Raef LaFrentz’s Contract Is Available
As the Portland Trail Blazers sit atop the Northwest Conference with a 15-7 record, they are the only team outside of Cleveland still undefeated at home. Allowing only 93.3 points per game, good enough for fourth best in the Western Conference, Kevin Pritchard is still not satisfied.
Let me rephrase. Kevin Pritchard knows the Blazers can do better. As many teams are looking to get under the salary cap, the Trail Blazers realize that they have a large bargaining chip at their disposal in the expiring contract of Raef LaFrentz.
LaFrentz, you’ll recall, is out for the season following shoulder surgery, and is sitting on a $12.7 million expiring contract. The question now becomes whether or not the Blazers would prefer to wait until this summer and lure a free agent, or cash in the contract now and find someone to help them in what is clearly going to be a playoff run.
If you’re the Blazers, do you wait until summer or cash in now?
Source: Hoopsworld
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December 8th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
fallinup (What Would Charles Oakley Do?) says:
It’s gonna be Christmas in Portland when Raef gets a taker. $12.7 mil is about 4-5 knicks players.
December 8th, 2008 at 10:09 pm
JCARR says:
Wait until the summer… whos out there now (free agency)?
December 8th, 2008 at 10:23 pm
Trevor Arreza says:
man if the blazers get an strong upgrade at the 1 and 3 spots, they will be contending.
December 8th, 2008 at 10:26 pm
kobeef says:
Cash in now.
Raef for Mike Miller
PG – Roy
SG – Miller
SF – Outlaw
PF – Aldridge
C – Oden
December 8th, 2008 at 11:00 pm
mules says:
if they can get a solid veteran pg (someone like Anthony Carter maybe) it might be a decent move. Blake’s playing well enough now but their team is mad young and some veteran leadership could definietly help them out come playoff time and some more depth at the one wouldn’t hurt (Roy is better suited to play at the 2).
December 8th, 2008 at 11:05 pm
majerle says:
they should look to make a deal with the bobcats. felton or wallace. package him with outlaw since webster just came back. id rather 12 mil off the book and travis outlaw then the minny deal posted earlier.
December 8th, 2008 at 11:08 pm
EZ says:
they need a pf. aldridge is way overrated.
December 9th, 2008 at 12:36 am
Richard Wellner says:
He’s a good looking man.
December 9th, 2008 at 7:15 am
the rocket cat says:
I think Portland is probably in a better position to build their team through trades. They’ve got lots of cap space for the future, but I just don’t think any of the big-name free agents want to go to Portland.
December 9th, 2008 at 9:22 am
MSkittle says:
They must be happy they don’t have to pay Darius Miles’ contract this year!
December 9th, 2008 at 9:26 am
karizmatic says:
Just wait until the summer and see what shakes out in free agency.
December 9th, 2008 at 10:25 am
rell says:
The Clippers are losing and since Dunvaley and Diddy are not on the same page trade him to Portland for LaFrentz and Outlaw.
December 9th, 2008 at 10:35 am
George W Kush Sr says:
It would make sens to get a vet PG, but not Carter, Diddy is in the class of PG that they need but I dont know if Pritchard wants him.
I would actually suggest either Hinrich or Nocioni. Hinrich can play PG or SG, depending on the need, would fit in good backing up or in the starting rotation. Price tag $10 Mil.
Noc is a strong SF who plays aggresive D. He’s one of those guys who love having on your side. He will definetly provide some rugged personality to this young Blazer squad, a huge PLUS in the playoffs. Price tag $8 Mil.
December 9th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
Celts Fan says:
Raef and one or 2 of their 55 3s for Crash?
December 9th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
matthew says:
I think Portland is pretty happy with their team. One of the changes in the organization is the end of the SPAM tactic(Spending Paul Allen’s Money). Portland’s has a lot of guys that could command big bucks when they’re up for a new contract soon, and my guess is unless they’re really offered a chance at someone like Billups or Kidd, they’ll let it expire and keep the savings.
December 9th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
matthew says:
To clarify my post: I don’t think the Blazers are going to mess with their chemistry and the possible savings of that contract to bring in a Nocioni or Hinrich or Mike Miller mid-season to play for 12 minutes a game.
Are they a perfect team? Of course not. But their weaknesses at the 1 and 3 are exaggerated; with Blake and Sergio having career years, Batum playing well, Webster coming back from injury, and McMillan often running a sharp shooting 3-guard lineup with Blake, Roy and Rudy.