[NJ.com] Blazers could foil Nets' quest for Abdur-Rahim

Posted this in another thread, it's just for fun and I'm bored as hell:

Houston Trades: Wesley + James + 1st Round Pick
Houston Receives: Swift + Patterson

NJ Trades: 5M TE + 2 2nd Round Picks
NJ Receives: SAR

Memphis Trades: Swift (S&T)
Memphis Receives: James + Wesley + 2nd Round Pick

Portland Trades: SAR + Patterson
Portland Receives: 5M TE + 1st Round Pick + 2nd Round Pick

 

You nailed it. Now, get it accomplished. Good scenario.

 

Looks pretty good. There is one notable problem, however. It doesn't work under the cap. Patterson has no salary counterpart for both Houston and Portland. To correct this, I think you send Weatherspoon to the Blazers.

In addition, I think the pick compensation benefits Portland at the expense of Memphis. I would suggest both NJ second-rounders go to Portland and Memphis gets the 1st, or vice-versa. A first/pair of seconds is enough for SAR, and Portland shouldn't get a pick for Patterson since Weatherspoon has one year less.

I generally like it, but it might not be enough for Memphis. James and Wesley are solid role players, but Memphis is still taking on $7 plus million than they would be if they let Swift walk. Considering they're in such serious cost-cutting mode, is it worth it? I think we'd have to send them 3 mil. in cash and maybe another pick for them to be satisfied.

 

Look at Rahim's numbers. The guy isn't a mediocre PF.

 

In the end, Portland will back off the No. 1. They have the fewest chips to play. They either get what NJ offers, or nothing b/c SAR goes for MLE without SNT.

NJ - at least they can bluff both Portland and SAR that Swift is an option for them. Query whether NJ can pull off a SNT with Memphis for Swift. If so, that's leverage against Portland and SAR. If not, NJ is just another suitor for Swift at the MLE and would probably lose to us or a team with big time cap room. SAR is their No. 1 choice, but at least NJ can bluff.

SAR - he doesn't have all that many options either. One conversation with the Kings. Vague references to "pre-scheduled visits" with Miami and SA. Miami has Haslem back. SA? maybe. if SAR is choosing between NJ and the Kings, he'd probably pick NJ. Nobody wants to live in Sac but SAR won't compromise his bargaining position by saying he wants NJ.

So, the key driver is Jerry West. If West says no SNT for Swift, NJ will ante up the 1st rounder. NJ wants to lock up SAR before Memphis has a chance to go public with that, if that's the case.

Portland, NJ and SAR all want the deal to happen, so it will. If it is for the prices being tossed around, our chances of getting Swift look a little better.