After storming out to a 7-3 record to start their season, the Portland Trail Blazers now find themselves clinging to an 18-16 record heading in to the second half of the season.
With questions looming about their overall talent and ability to not only make the postseason, let alone survive the first round once there; we asked five of our writers to discuss the five most important topics surrounding the Trail Blazers as they approach the March 15th trade deadline:
1) Who should the Trail Blazers ship out before the March 15 trade deadline?
Casey Mabbott: It’s time to pull the plug on the Raymond Felton experiment. For whatever reason, after posting decent numbers for two different teams last season, Felton has regressed to the career low numbers he posted his first two years in Charlotte, and is showing minimal signs of an ability to run the Blazers system. Without a long term deal in place, trading Felton now would make ensure the team gets a return of any kind on such a poor investment.
Wade Evanson: Raymond Felton. I know that’s somewhat obvious, but it’s time to admit that the Felton experience has gone about as well as “New Coke.” I don’t care how, but whoever’s pulling the strings in the Trail Blazer organization needs to pull the one that makes him disappear.
Bryant Knox: Gerald Wallace. Fans are going to say get rid of Felton while you still can, but quite frankly, I’d rather see if he can get it together. With his expiring contract, if he can’t pick it up in the second half of the season, let him go this summer. Wallace isn’t getting any younger, and in a game that has relied so much on athleticism, the mileage on his body is going to begin to take a toll. He’s about as fun to watch as it gets on this team, but if it’s going to come down to Nicolas Batum vs. Gerald Wallace this offseason, I want Batum.
Andrew Davenport: When I first think of this question the first two players that come to mind are Nic Batum and Raymond Felton. But if teams started asking for Gerald Wallace instead of Batum, I wouldn’t even think twice about it. This team needs a change, and if you ask me, it’s pick a player, any player. But if you’re talking about who they should be shopping, I’d say Batum and Felton.
Allen Plummer: The one person that seems to be on everyone’s trade list is Nicolas Batum, although I’d hate to see him go, he does have value that can bring someone in return that will make a difference. Let’s package him together with Raymond Felton and Jamal Crawford and go after a point guard. Or possibly include Greg Oden in a deal, so we get something in return for the 82 games he’s played during these two contracts he was given.
2) Who should the Trail Blazers target before the March 15 trade deadline?
Casey Mabbott: At 37 and nearing retirement, Marcus Camby cannot be considered a long-term solution at center. With no back-up ready to take over, the time is now to trade for the person or draft pick to replace Camby. Anderson Varejao, Emeka Okafor, and Spencer Hawes are all quality veteran centers playing on bottom-feeders that are looking to get younger and rebuild and could be convinced to trade away players and/or lottery picks. A package of players including Camby or Wallace and picks could entice the right team to make a move that could help the Blazers get better for today and the future.
Wade Evanson: Steve Nash. I know he’s old and I know he’s a free agent at the end of the year, but I also know he’s from the Vancouver (Canada) area, has been rumored to be interested in the Blazers, and would significantly benefit this team and most importantly this team’s best player. In addition, due to the aforementioned affection for this corner of the country; you might have a shot at re-signing him.
Bryant Knox: A shooter. The signing of Joel Przybilla helps fill a need in the paint, but while the Trail Blazers have improved their shooting from last season, they still remain in the bottom half of the league for three-point shooting. Aldridge is drawing double-teams every game at this point, and having a deep threat on the outside could provide him with some relief by keeping the defense honest.
Andrew Davenport: The player that should be on the very top of the Blazers target list is Steve Nash. I’ve written about this a couple of times in the past 6 weeks. Sure, he’s 38 years old and won’t be your “point guard of the future”, but he is surely a better option than anything the Blazers have going at PG right now. There’s a small chance he’d re-sign with the Blazers, but who cares if he doesn’t. With this lockout shortened season, I would love to see the Blazers acquire Nash, and see how far they can get in the playoffs.
Allen Plummer: There are a couple of possibilities I could see, first imagine Steve Nash leading the break and either throwing an alley-oop pass to Gerald Wallace, maybe hitting LaMarcus with a bounce pass as he trails the play, or that quick pull-up jumper from the top of the key. Secondly and my personal choice, let’s make a strong pitch for Deron Williams of New Jersey his contract is coming up, it doesn’t look good for the Nets in keeping him. I love his game he’s a true point guard, has been in the top five in assist every year since coming into the league, and would bring the intensity Portland needs right now. Can you say “crossover, down the lane, elevate and dunk over Blake Griffin or Kendrick Perkins in the playoffs!”
3) Who on the Trail Blazers’ roster is untouchable?
Casey Mabbott: Aldridge and Batum are the only players that can be considered untouchable. Batum needs to be a regular starter and Aldridge is the only player who consistently proves his worth, regardless of who he is playing against or along with. Ever other player is expendable, and ultimately, replaceable.
Wade Evanson: Greg Oden. Cancer, Heart Disease and the “Bird Flu” wouldn’t be seen in public with that guy right now. In reality; LaMarcus Aldridge and potentially Nicolas Batum are the only long-term pieces I’d fear losing from this roster. “Untouchable” is a term reserved only for young talent and/or legitimate all-stars.
Bryant Knox: The easy answer here is LaMarcus Aldridge, but the other asset that the Blazers must hold onto is Nicolas Batum. If this season is anything like the last, the phones will be ringing about Batum, and like last year, the organization must resist. Although he has been inconsistent at times, he’s averaged more than 23 points and six rebounds since becoming the starting shooting guard, giving reason to believe he just might be more than a role player in this team’s future.
Andrew Davenport: Not a single player on this current roster is untouchable, except LaMarcus Aldridge. This team should be past the point of getting emotionally attached to any one player, seeing as they got screwed with what has happened to Roy and Oden. My thought is that you have to do whatever you can to win. And if it means shipping out guys that are “fan favorites” or that the fans “like”, I’m all for it.
Andrew Plummer: There is only one player untouchable on the roster, LaMarcus Aldridge. Unless, and this is a big stretch, Dwight Howard or Kevin Durant want to play in Portland.
4) Should the Trail Blazers follow recent trends and trade away depth for a superstar to play alongside LaMarcus Aldridge?
Casey Mabbott: What has been very clear this season is that the team lacks depth at crucial positions, so trading away said depth can’t really hurt. Felton and backup Jamal Crawford have been extremely lackluster, and so has the other guard, Wesley Matthews. If Portland could send any of their so-so players in a package in a multi-team deal for a relatively young superstar such as Dwight Howard, Deron Williams, or Rajon Rondo; they should pull the trigger, and fast.
Wade Evanson: Yes, but only if his name rhymes with a term synonymous with money. Reality says this Blazer team isn’t making any waves this season regardless, but there’s no “depth” on this team that I wouldn’t trade for Steve Nash. Portland’s “depth” is completely replaceable if need be, and it’d all be worth it to see Nash working with Aldridge…if even for a mere half-season.
Bryant Knox: Trends are trends for a reason. In today’s NBA, acquiring superstars has become the new way to win. The Clippers finally gave up on growing organically through the draft, did what it took to get Chris Paul and became an instant contender in the Western Conference. The Blazers won’t earn a top draft pick this season, so if Paul Allen wants to win now, the team must sacrifice some of their depth and expiring contracts to get Aldridge the help that he desperately needs.
Andrew Davenport: Piggybacking a little bit off the previous question, I would say trade anyone you can to get a legit star to play alongside Aldridge. But at the same time, you still have to be smart about it. You can’t give away too much depth for a star player, because even two star players with no depth isn’t a great way of building a team.
Allen Plummer: What have recent trends gotten the Blazers? An 18-16 record, a point guard who doesn’t feel loved (boo-hoo), a mediocre and well-travelled shooting guard that is now playing PG, and a city scratching their collective heads wondering what the front office is doing. Stop patching the problem, this starts with putting a GM in place that knows the game!
5) Would the Trail Blazers be better fit to search for a long-term solution before the March 15 trade deadline, or via free agency with the relief of the team’s expiring contracts?
Casey Mabbott: The signing of veteran Joel Przybilla gives the team quality depth at center and makes a move at the deadline less likely, however the expiring contracts of Oden, Batum, Camby, and Felton, make a trade very necessary if the team wishes to retain any of its equity at the respective positions. If the Blazers and Batum cannot come to terms on a new deal, they need to trade him now to ensure a player above or near his level is received in return. The potential fire sale of the Blazers’ roster during free-agency would be disastrous, and would signal an unrealized rebuilding era during the prime years of Aldridge’s career.
Wade Evanson: Without question prior to the trade deadline. Unfortunately for Portland, “game changers” are highly unlikely to consider the Blazers via free agency, so if you’re going to roll the dice with aspirations of bringing in a star, your best shot is to drown them with adoration over a 20-25 game stretch. You never know when a player is going to fall in love (see Marcus Camby).
Bryant Knox: While Portland has had a tough time attracting free agents in the past, the last few years have seen Andre Miller, Wes Matthews and Jamal Crawford join Nate McMillan, the Portland Trail Blazers and the open checkbook of Paul Allen. If the Blazers are smart with their re-signings this offseason, the checkbook will be wide open once again, which can be a great recruiting tool in free agency.
Andrew Davenport: Portland is never going to attract top tier free agents, so I wouldn’t really spend very much time going down that road. To get any viable sidekick for Aldridge, it will have to come via trade. Of course, if they can’t get anything back with a trade, it helps to know that the team isn’t tied to anyone but Matthews and Aldridge for the long term. So if they decide to wait it out (they probably will, knowing this team), at least they’ll have the money to attempt to go after some free agents.
Allen Plummer: Realistically both choices could work; a long term solution would be Deron Williams if you can sign him to an extended contract, while developing some of the young talent we have in place. Free agency is feasible because Williams will be available at the end of the season and the team is young and the damage would be minimal in restructuring the team because time is on the Blazers side. Portland needs to decide on one, find a general manager, and then follow through!
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