GrandpaBlaze

I know there has been much discussion about trading and getting someone of value back who can help improve the team.

It has also been pointed out that losing the several expiring contracts at the end of the season will do nothing for the Blazers as they will still not be under the salary cap.

As I've been thinking about the less-than-exciting state of the Blazers this year, I'm wondering if losing people like Damon, NVE & SAR is a bad thing even if we get nothing in return.

Wait! Before you excoriate me for being an imbecile (to which I readily admit), hear me out.

Questions:
1. Are the Blazers, at current, good?
2. Are the Blazers, at current, fun to watch?

Some may disagree but I'd have to answer no on both counts.

Suppose we remove Damon, NVE & SAR from the team. Telfair gets significant playing time. Patterson & Outlaw both get increased time.

Suppose we had a lineup as follows:
PG - Telfair, Frahm
SG - DA, Frahm
SF - Miles, Patterson, Outlaw
PF - Zach, Outlaw
C - Theo, Joel

Yeah, weak in the backcourt but hey, its not as though we're strong there now. It sure would be more fun to watch. We'd want to pick up someone to help there.

If we wanted to play run & gun, imagine moving Zach to C, Outlaw to PF and Miles or Patterson at SF.

Now lets revisit the two questions:
1. Would the Blazer be good?
2. Would they be fun to watch?

I'd answer question 1 as no, but at least I'd know better who to keep and lose and whether or not I should have hope for the future.

Question 2 I think would most likely be yes.

Not that such a situation would happen if things played out that way, but supposing it did, would losing those three for "nothing" be so bad?

I, for one, would rather get nothing out of them than get overpaid, overego'd bodies.

Gramps...

BLAZER PROPHET

To give a short answer (busy at work), they would be a worse team for sure. However, they could be fun to watch, but it depends on how you define "fun". Is losing fun? If they run 'n gun and lose, will it be fun? I can see an argument both ways.

Suffice it to say, this will be a team for a few years that struggles to win. The Whitsett effect has effectively killed this franchise for years to come.

stockfire

I'm just not sure that trading one of our expiring deals for a mediocre player with a longer deal is the right way to go.

I mean, there are players who can definately help and be worth the contract, but I don't want to trade just to trade.

Sure, we can't play in the Free Agent market next year if they all walk, but its a step closer. As opposed to bringing in more baggage.

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MARIS61

You're about 3 and 1/2 guards short with that lineup.

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Ed O

I see expiring contracts as a way to bring help not just for the near term but for the long run.

Send one of our expiring contracts to a team for a bad contract and a draft pick.

Would it help us on the floor? Maybe. An overpaid guy could still play a role on a mediocre team, even if he's overpaid. And if the deal is right, Portland might be able to nab a decent lottery pick to help rebuild the team.

Would a team like Chicago trade Antonio Davis and their first rounder next year for SAR (if he were healthy)? Maybe.

Ed O.

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stockfire

Agreed.

If the trade *did* include a good draft pick, I can surely rationalize it as good for the team. But if its just person for person trade, I think it has to address a MAJOR need on the team, and a long term need at that.

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Kmurph

If they hadn't already traded it to Phoenix, that wopuld ahve been a decent deal at this point.

What about SAR to Philly for G-Rob and a pick...oh wait they traded there pick too I think

But something along those lines, yeah.

At least get a pick for SAR. I mean is that too much to ask?

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