Re-tool Idea.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

This is just a thought, and I understand that we are trying to get that superstar in that 2014 draft, but hear me out.

Everything in this idea will ALL depend on Olynyk developing quickly and to the best he can, otherwise this wont work. I'm talking about he has to average atleast 12-14 points/6 rebounds a game.

Okay, so do you think that this lineup will be a contender?

Rajon Rondo
Courtney Lee
Jeff Green
LaMarcus Aldridge
Marcin Gortat

with Gerald Wallace and Jared Sullinger as our key bench guys.

Phoenix just drafted Len, which I believe it mean Gortat can be had. So, we trade Bradley, Bass and 2015 and 2016 (Brooklyn) pick for Gortat. While Bass' contract seems the killer (we need to match Gortat's salary), the main thing here is Bradley's All NBA defense and the two future 1st rounders, for a player that they can really let go now.

There are rumors surrounding Aldridge wants out of Portland, so let's offer the Blazers something like Humphries, Olynyk (the Olynyk I described) and our 2014 pick. Humphries is there to balance out contracts and can still rebound at a high rate and an expiring deal. Olynyk is not as good as Aldridge, of course but can be his replacement in a sense. And they get a pick in the loaded 2014 draft.

Edit: I just read that and thought that may not get enough to land Aldridge but no worries, we have abundant amount of picks, lets give them the 2015 pick from LA as well.


We retooled the team, giving them 2 All Stars and solid veteran players to compliment them. That lineup would be in their primes for the next 4-5 years. Now add to it smart signings and drafting, we could very well be a team not needing to suck to play for a championship again.

[wiley]

Nice dealings leading to a good team.  However, the bench would have to be really good I think if that team were to contend.  And maybe that'd be possible...

I think we give up a bit too much for Gortat.  So send Bass Lee and two first rounders and take back a player that they don't want that makes up the Bradley Lee difference.

If Bradley starts over Lee in that lineup then I really like the scenario.

[Yogi]

Is that the going rate for all stars these days?  A 13th pick and a couple of other mid to late first rounders and expirings?  If Portland even dreamed of moving Aldridge they would have 10 better offers on the table before they woke up. 

Gortat is a 29 year old role player who is going to get paid way more than he is worth next year.  He is a good rebounder and shot blocker with a limited offensive game.  No GM in the league would give up a first round pick for him.  If so, a desperately rebuilding Phoenix would already have traded him. 

[Yoki_IsTheName]

Is that the going rate for all stars these days?  A 13th pick and a couple of other mid to late first rounders and expirings?  If Portland even dreamed of moving Aldridge they would have 10 better offers on the table before they woke up. 

Gortat is a 29 year old role player who is going to get paid way more than he is worth next year.  He is a good rebounder and shot blocker with a limited offensive game.  No GM in the league would give up a first round pick for him.  If so, a desperately rebuilding Phoenix would already have traded him.

You mean a guy who average close to a double double and can defend the interior is not worth a first round?

I think he is. You have to compensate for giving them Bass.

But maybe you are right, it might be giving up too much, but you get the idea.

[chambers]

It's a nice idea.Let's look at it realistically.

The reality is the Blazers are getting way more than that for Aldridge. They'd want Rondo at minimum.

With that roster we aren't a lottery team so our pick is worthless to them. Why do they want Olnyk and Humphries?

Secondly, lets say they were high and accepted that offer.
That team still isn't good enough to beat Chicago, the Heat, Grizzlies, Thunder.

Aldridge and Rondo are All Stars and we challenge for a top 4 seed in the East, you'd need Green to become a top SF in the NBA.

Rondo and Aldridge would be great but I can't see us getting Aldridge in a Celtics jersey without giving them back Rondo.

We just don't have any pieces to give teams for players like Aldridge. We must acquire assets and more picks and our own high picks to draft a star like the Blazers did with Aldridge.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

It's a nice idea.Let's look at it realistically.

The reality is the Blazers are getting way more than that for Aldridge. They'd want Rondo at minimum.

With that roster we aren't a lottery team so our pick is worthless to them. Why do they want Olnyk and Humphries?

Secondly, lets say they were high and accepted that offer.
That team still isn't good enough to beat Chicago, the Heat, Grizzlies, Thunder.

Aldridge and Rondo are All Stars and we challenge for a top 4 seed in the East, you'd need Green to become a top SF in the NBA.

Rondo and Aldridge would be great but I can't see us getting Aldridge in a Celtics jersey without giving them back Rondo.

We just don't have any pieces to give teams for players like Aldridge. We must acquire assets and more picks and our own high picks to draft a star like the Blazers did with Aldridge.

I'm not sure if they are going to want Rondo with Lillard and potentially McCollum.

It all depends on Olynyk really. This scenario won't work if Olynyk turns out to be a bust. It's a tough sell, but it could work, especially with a 2014 pick and another in the future.

[rondoallaturca]

It's a great idea, but I think the execution needs work. Considering that centers are coming at a premium, I don't think your valuing of Gortat is that off to be honest. As it stands, I do think Phoenix is getting the better end of the stick, but not by much. Maybe they can throw us two second rounders in return.

However, the Aldridge trade is what I have a problem with. It's certainly a good start, but I think we'd realistically have to be giving up at least two more 1st rounders. Then you have to factor in the fact that Portland is also built to make some noise soon. Not only have the LMA rumors been strongly disputed by now, the rumors involved immediate contributors like Deng to begin with. If they were to trade LMA, they wouldn't be looking to the future.

It's not all bad though. Even if you replace LMA's name with Millsap, that's still a very deadly team. The names aren't flashy, but last year's Lakers were obviously way more studded than teams like the Grizzlies or Pacers.