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This is going to be a huge piece for us as we get close to the trade deadline.
http://www.columbian.com/article/200...1/blazerbanter
There is turning out to be some sad irony when it comes to Raef LaFrentz's injury.
For LaFrentz, the torn labrum in his right shoulder is a sad development for a guy who has been reduced to a benchwarmer after starting for most of his career, largely due to injuries. Two years ago, a nagging calf injury reduced LaFrentz's season to a mere 27 games. And in the midst of setting career lows for playing time (7.5 minutes), scoring average (1.7 ppg) and rebounds (1.7 rpg) last season, LaFrentz suffered the labrum tear that will sideline him for most of this season, if not all of it.
But for the Blazers, that injury has also turned LaFrentz into one of the most attractive trade assets on the market this season. When he was healthy, LaFrentz was already an attractive prize to teams looking to shed salary because of his expiring $12.7 million contract. But the injury adds another element: LaFrentz is insured against injury, and if he misses the first 41 games (which is almost certain) the Blazers, or whatever team he is traded to by that point, will start recouping 80 percent of his per-game salary for each additional game he misses.
So starting with game 42, LaFrentz's team would receive $124,122 back from his $155,152 per-game salary. That means a team that acquires LaFrentz before the 41st game (Jan. 19 vs. Milwaukee) could recoup as much as $5.1 million of whatever portion of LaFrentz's salary they take on in addition to gaining the benefits of his expiring contract. That's a combination that few other trade assets can match, so you can expect to hear a lot about LaFrentz as trade rumors begin to circulate.
Below is a game-by-game breakdown of how much the insurance could save teams.
Game Salary Owed if healthy Salary owed if injured Potential savings
Through
41 $6,361,250.04 $6,361,250.04 $0
42 $6,516,402.48 $6,392,280.53 $124,121.95
43 $6,671,554.92 $6,423,311.02 $248,243.90
44 $6,826,707.36 $6,454,341.51 $372,365.85
45 $6,981,859.80 $6,485,372 $496,487.80
46 $7,137,012.24 $6,516,402.49 $620,609.75
47 $7,292,164.68 $6,547,432.98 $744,731.70
48 $7,447,317.12 $6,578,463.47 $868,853.65
49 $7,602,469.56 $6,609,493.96 $992,975.60
50 $7,757,622 $6,640,524.45 $1,117,097.55
51 $7,912,774.44 $6,671,554.94 $1,241,219.50
52 $8,067,926.88 $6,702,585.43 $1,365,341.45
53 $8,223,079.32 $6,733,615.92 $1,489,463.40
54 $8,378,231.76 $6,764,646.41 $1,613,585.35
55 $8,533,384.20 $6,795,676.90 $1,737,707.30
56 $8,688,536.64 $6,826,707.39 $1,861,829.25
57 $8,843,689.08 $6,857,737.88 $1,985,951.20
58 $8,998,841.52 $6,888,768.37 $2,110,073.15
59 $9,153,993.96 $6,919,798.86 $2,234,195.10
60 $9,309,146.40 $6,950,829.35 $2,358,317.05
61 $9,464,298.84 $6,981,859.84 $2,482,4390
62 $9,619,451.28 $7,012,890.33 $2,606,560.95
63 $9,774,603.72 $7,043,920.82 $2,730,682.90
64 $9,929,756.16 $7,074,951.31 $2,854,804.85
65 $10,084,908.60 $7,105,981.80 $2,978,926.80
66 $10,240,061.04 $7,137,012.29 $3,103,048.75
67 $10,395,213.48 $7,168,042.78 $3,227,170.70
68 $10,550,365.92 $7,199,073.27 $3,351,292.65
69 $10,705,518.36 $7,230,103.76 $3,475,414.60
70 $10,860,670.80 $7,261,134.25 $3,599,536.55
71 $11,015,823.24 $7,292,164.74 $3,723,658.50
72 $11,170,975.68 $7,323,195.23 $3,847,780.45
73 $11,326,128.12 $7,354,225.72 $3,971,902.40
74 $11,481,280.56 $7,385,256.21 $4,096,024.35
75 $11,636,433 $7,416,286.70 $4,220,146.30
76 $11,791,585.44 $7,447,317.19 $4,344,268.25
77 $11,946,737.88 $7,478,347.68 $4,468,390.20
78 $12,101,890.32 $7,509,378.17 $4,592,512.15
79 $12,257,042.76 $7,540,408.66 $4,716,634.10
80 $13,963,719.60 $7,571,439.15 $6,392,280.45
81 $12,567,347.64 $7,602,469.64 $4,964,878
82 $12,722,500.08 $7,633,500.13 $5,088,999.95
This is going to be a huge piece for us as we get close to the trade deadline.
A team would have to deal for LaFrentz more than a month before the deadline.
After LA stole Gasol last year, teams aren't going to be in a rush to make any deals.
Also, Portland was playing for cap space. Are they willing to give that up? Lakers weren't taking that road and got Gasol.
If a team is out of contention and wants to play for 09 or 10 FA - they are the way to go.
A guy I could see in Portland is Vince Carter.
Miles might throw a wrench in these cap plans
We could deal LaFrentz for another player in the last year of his contract. The other team would get an 80% savings because of insurance and we would still get cap space next year. It's a perfect situation for us.
Name a player that is realistic.
Have fun trading Lafrentz for Iverson, Marbury, Vince Carter, or Wally Szcerbiak. Those are the players the Blazers could probably get. And they fit really well to what the Blazers are trying to do.
I think Carter would fit well. Give them a veteran proven scorer. The team D is already good and gives them another play maker. Roy, Vince, ?, Aldridge, Oden
Blazers need a mentally tough veteran. That's really it. Whether it comes as frontcourt help or backcourt help, they need someone who's been there and is still able to contribute nightly. I'm thinking a PF or C of some kind, since Pryzbilla is Pryzbilla, Frye is oft-injured, Oden is unproven and Aldridge is a face-up big. Maybe Haslem? Someone that can consistently rebound, play solid defense and score when given the opportunity.
It has to be tough for a players ego when the best thing about you is your salary cap usage. Remember when Ralf was part of the Mav's future.
Jealous much?Name a player that is realistic.
Have fun trading Lafrentz for Iverson, Marbury, Vince Carter, or Wally Szcerbiak. Those are the players the Blazers could probably get. And they fit really well to what the Blazers are trying to do.
Unless your team has more of theseJealous much?or has one more recently than my team, then no.
[/end your talk]
just a matter of a little more time...Unless your team has more of these
[/end your talk]
Why would the Portland owners give up and ending contract with the insurance sweetener for just an ending contract? Makes no sense. Then again, you're TLong.We could deal LaFrentz for another player in the last year of his contract. The other team would get an 80% savings because of insurance and we would still get cap space next year. It's a perfect situation for us.
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