One way to potentially get around trading Ariza in a LMA deal.....SnT Beverley to a big deal with the 2nd and 3rd years being non (or partially non) guaranteed. Beverley may agree because he gets paid and can hit free agency again next season (he may demand an early guarantee date so he doesn't miss out on the beginning of free agency). Or you can do something similar with Brewer, but he's not restricted and probably wont accept non-guaranteed years.
Thanks for the info, Cyber. Fairly certain every NBA team will be preparing a 'big big max deal' for Durant, so Lakers will have plenty of competition. I also think LMA is smart and is using LA as leverage. Why leave a Portland team that would have competed again if not for injuries to go to an LA team on a rebuild? Yes they may compete next year and become top team in 2016, but at his age I don't think he's working with hypotheticals. I think it's SA or Houston, personally. For those arguing that Ariza is replaceable, with who? Guys that do what he does are worth 5 MM or more and we won't have that kind of cap space. You want to basically punt next year? I know Cat has laid out how easy it would be to get LMA in a S&T, but where's the damn stability? I'm not parting with Ariza, DMo, etc. unless Durant's walking through that door.
actually a better scenario would be to S&T Brewer if Portland wants him and he would be willing to go. Big if IMO. They could have: Brewer @ ~7 mil S&T DMo And they could get and cut for salary cap KPap Dorsey Priggs I think that would be a very long shot but at least we would go into next season with Pat and Ariza if Morey could pull that off.
I also agree with this. But we have been after brew forever and he is mchales guy. I'm not sure we handle brew this way. Or ariza for that matter.
Beverley's more likely IMO. He's been paid the minimum for 3 years now, and is restricted. We can offer a big time payday, and an opportunity to get another big contract next year. Also, I'm not sure what the Llull/Beverley dynamic is, but wouldn't be surprised if Beverley needs to go accommodate Llull.
Ariza is better which is why he starts. Nothing against Brewer, you can't sign and trade him if he is not willing.
Who cares about an attractive return for the Blazers? If LMA wants to leave, they better be willing to take any deal that doesn't force an albatross contract on them. Ariza + TJ + Prigs + KPap + Dorsey should get you close, there's no need for DMo or Capela to be included. IMO, if Morey truly wanted LMA, he would have figured out a way to grab Haywood before his salary skyrocketed. Haywood + Papa basically gets it done.
I'm not asking if LA> KD because KD is a MVP, buy if LA wants to be here you must go for it. Why? Because you can't pick and choose superstars, if one wants you then you need to lock them up. Ask yourself this. Do you think a team with a core of LMA, Harden and Howard can win a championship? I say yes.
They just played a real big part in our success last year. Their length,defense,tip passes etc. most importantly they changed our identity to some extent that you can't measure. If we lose ariza or both for that matter who covers up for harden? Who covers up for his mistakes or missed assignments? It's just a real tough tough decision but in morey we trust.
If we could keep Ariza to get LMA and LMA wants to be here then I'd chose LMA over Durant. There are no guarantees for next year. (Bird in a hand thing)
Depends who is around them. This isn't a perfect world where players stay healthy. If LA gets hurt we are back to harden and Howard but this time without the depth. If Howard goes down harden and LA must carry the team and if harden gets hurt LA and Dwight with no real guard creating space for them is really tough to get it done. They west is to tough.
I absolutely agree that they were important to our success last year. In no scenario is anyone suggesting losing both Ariza and Brewer. Ariza is better than Brewer so if you could convince Brewer to a S&T for LMA and keep Ariza then you have improved your team. And since the WCF if not the ultimate goal, I'm all for improving the team.
I agree and understood. But the interesting part is harden and KD talk I'm sure. So if Durant tells harden look man I'm coming to play with you you got my word type thing. Then I could understand if morey doesn't go after LA as some of us hope he does example: gutting the roster.
I would be all for that no doubt. But who goes to brew with that proposal? Morey? Mchale? It would be a really awkward situation for both sides.
You would be proposing it along with a ~2.5 million an increase in salary. Morey obviously would be the one going to him since it's his job.
What about LMA-Harden-Howard this season, then the following season we drop Dwight and end up with Durant-LMA-Harden?
Morey needs to stop with this full star team crap. Did he not learn anything from watching one of the best teams in NBA history this past year? You don't need a team full of stars to win you need a team full of competent players and coaches. The Warriors won because they had a great coach but a very very deep team as well. You get LMA you destroy our depth and defense.
