Jul 08 2009
Millsap PLZ
Last week, so long ago during that horrible Turkoglu ordeal, this blog ran a post which included a long list of guys that would be better fits on the team. Let’s review it, just to see where we are relative to then, and what is available to us.
Mike Bibby
Leon Powe
Raymond Felton
Brandon Bass
Jason Kidd
Birdman Andersen
Antonio McDyess
Rasheed Wallace
Trevor Ariza
Lamar Odom
Ramon Sessions
David Lee
Andre Miller
Paul Millsap
As you can see, there are very few people left, and realistically speaking, there are only about four names left from the ones that are left: Ramon Sessions, David Lee, Paul Millsap, and Brandon Bass. Our PF questions can be answered through free agency, and our PG of the future will have to be had through trades. Still, Sessions would be a dream player, because this team could use the poor man’s Chris Paul/the lower middle class man’s Devin Harris.
Okay, I’m tired of beating around the bush: we’re interested in Millsap and Millsap is interested in us. This guy is the dream backup for the Blazers. He is one of the most tenacious rebounders in the league and is totally fearless on the court. He’ll bring the Blazers their first tenacious underdog since Brian Grant. If we sign him, prepare for the team’s new fan favorite.
The only hindrance to all of this going through is the money. Is it really worth it to drop 8 million dollars per year on a backup power forward? Will the money placate him into accepting a backup role despite the fact that he’s a young borderline all-star? Honestly, at this point, LaMarcus Aldridge is only barely better than Millsap. To put the two on the same team may hurt both of them. Would it be worthwhile to pay 8 mil to a guy getting 20 minutes per game? Then again, we’ll be paying 9 mil to a guy playing zero minutes per game. It just comes down to Millsap himself. If he’s willing to sublimate his ego in favor of his checkbook in order to play for a better team (and the Blazers are better than the Jazz), then the Blazers will be a damn scary team to play against next season. Let’s keep on hoping guys.
