Saturday, July 24, 2010

Potential Trade for Chris Paul

Chris Paul
Emeka Okafor

Joel Przybilla
Andre Miller
Dante Cunningham
Jerryd Bayless
1st Round Pick


Adding Chris Paul would instantly put the Blazers among the top 5 teams in the league.

I would love to keep Batum, so Bayless and Cunningham may allow them to do so.

The contracts of Przybilla and Miller would be welcomed by the Hornets as they expire after this season.

The only downside is the contract of Okafor. He is owed around $50 million dollars. He is way overpaid, but he would be a good backup power forward, and can play center.

Monday, July 19, 2010

Blazers' New General Manager

Rich Cho is the new GM.

He has been the assistant general manager for the Sonics and Thunder the last 9 years.

I am very pleased with this hiring, I wish they wouldn't have fired Pritchard, but this is the next best thing.

The Thunder have improved at a similar rate to the Blazers, possibly a little bit quicker, so Cho should be able to continue the Blazers' improvement.

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Trade Proposal

Rudy Fernandez
Jerryd Bayless

Future 1st Round Pick
Future 2nd Round Pick


The New York Knicks have expressed interest in Rudy Fernandez and with Armon Johnson being similar to Bayless with more potential and a log jam at guard, I think this trade is possible.

The Knicks will compete for the playoffs so, the draft picks would most likely be mid-round picks.

The Knicks have plenty of cap room after not getting Lebron James, so they would not have to send anyone back to the Blazers.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Summer League Impressions

Patty Mills was very impressive in game 1 when he nearly got a triple-double.
After that he was not as impressive to me. He scored more and showed how well he can shoot, but we already knew that. He did not pass the ball as well and did not look like a true point guard.

Armon Johnson was very impressive, I think he has the potential to be a star. He still needs to work on his passing and shooting, but he can score, is athletic, and can play defense.

Luke Babbitt was solid throughout the summer league. He showed his range in the last three games and showed that he is athletic and can drive, but he needs work on the defensive end.

Dante Cunningham and Jeff Pendergraph were solid, not amazing, but the summer league is a place were guards usually do much better than big men.

Ekene Ibekwe is a very athletic big man who's strength is defense. He has a lot of potential, but will take some time to develop. He can shoot free throws and has some offensive moves. I think he will be on a NBA roster this season.

Mike Green will not get an opportunity from the Blazers, but he impressed me in game 3 by being a true point guard. He can run a team and has some scoring ability. I think he would be a good 3rd string point guard, a guy that could step in and would not hurt you if someone got injured.

If I were to pick between Armon Johnson and Patty Mills, I would choose Johnson. He has more potential and more of an all around game. Patty Mills should be on a NBA roster and I think he would excel in a run and gun system such as New York's.

One other player that impressed me was Pooh Jeter. He is a point guard out of University of Portland. Last year he was on the Blazers' summer league team and played very well. This year he averaged 14.4 points on 48.2% shooting and 5.4 assists.

Matthews a Blazer - All But Official

With Utah signing Raja Bell, it seems they have decided not to match the Blazers' offer, meaning Wes Matthews is a Blazer.

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Blazers Sign Wesley Matthews to Offer Sheet

Wes Matthews is set to get $34 million in the next five years, including $9.2 million next year.

The Jazz have a week to match the offer or Matthews will be the newest Blazer.

As a rookie last year, he started 48 games and proved he is one of the better defensive players in the league.

With the Blazers, he would most likely be the backup 2 guard if they manage to trade away Rudy Fernandez.