Blazers/Grizzlies discuss trade including Outlaw/Conley

Well, you had to see this coming. I remember telling people before the season started "How long before the Conley-to-Portland rumors start firing up?" I also remember being in agreement with A_3PO and whoever else suspected Portland was going to move Travis Outlaw.

It's a bit puzzling from both ends: Outlaw is established and worth much more than just Conley alone, and from Memphis' end Outlaw looks and plays exactly like Rudy Gay. Having those two would be somewhat redundant, IMO.

Also, where does Blake fit into Portland's plans? What about Bayless? Everybody knows they're looking to move Sergio, but does Sergio play over Bayless simply because he's better right now or because Portland is looking to "showcase" Sergio for trade purposes?

If I were Morey I would keep a close eye on this situation. I would kill to have Blake, Outlaw or Bayless. Blake or Bayless for obvious reasons, and Outlaw is a player i've coveted for about three years now.

 

To answer your questions:
They want Blake this season and next UNLESS they can get a bonafide top-notch PG to take his place. Blake fits them like a glove despite his limited ability. Bayless is there to stay until he figures out how to play without being the focal point of the offense. Sergio is playing over Bayless because he is better. How long he keeps it up or how long it takes for Bayless to get it are anyone's guess. They kill each other at practice and I think that has helped Sergio raise his game up. If Sergio's playing time helps his trade value, that is an added benefit.

 

This would be a poor trade for both sides

Portland already has a Conley-like player in Bayless and Grizz have an Outlaw like player in Rudy Gay (SF/PF)

 

Yeah, that's what I figured. I just hope for their sakes they don't consider Conley to be "that guy". Conley obviously isn't a bad player but he's probably not starting material at this point.

 

Trading Sergio for Conley straight-up might make sense if Pritchard feels Conley has an upside. I don't think Sergio does.

BTW OT: The Blazers just kicked the Pistons in Detroit. Part of it was the Blazers being good and weathering the storm. Part of it was the Pistons clearly aren't on the same page. AI was 2-9 for 9 points and he was out-of-sync. Stuckey is going to be a player. He was great but the Pistons didn't have enough today. LA was an assassin, especially in the 1st quarter and late in the game. Let me repeat my pre-season prediction: If Roy doesn't get injured, the Blazers are easily a playoff team that should get ~50 wins. They are not a contender yet.

 

Don't understand why we would want Outlaw. I would not trade Conley for him until we fire our idiot coach.