Sam Smith: Taj Gibson for Rudy Fernandez offered (It's in Portland's hands)

[kozlodoev]

I am surprised that the Bulls are trying to stockpile a zillion of SGs. This trade only makes sense if they feel that James Johnson can give them some minutes this season, and they want Fernandez to start.

[Vermont Green]

I'll say again.  Ainge needs to try to get Corey Brewer.  Young defender that could be good for the future.

Corey Brewer would be a nice player, as would Rudy.  But I am fine with Wafer.  We had a need for shooter/scorer on the 2nd unit.  That is why we were looking at Rudy.  VW may fill that role better than Rudy and no doubt better than Brewer, who is good, but not a "scorer".  I sure wouldn't give up Davis for the chance to pay Rudy twice as much as VW as it is just not that clear that Rudy is a meaningful upgrade over VW, especially for this year.

So with the second unit scorer role filled, now you look at other needs.  If you look longer term, Brewer could be a nice player to have in the mix as that "defensive" wing.  Like it or not though, we have Daniels as our defensive wing for next year so that is not an immediate need in my opinion.

Our most immediate problem that for the start of the season, and perhaps for a good part of the season, our big man bench is Davis (PF) and Erden (C), assuming J. O'Neal starts. I think we need a big, defensive or otherwise, way more than we need Corey Brewer, at least this year.  Relying on Daniels for a key role may not be all that attractive but right now Erden is our back up center.  That worries me a whole lot more than Daniels.

[Truth Hurts]

Chicago is so annoying in this offseason. How many wings do they need? Korver, Brewer, Deng is fine for depth.

How many wings do we need? Let's look at things rationally. You're saying that those three guys should be enough for them. Yet, our FOUR wings (Paul, Ray, Quisy and Wafer) are not enough? How does this make any sense at all? I think it was pretty obvious as soon as we signed Wafer that we were out of the running for Fernandez. Rudy wanted a trade because he was unhappy with his minutes. How would he get enough minutes here to make him happy?

Realistically, even if you make a concerted effort to cut Paul and Ray's minutes from the 34-36 that they average, we certainly have the 2 and 3 spots covered now. We'll probably see something like:

Paul 32 minutes
Ray 32
Marquis 20
Wafer 12

And that's assuming Bradley never sees the floor. Once he starts working his way into the rotation, we're set there. You people are all kidding yourselves if you think Danny is even thinking about Rudy anymore. We don't have unlimited roster spots. Our team is pretty much set. He's going to sign a vet minimum center to be our 4th big, and hopefully never see the floor again once Perk is back. This team is almost complete.

[nickagneta]

If New York gives up either Wilson Chandler or Anthony Randolph or if Chicago gives up Taj Gibson for Rudy Fernandez, I think Rich Cho will be getting a steal. Fernandez is basically useless to Portland right now. He has already declared he won't play there next year and has the option to skip out of his contract and go play in Europe somewhere. He's already been replaced with Wesley Matthews.

And yet, Cho could get Gibson, who showed himself to be a very promising power forward in his rookie campaign averaging 9 PPG and 7.5 RPG for Fernandez. Amazing work by Cho and a really not so great move by Chicago if it goes through as Gibson would seem to be a perfect fit for them as their back up PF behind Boozer.

[wdleehi]

If New York gives up either Wilson Chandler or Anthony Randolph or if Chicago gives up Taj Gibson for Rudy Fernandez, I think Rich Cho will be getting a steal. Fernandez is basically useless to Portland right now. He has already declared he won't play there next year and has the option to skip out of his contract and go play in Europe somewhere. He's already been replaced with Wesley Matthews.

And yet, Cho could get Gibson, who showed himself to be a very promising power forward in his rookie campaign averaging 9 PPG and 7.5 RPG for Fernandez. Amazing work by Cho and a really not so great move by Chicago if it goes through as Gibson would seem to be a perfect fit for them as their back up PF behind Boozer.

I don't get the move by Chicago unless there is some unknown issue with Gibson.

[ssspence]

Is Taj Gibson really that good of an offer?

if Chicago's really dangling Gibson, then we have nothing to counter that - esp if they add in a 1st rounder. Gibson is a quality player, he had a strong rookie campaign last year. He would fit really well with Portland too - they could use more quality big men in that rotation since all their big guys seem to be cursed with the injury bug.

The Bulls are not offering Gibson and a 1st -- an absurd offer -- or it would have been reported that way. If so, they'd be offering more than double what the rest of the market is. If for some dumb reason the Knicks are offering Chandler, that's probably the best offer they have. But I doubt that. It basically comes dow to whether the Blazers would rather have a late 1st from the Cs or Gibson from the Bulls, and then whatever small favors they can pry out of the scenario they prefer.

[nickagneta]

If New York gives up either Wilson Chandler or Anthony Randolph or if Chicago gives up Taj Gibson for Rudy Fernandez, I think Rich Cho will be getting a steal. Fernandez is basically useless to Portland right now. He has already declared he won't play there next year and has the option to skip out of his contract and go play in Europe somewhere. He's already been replaced with Wesley Matthews.

And yet, Cho could get Gibson, who showed himself to be a very promising power forward in his rookie campaign averaging 9 PPG and 7.5 RPG for Fernandez. Amazing work by Cho and a really not so great move by Chicago if it goes through as Gibson would seem to be a perfect fit for them as their back up PF behind Boozer.

I don't get the move by Chicago unless there is some unknown issue with Gibson.

Could be. His minutes and performance didn't seem to tail off much, even in the playoffs so I assume the coaching staff at the time liked him. Maybe Thib's doesn't like him. Who knows? All I know is he seemed to be a very good prospect, even if he is a little older, who showed to have potential as a defensive minded, rebounding PF who could provide good help defense from the weak side.

Portland will be doing well with this trade if it goes through, IMHO.

[LooseCannon]

If you had the option of trading a number one pick for either Rudy Fernandez or Taj Gibson, is there anyone who would strongly consider taking Gibson?  Gibson did, after all, start 70 games for a playoff team as a rookie last year, which is probably a rare thing for a late first-round pick to do.

[LilRip]

if this is true, i don't know why Portland isn't pulling the trigger. competent big men are hard enough to find in this league. Nevermind the fact that Portland can acquire one while unloading a disgruntled player who doesn't even figure to be in their rotation.



- LilRip

[hpantazo]

if this is true, i don't know why Portland isn't pulling the trigger. competent big men are hard enough to find in this league. Nevermind the fact that Portland can acquire one while unloading a disgruntled player who doesn't even figure to be in their rotation.



- LilRip

exactly, which is why I don't think it's true.

[More Banners]

I suppose it might make sense to trade a bench player (behind Boozer) that Chi won't be able to pay when his rookie deal is up for a starter in Rudy, perhaps trying to snag a pick out of Portland as well?  Gibson isn't staying too long in Chicago behind Boozer.

[TBreezy]

Dang, can we get in on this action.  I would love to have gibson on our bench, his length would be a nice complement to baby's brawn.

Boston Scraps, Boston Cash and a Boston 1st, Chicago Pick(is this rumor true)?  to Portland,
Rudy to Chicago
Taj to the Bean

in a three way?

[Mencius]

Corey Brewer would be a nice player, as would Rudy.  But I am fine with Wafer.  We had a need for shooter/scorer on the 2nd unit.  That is why we were looking at Rudy.  VW may fill that role better than Rudy and no doubt better than Brewer, who is good, but not a "scorer".  I sure wouldn't give up Davis for the chance to pay Rudy twice as much as VW as it is just not that clear that Rudy is a meaningful upgrade over VW, especially for this year.

So with the second unit scorer role filled, now you look at other needs.  If you look longer term, Brewer could be a nice player to have in the mix as that "defensive" wing.  Like it or not though, we have Daniels as our defensive wing for next year so that is not an immediate need in my opinion.

Our most immediate problem that for the start of the season, and perhaps for a good part of the season, our big man bench is Davis (PF) and Erden (C), assuming J. O'Neal starts. I think we need a big, defensive or otherwise, way more than we need Corey Brewer, at least this year.  Relying on Daniels for a key role may not be all that attractive but right now Erden is our back up center.  That worries me a whole lot more than Daniels.

Fwiw, I agree with this entire post.  VW will fill our wing shooter off the bench role.  Clearly our bigger need is backup center.  Rudy would be nice to have if the cost is minimal, otherwise, I suspect he'd not be that much of an upgrade over VW.

And about people preferring Gibson over Baby; not me.  I think Baby is undervalued around here.  I wouldn't trade Baby for Gibson straight up.  Baby plays way bigger than his height.  He just needs to bring it consistently.

[nickagneta]

I suppose it might make sense to trade a bench player (behind Boozer) that Chi won't be able to pay when his rookie deal is up for a starter in Rudy, perhaps trying to snag a pick out of Portland as well?  Gibson isn't staying too long in Chicago behind Boozer.

He would have to stay at least 3 more years on his rookie contract. That's a good long time.

[timepiece33]

1. The trade doesn't make sense with the Bulls wing depth unless they view James Johnson as a PF.

2. I like Davis more than Gibson, but that is really irrelevant.   The question is whether Gibson is a better fit than Boston's first rounder next year with the salary scale where it is

3. Still believe if Boston is willing to take Pryzbilla and pay for Sheed's buyout, that has value to the Trailblazers who are over the cap.   I realize that Paul Allen is rich, but rich people don't always want to invest in an unncessary tax.   Pryzbilla gives them very little as the third team center.