I disagree. There shouldn't be a problem with Battier coming off the bench for Ariza. We don't know for sure when T-Mac will come back, and even then, we all know he's capable of playing the point in spurts, which would allow him to be on the court with both Battier and Ariza. Plus it's nice to have that depth. We should all know the importance of being prepared for injuries by now. And Battier's leadership and intangibles will be hard to replace as well.
You must trade him. His trade value is at an all-time high, if I were GM I would package him along with Chuck Hayes for some young players/draft picks. He is getting up there in age and will start to breakdown, once he loses a step or two, he will be 0 dimensional.
Chuck Hayes? So we're going to lose a premier post defender and a premier perimeter defender? What is wrong with you...
It amazes me that this thread continues to go in circles... These Battier-Bromances are getting a bit ridiculous.
I would trade Battier before I would trade Scola, but I wouldn't trade either of them unless that package coming back clearly makes us a better team...although it is obvious that many on the board disagree as to what package coming back would make us a better team. Let me say this, trading Battier straight up for Rudy Fernandez equals a FAIL.
How about Battier for Kobe or would the Lakers have to thrown in Gasol and Bynum as well? Maybe Lebron James?
Lets say you polled all the coaches in the NBA, and the majority said the Rockets were wrong to trade Rudy Gay for Shane Battier, that Gay is better, more valuable, gives you a better chance of winning, etc. Forget about whether or not that's true, that's a whole other discussion, but would that have an effect on your opinion?
I think that is an OKAY deal, but I still doubt Morey would do it with the potential of Tmac coming back early and with a hope that Yao can return in April. Yao, Tmac, Scola and Battier would still be our core if that possibilty happened. For me, to make a trade worth while, they would have to include a third player and take away more players from us to balance our roster out. So as I have said in other threads, for me it would have to be something like Battier/Dorsey/Barry/Cook for Rudy/Outlaw/Przybilla....that would work for the Rockets and Portland gives up reserves only, albeit good ones.
Battier for Fernandez clearly makes us a better team, and the Blazers a worse team, which is why the Blazers would never make that trade straight up. Plus the fact that the salaries don't match. Maybe it could happen if Fernandez like flat-out demanded to leave Portland or something.