Trading Raef All Over Again

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Trading Raef All Over Again

Written by wendell maxey

Wednesday, 22 July 2009 00:19

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The most popular player for the Blazers all of last season was out of site but never out of mind.

He never suited up. Never played. Never sat on the bench. Instead, Raef LaFrentz was back on his farm in Iowa nursing his bummed shoulder while making trips to Portland every now and again to have the injury evaluated by team officials.

Yet die-hards and the media alike talked about LaFrentz between a lot and daily, especially in early February when it mattered most.

So why not talk about him now?

You could argue Portland’s offseason troubles – failing to land a key free agent as of yet – started way back at the trade deadline. Maybe if the Blazers had moved Raef’s hefty expiring contract back then, they could have acquired the kind of player they are so desperately chasing by now.

The offers were there. Names floated around like crazy – and I’m not talking about Shaq either.

Perhaps Portland would have secured the back-up power forward, the point guard, or the small forward they urgently seek this summer had they pulled the trigger way back in February when the getting was good.

You never know.

Even if the Blazers weren’t interested in keeping their return from trading Raef’s expiring contract, it would at least give Portland one more carrot to dangle on the open market these days. Consider this: Richard Jefferson and Vince Carter were reportedly – in separate deals of course - offered in exchange for Raef’s expiring contract.

Both of those guys were traded on draft night. Both of those guys drew an interesting return (are you telling me the Blazers wouldn’t benefit from a Kurt Thomas or Bruce Bowen?). Both draw more calls from around the league say than Travis Outlaw or Steve Blake.

Even if Portland weren’t interested in keeping a player like Jefferson or Carter past a three or four month period, they would have paid dividends.

But those are just two names out of many.

If only Portland would have traded Raef.

pic via: o-live again

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Comments (9) Add Comment

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written by hg, July 22, 2009

I was under the impression that to get Jefferson we would have to give up Batuum. Straight accross for Raif's contract would have been different..

The fan's never know's what goes on behind closed doors.

If we had traded then would we have a space cap now?

hg

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written by KINGofMACct, July 22, 2009

Carter or Jefferson would not interest me, especially considering the fact that we would have to pay their salaries. Who knows, there may have been other players available that would be a better fit, but at what cost?

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written by wmaxey, July 22, 2009

that's the thing hg.....

the most interesting deals at the tradedeadline or the ones that don't get done. gm's hear it all and inquire about anything and everything.

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written by wmaxey, July 22, 2009

what's up king....

i guess for me, it comes down to what could you get in return for a player when you move him - can you get your needs filled instead of receiving a want in a deadline deal.

you at least have one more asset to put on the table for gm's to bite on. the tough part is hoping they bite.

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written by hg, July 23, 2009

wmaxey: You said to come here to get the NBA scoop. could you comment on this blog.

Heard from Jason Quick that KP's advisors are saying sit on your hands.Word around the league is that KP has tried to make VERY uneven trades perhaps insulting others intelligence.He has recoiled and feels stung. He's keeping things EVEN CLOSER to the vest. He feels frustrated that he didn't nave the support of ownership when it came to negotiating Brandon's and LMA's contract. It's also his first adversity. Yahoo has more Bayless being dangled as trade material,also.Holy Crap! IT"S getting interesting in P-town . I'm still chillin, though. KP is a smart cookie. I still can't wait to see how the offseason pans out. Generally most teams have their rosters and have kinda closed shop around August 1st. ten days or so to talk it up. Blazers Rock

Another blogger just wrote my prayers goes to Luke, but I can't find anything about him.

hg

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written by wmaxey, July 23, 2009

let me start with your last comment first....in regards to coach maurice lucas who has been battling some health issues of late.

he took some time away from the team late last season, but i did get a chance to see him during one of my trips out to the practice facility not to long ago. was good to see him. he certainly has lost some weight and the health concerns are on everyones mind within the organization.

without getting to detailed about it, please do keep him in your prayers.

as for pritchard, this is by far his most difficult offseason as general manager. haven't spoken to him about being "frustrated" or feeling as if he doesn't "have the support of ownership" so i would prefer not to venture a guess there.

what i can say is kevin works year round to better the blazers. it's not just during the draft and free agency. there is no offseason. so if that means taking his time making a move or extending contract extensions, the choice is his.

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written by Odenator, July 23, 2009

Hey W-

In addition to not getting anything for Raef's contract, I also see the following as SNAFU's from the Blazers:

1. Cutting D-Miles instead of rehabbing and trade him.
2. Threatening teams when D-Miles was coming back.
3. Letting Frye walk for nothing.

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written by hg, July 23, 2009

That is what I believed it was to be. Just Rumors.

I did not think there was any rebelion going on.

I know what Luke's health problem is, I just wanted to know if anything has changed.

Thank you for your response sir.

hg

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written by wmaxey, July 24, 2009

what's up odenator....

perhaps they could have avoided your first two points by not even bringing miles to town in the first place.

as for frye, the blazers didn't let him walk. channing didn't show enough last season to convince him he was worth the cause or money. if so, there is no doubt frye would still be in portland.

thanks for getting at me.

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