Subscribe Feed (RSS)This story says that Portland is in the thick of the chase for Phoenix’s Amare Stoudemire. I don’t really believe it’s true, at least if the deal is constituted the way it’s reported. In the last two days I think I’ve read stories in the hometown papers of about half the teams in the league saying their team was chasing Stoudemire.
This report says that the Blazers are offering LaMarcus Aldridge, Jerryd Bayless and Raef’s super-expiring contract for Stoudemire.
First off, I don’t see Portland giving up Bayless. Or Aldridge, for that matter. And I’m not sure where Stoudemire fits as a Blazer. He’s an extremely talented offensive player — but this team is already one of the most efficient offensive teams in the league. He’s a rebounder, but the Blazers are the best rebounding team in the league already.
He’s also a very disinterested defender, and the Blazers are already pretty mediocre on defense. He’s also a guy who needs to run — and Portland plays at the slowest pace in the league. He just doesn’t strike me as enough of the missing piece for the Blazers to basically push so many of its chips onto the table and go “all in” for him.
I’m also convinced if this report is true, and the Blazers did, indeed, make that offer, Stoudemire is going to be a Blazer. It’s a great offer because the Suns get two terrific young players and also the massive salary cap relief they’re looking for. In fact, I’d say if Portland really made that offer, the deal would be done already.
I mean, the Suns not only get the cap relief they’re seeking by dumping Amare’s contract (which is probably the biggest thing they’re seeking), they get TWO great young players? Nobody else is offering anywhere near that much.
(Sidebar — Steve Kerr is a very smart guy. And a nice guy. But has he taken leave of his senses? Trade the 26-year-old superstar and keep the elderly Steve Nash, Shaquille O’Neal and Grant Hill? In a year, Phoenix will be so far from the playoffs it will need a telescope to see them.)
Everyone likes trades. At least that’s my experience. At the very least they like talking about them. There are a good many players out there who would really help the Blazers, but I’m not sure Stoudemire fits as well as a lot of them.
Tags: Amare Stoudemire, Dwight Jaynes, Jerryd Bayless, LaMarcus Aldridge, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers
It would be a bad trade for the Blazers, I’m with you on that one.
On Paul Allens deep pockets, has Charter Communications losses shortened them?
If Portland is involved in any Stoudemire talks, doesn’t it make sense that they are only involved as a facilitator to get what they want and need? Stoudemire is the anti-Lamarcus in terms of the intangibles that are brought to our team. LA is a “team first” guy and not a “me first” guy. KP values that as much as anything else and all reports indicate that Amare wants his money and numbers before wins. I heard him say on NBA TV say that he will go to the “highest bidder”. Earlier in the season he complained that he wasn’t getting enough shots even though he was the teams leading scorer!!! There are teams that are salavating to get Stoudemire but don’t have what Phoenix wants which is cap relief and good young talent. Phoenix has allegedly indicated that they realize that they are not going to get equal value for Amare so they are more interested in cutting salary. Portland has the only expiring contract that actually pays a team almost $5 million just for acquiring it plus $13 mill in cap space next year. Portland is the only team with such an asset. If Washington was in the hunt for Stoudemire and were willing to give up Caron Butler, Portland could make a three way deal so that Phoenix gets cap-relief and a good young player (Outlaw??), Washington gets their star in Amare and the Blazers get their guy. I don’t believe for a second that any of this happens but I am just saying that this is the only way I think the Blazers could be involved in a Stoudemire scenario IMO. Stoudemire MIGHT be able to fetch them what they need/want: Prince, Butler, Devin Harris, Richard Jefferson, etc…
The only way Portland is going after Amare is if we are trading him to another team and NO WAY Portland is parting with Lamarcus. So there may be a three team scenario that works well for Portland, but Amare does nothing for us.
Hey Dwight, do you think that maybe the Blazers are looking at a 3 team trade? Because I was messin with some things and noticed; if we send RLEC, Travis, Sergio, and a 1st round pick to Phoenix; Take Amare and send him to Detroit; And take Tayshaun Prince and Amir Johnson and bring them here it works out salary wise plus Tayshaun would be a beast, and Amir could help with some of the defense and toughness we need down low. I dunno, just throwin stuff out there. I’ll be glad in a week when all this stuff is over. Man I don’t envy KP at this time of year.
This ain’t gonna happen and if it does KP’s reputation for good deals is shot. Amare (I refuse to use the fake apostrophe) is a dog.
Hmm, mabye KP is working on a multi team trade and needs Amare to offer some other team for someone we really want.
I agree with the fact that if this trade were an option for The Suns, we would hear an announcement-not a rumor. The Suns are probably not liking what they’re being offered and are “leaking” this info to get some better offers.
However, if this is true, and The Blazers are offering up their best all around player, then there’s something else cooking here. Maybe a third team or perhaps a player who doesn’t know he’s being shopped (Nash anyone?).
In any case, as of right now, Phoenix is still in the playoff hunt and I don’t think they’d sell the farm to a conference rival-especially Portland. I think Portland’s looking for a wing like Jefferson, Butler, or Prince.
I know it’s fun, but let’s not fuel the fire that Phoenix started and stick to realistic trade scenarios, like Serg for Deron Williams. Now that could happen.
It’s gotta be a 3 team deal. Any thoughts on that Dwight?
I think it’s either with Detroit to get Prince and Maxiell to Ptown for Amare, Or with Washington to get Butler, Or to Toronto to get Bosh, or to CHI to get Deng/Hinrich.
I’m saying something involving RLEC to PHX for Amare to be traded onward.
First of all Dwight Janes has hated the Blazers for years. When he was at the Oregonian I used to get so pissed off at his articles that I wanted the paper to “Trade” Dwight Janes to another paper somewhere far from Portland. I think that a trade that would send L/A anywhere would be insane. He is a great young talent with the ability to become a exceptional player. I hope that all the trade rumors are just that, Rumors. I guess if the portland fans are impatient and just have to have someone to “take us over the top” Maybe we should trade Blake, Sergio and one of our abundant small forwards for Steve Nash now that would work for me. He is a class act and he would really help develope Bayless, but that will never happen so why dream about it. I personally like the young Blazers just the way they are and am more than willing to sit pat and watch them improve, In a couple of more years they will win it all anyway, so why mess with the roster now. and I really can’t stand Amare anyway.