Just a thought...

VivaBlazers — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 20:36:09 -0000

So I had this trade idea running through my head today (slow day at work).

Let me start off by saying that in KP I trust, and this in no way undermines what he does and has done for our organization, I've supported anything and everything he does 100% so far and have no reason to change.

Now before you all just ignore this as just another trade idea, I'm going to try and explain how this would help all 4 teams involved, so bear with me.

First off New York, a team looking to dump big contracts in order to compete in the LeBron James sweepstakes. Also looking for a new identity so this should help with that. Who they lose: Zach Randolph, Eddy Curry, Quentin Richardson, Jared Jeffries, Marty Collins and Nate Robinson. All big contract players which don't seem to play into D'Antoni's new scheme in New York (except maybe for Robinson). In return they'll get a few expiring contracts: Sean May, Raymond Felton (to replace Robinson), and Ike Diogu; they'll also be getting some players that could flourish in coach's system: Adam Morrison (he can chuck as many 3's as he wants), Sergio Rodriguez (who can get free reign to play quick) and the centerpiece Gerald Wallace (much quicker than Randolph will dream of being). There is a questionable one in there with Antoine Walker, however he's paid $5.5 million less than Zach with the same number of years left. That $5.5 million, incidently, will actually put them under the salary cap starting with this offseason (as long as they let all the contracts expire etc.) they can then resign David Lee and it puts them in a better situation to reduce their godawful contracts next offseason. If they can resign Lee they'll also have a better team to present to big name free agents who might be interested .

Next up Charlotte, another team looking for an identity change, as well as a post up style big man. They lose: Sean May, Adam Morrison, Gerald Wallace, Raymond Felton, and Alexis Ajinca. 3 of those guys barelly play and don't seem to be part of their future anymore, they're trying to unload Wallace as it is, and by moving Felton they'll be able to give DJ Augustin time to grow into the role of starting PG (and personally I feel he's an upgrade on Felton anyway). In return they'll get Eddy Curry and Jared Jeffries who can provide the inside presence they're looking for, as well as Quentin Richardson at the SF position vacated by Wallace, and Marty Collins both of whom can provide more offense than they currently have (considering their desire to trade Wallace). Like I stated, this is a team looking for a new game plan since their current one isn't working, and these are players that coach Brown can certainly use in his system. I feel that at this point they'll be happy to try a new approach.

Third on the list is Memphis, a team looking for some sort of veteran scorer in the frontcourt (and if the rumors are true have been interested in Zach Randolph). They'll lose: Antoine Walker (doesn't play anyway) and Mike Conley. In return they'll pick up Zach Randolph and Jerryd Bayless. Ok, so I feel like I just lost half of you, but bear with me on this... Conley is their second string PG, and Bayless, while he has enourmous upside, still might not be able to become the type of PG that the Blazers are ultimately looking for. However for Memphis he'll be able to go in and just play the type of game he wants and even start seeing minutes right away since they don't have established stars on that team yet. Zach helps them out by giving them someone on the front court that can score at will, and pairing Bayless with Mayo and Gay makes more sense (who you gonna double team?), since both Mayo and Bayless can control the ball and both look for their own shot, offensively it'll be a much stronger team, defensive will come, but they're a young team that has time to try and mold these players into the team they want.

Finally the best team on the board, our Blazers. They'll lose: Sergio Rodriguez, Ike Diogu, and Jerryd Bayless. They'll get Alexis Ajinca, Mike Conley, and Nate Robinson. Now, there's been plenty of trade talk for Conley so i don't feel that I need to reiterate that one right now, but I'll just say that he seems much better suited for Coach McMillan's system than Sergio, and has more experience than Bayless off the bat. Same with Nate Robinson who's been quietly helping New York not suck as bad as they should. Nate's also a Seattle native who's played with Roy, and I'm curious to see if we can have a Seattle 3-some that can play a similar style and help each other out more (Robinson, Roy and Webster). If it doesn't work out, his contract is over at the end of the season anyway, no need to resign (we'll still have Blake and Conley and can bring Koponen over if needed). Therefore our PG position won't have the drama it currently has (especially on these boards) and it brings 2 players that have played with at least one of our big 3, therefore already has some experience playing with them (I know, Sergio and Bayless have experience with our players too, but since they seem unhappy in their position it's worth a shot to try some new guys). As for Ajinca, he's a good center prospect, who's apparently friends with Batum, he could become a good backup for Oden, or Pryzbilla (if either are injured, which judging by their history will happen again at some point in their careers so it's good to another 7 footer for insurance). Another good thing about this trade is that it doesn't really change the 4 positions I believe we can all agree on are steady (SG, SF, PF, and C). We don't lose the RLEC so that can be a bargaining chip for another deal later, or we can use it to resign Frye, bring Koponen and/or Freeland over, and extend contracts for Roy, and Aldrige. As well as go for a free agent if KP wishes to do so.

So... what I want to know is, how do you guys feel about this? I'm not giving up on any of our players, quite the opposite I hope they stay and that things work out (especially at the PG spot) since there's so much potential there that I would hate to give to anyone else. However seeing all the drama unfold lately, and with all the trade rumors that have mentioned the Blazers around the web, I thought I'd try and see what we could potentially get from other teams looking to unload and/or change their line-ups, without losing anyone too vital to the organization (aka the big 3).

PS. Not sure if this should have been a fanpost or fanshot but I had a lot to say about it so I figured this would be a better place for it.

SB Nation User Blog: VivaBlazers

Just a thought...