Subscribe Feed (RSS)Sam Smith, who has retired from the Chicago Tribune, is now writing a column for the Website of the team he covered for many years, the Chicago Bulls. In this installment (way down at the end), Sam’s reporting that the Trail Blazers have offered Travis Outlaw for Memphis point guard (and old Greg Oden teammate) Mike Conley. Sam seems to think that’s not enough to get Conley but I’d say it’s more than enough.
Conley hasn’t played a minute during the fourth quarters of his team’s last two games. The coaching staff in Memphis seems to favor Kyle Lowry at crunch time. And Memphis won’t take Travis Outlaw — a guy who beat the Grizzlies in Memphis at the buzzer last season – for a point guard the coaches won’t use in the fourth quarter?
By the way, maybe this is why Travis was pushed into the starting lineup at the last minute ahead of Nicolas Batum. Was it showcase time?
Tags: Dwight Jaynes, Greg Oden, Memphis Grizzlies, Mike Conley, Nicolas Batum, Portland Trail Blazers, Sam Smith, Travis Outlaw
At this point, I think I’d do it. We would be thin at the 3 spot until Martel returns, but I really don’t see a long-term spot for Travis on this team - we should have moved him at the deadline last year or over the summer when his value had peaked.
We’re getting killed defensively at the 1 spot. If Conley can play reasonable defense and run the fast break and half court offenses, it’s a no-brainer. Throw in a pick if need be, or a guy like Ike or something.
If this deal happens, it will probably include Sergio Rodriguez and a little stack of Paul Allen’s chips… Sergio is already a borderline malcontent with his situation in Portland — the deal works fine under the ESPN Trade Machine and Memphis is only carrying 14, so they can go 2-for-1 without cutting anyone…
Doug: Per the Trade Machine, Ike can’t be traded for 3 months or until Dec. 15, whichever comes later.
Blazers do have lots of extra picks to spend, but they are the highlight of KP’s life, so he’ll be frugal with those, I think — although I speculate that due to the stacked roster he might be amenable to trading a current pick for a future pick, or some such thing.
But the Grizz like MONEY at this point, and the Blazers have more of that than anyone else…
Rudy for Conley is a bad trade for the Blazers, let alone Rudy, plus Batum, plus Frye, plus LaFrentz. New website, same ol’ Sam.
Rudy and Batum aren’t going anywhere.
I would do this trade in a second and throw in steve blake too
I like what KP is thinking with Conley… Outlaw is a nice player but he does not fit this defensive minded team that is trying to be created.. Oden and Conley have been playing together for a long time, fire up oden MAKE THIS DEAL HAPPEN
If the blazers trade Outlaw for a pigeon, I’ll be ecstatic. If we can put together a package that includes Outlaw and picks up Conley? I’d wet myself.
My first choice would be to package Outlaw, Bayless plus Raef’s expiring (and insured) contract for Tony Parker. He’s only 26 and has proven he can win championships. He is a winner. Heck, throw in a draft choice next year if you have to. It makes sense for San Antonio because they can start to rebuild with two or three talented and young players, but especially with cap savings to pursue a quality free agent. They’re not winning any more championships with this crew, that much is clear already this season. Of course it makes sense for Portland - I don’t have to elaborate. It even make sense for Outlaw, who loves the South and would be closer to home. And Bayless would get a chance to start right away and develop into the player he can be.
That aside, I love Conley…always have. He can certainly defend and distribute. He’s very quick. Conley would be my second choice.
I would be soo incredibly stoked if this happened! What a story too - high school, then college, then the NBA together. He’s definitely an upgrade over what we have already, and he know’s Oden better than anyone. Love it, make it happen KP!
Travis makes too many turnovers Blazers barely even use him. Conley would be a great choice. Get rid of Sergio and maybe even Blake and give Conley and Bayless some time! TRADE TRADE TRADE!
How about Travis for Kevin Love instead? (…fine, shoot me)