Step 1. Renounce

After the season, the Blazers renounce Thabeet, Felton, Hickson, Flynn, CSmith and Przybilla. An accumulative $34 million in salary cap holds that the Blazers cannot afford to have limit their free agent flexibility in the summer. All are no-brainers, with the exception of Hickson who is quickly becoming a fan favorite in Portland. But Hickson's $7 million salary cap hold is too much of a dent into the Blazers cap room and they cannot afford to give a qualifying offer and make Hickson a restricted free agent.

The Blazers do give Batum a qualifying offer, making him a restricted free agent. The Blazers maintain the right to match any offers to keep Batum.

Step 2. Lottery

The NBA holds the 2012 draft lottery on May 30th in New York. The Blazers get lucky as New Jersey does not draw a top three pick which officially sends their first round pick to the Blazers. Even more lucky, both picks draw better than expected based on the two teams' records. The Blazers get the 4th and 8th picks in the 2012 draft.

Step 3. Orlando

From the Orlando Sentinel: "Magic CEO Alex Martins insists that he did not make any specific promises to Dwight Howard to convince him to waive his early-termination option.". If you believe that, then I've got some [insert worthless object here] to sell you.

This just doesn't make any sense. Howard is leaving Orlando, and the Magic had to trade him at the trading deadline in order to get something for him. The fact that they didn't can only mean that there were assurances made that he would be dealt in the offseason, and that Howard would have some say in the matter.

Orlando has always stated they want veteran players for Howard, not draft picks. However, just a few weeks removed from Orlando's second consecutive disappointing first round exit from the playoffs, Portland comes knocking on the door dangling draft picks. The alternative presented by Portland is intriguing, and gets them thinking about the reality of the other options they have entertained - LA and New Jersey centered around Andrew Bynum and Brook Lopez. Although both are nice players, both have been plagued with injuries, have or will have significant long-term contracts, and are not going to make the Magic better than they were with Howard. The result is a lower end playoff team at best, with less cap room - caught in the NBA area you don't want to be in - mediocrity.

Portland enters the picture with two lottery picks in the deepest draft in years, young players in their rookie contracts, and other more reasonable or shorter veteran contracts. Portland's option has two flaws.

1. Howard isn't going to sign a long term contract with Portland without a compelling story, and that story includes Deron Williams (See step 5). In order to be able to sign DWilliams, the Blazers need to free up enough cap space to sign DWilliams, which means unloading some contracts that Orlando doesn't want. Portland agrees to add the maximum $3 million cash into the trade to help offset contracts.

2) Portland cannot trade their two lottery picks because they are required to have at least one first round pick in consecutive drafts, and Charlotte owns their 2013 first round pick. To get around this, Orlando agrees to trade Portland its 2013 #1 draft pick in exchange for Portland's 2014 #1 pick. Orlando's pick is protected for several years, so Portland may not see it for a while. Portland's pick is unprotected.

In the end, Orlando is very interested, and gives the Blazers permission to talk with Howard and his agent to see if they can convince the big man to come to Portland.

Step 4. Dwight

Sometime in early June, the Blazer brass - Larry Miller and Chad Buchanon hop on a plane to go meet with Dwight Howard and his agent. Howard is skeptical, but has learned in his young career that is doesn't hurt to have options. After a few pleasantries, the question is asked and Howard lays out his criteria for selecting his team of choice:

1. To play for a championship caliber team - one that will contend for several years.

2. To play in a large market, preferrably New York, Los Angeles, or Chicago.

3. To play along side another superstar (or two), as this seems to be the formula to building a championship team.

4. For one of those superstars be a point guard to get him the ball in the right position, and he'd prefer that to be his good friend Deron Williams.

Larry Miller then begins to lay out why Portland is that team. Right off the bat he addresses the one negative - Portland is not a large market. Nothing can be done to fix that, it cannot be overcome. However, the Blazers can fulfill all of Dwight's remaining criteria .... and Larry does what he does best - relationship work. He starts:

1. Portland can create enough cap room to trade for Dwight and sign he and Deron to max contracts.

2. Portland already has the third superstar in Lamarcus Aldridge. The new version of the twin towers would be nearly unstoppable with Howard's inside game, and LMA's outside shot (and inside game). Put that together with one of the best PG's in the league, and you are an immediate championship contender.

3. Unlike Miami after the trio signed, Portland also offers a 4th potential star in Nicolas Batum. A 2/3 slasher who can now hit the outside shot, and can defend.

4. Throw in another young promising player in Elliot Williams, and you've got a starting unit that can rebound, defend, shoot the outside shot, and who can score in the half court and open court.

5. Larry then actually turns Portland's shell of an organization - no GM, no coach, no locker room leadership, into a positive. Lamarcus does not want the outspoken role, so the team is Dwight's and Deron's to lead. They can literally name the coach they want to play for.

6. Portland has the best fans in the NBA and the Blazers are the only ticket in town. Not only will Howard and DWill lead the team, they will own the town. Portland will hand the over the keys to the city.

Larry then lays out why the Blazers are the best option for Dwight and Deron, when compared to other options like New Jersy, Los Angeles or Dallas (see Step 5).

Howard is impressed. As Portland cannot have any conversations with Williams until after July 1st, Howard would have to approve a trade to Portland prior to that, and then trust that Williams will want to come on board (wink wink). The parties part, and the ball is in Howard's court.

Step 5. Deron

At an undisclosed vacation spot, probably a remote caribbean island, Howard and Williams vacation and weigh their options. Lesson learned from the Miami trio, the two realize that there is a potential PR nightmare if their actions are not sincere. They are not going to go on tour and be courted by everyone. They are not going to lead on any teams/cities if they aren't interested. They are going to evaluate their options, and make their choice. They begin to weigh their options:

1.New Jersey. A very attractive option in that they are playing in New York, and they are playing together. But as Larry Miller pointed out, there is no third superstar. Is that the aging Gerald Wallace? More importantly, by signing in the East, you have to go through Chicago and Miami every year to just get to the championship series. Not an easy task. If you want to contend for a championship every year - the West is where you want to be, with aging Spurs, Lakers and Mavericks. The Thunder is your most significant obstacle and they've proven to be vulnerable to big lineups (Howard and Aldridge!).

Los Angeles and Dallas. Also attractive options - Williams goes back home and plays with Dirk, and Howard goes to LA to play with Kobe. Unlike New Jersey, you are surrounded by better players and you're in the West. But, you are joining teams and superstars that are nearing the end of their runs. The window may not be open for very long - certainly, long-term success is not guaranteed. And .... the two stars play against each other and the Thunder for the opportunity to get to the championship series.

Portland. They play together, four stars, young, everyone signed for multiple years. The immediate favorites in the West. A dynasty begins. But .... no large market.

In the end, they opt for the dynasty and choose Portland. Howard's agent informs Orlando of Howard's wishes. Orlando and Portland start to put pencil to paper on a blockbuster trade that will rock the NBA world

Step 6. Player Options

One wrinkle remains in the Blazer plan - Player Options. Jamal Crawford and Shawne Williams hold player options on their 2012/2013 seasons. It is generally assumed that Crawford is going to opt out, and SWilliams is going to opt in, but Portland needs to know prior to the draft in order to construct the trade for Howard. Players have until the end of June to make their election. The Blazers can't afford to make the trade, have Crawford reconsider and sign back on with the Blazers, and then not have the cap room to sign DWilliams.

SWilliams is easy. He is definitely exercising his player option, as he is not going to draw any offers in the free agent market close to the $3.1 million he will be due the next season. Having no ties to Portland, he is more than happy to exercise his option early and approve a trade to Orlando.

Crawford isn't as easy. Not one to weaken his bargaining position, Jamal recognizes that the Blazers need something from him. In the end, he is able to negotiate a $500k bonus to exercise his player option early, which he was going to do anyway.

The Blazers are now free and clear to execute their plan.

Step 7 - Utah

Always looking to save a buck, Utah is actively seeking a taker for Paul Milsap. Not that Milsap is a slouch, but at nearly $9 million for the next season, it's a hefty price to pay while you're trying to find playing time for your two young bigs - Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter. For the second offseason in a row, Utah is not finding any quality offers for Milsap.

Portland jumps into action. Knowing that Utah loves Wesley Matthews, they talk to Utah about a swap. It's a double savings for Utah. The salaries match up for a trade, however Utah saves $2 million. Additionally, Matthews' actual salary is less than his stated contract as Portland's original offer to Wes was front end loaded - meaning Portland has already paid a portion of Matthew's future contract values.

Not only does it make sense financially, but Utah is losing CJ Miles to free agency and have not gotten much out of the aging and often injured Raja Bell. That leaves them with a young Alec Burks and Gordon Hayward at their wings. And they love Wesley's play. The perfect trade for Utah.

Orlando also jumps on board. The addition of Matthews into a crowded back-court full of SG's in Jason Richardson, Quentin Richardson and JJ Reddick is not nearly as attractive as adding Milsap to a team nearly void of bigs - Orlando is delighted to get Milsap.

Step 8 - The Draft

Portland shocks the NBA world with the announcement that they've acquired Dwight Howard in a three-way trade that includes Orlando and Utah. The trade is as follows:

Portland gets Dwight Howard, and Orlando's 2013 1st round pick - top 15 protected for as long as is allowed

Utah gets Wesley Matthews

Orlando gets Paul Milsap, Luke Babbitt, Shawne Williams and Kurt Thomas, Portland's 2012 #4 and #8 picks, Portland's 2014 1st round pick, unprotected, and $3 million in cash

Step 9 - PGOTF.

Portland has effectively whittled it's roster down to four players. Howard at $19,536,360, Aldridge at $13,500,000, EWilliams at $1,442,880, and NSMith at $1,365,720. They have a salary cap hold for Batum at $6,466,095. With an expected 2012/2013 salary cap at around $60,044,000 - the Blazers have over $17,700,000 available to offer Deron Williams.

Shortly after July 1, Deron Williams agrees to sign a max (or near max) contract with the Blazers.

Step 10 - Batum.

Drawing interest from a variety of teams, Nicolas Batum signs an offer sheet with San Antonio for 5 years starting at $10 million per. A great debate starts among the Portland fan base - should the Blazers match? Is he worth it? At the end of the day, it doesn't matter. With Howard's, DWilliams' and Aldridge's contracts, and with the salary cap expected to decrease over the course of the new CBA agreement, the Blazers won't see salary cap room for years. They will not have the opportunity to sign a FA the caliber of Batum for quite a long time. The Blazers match the offer and retain Batum.

Step 11 - Fillnig out the Roster.

With six players now signed, the Blazers have the mid-level exception to sign one more significant player before they start filling in with min contract players. The Blazers could also split the exception to sign multiple players. They turn to JJ Hickson, who averaged 15 points and eight boards to close out the season with the Blazers. Hickson is very interested in returning to the Blazers. Unfortunately, his solid play did not go unnoticed around the league, and he is getting a lot of attention. Portland ends up using most of their mid level exception to sign Hickson to four years, starting at $5 million.

With little flexibility remaining, Portland resigns Joel Przybilla to a one year, minimum contract. And then they find out what Miami learned. Some veterans are willing to sign for less to come play for a bonafide contender. The Blazers talk Grant Hill out of retiring, and to come to Portland to try and win a championship. That sets the nine man rotation up as:

PG - DWilliams - NSmith

SG - EWilliams - GHill/Batum

SF - Batum - GHill, Hickson

PF - Aldridge - Hickson

C - Howard - Hickson/Przybilla

The Blazers then set out to find the 2012/2013 versions of Craig Smith to fill out the roster.

Step 12. Coach and GM,

The Blazers hire Phil Jackson as coach.

The Blazers hire Chad Buchanon as GM.

The Blazers hire me as assistant GM.

[Note from the site admis: This was originally posted in four parts, but we combined the posts into one.]

Some very Interesting quotes from an article on the hiring of Jerry West at Golden State.

http://www.insidebayarea.com/warriors/ci_18130102

"I do think there's changes that need to be made here  .......  I would encourage them to be a little more aggressive than they have been."

Unofficially? West might be the new trigger finger.

Right off the bat, West was talking about pushing the envelope. He talked about having the gumption to make a big trade, even shipping a big-name star.

He talked about aggressively pursuing free agents, even overspending to get the right player.

West said the Warriors' biggest need is size and that the team needs to go in a "little bit different direction" than the offense-first mentality.

When asked about the Monta Ellis-Stephen Curry backcourt, he stopped well short of saying the two can win big together.

It sure sounds like they would be willing to break up Curry and Ellis, and that spending money (or keeping Ellis' contract) is not an issue.  They need to get bigger, more defensive minded - sounds like an athletic, long, defensive minded Nicolas Batum might be a good addition.

I'd hate to give up  Batum, but a point guard that could absolutely stick the outside shot would certainly open up the floor and create spacing for Aldridge.

It would seem like swapping two very talented young players might be attractive to both teams.  Don't know what it would take in addition to Batum, hopefully not much.

Recent thread/poll on what to do with Nic had 43% of BEdgers willing to move Batum for Curry.  34% had standing pat with Miller at point and hanging on to Batum.  How about a more specific poll.

As nice as it would be to clear the log jam at the 2, it is Batum who holds the most value and who could generate the most significant change to the Blazers roster in the off season.  Personally, I'd love to see a full season of Matthews, Wallace and Aldridge at the 2, 3 and 4, with Batum as the sixth man.  However, I'd also love to see the Blazers find their PGOTF and get some solid depth at the 4 and 5 positions.  Batum could certainly be the answer to either of these.

Assuming you could find the right trading partners (and that Irving will be taken #1 in the draft), what would you do with Nic Batum?

I hate to blame games on the refs, but that 4th quarter was ridiculous.  It was obvious that the contact on both ends of the court was being treated differently, and it wasn't just a couple calls - it was several calls or missed calls.

My wish for game 2 - the refs that worked the Atlanta / Orlando game that had the fouls 30/29.

I also wish that:

-  We give up on the isolation play at the end of quarters for Roy (or Patty when he's in there).  Can't we just run a normal play for Aldridge or Batum or Wallace at the end of a quarter?

-  Andre does not take a 3 point shot.

-  Rudy elects not to pressure the ball when Barea has it just inside the half court line.  It would be nice to see him lay off Barea so he doesn't go right around Rudy.  I'd like to see Barea take a few outside shots.

-  I'd like the refs to take a look at the bruises on Aldridge's back from all the Chandler forearms.

-  I'd like to see less "panic defense", especially from Andre.  I'd be fine if Andre wouldn't leave Kidd alone on the 3 point line to help out on a Stephenson drive.

-  I'd like to see Aldridge stay in the game after he scored like 10 points in a row.

-  Most of all, I'd like Nate to wake up when it comes to Roy and only play him 15 minutes at the back up point.  He goes in for Andre, Andre goes back in for him.  Andre can handle 33 minutes.  Just one defensive liability on the court at a time (well, not counting Rudy).

That's all.  Is that too much to ask for?

A couple things stood out as I watched the game last night.  I'm curious if anyone else had similar thoughts:

1.  Officiating.  I've watched games before and felt the Blazers have gotten hosed by the officiating.  That is not my point here.  There were a few instances where I felt the Blazers weren't getting the same calls on both ends of the court, but it was minimal.  For the most part, the officiating was consistent.  That said, I felt the officiating did play a big role in the game.

The Bulls came out much more aggressive in the first quarter of the game.  The officials let the players play, and Chicago was rewarded with a nice first quarter lead.  It was nice to see the Blazers match that intensity as the game went along, but when they did, the officials started blowing their whistles - on both ends of the court.  There were so many ticky tack fouls and make up calls, it almost made it impossible for the Blazers to make a run.  It certainly made the game less enjoyable to watch.

2.  Defensive Responsibility.  A very simple basketball concept that is taught at a very young age - it is something that I have felt that Blazers have been poor at for a while now.  Blake used to get caught on this quite often - being positioned in the corner.  Once Roy penetrates and the shot goes up - you've got to rotate back to defense otherwise no one is there to stop the fast break.

I think Chicago exposed this again last night.  There were several instances where the Blazers were caught napping that resulted in 2 on 1, or 3 on 1 breaks.  One in particular in the 4th quarter led to a wide open break out that killed the momentum.  Andre penetrated, kicked out to I think Batum for a 3 pt shot.  Someone broke out - rebound, quick long pass, uncontested lay in.  Watching it over again, it was clear that Rudy should have rotated back but just got caught up watching the play before it was too late.  Don't want to pick on Rudy as all of our wings are guilty of this at times.

3.  Rudy Fernandez.  Is it just me, or has Rudy disappeared over the last two games - back to playoff Rudy where he just is a non factor in the game.  Granted, Rudy made some nice drives to the hoop late in the game, but prior to that he just didn't seem engaged.  Where was the Rudy that was flying all over the court during the preseason and the first two games of the season?  I couldn't help but connect his play in the last two games to the opponents - Chicago and New York, the two teams that showed the most interest in him during the summer.  I hope this is just a coincidence.  I want energetic Rudy back - it was nice to see.

As time continues to pass with little news on the Rudy trade front, more and more posters on this site are starting to talk about Rudy returning as a Blazer - at least to begin the season (and for the purpose of this post, let's assume that Rudy will actually consider returning to Portland).

One common theme is that if we can't get a quality asset in a trade for him now, let's bring him back and see if he can up his trade value with some quality play.  My question is:  How does Rudy's trade value go up in the future?

For Rudy to improve his trade value, three things have to happen:

   1.  Rudy has to improve his attitude.

   2.  Rudy has to improve his play.  I'm not sure this can happen.  The Blazers style of play isn't going to change drastically this year.  Nate's still the coach.  Roy's still the star. 

   3.  Rudy has to get on the court  - significant minutes.  Where are those minutes going to come from?  For me, there are four other Blazers that I would rather see getting minutes at the SG position before Rudy:  Roy, Matthews, Bayless and Batum.

I would hate to see the Blazers sacrafice minutes from a another player just to try and up Rudy's trade value.

  -  I'd hate to see Bayless and Cunningham sacrafice minutes (as little as they might be)  for what I believe is an opportunity they have earned.
  -  I certainly don't want to take minutes away from Matthews - we paid a lot of money to get him, we have to put him on the floor and see what we got.
  -  Batum is certainly deserving of more minutes this year.

Where do you find minutes for Rudy?  I can see three possible outcomes.

1.  Someone gets sacraficed and Rudy gets 24 minutes a game.
2.  You find limited minutes for Rudy - 10 to 15 and see what he can do.  Rudy hasn't proven in the past that he can produce in a limited role.
3.  Rudy sits on the bench and hopefully another NBA team will appear with an urgent need for Rudy.

Personally, I don't like any of these options and I don't see Rudy improving his play enough to up his trade value.  At this point for me, it's addition by subtraction.  I would vote for the Blazers to take the best offer they can get for Rudy now, and put 100% of their efforts into improving the players that will be here for the long haul.

How bout you?

Cho said he felt the Blazers were at least one player away from a championship team.  Nate said he wanted shooters on the court.  Everything has led us to believe that something big was coming.  But, we're now getting down to weeks before training camp, and no trades from the Blazers.  For me, that's frustrating.

I agree with a lot of people on this site that the Blazers' roster is very close to championship caliber.  Many say "just leave it alone for now" and let these guys get a chance to play together, and see what they can do.  I agree with that, with just one exception.

Obviously, the most significant intangeable is the health of Greg Oden.  If we can assume that Oden stays healthy, what a lineup.  Oden, Camby and Aldridge in the front court, with an assist from Cunningham.  Roy, Batum and Matthews playing the wing positions, with an assist from Cunningham and Bayless.  I like Bayless as a backup point guard.  It all works for me, except for the starting point guard.

The Blazers have eight pieces to a championship nine-man rotation.  I just don't see Miller as the ninth piece.  I like Miller's game - but his effectiveness is when he has the ball in his hands.  He can create for himself, he can create for others.  But the championship Blazer team is going to have the ball in Roy's hands, and Andre Miller doesn't help anyone on the court when he is playing off the ball.

I think the starting PG for the Blazers should be able to play off the ball.  He needs to be able to stretch the defense with an outside shot, not turn the ball over, make free throws, and most of all - guard the smaller, quicker PG's. 

For me, the only player that fits that description that could be available is Kirk Hinrich.

Interesting enough, I was surprised at how comparable Miller and Hinrich's career stats are:

             Miller       Hinrich
Min       34.5           34.0
Avg       14.5           13.5
Asst       7.2              5.8
Reb       4.1              3.4
St           1.4              1.3
TO          2.6              2.2
FG         45%          42%
3pt         21%          38%
FT          80%          81%

Statistically speaking, a move from Miller to Hinrich looks like a lateral move.  But I pick Hinrich.  I don't think you give up much going from Miller to Hinrich, but with Hinrich you gain:

a.  He's younger.
b.  He can get comparable stats playing off the ball.
c.  He can make the outside shot.
d.  He's an excellent defender.

Plus, like Miller - he's experienced, durable, makes free throws, and takes care of the ball.  And .... I think the contrasting styles of Bayless and Hinrich is a plus.

Finally, one would think he would be available without giving up too much.  Miller/Rudy?  Pryzbilla/Rudy?

If New Orleans gets to the place where they feel they have to trade Paul, what is it that they will want to accomplish?

1.  They're going to attach Okafor to Paul to get rid of his 4 year, $52 million contract.  Not Stojakovich, not Posey.  Okafor is the long-term contract they want to get rid of.

2.  They're going to want young, inexpensive talent.

3.  They're set at power forward.  David West is a very good talent and a reasonable contract.

4.  They're not going to want a starting PG in return, as Collison will be their guy - and he's cheap.

5.  They're not trading Marcus Thornton.  He was a pleasant surprise at the SG, and he is also very cheap.

Rather than look at what Portland would give up for Paul, maybe the place to start is to determine what other teams might have to offer.  Which teams are equipped with the cap space or the expiring contracts and the young talent at the right positions that could entice NO to trade Paul?

New York?  They have cap room and they have Curry's expiring contract, but the Knicks have very little to offer in the way of young talent.  They can meet NO financial goals, but not give them the young talent to help re-tool the team.

Orlando?  No cap room, but they can get there with Carter's $17 million expiring contract and they would certainly want to include Nelson's $7 million as his services would certainly not be needed any longer with Paul on the roster.  However, I don't see Carter or Nelson being attractive to NO.  Nelson is a PG and just gets in the way of Collison's development.  Like the Knicks, do they have the young, cheap talent to entice NO?

Lakers?  Bynum and Odom?  Is Bynum attractive to anyone at $14 million for two years with his injury problems?

It seems like Portland is the team that can meet both the financial goals for NO, while also supplying them with good young talent.  Throw in the fact that they have a head coach that is very familiar with Portland's roster, It doesn't seem far fetched to think that if NO gets to the place of trading Paul, that Portland isn't going to get a real close look.

I just don't see another team that can put a package together as attractive as what Portland can do.

Two things happened today that may get the trade talks brewing a bit.

1.  The Blazers named a GM.

2.  I believe today is the deadline for Utah to match the offer on Matthews.  Granted, its been pretty clear that it wasn't going to happen, but I thought today was the reported day when it became official.  Although the Blazers may have been poised to make their next move, it would make sense that they would have to wait for the Matthews deal to become official.

So, do you think the trade rumbling might pickup?

Assuming the big trade for Chris Paul is off the table, which point guard (of the ones that you would assume might be available) do you think the Blazers might trade for?

5.  Babbitt's mid range shot.  This guy can definitely create his own shot in traffic, and make it at a high percentage.  Also love that he's automatic from the free throw line.  Not quite sure how far his range goes out - doesn't look like it goes out to the NBA 3 pt line, but it's still early.  More important, not confident that his defense translates to the NBA.

4.  Mills' outside shot.  Absolutely love that this guy can bury  a shot from behind the three, to go along with the speed of his game.  His shot looks so smooth and confident.  A pleasure to watch him play.  Unfortunately, I agree that his deficiencies in the rest of his game are going to find him as a backup point guard on a different team.

3.  Cunningham's play.  His conditioning looks great.  He's aggressive.  Looks like he's taking control over his case to assure himself a permanent role in the rotation.

2.  Leadership from Cunningham and Pendergraph.  It's only summer league, but it's nice to see these two young guys rise up in this situation and take a leadership role.  Good indication of their maturity.

1.  Armon Johnson.  Love his game.  Still a bit raw in some areas, but he's strong, can defend, great body control and position, and extremely athletic.  Looks like he might be able to contribute something sooner than expected.

Last night on Talking Ball, Matt Smith from channel 12 sports said that he believes Andre and Rudy will not be on the Blazer roster come fall.  I'm not sure Mr Smith is an NBA guru, but I couldn't agree more with the logic.

Earlier this week, we got a preview of what very well may happen with Andre - a rumor that he would go to Miami to help fill in their roster.  That's not happening now with the news from LeBron and the signing of Mike Miller, but other teams that lost out on the LeBron sweepstakes are finding themselves today in an interesting position.  Well, let's say other team - New York.  Chicago will survive with it's young talent and the signing of Boozer, the Nets will continue down their youth movement path, Cleveland doesn't have a lot of salary cap room and flexibility, and the Clippers are the Clippers.

However, New York finds itself in the same situation that Miami was in - a lot of salary cap room, very few players under contract, and dwindling big names available in free agency.  They only have one PG on their roster with the departures of Duhon and Sergio - Tony Douglas, and he is very young.  I can easily see an Andre trade to NY for a draft pick and a trade exception.

Probably the more likely choice is that they go after Raymond Felton, however, there has been talk that Tony Parker's destination will be New York after the final year of his contract is up this coming season.  That seems to make a lot of sense - Parker to New York.  If you were New York, would you sign Felton this year to a long-term, big $ contract, or would you find a stop gap solution for this year only - like Andre, and put your $ into Parker in 2011-2012?  The latter seems to feel more like a New York move to me.

This would set up for the Blazers to make their one big move in the offseason - starting PG.  They still have Pryzbilla's expiring contract, Rudy, and maybe even Bayless or Batum - depending on what caliber PG they go after.

Using next year's salaries:

Not sure if you use this year's or next year's salaries.  Using last year's salaries it still comes up $2.5 million short.  You almost have to throw in three more players to make up the difference, given the Blazers curren troster.  Or Oden instead of Batum?

Am I missing something?

Narrowing in on the potential targets and based on the names that have been mentioned the most on this web site, how about a re-vote on who people would like to see as their starting point guard for the Blazers next year.  But also including the potential cost of acquisition as part of the decision.  I am assuming that a trade to get a top tier point guard will cost Batum, and a trade to get a second tier point guard will cost either Rudy or Bayless.

I'm having trouble understanding why Washington would take on Kirk Hinrich's $17 million in salary and cap space over the next two years just in order to obtain the #17 pick in the draft.

I guess the obvious answer is because they wanted Hinrich - but knowing that they were getting their point guard of the future in the draft in Wall, and already having Arenas, why would Washington want that much money invested in another PG or combo guard?  Just doesn't seem to make sense.

I guess another answer could be that they think they are going to be able to move Arenas, but is that really possible?  Arenas has $57 million left over three years, he's often injured (or suspended) - what team is going to take on that contract and that risk?  Orlando has been rumored to swapping Carter for Arenas, but Carter only has one year left on his huge contract.  I can't see the Magic wanting to financially handcuff themselves for another two years with Arenas' contract.

Which gets me back to, why would Washington want Hinrich when they already have Wall, and they're stuck with Arenas?  And more important, why would they eat up cap space especially this summer with the crop of FA's available?

So how about this thought:

1)  Portland has been rumored to have had interest in Hinrich in the past.

2)  Chicago is desparate to get out from under Hinrich's contract to make cap room for Labron and others.

3)  Washinton has the cap space, wanted to get another first round pick, and were also one of the teams that showed and interest in Rudy.

Sounds like a three way deal that someone like KP could put together.  It makes a lot of sense.  Chicago gets what they want.  Washington gets their pick and Rudy.  They have to take on an expiring contract of Pryzbillia, but that's less than Hinrich's contract and for only one year - not two years.  Portland gets a veteran point guard that they've coveted - albeit for a hefty price, but certainly better than having the money invested in your 3rd string center.

And ...... maybe it sets the stage for Miller and/or Bayless to get moved for a Parker??

The fun of draft time and the FA signing period is that you get to play GM for a while.  Granted, its a lot more difficult to pull of trades than us fans think, but it is fun to dream.  If you could, what is your dream rotation - and how do you get there?

For me - I'm building my team around Roy and Aldridge, and also not trading Batum, Oden, or Camby - who is basically Oden insurance.  I'm also hanging on to Cunningham because I like his energy off the bench, he can backup the 3 and 4, and I don't have to play him a lot of minutes.

I also would like a nine man rotation instead of ten.  My goal is to get better defenders and shooters at my point guards, and a scoring wing to back up the 2-3 positions.  I'm making available Prysbilla, Webster, Rudy, Bayless and Miller.

Move 1.  Prysbilla/Webster and Portland's number #22 pick - to Chicago for - Hinrich and Chicago's number #17 pick.  Chicago is building around Rose and thus starting Hinrich out of position at the 2 spot, plus they get rid of Hinrich's second year salary for Prysbilla's expiring contract.

Move 2.  Bayless - to Indiana for - Indiana's #10 pick in the draft (and player to make the salaries work).  Indiana is rumored to be taking a point guard, but would also prefer a veteran player.  Also rumored to have offered the pick to Minnesota for Flynn.  Bayless would certainly fit into this spot.

Move 3.  Miller/Fernandez and the #10 pick - to New Jersey for - Harris and the #3 pick in the draft.  Apparently, new coach Avery Johnson and Harris did not get along in Dallas.  This allows them to swap verteran point guards - plus Miller's contract is shorter in duration if they want to get out of the financial obligation.  They've also talked about wanting to be an international team and who is more internationally loved than Rudy.

Move 4.  The #3 pick and the #17 pick - to Philadelphia for - Philadelphia's #2 pick.  Why draft Turner at #2 when he is the same player as Iguodala.  You pick up an extra mid-first round pick, drop down only one spot to take the best big man in the draft.

Move 5.  Select Evan Turner with the #2 pick.

My rotation for next season:

1 - Harris           2 - Roy           3 - Batum              4 - Aldridge           5 - Camby

         \                  /          \              /             \                  /                \         /

             Hinrich                   Turner                  Cunningham               Oden

I still have my mid-level exception to sign a shooter if needed - like a Korver.  I have Penderfraft as additional Oden insurance.  And I probably resign Howard for the leadership - if he is interested in a lessor role.  And yes ...... I'm starting Camby over Oden - please don't make this the topic of this thread.  You can switch them if you'd like.

When Kevin Pritchard took over as GM of the Blazers, this team was a disaster.  Not only did it have the worst record in the NBA, but it was buried by long-term, expensive contracts, and had a roster full of knuckleheads.  To recycle a team from just one of these elements takes years, but to turn around all three in just three years is masterful.  How in the world does a GM take a team from 22 to 54 wins, go from the third highest payroll in the West to the third lowest, and recycle the idiots into high character players in just three years - and be in jeopardy of losing his job?

Here is a snap shot of where the team was after year two and where it is currently.  I didn't have the salary information from the first year, but I can only imagine that Portland would have shown even worse.  (hoping the format of the data posts clearly)

Lots of discussions about point guards out there.  Ty Lawson, Darren Collison and Tony Parker are names that are being floated by other teams as available in a trade.  Raymond Felton is a free agent.  Blazer fans have been throwing out names like Kirk Hinrich, OJ Mayo, Mo Williams and Devin Harris.

Assuming a trade or free agent signing could be completed, which point guard would you like to see starting for the Blazers next season?

Where would the Blazer season have been this year without Andre Miller?  Not in the playoff picture, most likely.  However, when (almost) everyone comes back healthy next fall, we'll be faced with the same issue as we had last fall - can Roy and Miller play effectively together.

I don't think so.  Everytime Roy wants to get to the rim, Andre's defender will be sitting in the key waiting for him.  Andre's lack of an outside shot limits Roy's effectiveness.

I think the blazers need to move Miller before the start of the season.  Did Nate hint about this when he stated that everyone on the floor needs to be able to shoot the ball?  Because Roy basically plays the point as a 2, I think the makeup of our point guard has to be:  1)  doesn't need the ball in his hands a majority of the time to be effective, 2)  can make the outside shot, 3) can make free throws at the end of the game, 4) can defend the quicker point guards, and 5) is an intelligent player.  Is that a lot to ask?  To me, it isn't Miller, and it probably isn't Bayless either.

My list is:

S Curry - GS - probably not available.

D Harris - NJ - wish he was a better shooter.  However, is he available?  Recent reports out of Jersey are that he did not get along with Avery Johnson in Dallas.  The Nets are also wanting to be an international team.  Rudy would look pretty good on a team that wants to appeal internationally!

J Calderon - Tor - Shoots 48% from the field, nearly 40% from 3, and 80% from the line.

Hinrich - Chi?