Scenario #3, Do You Do It?

[Bricklayer]

The Blazers are imploding. They are aging, guys are quitting on the coach, and they lack scoring depth off the bench. Two of their apparently available pieces look like the sort of thing that could help us. Ignoring everything else, would you basically do this?:

Hickson
Jimmer
Salmons

for

Wallace
Felton

with the foreknowledge btw that both Wallace and Felton have the ability to leave via free agency after the year if they don't like it here.

 

[rainmaker]

I'd do it. Wouldn't think twice.

 

[kingsnation]

I wouldn't accept this trade UNLESS they were guaranteed to resign. However, I would do EVERYTHING in my power to somehow get Lamarcus Aldridge. Which begs the question: Would Jimmer+JT+Hickson+Salmons+our 2012 1st rounder be enough to grab Lamarcus by himself? Because unless that pick is Davis, I do that in a heartbeat.

 

[BMiller52]

Meh I don't think Reke and Gerald are a good fit together. Not enough shooting. Realistically Jimmer is a good fit with Tyreke because Reke can handle the ball well enough so that Jimmer can be a PG, and Jimmer spaces the floor so Reke can drive like he does. I'm waiting for Smart to realize this. So if we're keeping Tyreke I would like to see them given a chance to gel together. If we're going to trade for a SF though, we need more shooting.

 

[Nighthawk1]

I'd do it. Wouldn't think twice.

Add me to that.

 

[ElRey]

I'd do it. Wallace can defend and hit the outside shot. He's a good compliment to Reke. I'd rather have Batum though

 

[Tetsujin]

Don't know if I would do it for Felton. I would almost prefer if we got a pick or two in his place

 

[Bricklayer]

I wouldn't accept this trade UNLESS they were guaranteed to resign. However, I would do EVERYTHING in my power to somehow get Lamarcus Aldridge. Which begs the question: Would Jimmer+JT+Hickson+Salmons+our 2012 1st rounder be enough to grab Lamarcus by himself? Because unless that pick is Davis, I do that in a heartbeat.

think their plan is to rebuild around Aldridge and Batum from here on out.

 

[Capt. Factorial]

Do it.

 

[The_Jamal]

Could you at least try and make a realistic deal? Hickson and Salmons have next to no value, and Jimmer's hype has become almost non-existent. Portland will probably ship pieces off, but they know they can get some serious value for their pieces. Not the junk on the 2nd worst team in the Western Conference

 

[The_Jamal]

I wouldn't accept this trade UNLESS they were guaranteed to resign. However, I would do EVERYTHING in my power to somehow get Lamarcus Aldridge. Which begs the question: Would Jimmer+JT+Hickson+Salmons+our 2012 1st rounder be enough to grab Lamarcus by himself? Because unless that pick is Davis, I do that in a heartbeat.

They wouldn't listen to any offer without DeMarcus in it for LA

 

[Bricklayer]

Could you at least try and make a realistic deal? Hickson and Salmons have next to no value, and Jimmer's hype has become almost non-existent. Portland will probably ship pieces off, but they know they can get some serious value for their pieces. Not the junk on the 2nd worst team in the Western Conference

the x-factor is that Paul Allen is looking to shed salary and wil be losing these players in about a month for no return. But this was more an investigation of what Kings fans would do than what the Blazers would do. Since we couldn't realistically give up any of the big 3 or that draft pick for guys who can leave in 6 weeks, I just threw in everything not tied dowmn. Feel free to add in a future #1 if it makes you feel better. Just an intellectual exercise.

 

[Prince_XY]

Hickson
Jimmer
Salmons

for

Wallace
Felton

with the foreknowledge btw that both Wallace and Felton have the ability to leave via free agency after the year if they don't like it here.

How can we say NO to this?

Are you kidding us?

Non-performing players like Salmons and Hickson gone in exchange for the return of the prodigal son and now a legit SF? I will even sweeten the deal by giving them the choice of taking IT or MT if they don't want Jimmer.

 

[CruzDude]

Hmmm. Two starters fm Blazers to go to bench for Kings? assuming current starters. Wallace in his 30's but good for 3-4 more yr at least. Felton for Jimmer. Double hmmm. Don't really see big enough improvement for Kings but better than first two scenarios. Wallace yes but no on Felton.

 

[Big Cuz 15]

i'd do this and wouldn't even blink. we get rid of salmons and JJ in the process!? 2 mistakes gone for a legit SF that doesn't need the ball to be effective. this would kill any shot at a high draft pick

 

[bajaden]

Yes, yes, and yes! You finally sucked me in. I'm a huge Gerald Wallace fan, and he's an instant fix for us at the SF spot. He's also one of the best rebounding SF's in the league as well as being a great defender. I'm willing to take a look at Felton, who is talented. He's still young at 26 years of age, and is averaging almost 7 assists a game against 2 turnovers a game. His biggest weakness is his outside shot at 32%. Hell he'd be one of our best shooters.

We rid ourselves of Salmons salary, Hickson is a non factor, and I would give them their choice of either Honeycutt or Jimmer, depending on their future needs. I like Jimmer and I think he's going to be a good player, but to get Wallace, who is only 29 years old by the way, its a no brainer for me. Wallace is one of those guys that does the little things that win you games.

I don't know why Portland would do this deal other than to shed salary, and start over. A sad end to what looked like a potential playoff team for some time to come. Maybe they have their own indian burial grounds.

 

[Krunker]

I'd do it but I think its more likely the Blazers deal Crawford since Petrie tried to land him last offseason and the Blazers apparently want to get rid of him now.

 

[BMiller52]

I'd do it but I think its more likely the Blazers deal Crawford since Petrie tried to land him last offseason and the Blazers apparently want to get rid of him now.

I hope not, the last thing we need is another gunning combo guard.

 

[twslam07]

I'd do it. Wallace can defend and hit the outside shot. He's a good compliment to Reke. I'd rather have Batum though

Correction Wallace can not shoot from outside. He is a poor long range shooter which is exactly what we do not need with Tyreke on the perimeter. You can survive with one poor 3 point shooter on the perimeter but having two makes it incredibly difficult to be successful.

On another note, considering we are giving up next to nothing for Wallace and Felton of course I would do this trade.

Giving up Hickson and Salmons is a reward. We don't have to play Hickson with his bad defense anymore and unload Salmons nasty contract. The only player that would be truly a loss in my eyes is Jimmer but I don't like players who are defensive liabilities so I wouldn't mind to see him leave at all.

In no way do I think Wallace or Felton are good fits for this team, but these players are much more valuable than Salmons, Hickson, and Jimmer. The way I see it we are trading insignificant pieces that do not fit on our team for much more valuable pieces that wouldn't fit on our team. I would rather have the the more valuable pieces for future trades.

 

[rainmaker]

Just thinking more about this, I think if it were to happen, you do everything possible to try to get Wallace to opt in for next year, and let Felton walk. I'd let Felton walk, and then turn all my attention to Hinrich. A pg like Hinrich who can play off the ball well and is a good spot up shooter would make more sense going forward with a Reke/Wallace wing combo. Also a great defender.

Then use our pick on a PF, cap space to round out our roster, and we're moving on up. Of course, one scenario of many.

 

[Bricklayer]

I should note here for purposes of the fantasy scenario, if ware pikcing up Felton AND Wallace, there's a good chance Wallace become our PF given Smart's proclivities, and Reke stays at the SF.

 

[bajaden]

Correction Wallace can not shoot from outside. He is a poor long range shooter which is exactly what we do not need with Tyreke on the perimeter. You can survive with one poor 3 point shooter on the perimeter but having two makes it incredibly difficult to be successful.

On another note, considering we are giving up next to nothing for Wallace and Felton of course I would do this trade.

Giving up Hickson and Salmons is a reward. We don't have to play Hickson with his bad defense anymore and unload Salmons nasty contract. The only player that would be truly a loss in my eyes is Jimmer but I don't like players who are defensive liabilities so I wouldn't mind to see him leave at all.

In no way do I think Wallace or Felton are good fits for this team, but these players are much more valuable than Salmons, Hickson, and Jimmer. The way I see it we are trading insignificant pieces that do not fit on our team for much more valuable pieces that wouldn't fit on our team. I would rather have the the more valuable pieces for future trades.

I agree and partially disagree. Wallace's outside shot has improved. I'd hardly call it great, but over the last four years he's averaging around 32% from the three. Fortunately he doesn't take that many of them. I think he'd fit in fine. Whatever inconvience he might be at times on offense, he more than makes up with all the little things he does. Here's the thing. He's one of the better SF's in the league. If you have a chance to aquire a top SF for very little in return, I don't think you spend too much time pondering it. Last time I looked, this team needed help. Whose going to tell me that Gerald Wallace isn't good enough to play on our team.

Not referring to you of course...

 

[rainmaker]

I should note here for purposes of the fantasy scenario, if ware pikcing up Felton AND Wallace, there's a good chance Wallace become our PF given Smart's proclivities, and Reke stays at the SF.

True. But it's also a fireable offense. Get a clear cut starting SF, and play him at PF, and the excuse of not having the necessary pieces to play a traditional lineup goes right out the window. It would also become even more obvious Smart doesn't have the intellect to play players at their positions of strength, and put them is a position to succeed.

This Smart scenario will go in one of two directions imo. We will either acquire a clear cut starting SF this week or this summer, and Smart will have to revise his small ball philosophy and prove he can coach a larger, more traditional lineup, OR, we'll get a clear cut starting SF, Smart will not change his philosophy(as I have zero confidence he knows another system to coach) and his exit will be that much nearer.

As an aside, if we were to do this deal, and Smart played Wallace at the 4, I'd wager Wallace opts out and doesn't consider returning.

 

[twslam07]

I agree and partially disagree. Wallace's outside shot has improved. I'd hardly call it great, but over the last four years he's averaging around 32% from the three. Fortunately he doesn't take that many of them. I think he'd fit in fine. Whatever inconvience he might be at times on offense, he more than makes up with all the little things he does. Here's the thing. He's one of the better SF's in the league. If you have a chance to aquire a top SF for very little in return, I don't think you spend too much time pondering it. Last time I looked, this team needed help. Whose going to tell me that Gerald Wallace isn't good enough to play on our team.

Not referring to you of course...

No where in my post did I say he is not good enough. I even said I would do the trade because of his value. However we need a SF to spread the floor, and Wallace is not a good 3 point shooter. We need a SF who will be able to age with our youngsters and still be able to produce when our guys hit their prime. when Evans is 27 and Cousins is 26 Wallace will be 34. How effective will a guy who relies on athleticism be at age 34?

You're probably looking short term which is fine. Wallace is definitely better than any small forward we have on our roster, but he is not an ideal fit for our team. What do we need out of that position? Defense, size, athleticism, and 3 point shooting. We need a SF who has that total package. It will help with the flow of our team. And by having a relatively young SF, he can be the long term solution to our problems. The more years our players can play together the better the chemistry and the quality of play will be.

 

[ParniValjak]

I should note here for purposes of the fantasy scenario, if ware pikcing up Felton AND Wallace, there's a good chance Wallace become our PF given Smart's proclivities, and Reke stays at the SF.

That is my concern as well but would still dothe deal in a heartbeat. Would be tough to give up on Jimmer this early but getting Wallace makes up for that!

 

[bajaden]

No where in my post did I say he is not good enough. I even said I would do the trade because of his value. However we need a SF to spread the floor, and Wallace is not a good 3 point shooter. We need a SF who will be able to age with our youngsters and still be able to produce when our guys hit their prime. when Evans is 27 and Cousins is 26 Wallace will be 34. How effective will a guy who relies on athleticism be at age 34?

You're probably looking short term which is fine. Wallace is definitely better than any small forward we have on our roster, but he is not an ideal fit for our team. What do we need out of that position? Defense, size, athleticism, and 3 point shooting. We need a SF who has that total package. It will help with the flow of our team. And by having a relatively young SF, he can be the long term solution to our problems. The more years our players can play together the better the chemistry and the quality of play will be.

Ahemmm! Did you read the last line I posted? I stated that I wasn't referring to you! Now, I'm not against aquiring a SF that can age with the team, and I would think we can do that through the draft, or possibly, freeagency. But everyone keeps saying we need veteran experience, and Wallace fills that need. He won't be 30 years old till next july, so he probably has 3 or 4 good years left in him, if not more. I don't have a crystal ball. So yeah, to some extent, I'm thinking short term, but I'd be willing to give him a 4 year deal for the right money. If a future SF can dispose him from the starting position, then he comes off the bench toward the end of the contract.

Now I agree that I would love to have a young, athletic, defending, good shooting SF. Unfortunately they don't grow on trees. In fact, there aren't many. There is one in the coming draft however, and he'll probably be available no matter where we pick, unless of course he explodes in the tournament, and his stock makes a huge jump. And thats Jeffery Taylor of Vanderbilt, who totally shut down Michael Gilchrist today.

 

[roasthawg]

Now I agree that I would love to have a young, athletic, defending, good shooting SF. Unfortunately they don't grow on trees. In fact, there aren't many. There is one in the coming draft however, and he'll probably be available no matter where we pick, unless of course he explodes in the tournament, and his stock makes a huge jump. And thats Jeffery Taylor of Vanderbilt, who totally shut down Michael Gilchrist today.

Jeff Taylor... I like it. NBA ready guy, perfect fit for a young team like ours.

 

[twslam07]

Ahemmm! Did you read the last line I posted? I stated that I wasn't referring to you! Now, I'm not against aquiring a SF that can age with the team, and I would think we can do that through the draft, or possibly, freeagency. But everyone keeps saying we need veteran experience, and Wallace fills that need. He won't be 30 years old till next july, so he probably has 3 or 4 good years left in him, if not more. I don't have a crystal ball. So yeah, to some extent, I'm thinking short term, but I'd be willing to give him a 4 year deal for the right money. If a future SF can dispose him from the starting position, then he comes off the bench toward the end of the contract.

Now I agree that I would love to have a young, athletic, defending, good shooting SF. Unfortunately they don't grow on trees. In fact, there aren't many. There is one in the coming draft however, and he'll probably be available no matter where we pick, unless of course he explodes in the tournament, and his stock makes a huge jump. And thats Jeffery Taylor of Vanderbilt, who totally shut down Michael Gilchrist today.

I've heard and read that Taylor isn't a very good 3 point shooter. Since you are the prospect I will leave you to comment on that.

Also if you believe he is the real deal and that he would be a great fit for us at SF, what would you have to say about trading for another mid-first rounder before the trade deadline and drafting a big man with our early first rounder and Taylor with our next first rounder?

Depending on where we land in the lottery we could have a lineup look like this:

Tyreke/Thomas/Fredette
Thornton/Salmons/Garcia
Taylor/Honeycutt/Outlaw
Robinson/Thompson/Hayes
Cousins/Whiteside

 

[Tetsujin]

Ahemmm! Did you read the last line I posted? I stated that I wasn't referring to you! Now, I'm not against aquiring a SF that can age with the team, and I would think we can do that through the draft, or possibly, freeagency. But everyone keeps saying we need veteran experience, and Wallace fills that need. He won't be 30 years old till next july, so he probably has 3 or 4 good years left in him, if not more. I don't have a crystal ball. So yeah, to some extent, I'm thinking short term, but I'd be willing to give him a 4 year deal for the right money. If a future SF can dispose him from the starting position, then he comes off the bench toward the end of the contract.

Now I agree that I would love to have a young, athletic, defending, good shooting SF. Unfortunately they don't grow on trees. In fact, there aren't many. There is one in the coming draft however, and he'll probably be available no matter where we pick, unless of course he explodes in the tournament, and his stock makes a huge jump. And thats Jeffery Taylor of Vanderbilt, who totally shut down Michael Gilchrist today.

COuple of mock drafts have us taking Taylor in the 2nd round. Not so sure if I see him around there anymore

 

[Capt. Factorial]

I've heard and read that Taylor isn't a very good 3 point shooter.

He's gotten A LOT better.
Soph: 0.3 att/g, 9.1%
Jun: 3.3 att/g, 34.5%
Sen: 4.3 att/g, 45.1%

I'm not nearly as expert as Baja, but I like the progression of those numbers.