the NBA.
The only question is what the Timberwolves would give up in order to acquire Roy.
Detroit Pistons
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The Pistons are under a new regime with a new owner in Tom Gores and a new future head coach, whoever that may be. They are in the rebuilding process, as they are definitely not the team they were in the mid-2000s.
Detroit is likely to wheel-and-deal this offseason, and it could start with Brandon Roy.
They are likely to buy out the remaining of Richard Hamilton's contract, but the Blazers could be in the mood for that.
A possible deal could end up being the Blazers switching Roy for the Pistons' Hamilton, then Portland buying out Hamilton's contract, leaving him free to sign with any other team in the league. If bought out, he will probably go to the Bulls, who need his services.
Or the Blazers could just absorb Hamilton's contract and use him on the bench behind Matthews.
The Pistons could definitely use Roy to help the rebuilding process, as he would provide a viable scoring threat.
Honorable Mentions
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Orlando Magic
There have been rumors going around that the Magic won't retain Jason Richardson, whether it be by trade or release.
A trade could go down that the Blazers send Roy to the Magic for the prolific dunker, as their salaries practically match up.
This would give the Magic another scoring threat and would hopefully relieve pressure off of arguably the best center in the league, Dwight Howard.
If a deal like this were to happen, Richardson would likely play second fiddle to Wesley Matthews.
A deal like this is highly unlikely, as the Thunder are division rivals. And not only are they division rivals, but they are perhaps the best team in the Northwest, as the Thunder are looking to become a powerhouse.
The only question that remains is the possibility of inserting James Harden into the starting rotation.
If Harden is the starting shooting guard, then there is no way a trade like this would go down. But if he becomes the sixth man, then there's a small chance it could happen.
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