Oldmangrouch

It amazes me how many reasonably smart fans don't get this point!

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STOMP

Pritchard doesn't get to stock the store with the player(s) he'd like to acquire. What he can do is position the club to be able to acquire desirable players be it through the draft, trade, or free agency when the opportunity arises. The smart thing to do is keep your options open for when a KG or Pau type talent becomes available.
but his contract is still a valuable asset. Packaged with another player and/or picks and you're talking a roster changing makeover for the right club.

STOMP

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hasoos

In today's NBA none of those player listed as player option will take the option unless they are truly unhappy where they are at, or they are at the point of their career where they think they can win a championship somewhere else, and have no chance where they are. With the salary cap, and the money they are currently making, they can not get a better offer elsewhere, and most of them, wouldn't get one anyhow at this stage of their career.

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Hasoos

STOMP

adding Greg and Rudy helps me dream

STOMP

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It's_GO_Time

I'm curious, what kind of player can you get for Raef?

I figure it has to be for a disgruntled or over-paid player, to make salaries match. Even the disgruntled player might have more value than simply an expiring contract.

So yes there are a bunch of big expiring contracts, but I think the issue is what franchise will trade one of those expring contracts for good but over paid player?

From the Blazer perspective (Raef packaged with young potential): maybe for a Redd type player . . . but is Allen interested in aquiring an overpaid player when he has three max contracts coming up along with Rudy, Webster, and Outlaw looking for bigger contracts in the near future.

I predict Raef's contract will expire giving Allen a bit of breathing room . . . so that he can dish out the big bucks to the appropriate players.

deanwoof

I am not talking about Dirk straight up for Raef because that is just silly talk. A Dirk for Raef and Lamarcus scenario would make sense for Portland. Don't get me wrong, I really like Lamarcus (it's Roy the Husky I'd rather boot but that's another story). But let's compare Lamarcus with Dirk. Besides the obvious age, they both play very similar games. Dirk only plays 1 minute more a game, however he's averaging 5.5 points, 1 rebound, 1.6 more assists, same steals, .03 less blocks, shoots .05% better overall, is a 88% FT shooter and of course has range out to the 3.

Lamarcus runs the floor, has meaner dunks, has a high release on his post up fadeaway, and seems to be more comfortable on offense shooting 15-20 footers. Dirk on the other hand, will spread the floor, can play SF, PF, and C and gives Portland another solid weapon.

Dirk will not have to be the first option here in Portland. When Dirk was successful, Michael Finley and Jason Terry were taking a lot of the bigger shots. We all have this common belief that Dirk is a choker, but you know what? New team, new environment, Brandon Roy, Greg Oden and Travis Outlaw will all change that.

But imagine with me Oden in the middle, Martell or James Jones on one side of the floor, Dirk on the other side, Brandon Roy with the ball and Rudy doing whatever it is that he's known for. And then on defense who cares if Dirk can get beat by a smaller SF when you've got Oden and Pryzbilla waiting?

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mediocre man

Dirk is the first option in Dallas though, and LaMarcus isn't here. LaMarcus isn't only younger, he's a hell of a lot younger (7 years and 1 month to be excact)

Dirk also took 200 more shots this year than did young LaMarcus, and 200 more FT's

If you put Aldridge's numbers as a second year player to those of Dirk's, LaMarcus has the better numbers.

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PorterIn2004

Thanks for the benefit of the doubt, NAB, and you're right, I left off an important piece. Assuming Cuban would never trade a recent MVP for a scrub player (despite the precedence with Gasol) I was so much taking for granted that it'd also mean moving someone like Aldridge (see above) that that's my main reason for not doing such a trade. MM's post captures most of my thoughts nicely. Sorry for the brain fart.

deanwoof

and dirk also played with 2 other all-stars while aldridge played on a lottery team (skewed numbers).

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PorterIn2004

I'll grant that Nowitzki is still young enough to fit the Blazers' window but I'd hate to give up Aldridge for him and I agree that it'd take something like that. If it were Frye, Outlaw, LaFrentz, and maybe a pick, setting up a "bigs" rotation of Nowitzki, Oden, Aldridge, and Przybilla, then by all means.

NewAgeBaller

Oh yea that makes more sense.. I said in the other thread about Dirk, that I don't think an Aldridge + Outlaw + Raef for Dirk swap would be worth it for this team, and at the moment (while Aldridge's value is quite high and Dirk's somewhat lower than usual) I'd have to say I wouldn't do an Aldridge + Raef --> Dirk swap either.

Raef alone I'd ofcourse do though

And yea, that Gasol - Kwame trade is ridiculous.. I never really liked Gasol, but you give him for free to the Lakers?!

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PorterIn2004

Yeah, there'd be no question there. Sure it creates a log-jam but then you just turn some combination of Frye, Outlaw, Jack and whatever else into the best PG you can get and there ya go.

Gasol's been a great fit for them and, amazingly, might be an even better fit once Bynum's back. The Lakers may be really dominate for the next decade with very little tweaking needed.