Blazers looking for Point Guard Help first

by Tommy Dee on January 5th, 2009 at 10:39 pm

Just a thought: Would David Lee pass on free agency, accept the qualifying offer and cash in big with the Knicks in 2010? I say no because his agent and the Knicks have discussed an extension, which came and went, but it’s something to think about albeit highly doubtful.

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I’m still hearing the Blazers are still very interested in acquiring Lee, but it appears there will have to be a third team involved if they want to land the Knicks forward as (at this point) they are only shopping Travis Outlaw with the hopes of getting back a point guard, TKB has learned.

The Blazers are also rumored to be leery of the Darius Miles situation. If Miles plays in 9 more games with the Memphis Grizzlies, the Blazers would have to play the majority of his remaining $18 million and receive luxury tax implications. But Paul Allen is their owner.

It is no secret that Lee is an attractive piece to what the Blazers are building and they are absolutely all for adding the his depth and versatility to their line up, but it appears not as much as solidifying the point guard position.

The organization is happy with Steve Blake, who like Chris Duhon is a facilitator; but is better suited for a backup role. Blake has done well thus far averaging 11.6 points and 4.5 rebounds in 30 minutes of work, leading the Blazers to a 20-14 record and the 8th seed in the West.

Expectations are high in Portland and the organization maybe feeling it. The team is not that high on Sergio Rodriguez as Newsday reported a while back, but it is Outlaw, as well as the expiring contract of Raef Lafrentz,  that they are dangling and would prefer to get back a point guard in return. They are not happy with the dividends of sending Jarrett Jack in a package for Jerryd Bayless and Ike Diogu, as it has left them depleted at the point guard position. Bayless has proven to be more of a scoring guard and that’s not what coach Nate McMillan is asking of him and that has earned Bayless plenty of bench minutes. Diogu has had trouble cracking the 10-man rotation.

Earlier in the year the Blazers were apparently close to dealing Outlaw for Greg Oden’s old teammate’ Mike Conley, but one can assume talks broke down because Memphis still has high hopes for the former Ohio State standout.

It is doubtful that Memphis would fit as the third team along with the Knicks in any deal after the Zach Randolph fiasco this past summer.

Donnie Walsh does not have to move Lee and if he doesn’t all signs would point to him getting his extension or a long shot would be said qualifying offer. Walsh could go the sign-and-trade route, but aside from Carlos Boozer it’s not a very strong power forward free agent class and Lee has established himself as a top tier power forward who is lining up for a big pay day.

Lee has always said that his first choice is to stay here because he loves the fans and the city, but if the Blazers and Knicks can somehow bring in a third team to allow the Blazers to obtain a point guard to split with Blake and get Lee they’d be poised to make a serious playoff run. In return the Knicks would maximize on selling high on their former 30th overall pick.

Again, as we’ve said before there is still plenty of interest from the Blazers, if the pieces can somehow come together.
  • BiggieSmalls

    Great stuff Tommy.. Maybe there is a way to get them the PG help they need .. there are so many balls in the air//

    we have tons of chips ..I could see Malik, Lee and Tiny Tim moving to any number of places .. even Marbury can be dealt

    Toronto is looking to deal and we all know how much DW loves J.O.
    It makes sense if Coach D likes il Mago.

    Charlotte has plenty of matches for us

    LA and Golden State are desperate

    Denver too..

    possibilities abound. shake em up DW

  • DaJoka

    Only options I see out there for Portland to get a PG would be to involve a team like Phily (Miller), Charlotte (Felton)…after that, there are no other PG’s that Portland would consider an upgrade over Blake.

    If Portland wants Lee so bad, they may have to take this one on the chin. There are just not enough good PG’s on the market right now for them to be in demand of one.

  • http://theKnicksBlog.com Tommy Dee

    Doesn’t necessarily have to be an upgrade to blake but an upgrade on the bench. They miss Jack.

  • jcmoney

    I love the thought of Outlaw on the Knicks so much that I went to the trade machine a few days ago to try to make a concoction. He is not worth Lee though because he would duplicate a lot of Wilson Chandlers’ skills.

    I am really curious to see how Lee and Nates situation play out, it’d be a shame if we can’t get any real young talent out of them. No one seems to be really dangling anything.

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  • belikmike23

    What if the Knicks sign Darius Miles, then while attempting a trade with Portland threaten to play Miles in 9 games if the Knicks don’t get a great deal out of it? If Miles plays in 9 more games, Portland has to pay, because they got money back from when Miles filed for injury retirement a couple years back. If Miles is fit to play then Portland has to pay. Knicks could use that to their advantage. What do you think?

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