I want Miles to flip flop with TMac at the 2/3. Let Miles D up on the 2 guard and let him play the 3 on offense. Talk about Athletic! How would you like to see a break with Stoudamire running the middle with Miles and TMac on the wings, TMac breaks off for the 3, and Swift is running the opposite side for the slam-jam-alleyoop-putback, whatever. And then here comes a huge, white semi right down broadway to wipe up.
Good thought. The problem is no one knows WHEN these players will be cut. Those teams have until October 1st to decide. So the Rockets might not want to wait that long just for a 'chance' at Finley if they feel DS is the right man for them right now.
I prefer to get Mouse/DA instead of Mouse/Patterson. The guy's out-of-court problem makes me a little uneasy.
Why would damon sign for the LLE. He is coming off a pretty good year, so why would he even settle for the full MLE? I just don't see this happening, unless he can force a S&T. He may sign somewhere for the MLE, but not the LLE.
DS will never sign for the LLE, hope lightening strikes twice in the same place. CD is a god if he signs DS for the LLE on top of signing SS for the MLE. DS, SS, T-Mac and Yao on the same team, thats huge.
I'd be looking at a S&T with Wesley probably (plus NY 2nd?). Then Sura starts at the 2. Sura has been an SG most of his career, he had to play more 1 for us until James arrived because our other PGs were flat awefull. For those crying about out shooting, I don't see much a difference. DS/BS shoot just about as well as BS/DW from the outside. Also, it was Wesley's shooting and scoring efficiency in the playoffs (35%) which went south more than James, Sura, or Barry. Also, with DS and Sura on the perimeter, we are much better off the dribble. I think it makes our offense much more potent essentially having DS in there for DW. PGs: DS, MJ, Head SGs: BS, JB, Head That is so much better than anything we had last year. Also, Mike James is not redundant with DS. MJ is the much more physical player and better defender. DS is a much more offensively gifted player however, and is a dead-eye when left open (he rarely had this luxury of a wide open shot he would get with us). James is an OK but streakier shooter, but I don't think near the natural scorer and shooter DS is. I think they would make a fine PG tandem and compliment one another well. Also, I'd still look for another SG/SF for the LLE, but I'd be open to go into the season with BS/JB/LH. We could always make another move before the deadline if JB or BS are breaking down, or Head just doesn't prove ready for the big stage. At first I thought the only S&T would have to be Wesley. This may not be accurate. It could be for James or Sura for up to about 4.1 mil starting--probably get us in the ballpark for DS. I'd consider the following: DS for DW + NY 2nd DS for MJ (strait up) DS for BS (strait up) (all these can occure with DS signed at about 4.1-4.3 mil starting, which seems about right) I think Portland would want DW or BS because they don't need another strict PG with Telfair, Jack and NVE (one more year). I'd actually have to think hard if they insisted on Sura. We would definetly have to add another big 2 if we did this. I like James, but I'd probably let him go for DS with the hope Head fills his role (or Sura plays more 1 minutes). The best deal for us, and reasonable one for Portland too, is DW plus a pick (likely NY 2nd or loose future 1st of our choosing). DW can give them a servicable year while Webster learns the ropes, and they get a mid pick for their trouble. Pretty reasonable deal all the way around.
i think the only way we get a sign and trade to work with portland is if we take one of their long term contracts of players they can eiter replace or dont fit in the rotation. Derek Anderson, Ruben Patterson, Theo Ratliff or Darius Miles. I think Anderson and Patterson are more likely to be in a deal with houston because they have alot less value.
We don't need to do that, and I want no part of DA or Ruben. If Portland won't deal DS for BS, MJ or DW (plus NY 2nd) it isn't worth considering. Portland is going to lose DS for nothing if they don't do this. James and Sura are decent players with good value contracts. DW is a servicable player with an expiring contract--and they get a mid pick. If Portland doesn't want to play than DS can take the LLE (player option on year 2). We can give him a 20% raise next year if he opts out or even bigger with part of next years MLE, or major raise after 2 years. Those are the choices. DS would be nice to have, but no so nice over what we have to add a big long term bad contract.
if we do swing DS for lets say the LLE cause i see portland as trying to cut contracts not add more. They have enough guards. I think we will sign him outright for the LLE if so ours starting 2 is still wesley, and i think a wesley stoudamire backcourt is too small. So what do we do at the 2? i could see sprewell coming for the vets min to play with van gundy again. I am in no way in support of spree, but if we also get stoudamire and swift as well it isn't that huge.
Jacq, it looks to me Portland needs an SG: PG they are OK: Telfair, Jack, NVE SG they have a rook high schooler who might be more of an SF penciled in as starter (Webster), and a disgruntled SG whose shooting has gone way south the last 2 years (Anderson), and a journeyman (generous to call him that), Frahm. Looks to me they either play NVE out of place again, play a shooting challenged SF out of place, try a guy right out of high school, or the enigma Anderson. I think Sura or Wesley would add a LOT of stability and vet leadership to that team without committing big time money. I think it makes a lot of sense for them, but seeing how they are acting with the SAR thing who knows.
I know they famed him as thier "T-Mac stopper" but would portland be willing to part with Travis Outlaw? 6-9 and long, plays good defense supposedly on everyone but T-Mac. Only thing is that he is young and still raw and might not be able to contribute immediately as a back-up to T-Mac. (although we wouldnt really need much from him but to play good defense and hustle for mabye 10 mins a game) Doesn't seem likely but just a thought.
anything after the swift signing is icing on the cake but what are the chances of getting stoudamire and miles in a sign and trade? is portland really that interested in moving miles? i've been a huge critic of miles but under jvg playing along t-mac and stromile, that could be nasty defensively. stoudamire playing point would immediately increase our playmaking and outside shooting. damon has made his money and unless he's blown away by another offer i can see him signing for the LLE in basically his second home and an opportunity to get a ring. that said, i don't know how realistic it is to pick up ANOTHER guard without trading one of our contracts. hopefully cd/jvg can push hard for miles.
If Damon wants to play here as bad as he intially indicated, then what is the holdup? CD should be able to get it done by tomorrow...
No way Portland parts with Outlaw. He is the future and will be a great player. Also, NVE is not coming back to the Blazers, so leave him off the depth charts. Portland has their players at PG,SF,PF,and C. They need SGs. They have a few young guys they will groom as SGs - but could use a vet for the next year or two. Sounds like Wesley would be a good fit, but their backcourt would be tiny with Telfair and Wesley.
No way travis outlaw goes anywhere he is one of their younger players they are trying to build around. Looking over portlands roster, and the players they played last year and added this year. Its obvious Stoudamire is on the way out. Derek Anderson has been disgruntled for years and isn't good for that teams chemistry, 2 years 18.9 million. Rubben Patterson ties them to that ugly Jailblazers past and has 2 years 13.5 million on his contract. Theo Ratliff is 32 years old and has 3 years 35 million left on his deal. With his age and contract he doesn't fit in with portlands youth project. Finally Darius Miles has 5 years 42 million left on his deal. He hasn't worked out but chances are he wont just be given away at least not until closer to the trade deadline but thats another topic. I think the fact that they lost Shareef for nothing today is going to push portland to make a deal for DS. I have to admit i'm not happy with DW at the 2. his size is an issue for me, espeically if we add DS.
HA! what a week this would be. what about that press conference this weekend? we could be introducing stro and damon!
I think we should only acquire Stoudamire for LLE. No S&T, especially if it means taking on one of Portland's bad contract. Why do we need to do that for underachieveing players like Anderson, Miles, or Patterson? I would have been excited to get DA a few years ago, but he has shown very little in the last 2 years and is on the wrong side of 30 (I believe). Man, I would really hate to have to cheer for Miles or Patterson. Players that act like they're better than they really are. The last thing I want is the self-proclaimed "Kobe Stopper" whining about his lack of a major role on our team from prison or the 6'9" toothpick banging his fists into his head after his one fastbreak dunk per game. Stoudamire would be a nice pickup as a backup PG coming in to give a spark off the bench, but I'd prefer to hold onto the expiring contracts either for ourselves next off-season or when their are more desperate teams looking for cap space mid-season.
How about Ward + 2nd rounder for Damon Stoudamire. We could get him at contract starting at 1.87 X 1.25% + 100,000 = $2,437,500. That is half the MLE. He would get 10.5% increases. That would be 8.08M on a 3 year deal or 11.29M on a 4 year deal.
