Blazers interested in Raymond Felton

by James The Aussie on Jul 10, 2009 3:43 PM EDT Comment 16 comments

This comes from 'The Oregonian'

Other free agents the Blazers are believed to be talking to are power forward Brandon Bass, small forward Lamar Odom and point guard Raymond Felton. Millsap, however, has been identified as the team's top priority.

- The Oregonian

This is significant because with the Magic just signing Bass, if Millsap falls through the Bobcats would have a very, very tough time securing a deal with Felton if offered a contract by the Blazers who have a vast amount of cap room. Granted, it's an unlikely scenario, but the Cats would not be willing to match a long term, expensive offer for Felton that could put them into luxury.

This would leave the Cats with either having to lose Felton outright, or try and work a sign-and-trade with the Blazers if it came to it. Both, uneviable situations.

0 recs | Comment 16 comments |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

One nice thing about this, though...

Portland has a lot of affordable young talent who might come over in a theoretical sign-and-trade. Some of the kids they have blocked on their depth chart include: Bayless, Rodriguez, T. Outlaw, Webster, and Shav Randolph (who was surprisingly good in Philly pre-injury.)

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jul 10, 2009 3:58 PM EDT reply actions

That’s true Procton, I’m not sure why the Blazers are so down on Bayless, but they have been shopping for PGs ever since drafting him. I also see potential for a complicated 3 way trade going with New Orleans as the third, which could net us Tyson Chandler, the Blazers getting Felton and NO getting Outlaw, Webster or Rodriguez. Something else would have to be sent NOs way, but I see potential.

by James The Aussie on Jul 10, 2009 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Bayless isn't really a PG.

He has some playmaking skills, but he’s really just an SG who needs to play with the ball in his hands. And I apparently missed it, but Rodriguez is apparently no longer a Blazer. Traded on draft night.

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jul 10, 2009 5:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Have no fear...

Milsap signed Blazer’s offer tonight. Still not a done deal but the fans (at least) aren’t sold on Felton. What do you guys think? Would he be an asset to the Blazers?

"The Edge... there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who really know where it is are the ones who have gone over."

by GonzoFan on Jul 10, 2009 10:14 PM EDT reply actions

Portland fan here

I don’t see Felton as a huge upgrade over Blake and he certainly isn’t worth trading Outlaw, Webster or Fernandez.

by torsoheap on Jul 11, 2009 10:37 AM EDT reply actions

If they are happy with Blake...

there wouldn’t be as much noise about them acquiring a true PG. Between working for trades to possibly get Hinrich from Chicago, and interest in the Bulls I think it’s pretty clear they want an upgrade.

Felton is a pretty solid upgrade over Blake in all areas: ppg, ast, stl, reb. He doesn’t shoot the three as well but Larry lit a fire under him and only now are we starting to see his potential when properly coached.

The Jazz are trying to do anything to match the Blazers offer, which is why they’re working the phones to move Boozer and clear some cap room. But I thin the proposed trade that would land the Bulls Boozer and Bayless, the Jazz Tyrus Thomas and Blazers getting Kirk Hinrich is stalling as each team doesn’t really want to give up their player (sans the Jazz).

by James The Aussie on Jul 11, 2009 12:03 PM EDT reply actions

He's better than Blake, but I don't know if Felton is the right PG for them...

Felton demands the ball and will jack it up at any time. That’s a bad trait for a PG almost anywhere, but it’s not quite as bad here in Charlotte where there aren’t any great scorers. In Portland, the PG needs to defer to guys like Roy, Aldridge, and Outlaw when he’s in the game. All are better and more efficient scorers than Felton. You are right about the Millsap deal. I don’t know if he really fits in in Portland with their current personnel, but Utah’s still not going to let him get away without trying their damnedest to keep him.

Finally, would you remind me what it is that Felton’s improved in since Brown came? His stats, both rate and raw, are about the same as they were under any other coach. He still takes way too many shots at a low percentage and makes too many careless turnovers.

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jul 11, 2009 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Felton demands the ball and will jack it up at any time. That’s a bad trait for a PG almost anywhere, but it’s not quite as bad here in Charlotte where there aren’t any great scorers

Isn’t possible that Felton jacks the ball up all the time because there are not any great scorers on this team. It would be interesting to see what kind of PG he would be when surrounded by better scorers

by rtgunn on Jul 13, 2009 3:20 AM EDT up reply actions

I don't really think it matters.

He shouldn’t be leading ANY team in shots, because he can’t shoot. Good PGs set up their teammates and make them better, and he’s somehow never grasped that because he’s too busy thinking he’s the next Ben Gordon.

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jul 13, 2009 9:04 AM EDT up reply actions

he's not better than Blake for the Blazer's

absolutely no way the Blazer’s trade for him. They want defense, efficient offense, an off-the-ball player… and so on. The Blazers could use Felton’s speed… but it’s not that necessary. As a Blazer fan that wants a different PG than Blake, IMO Blake is better in just about every way.

by neilan on Jul 16, 2009 8:17 AM EDT up reply actions

This.

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jul 16, 2009 8:51 AM EDT up reply actions

All I know is I do not want to see Felton leave espicially now! Most if not all of the good free agents have been grapped up and that leaves up needing another pg. I dont think there are any other quality pg free agents.

www.twitter.com/jmiller112

by jmiller112 on Jul 14, 2009 3:37 PM EDT reply actions