Dalembert

[George O'Brien]

If you want to look at rebound stat lets look at what Marion was doing before Amare arrived. He was averaging around 9.5-10 rebounds a game. When Amare started collecting 9 rebounds a game Marions numbers declined a little. There are only some many rebounds to go around in a game. The numbers for Theo may be a bit misleading because in Portland's offense he was out a the free throw line setting picks, limiting his opportunities to get offensive rebounds. If Marion is gone Amare rebound numbers will probably go up and if we can consistently get 7.2 from Theo, it is probably a wash.

You say that Theo is a stringbean just because of weight, well you must not have seen on TV. His build is very similar to McDyess, he has got some guns. He may be only 235 but it is all muscle.

If we trade for him this year then he will cost us 10M, I see the potential to resign him next year at something closer to 7M for 3 or 4 years. That's why I would like to have him in our camp this year so that resigning next year would most likely be easier.

Like I said I would not object to trading Marion for him because I see a lot redundancy in Marion and JJ. If we sign Brent Barry then I would say that we definitely make the Marion-Ratliff deal.

Ratliff has never been a dominant rebounder. He's a bit above average, but his max was 8.3 (2000-2001) and has a career average of only 6.4 rpg.

In any case, I see no possible way that Portland deals Ratliff for Marion. They think they will resign Ratliff and have the money to do it.

 

[coloradosun]

Everyone thinks that they can sign there own free agents, but in the new era of the NBA the player has control. T-Mac, Kobe, Kenyon Martin.

George

If you've got some articles that have quotes from the Trail Blazers or Theo Ratliff that say this, I will formally give up on my trade demands for Theo and I will never mention his name again.

 

[George O'Brien]

Everyone thinks that they can sign there own free agents, but in the new era of the NBA the player has control. T-Mac, Kobe, Kenyon Martin.

George

If you've got some articles that have quotes from the Trail Blazers or Theo Ratliff that say this, I will formally give up on my trade demands for Theo and I will never mention his name again.

It will take forever to find them but the Oregonian wrote a couple of times just how much the Blazers like Ratliff. In any case, the one thing the Blazers don't need is another SF. They are certain to be shopping at least one if not two of the guys they already have.

Blazers are willing to wait on Russians

"Nash said he plans to follow through with his promise of trading a frontcourt player this summer to alleviate the logjam at small forward, which includes Darius Miles, Ruben Patterson, Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Qyntel Woods and Travis Outlaw. Many expect the player traded to be Abdur-Rahim, but more and more, Nash and coach Maurice Cheeks are talking about Abdur-Rahim as if they are counting him in their future plans. "

 

[coloradosun]

All I remember is that we had tried to pry away Ratliff from the Hawks at the trading deadline last year, I would hope that we don't give up the pursuit. As I mentioned before, there was an offer to Sabonis last year to bring him back. He is worshiped by the franchise and the city, if he does come back, the Blazers would be more likely to move Theo than finding a taker for Dale Davis.

 

[George O'Brien]

Ratliff will be unrestricted free agent next year. One reason for not overpaying a player this year would be to have the cap space next year.

One alternative is to take on guys with only one year on their contract. In that Portland is likely to be heavy into the trade market this year, I would love to figure out a way to send them Eisley and some cap space for Dale Davis. His contract expires next year, so it would free up the space for free agency.

Why would Portland do it? If they need the $2.6 million in cap difference they might be interested and the do need a veteran backup PG (I don't see Telfair getting a lot of minutes next season). I'm not sure I would give up a draft pick in this deal, but I would really love to get rid of Eisley's contract of $6.9 million for next season and DD would be a great short term solution.

Another scenerio would be if cap was at $45, giving the Suns $17 million: the Suns got Brent Barry for $5.5 million and Dice for $2.5 (total of $8, that would leave $9 million straight up for Davis. What does Portland do it? Because they get the trade exemption and not have to do three or four way trades. In that Portland currently has $70 million in salaries, they might just want to reduce their luxury tax.

Why do the Suns do it? Because Davis solves a short term problem and comes off cap next season.

 

[coloradosun]

Ratliff will be unrestricted free agent next year. One reason for not overpaying a player this year would be to have the cap space next year.

One alternative is to take on guys with only one year on their contract. In that Portland is likely to be heavy into the trade market this year, I would love to figure out a way to send them Eisley and some cap space for Dale Davis. His contract expires next year, so it would free up the space for free agency.

Why would Portland do it? If they need the $2.6 million in cap difference they might be interested and the do need a veteran backup PG (I don't see Telfair getting a lot of minutes next season). I'm not sure I would give up a draft pick in this deal, but I would really love to get rid of Eisley's contract of $6.9 million for next season and DD would be a great short term solution.

Another scenerio would be if cap was at $45, giving the Suns $17 million: the Suns got Brent Barry for $5.5 million and Dice for $2.5 (total of $8, that would leave $9 million straight up for Davis. What does Portland do it? Because they get the trade exemption and not have to do three or four way trades. In that Portland currently has $70 million in salaries, they might just want to reduce their luxury tax.

Why do the Suns do it? Because Davis solves a short term problem and comes off cap next season.

If I remember correctly both Davis and Ratliff have identical contracts both are 10M and change and one year left. That is one reason that I kind of targeted Theo. If we acquire him and he works out great we could resign more easily and let the market dictate his value next summer. If the price is too high let him go, but at least we could match or better any offer. If your proposal of cap space and Eisley is important to them then maybe we could do the very same but with Theo instead of DD. I read the rumors that Sabonis might come back, that was another reason that I targeted Theo, I don't think that he would return to come off the bench, that's where they would keep DD.

Maybe Eisley and Voskuhl and cap or Eisley and Vroman and cap.

Just read a article on an oregonlive.com a Blazer blog from the Chicago Tribune by Sam Smith, it was just a proposal

SAR
DD

for

Pippen
Antonio Davis
Eddie Curry

article states that the Blazers would have to get back in balance after this deal and move Theo. I don't have much creadance in this but the only trade scenerio out there that would make Ratliff expendable.

 

[George O'Brien]

If I remember correctly both Davis and Ratliff have identical contracts both are 10M and change and one year left. That is one reason that I kind of targeted Theo. If we acquire him and he works out great we could resign more easily and let the market dictate his value next summer. If the price is too high let him go, but at least we could match or better any offer. If your proposal of cap space and Eisley is important to them then maybe we could do the very same but with Theo instead of DD. I read the rumors that Sabonis might come back, that was another reason that I targeted Theo, I don't think that he would return to come off the bench, that's where they would keep DD.

Maybe Eisley and Voskuhl and cap or Eisley and Vroman and cap.

Just read a article on an oregonlive.com a Blazer blog from the Chicago Tribune by Sam Smith, it was just a proposal

SAR
DD

for

Pippen
Antonio Davis
Eddie Curry

article states that the Blazers would have to get back in balance after this deal and move Theo. I don't have much creadance in this but the only trade scenerio out there that would make Ratliff expendable.

Obviously if they picked up another center it would change things, but he was the key to that deal that sent Wallace. If they wanted cap space, they would have just let Wallace walk this summer and bought tickets to the Lakers - Pacers games.

As I said before, I think the Blazers are intent on re-signing Ratliff and I don't see where the Suns have anything they are willing to give up that would change their mind. By contrast, there is no doubt that they would like to move Dale Davis even though he can still play due to his his age and salary.

 

[coloradosun]

They did draft the 7-3 Korean, Ha. From what I've read about him, he is a project but may turn out to be something. I do put very little merit in this but Yao had some praise for this kid. He did work out for the Nuggets and out performed David Harrison.

 

[Bada0Bing]

Don't give up on "Dalembert" he is a perfect fit for the Suns. Come on Sarver, make it happen!