Is it time for Trail Blazers to trade Aldridge?

Raptors1995 · 11-30-2012, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Blazers Face The Aldridge Question

It’s getting late early in Portland.

Of course, the shadows can’t get much longer and the outlook much bleaker than when you’ve become the first team all season to lose to the Wizards.

Still, these things happen. If it were a one-game pratfall, it would be easier for the Trail Blazers to move on up the road and try to work out their frustrations on the soon-to-be-Rondo-less Celtics.

But the trouble is that 15 games into this season, it is already beginning to look a lot like last season. And the one before. And the one before.

“Inexcusable,” is the way guard Wesley Matthews described the loss at Washington and nobody was really sure if he was talking about the way the Blazers shot the ball, rebounded, defended or got off the bus.

Intolerable for their fans is the knowledge that over the past decade, the Blazers have done more rebuilding than FEMA and still have little to show for it. They have the longest current Western Conference drought without winning a playoff series (13 seasons and counting) and are giving little indication that it’s about to end. Enthusiasm for new coach Terry Stotts’ up-tempo, move-the-ball offense is leaking like air from a flat tire.

All of which quickly brings up the question of what to do with LaMarcus Aldridge?

The Blazers official stance is: nothing. That’s what general manager Neil Olshey told Aldridge in an October meeting, asking for patience and promising that the power forward would not be traded.

But how wise is that from both sides?

Aldridge is 27 going on who knows what. He’s previously had a heart condition, was sidelined last season by a hip injury and is now bothered an achy back, probably from having to carry so much of the load. He’s averaging a team-high 38.2 minutes per game and a career-low shooting percentage of 43.9.

On one hand the Blazers need their best player on the floor for his lion’s share of time in order to even dream of competing for one of the lower rung spots on the playoff ladder. But if this is a team that isn’t really going anywhere until rookies Damian Lillard and Meyers Leonard develop, Nicolas Batum gets a real clue and then significant free agent additions are made next summer, does it make sense to wear Aldridge out?

The Blazers, with Greg Oden and Brandon Roy as cautionary tales in their recent past, are quite familiar with players that simply break down physically. If it’s going to take Olshey’s two-year window to get Aldridge the help he needs, what state will he be in physically, not to mention mentally? Might there come a time, even this season, when L.A. is ready to flee to L.A. or OKC or any other playoff contender with a need for the kind of firepower he brings? In this NBA era that we live, players are far less likely to commit themselves to a franchise for an entire career. How much longer before those around him, or Aldridge himself, conclude it’s time to start inching him toward the door?

If you’re the Blazers and have seen Aldridge’s game deteriorate into mostly jumpers and fadeaways this season, it could be easy to conclude that he’s past the point — if he ever was — of being a No. 1 option on a championship contender. If you’re already thinking about the next remodeling of the roster, wouldn’t it make sense to move the process along with a deal that could bring in young talent to grow at the same pace with Lillard, Leonard and Batum?

Of course, the trade deadline isn’t till February. But it’s already gotten late early in Portland.

Blazers Face The Aldridge Question NBA.com | Hang Time Blog

TORaptor4Ever · 11-30-2012, 01:53 PM

Huh? The guy's only in his 7th season.... not his 12th.

The Blazers FINALLY have a great core with LA, Lillard and Batum... why in God's name would they trade one of those pieces?

I confess that I've never understood the lovefest surrounding Aldridge but trading him makes very little sense (IMO).

carp · 11-30-2012, 02:07 PM

Landry, Ed, Jose and find a way to sweeten.... do it now!

Raptors1995 · 11-30-2012, 02:11 PM

I don't know if I would do it, but I wouldn't be surprised if their gm did. Gerald Wallace for a pick worked out fine. If they can get 2 first rounders one being unprotected from a team like the cavs, they might do it. It will enable them to lose more games this season thereby giving them a lottery pick of their own combined with one from the cavs. They will also have space in the offseason to replace him with someone like Jefferson, millsap, or smith. After the signing they have enough space to add another piece. They could also potentially land nerlens Noel or zeller in the draft.

Toby · 12-01-2012, 01:23 AM

BACK OFF!

Dario · 12-01-2012, 01:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toby

BACK OFF!

hahahaha, thats what i thought.

Carlito · 12-01-2012, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carp

Landry, Ed, Jose and find a way to sweeten.... do it now!

I would make the trade in a minute ...

carp · 12-01-2012, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toby

BACK OFF!

Dude, don't worry, they are not trading Aldridge. The guy is just too good.

**Ball Don't Lie** · 12-01-2012, 12:20 PM

Hes shooting a lower percentage because the offence dictates hes in the high post more, due to the focus on ball movement and player movement. I bet if someone were to look up his usage, his postups have gone down bigtime and hes taking a lot more shots off of screen and pop. Hes a 27 year old bigman in the prime of his career. Unless POR is getting a crazy offer back, they should stick with him.

DocHoliday99 · 12-01-2012, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raptors1995

I don't know if I would do it, but I wouldn't be surprised if their gm did. Gerald Wallace for a pick worked out fine. If they can get 2 first rounders one being unprotected from a team like the cavs, they might do it. It will enable them to lose more games this season thereby giving them a lottery pick of their own combined with one from the cavs. They will also have space in the offseason to replace him with someone like Jefferson, millsap, or smith. After the signing they have enough space to add another piece. They could also potentially land nerlens Noel or zeller in the draft.

LA, Milsap, Jefferson and Smith are all 27, why would you want to trade an all star entering his prime that plays both ends of the floor for a couple of picks then sign a 1 dimensional players like Milsap, Jefferson or Smith as a replacement? LA is averaging 20.5/7.5/2.8apg/0.9spg/1.2bpg, sure his fg% has dropped to .442 but is that a product of LA's decision to play away from the rim or is it where he is recieving the ball on the court - more of a combination of a new system and also a product of playing with a rookie pg. Blazers have a great core of LA, Lillard, Wesley and Batum to build together. JJs also been playing well. The team needs more depth and time to tweak their system they'll be fine. Stupid article

Man, Toby must be going craaaaaaaaaazy with annoyance

TORaptor4Ever · 12-01-2012, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DocHoliday99

LA, Milsap, Jefferson and Smith are all 27, why would you want to trade an all star entering his prime that plays both ends of the floor for a couple of picks then sign a 1 dimensional players like Milsap, Jefferson or Smith as a replacement? LA is averaging 20.5/7.5/2.8apg/0.9spg/1.2bpg, sure his fg% has dropped to .442 but is that a product of LA's decision to play away from the rim or is it where he is recieving the ball on the court - more of a combination of a new system and also a product of playing with a rookie pg. Blazers have a great core of LA, Lillard, Wesley and Batum to build together. JJs also been playing well. The team needs more depth and time to tweak their system they'll be fine. Stupid article

Man, Toby must be going craaaaaaaaaazy with annoyance

If we're talking "1-dimensional" I don't think that Millsap deserves to be in that conversation. He's as multifaceted as you get at the PF spot.

carp · 12-01-2012, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TORaptor4Ever

If we're talking "1-dimensional" I don't think that Millsap deserves to be in that conversation. He's as multifaceted as you get at the PF spot.

Agreed.... I'm not sure anyone who has watched Millsap could not say that about the guy. He's awesome and the fact that he can play a little three spot as well... sick.

@BaileysBlitz · 12-01-2012, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TORaptor4Ever

If we're talking "1-dimensional" I don't think that Millsap deserves to be in that conversation. He's as multifaceted as you get at the PF spot.

Quote:

Originally Posted by carp

Agreed.... I'm not sure anyone who has watched Millsap could not say that about the guy. He's awesome and the fact that he can play a little three spot as well... sick.

+1 these

Doc you're a good poster,but you got it wrong including Millsap as one dimensional. Aldridge may be better but P-Milly gots game himself

DocHoliday99 · 12-01-2012, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by @BaileysBlitz

+1 these

Doc you're a good poster,but you got it wrong including Millsap as one dimensional. Aldridge may be better but P-Milly gots game himself

You guys are 100% right, Milsap shouldn't be in that group. I was more thinking compared to LA, would you take Milsap over him? Close call but I would still keep LA.

I would love Milsap and his attitude here in Raptor land over Bargs but if I had LA, not a chance. Of course if the Raps could have LA or Milly instead of Bargs I would be beside myself.

Raptors1995 · 12-01-2012, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DocHoliday99

LA, Milsap, Jefferson and Smith are all 27, why would you want to trade an all star entering his prime that plays both ends of the floor for a couple of picks then sign a 1 dimensional players like Milsap, Jefferson or Smith as a replacement? LA is averaging 20.5/7.5/2.8apg/0.9spg/1.2bpg, sure his fg% has dropped to .442 but is that a product of LA's decision to play away from the rim or is it where he is recieving the ball on the court - more of a combination of a new system and also a product of playing with a rookie pg. Blazers have a great core of LA, Lillard, Wesley and Batum to build together. JJs also been playing well. The team needs more depth and time to tweak their system they'll be fine. Stupid article

Man, Toby must be going craaaaaaaaaazy with annoyance

They have a great core of young players and Aldridge. I merely alluded to the possibility of him being traded isn’t non-existent. My impetus for the suggestion had nothing to do with his health. It’s obviously way too early in the season, but if they find themselves in the bottom 6-8 teams as they currently stand, I wouldn't be surprised by a move like Aldridge for Thompson and Cavs 1st round unprotected. They would still have Lillard Matthews Batum Lenard, one lottery pick of their own, an additional one from Cleveland, and Thompson. I'm not even sure Cleveland does this trade; it’s kind of going against everything they're doing - building through the draft. The Blazers will have a chance at getting Nerlens Noel or Zeller with 2 high draft picks. If they did land Noel, they will have enough space to go after a max player and more. They also have options in free agency with the cap space to sign someone like a Millsap and that will still provide them space in subsequent years to go after someone else. They don’t necessarily have to draft someone and can utilize those picks in a trade to fulfill a positional need at the 4. It’s a bit too premature to pull a trade like that, but I wouldn't say it's out of the realm of possibility come trade deadline depending on what happens now until then.

@BaileysBlitz · 12-01-2012, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DocHoliday99

You guys are 100% right, Milsap shouldn't be in that group. I was more thinking compared to LA, would you take Milsap over him? Close call but I would still keep LA.

I would love Milsap and his attitude here in Raptor land over Bargs but if I had LA, not a chance. Of course if the Raps could have LA or Milly instead of Bargs I would be beside myself.

everything is true here and i'd take LA>>PM>>>>>>AB.

This may sound wrong but if BC took LA #1 instead,it may not have worked out(alongside Bosh) and he probably wouldn't be the player he is today(slower development,kinda like Ross with DD already at SG)

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11-30-2012, 01:53 PM	#2 (permalink)
TORaptor4Ever is embracing change Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 15,063 Representing:	Huh? The guy's only in his 7th season.... not his 12th. The Blazers FINALLY have a great core with LA, Lillard and Batum... why in God's name would they trade one of those pieces? I confess that I've never understood the lovefest surrounding Aldridge but trading him makes very little sense (IMO).

11-30-2012, 02:07 PM	#3 (permalink)
carp is the rebirth of thick Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Toronto Posts: 10,656 Representing:	Landry, Ed, Jose and find a way to sweeten.... do it now!

11-30-2012, 02:11 PM	#4 (permalink)
Raptors1995 is it's time to empty the trash Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Toronto Posts: 1,025 Representing:	I don't know if I would do it, but I wouldn't be surprised if their gm did. Gerald Wallace for a pick worked out fine. If they can get 2 first rounders one being unprotected from a team like the cavs, they might do it. It will enable them to lose more games this season thereby giving them a lottery pick of their own combined with one from the cavs. They will also have space in the offseason to replace him with someone like Jefferson, millsap, or smith. After the signing they have enough space to add another piece. They could also potentially land nerlens Noel or zeller in the draft.

12-01-2012, 01:23 AM	#5 (permalink)
Toby is a nacho hound Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: South of Portland, home of the Blazers Posts: 3,402 Representing:	*BACK OFF!*

12-01-2012, 12:20 PM	#9 (permalink)
Ball Don't Lie is praying Drummond doesnt haunt us forever. Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 8,875 Representing:	Hes shooting a lower percentage because the offence dictates hes in the high post more, due to the focus on ball movement and player movement. I bet if someone were to look up his usage, his postups have gone down bigtime and hes taking a lot more shots off of screen and pop. Hes a 27 year old bigman in the prime of his career. Unless POR is getting a crazy offer back, they should stick with him.