PorterIn2004

I could live pretty happily with that line-up for several years I think. I just finished replying to Schilly about my hesitations regarding Yi in another thread. This, though, is one of the situations where I'd be okay with taking a gamble on Yi as that other draft pick -- he'd be drafted as a 4 and if it turns out he can play meaningful minutes at the 3, it's all bonus. Meanwhile, Battier could hold the fort plenty well.

The only hesitation I have is that Roy's the only decent 2 on the team, but perhaps that's what the second round picks are for -- I'm not looking for a star there but someone with maybe Ruben Patterson's skill set to come off the bench would be a fine, fine thing.

Talkhard

All this talk, yet not a single source cited. Can we have a link, please?

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mediocre man

LOL, no way you find a link to this IMO. Battier would be a great addition here though. Perfect vet to groom our young guys. He's Ime with more ability and more height.

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Samuel

hmmm

Utherhimo

battier doesnt really thrill me

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MrWonderful

http://realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?t=671113

"On Tuesday one of our insiders who tends to be very reliable mentioned that Houston has Shane Battier on the block

According to him Houston contacted Portland about a Battier for Jack + S&T Outlaw deal. Eventually Houston changed their mind because they saw upside in travis and not enough immediate help. Houston then changed the offer to Battier for Jack and Webster. Houston changed their mind on that one because they didn't feel Jack is ready enough to gaurd the great PGs in the WC playoffs (Nash, Williams, Davis, Etc.).

All in all he said the trade talks didn't last very long and both times Houston changed their mind. Portland was not the team that came to Houston looking for the deal.

Any any rate he said hes heard a lot of buzz going around that Houston is trying to move Battier (Mostly because hes their best trade asset outside of McGrady and Yao)"

You might remember that the OLive guy, LakeBlazer, was talking about trades for Battier as well (although Zach was involved in that scenario).

socco

That's why I think Battier should be the #1 trade target for Portland. You don't need just stars, you need role players as well. And Battier is among the best of them, and appears to be on the block.

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Masbee

I have no idea if KP is interested in Battier or not.

I would bet money that McMillan IS interested in Battier.

And if the deal is Jack/Webster (as theorized) for Battier with Blake signing as a FA, and assuming Zach is traded for bad contract and a lotto pick that is used on a project player who won't help much next season: that McMillan would prefer this lineup:

Blake, Roy, Battier, Aldridge, Oden

compared to this roster:

Jack, Roy, Ime, Aldridge, Oden

Battier is better than Ime and Jack didn't improve a lot over his first season when Blake beat him out for favorite PG of the Blazers. If the team sees Sergio as the future, Blake/Sergio probably makes more sense than Jack/Sergio age wise.

Is that the best thing long-term? I don't know. Would have to know the other options.

Certainly Battier is not the sexy choice at Small Forward most have been thinking of. At 28 he is a bit too old, but the same age as Rashard Lewis.

Ideally, I would prefer someone better and/or younger than Shane. Lewis, Deng, Childress, Marion, Iggy, Josh Howard. Marion might be on the block, is a great defender/glue player, much better than Battier, but is 28, paid a huge salary, and isn't a great 3 pt shooter. Childress is 23, can hit the 3 but is inconsistent, an improving defender, but only average, a very effecient scorer/role player his similarity profile tracks Sean Elliot right now. Deng, Iggy and Howard are not obtainable, and Lewis appears headed to Orlando.

Compared to what we have now the Blake-Battier roster looks at least the equal offensively and would be better defensively.

Battier is a player underrated by many. He doesn't put up stats, but seems to be that classic glue player that most contending teams seem to have like Rick Fox, Horry, Bowen. Guys that draw the toughest defensive assignment, set the picks, move the ball, knows the plays, deflect passes, box out, disrupt plays by being in the right place, etc.

Players like this if they are a good enough defender and are good at most of those things listed above and can knock down an open shot - if they play with a star who carries the load so they can do their role player thing - can have a big impact on winning and losing.

I think it is too early to worry about finding the role players. I think the team should focus on stockpiling talent. Smooth out the edges later.

However, if the other options do not materialize, and KP wants this, I would not get all bent if they made the roster changes listed above.

Draco

I'd rather see the Blazers;
1. Keep Jack
2. Make a trade for a good young prospect
3. Make a trade for a high quality starter.

Battier is a nice player but he isn't someone you give up good assets for. He is the type of guy you can get for the MLE, the type of guy you add too a team that has abundant championship level talent. The blazers aren't there yet, and should focus on stockpiling talent. If the blazers are going to acquire an older veteran I want more of an impact player. Not necessarily an offense only player, but someone like Gerald Wallace or Marion or Lewis. Battier just isn't in their class.

Masbee

Yeah, good thoughts, only one problem:

Lewis is going to Orlando as a free agent. He would go play with a dominant big in Howard that is a better age match for him than Oden and the weather is awesome during the seaosn. We have no cap space and no way get Lewis.

Gerald Wallace is a "core" of the Bobcats and they will not trade him to us.

Marion may be on the market, but would be very costly to obtain. And he is 28. And makes MAX salary.

GOD

I think a trade like this could make a lot of sense, but it would be dependant on two other trades or signings
1) The Blazers would need to get Blake.
2) The Blazers would first have to find the right Randolph trade since that is the trade that will most likely get the more quality pick/player. This trade may need Jack or Webster and might take care of the SF position.

Once those trades/signings are done, if Battier still makes sense and the Blazers still have the trading pieces, then I would be ok with it.

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MAS RipCity

How about Jack and a top 15 protected 08 1st for Shane? Giving them jack & Web/TLaw is too much imo....then resign blake and trade zach for the 5?

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GOD

I like the idea of not giving them web/law but I think a top 15 protected wouldn't cut it. Perhaps a top 5 protected, or Ime and a lotto protected 2008.

The problem is matching salaries.Re-signing Ime to around 3 mil should work. That would give them a battier lite player in Ime, a PG and some future help in the lotto protected pick.

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