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Pistons turned down a Prince for Boozer deal.
If they have, apologies. Summer fiddling, but these are guys who might actually be on the move...
Scenarion #1) Travis Outlaw - for Mahinmi and Finley.
Why for the Blazers?
a) They're ok at the 3 with Batum, Webster, Dante Cunningham, and Claver in the wings. Pritchard has called Dante Cunningham an Outlaw "clone" - is it necessary to have both on the roster?
b) Coming from the Spurs family, Pritchard may have an extra-appreciation for Mahinmi. One Western exec said Mahinmi had potential to be an all-star - could it have come from Portland?
c) If Finley retires by this trade, Portland would have even more cap space, enough to push them past the "matching point" for guys like Andre Miller or David Lee.
d) Despite Outlaw's success, I don't think Portland has ever really bought into him - see his struggles to gain the starting spot and playoff disappointment.
e) Pritchard has been stymied this whole summer, he's itching to make a move. Trading for a big with potential and cap space isn't a bad deal.
Why the Spurs do it?
a) He fills a hole. Outlaw provides great length and athleticism on the perimeter, something we lack. Let's wait til we see Haislip play one game in a Spurs uniform before we assume he can produce.
b) Outlaw is about as good a player as you can hope for coming off the bench. His name was thrown about for 6th MOY last year. Ginobili and Odom of course are the very rare exceptions.
c) We lose very little, arguably the 11th and 12th man on our bench for a legit 7th man.
Scenario #2) Rip Hamilton or Tayshaun Prince - for Mason, Bonner, Finley, and Mahinmi.
Why Detroit does it?
a) Gordon logjams SG, and Austin Daye, Summers, and Jerebko make Tayshaun expendible.
b) They're in "in-with-the-new, out-with-the-old" mode. They're building for the future, and Mahinmi is legit size in a now depleted front court.
Why the Spurs do it?
a) Rip is a major upgrade over Mason. Underrated, still with all-star talent. Hairston or Williams can log the few minutes on the wing remaining behind Manu, RJ and Rip. Or with Tayshaun, RJ can play some 2, similar solidification of the wing.
b) Blair, Haislip and Theo would have to hold down the front-court bench for a year until Splitter arrives. Of course, Oberto could be brought back for min salary as well.
c) The guys the Spurs are giving up may not have a future with the Spurs beyond this year anyway. Except Mahinmi, but that remains to be seen. And despite the RJ and Gasol trades, you can't always acquire an all-star caliber player for nothing.
Pistons turned down a Prince for Boozer deal.
Why would the Pistons trade Prince in the hopes of 3 unproven rookies?
With 13 guaranteed contracts (excludes Hairston and Williams), I can't see where any of the bubble/potential farm league guys are going to make the roster. It's just too deep. Maybe we see a 3 for 1 trade that creates a slot, but chances seem slim for Gist/Williams/Hairston/McClinton to be on the 2009 Spurs. I don't even consider posts with them in next seasons' plans credible, no offense.
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