We won't even need to match salaries, if Portland are under the cap. We can just trade Battier for draft picks if we want. Of course they have some young and cheap players that would be a good fit here...
I was just comparing salaries for people that would the gun and start saying "how can we get x amount of players without messing up our cap for next year" just showing that we wouldn't use any more cap space than we are now. I didn't even think about draft picks though.
I think the Blazers would consider this. But we would be taking on Martel Websters contract, he is a decent shooting SF to have though. Webster, Rudy F & Bayless for Battier & Brooks
I'm curious what it would take to pull off a Battier/whoever-for-Oden/filler type swap. Portland has wanted Battier badly for over two years now, plus I don't buy this "Oden is a former #1 overall pick, therefore he is untouchable" type stuff. This is the NBA, a league where either you can play or you can't. Oden's durability issues have been hindering and his progression has been mild. He's still young, but there comes a certain point where you have to throw draft position out the window. If you look at Bargnani, he was facing trade speculation going into his third season. Same with Kwame. Same with Bogut. Oden hasn't exactly lit the world on fire well enough to be immune from trade speculation. Especially when that trade speculation could potentially put your team over the top IMMEDIATELY (Portland gets the veteran presence they've desperately wanted) while letting Pryzbillia (starter in the first place), Aldridge plus whoever fill in their minutes at center. I don't think the idea is as far-fetched as some people think and would be the IDEAL way to maximize Battier's soon-to-be-declining value.
Wow. Pritchard vs. Morey to see who can out-smart the other and get the best deal. THAT is a heavyweight GM matchup. They should televise that sucker on PPV.
That one seems the most feasible, large contract, blocking Oden, but what would you give up for him? I wouldn't trade Battier for him and we can't match contracts otherwise.
I would LOVE to have Oden OR Pryz on this team... I'm really interested if the Rockets said "We'll take either..." which one would they give up? It could be they say "What have you done for me lately?" and keep Joey or They could say "Put on shades. His future is BRIGHT!" and keep Oden. Either way, there is no way they are going to keep both young Centers. Whose contract expires first? That Center is going to leave for more starting time.
I'm all for moving Shane to portland, but would not involve Brooks. All those trade offers involving AB have the Rockets getting taken to the cleaners in the deal. Bayless and Rudy are all potential while Outlaw has been shopped the last few years.
I'm not really sold on Oden. He has been injured his only year in college and a large part of his time in the NBA. I Don't think it's all that far fetched that Portland would trade him, but are you getting a guy that's just not going to have much of a career because of injuries; Maybe, maybe not. Of course there is upside and it might be worth the shot. Depends on what you have to give up. I'm not sure he is gonna be able to withstand the grind.
Totally agree re: Brooks. If we give up 2010 cap space in a deal with Portland, we're getting taken to the cleaners. If they want Battier, then sure, we should bite - bring back Outlaw and either of Fernandez or Bayless plus perhaps a pick or something? All of those expire next season, so actually free up more space (Battier would be on $7.354million) - and if we get a late first rounder out of it, something else for Morey to play with. And it'd help us avoid lux tax this season (drop $3million worth of salary) - or give us freedom to use whatever relief we might get from Ming.
Morey should call portland .......giglle into the phone a little bit.....then hang up. Then call Lebron and give him a hearty F you.
