Blazers make qualifying offer to Oden

[PortCelt]

Another attempt at reversing buyers remorse?

Unless the Celts (if they were indeed planning to target GO) customize a multi-player trade could Oden be the consolation prize in the D. Howard sweepstakes? All of it depends on his health of course. A more palatable addition would be Batum. But, Portland has been reluctant to listen to offers. With Fernandez on the move, Roy's bone on bone issues and Felton running the point, would Bradley (team option next season) be considered as a thrown in for a major deal? Assuming E'Twaun and perhaps G. Brown are signed it makes Bradley expendable.


* Portland trades Batum and Oden for Davis (S/T)/Quis TPE/A. Bradley + Clips protected #1 + future protected #1
The future picks would not count as cap holds. Davis is tailor made for McMillian's slow pace half court offense. He would back up Alridge and could spot minutes at the 5 behind Gumby ... sorry Camby. If Batum continues his trajectory the Blazers might not have the cap space to keep him happy. Alas, the Celtics get a long defender who can stroke threes and finish strong.

All things considered Oden in a Celtic uniform next season (providing there is a season) is a long shot. But then again not many of you guys would have gambled on him in the first place.

[Elliot.C]

I swear Oden is cursed has he even played a game without breaking something on his body?

[Fred Roberts]

I want Oden big time, but at that price it makes it tough to bid on him. I guess a trade would be the only way this year to get him, but once the cap space opens up next summer we could bid on him if he's unrestricted and proven to be on the rise again.

[slamtheking]

Oden doesn't excite me at this point.  Let him show he can stay healthy on the court for a season.  Until he does, I don't consider him more than a wasted roster spot and salary against the cap.

[ram]

This illustrates what is wrong with the NBA, in particular, and pro sports, in general.

How can a guy make $22mm in 4 years while playing just 82 games for a total of 1800 minutes and then get a 33% raise to bring his total income to over $30mm without really contributing much of anything.

The owners are smart business men until they get a sports team and then they start making very poor decisions based on potential. Make a CBA that rewards production and you will have a much better league.

[droopdog7]

This illustrates what is wrong with the NBA, in particular, and pro sports, in general.

How can a guy make $22mm in 4 years while playing just 82 games for a total of 1800 minutes and then get a 33% raise to bring his total income to over $30mm without really contributing much of anything.

The owners are smart business men until they get a sports team and then they start making very poor decisions based on potential. Make a CBA that rewards production and you will have a much better league.

There was no way Portland was just going to let Oden walk.  The same reason fans are interested in him is the same reason Portland is keeping him. 

The guy has immense potential, at least on the defensive side.  He is a legit center that can be as dominant as Howard on that end and could eventually be serviceable on offense.  I am not sure what Oden's PER is but I am betting that it is higher than many would think.  I am thinking the guy has an impact on the game.

I think Portland had no choice really.  The last thing they want to see is Oden flourish on another team after they invested so much money in him. 

I get the sense that some people are surprised by this move.  On the other hand, I would have been downright SHOCKED if they would have let Oden walk.

Portland

[ram]

I think Portland had no choice really.  The last thing they want to see is Oden flourish on another team after they invested so much money in him. 

----------------------------------------
I agree.

I'm bashing the system more than Portland. Portland was between a rock & hard spot. Either way they lose (unless Oden all of a sudden becomes an ironman).

My point is that if I'm involved in the CBA negotiations on either side, I'm pushing for a system that rewards the players who have performed and provides less compensation for rookies and other players who have yet to contribute.

[BballTim]

  What exactly does this mean (under the old CBA)? Does this make him a RFA now and a UFA next summer or a RFA next summer?

[Chris]

  What exactly does this mean (under the old CBA)? Does this make him a RFA now and a UFA next summer or a RFA next summer?

RFA this summer (or whenever free agency happens), and UFA next summer, if he plays out the year.

[BballTim]

  What exactly does this mean (under the old CBA)? Does this make him a RFA now and a UFA next summer or a RFA next summer?

RFA this summer (or whenever free agency happens), and UFA next summer, if he plays out the year.

  Which is actually good for us, right? We don't have money now but we might then.

[Chris]

  What exactly does this mean (under the old CBA)? Does this make him a RFA now and a UFA next summer or a RFA next summer?

RFA this summer (or whenever free agency happens), and UFA next summer, if he plays out the year.

  Which is actually good for us, right? We don't have money now but we might then.

Its good for us, because it removes any temptation for Danny to make an offer to him this summer. 

[BballTim]

  What exactly does this mean (under the old CBA)? Does this make him a RFA now and a UFA next summer or a RFA next summer?

RFA this summer (or whenever free agency happens), and UFA next summer, if he plays out the year.

  Which is actually good for us, right? We don't have money now but we might then.

Its good for us, because it removes any temptation for Danny to make an offer to him this summer. 

  Haha. If you think about it though, if we could sign Ray to cheapish deals (say $6M and $9M) we could sign Oden to a less-than-max contract and possibly trot out PP/RA/KG/Rondo/Oden.

[Chris]

  What exactly does this mean (under the old CBA)? Does this make him a RFA now and a UFA next summer or a RFA next summer?

RFA this summer (or whenever free agency happens), and UFA next summer, if he plays out the year.

  Which is actually good for us, right? We don't have money now but we might then.

Its good for us, because it removes any temptation for Danny to make an offer to him this summer. 

  Haha. If you think about it though, if we could sign Ray to cheapish deals (say $6M and $9M) we could sign Oden to a less-than-max contract and possibly trot out PP/RA/KG/Rondo/Oden.

The problem is, if Oden is healthy next year and produces, Portland will not let him walk for less than the max.  And, if he is injured again, I want no part of him. 

[BballTim]

  What exactly does this mean (under the old CBA)? Does this make him a RFA now and a UFA next summer or a RFA next summer?

RFA this summer (or whenever free agency happens), and UFA next summer, if he plays out the year.

  Which is actually good for us, right? We don't have money now but we might then.

Its good for us, because it removes any temptation for Danny to make an offer to him this summer. 

  Haha. If you think about it though, if we could sign Ray to cheapish deals (say $6M and $9M) we could sign Oden to a less-than-max contract and possibly trot out PP/RA/KG/Rondo/Oden.

The problem is, if Oden is healthy next year and produces, Portland will not let him walk for less than the max.  And, if he is injured again, I want no part of him. 

  Maybe. My guess is that he won't play all that great next year, he'll still be recovering from his knee injury. He's only played 82games in 4 years and they're on the hook to Roy for max money for two seasons after next year, they might not want to tie up half of their salary cap in those two.

  I'd call it unlikely, but the scenarios thrown around for the future seem to involve hoping Dwight goes UFA and joins the Celts or blow it up and play the lottery game.

[nickagneta]

$8.8 million qualifying offer. For a guy that's played 82 games in 4 years.

THIS is what's wrong with the NBA.