Rasheed Wallace

[kg_veteran]

Dan, I think you're getting greedy. It's going to be hard enough to convince Portland to swallow Tariq's contract; no way they also take on Najera and Fortson, too. That's an additional four years a piece on those guys.

[Dirkenstien]

Dallas trades: SF Antawn Jamison (15.8 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 1.0 apg in 30.1 minutes)
SF Tariq Abdul-Wahad (15.8 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 1.0 apg in 30.1 minutes)
SF Eduardo Najera (3.3 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 0.4 apg in 13.7 minutes)
PG Tony Delk (6.6 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 0.8 apg in 16.3 minutes)
Dallas receives: SF Rasheed Wallace (16.8 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 2.7 apg in 38.6 minutes)
C Dale Davis (6.4 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 1.5 apg in 29.3 minutes)
Change in team outlook: -2.5 ppg, +2.0 rpg, and +2.0 apg.

Portland trades: SF Rasheed Wallace (16.8 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 2.7 apg in 38.6 minutes)
C Dale Davis (6.4 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 1.5 apg in 29.3 minutes)
Portland receives: SF Antawn Jamison (15.8 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 1.0 apg in 38 games)
SF Tariq Abdul-Wahad (15.8 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 1.0 apg in 38 games)
SF Eduardo Najera (3.3 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 0.4 apg in 28 games)
PG Tony Delk (6.6 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 0.8 apg in 29 games)
Change in team outlook: +2.5 ppg, -2.0 rpg, and -2.0 apg.

TRADE ACCEPTED


this also works..and if we throw in a future first rounder i think they would atleast be tempted to bite.

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally posted by: kg_veteran

What does this have to do with whether the salaries match or not?

cap issues

[kg_veteran]

Originally posted by: EricaLubarsky

cap issues

That answer doesn't make any sense.

[EricaLubarsky]

I missed part of that original post so I thought he was proposing that they take TAW off out hands for a 1st round pick which would have been a cap issue.

[Poindexter Einstein]

I think Najera is the type of guy you dont want to trade. Because he has more value here than his "perceived value" around the league. Nellie likes him, and he makes meaningful contributions. Whereas, another team that gets him sees him as a liability and demands you give them something they like just to take Najera off your hands.

So in a trade, if you give away Najera PLUS a #1, from Dallas side you gave up two good things. From the other side, they received one good thing (#1 pick) plus one bad thing (Najera/contract) and thus they dont owe you anything back of any value. Giving Najera-plus-#1 while getting Nothing isnt a deal you want to make.

[grndmstr_c]

It's debatable how much Najera is worth to us given his struggles this year, but you're right that his inclusion in addition to TAW would almost certainly scare Portland off.

[Poindexter Einstein]

Originally posted by: grndmstr_c
It's debatable how much Najera is worth to us given his struggles this year.....

I agree that Najera has struggled due to injuries. The question is, does Nellie see him as a possible contributor, or not, going forward? If not, then yes he should be moved. But my GUESS is that Nellie still sees him as one who will be a vital role player here once the injuries ease up a bit (and if that is accurate, then there is no way you get true value for him in a trade, you are way better just to keep him)

[XERXES]

I'm trying to find it online - but supposedly, Oregon Live is reporting that a deal IS on the table...

[V]

OregonLive hosts a Blazers discussion forum... you have to sort through all sorts of bs ... but they usually post news as soon as it hits the airwaves ... I checked & there is no new news on 'Sheed (outside of a Detroit rumor involving Okur, others, & picks whick was debunked)

OregonLive

[Poindexter Einstein]

You can trade, no matter how far over or under the cap you are, as long as the current salaries that you get back are about the same (or less) as the ones you send away.

[kg_veteran]

Originally posted by: Poindexter Einstein
You can trade, no matter how far over or under the cap you are, as long as the current salaries that you get back are about the same (or less) as the ones you send away.

If you're over the cap, the salaries have to be within the confines of the collective bargaining agreement.

If you're under the cap, you can take on as much salary as you want up to the point where you're at the cap.

Thus, if a team was $5 million under the cap, they could trade a player with a $5 million contract for a player with a $10 million contract.

[V]

Hell yes

[Nash13]

That would be a marriage proposal deal. Any deal that gets Wahad out of Dallas will win my heart.


Does this officially count as Dallas media on the trade?

[Poindexter Einstein]

If you do that deal, dont you demand that Wallace is FIRST inked to that 3-yrs-for-$30m extension? Then when you get him, you know you wont have to worry about losing him to free agency. Disaster would be to send Jamison to Portland and then in 6 months have nothing to show for it.

[twelli]

if jamison really goes, who is going to be our 6th man of the year candidate? who is coming off the bench when starting a game with a real center (not dirk)?

[mavs413]

Originally posted by: twelli
if jamison really goes, who is going to be our 6th man of the year candidate? who is coming off the bench when starting a game with a real center (not dirk)?

With Dirk at Center
G - Nash
G - Finley
F - Walker
F - Wallace
C - Dirk
6th Man - Howard
Without Dirk at Center
G - Nash
G - Finley
F - Wallace
F - Dirk
C - Bradley/Fortson
6th Man - Walker
But, I think that if Wallace is aquired, we may not ever start a true center. Only sub one in (Bradley) to stop a layup drill.

[MightyToine]

I still say this trade won't happen.


(and I'm not betting any of my hard-earned money on it, OP)

[V]

Coach Maurice Cheeks gives the struggling Blazers the day off as teams show a renewed interest in working a swap with Portland

01/17/04

JASON QUICK

A whirlwind 24 hours of confusion, uncertainty and secrecy have passed with the Trail Blazers, during which a lot of action has resulted in little to no results.

After an eventful Thursday that included general manager John Nash and coach Maurice Cheeks meeting with Rasheed Wallace, and a closed-door meeting during that night's game among owner Paul Allen, president Steve Patterson and Nash, Friday appeared to mark the makings of a shakeup to a team that has lost seven of eight.

But the plot only thickened Friday afternoon when Nash said a trade is not in the foreseeable future, perhaps a result of what Nash called a renewed interest by teams who are contacting the Blazers about previously rejected offers.

"We have made our position clear to several teams, and now teams are suggesting that they would do things that they wouldn't have done previously," Nash said. "Things change."

Meanwhile, as a moody and downtrodden Blazers team gathered in Tualatin for an 11 a.m. practice, Cheeks abruptly canceled the workout. The Blazers players, many of whom have complained that trade speculation is affecting their play, were sent home by Cheeks to "clear their minds" after the coach held a short meeting.

"I wanted to release their minds a bit, have them step away from it all," Cheeks said. "It's a delicate situation. When you are going through a tailspin, the guys on the team have to maintain a togetherness. Regardless of trade rumors, regardless of who is here, you have to pull strength from each other. That's what we talked about today: You have to look and find where that strength is, because it just might be in you."

At the center of the uneasiness is the status of Wallace, the team's talented and controversial forward who has been included in trade speculation since the summer. The rumors had become so frequent and so varied that Nash pulled Wallace into a meeting with Cheeks after the team's shootaround Thursday.

"The purpose was to provide him with information," Nash said. "I thought it was an effective meeting. I was trying to convey to him what exactly has been going on. As a result of the media attention and rumors swirling around, I wanted him to know what was factual and what wasn't. And Rasheed seemed to recognize that it's part of the business."

Cheeks said the meeting was effective because Wallace took the opportunity to air some of his feelings.

"He talked, and he had some input, and that's what we were looking for," Cheeks said. "We wanted to hear his feelings, not only about what we were talking about, but just in general."

Nash said he has asked Wallace if he wants a contract extension, but he said Wallace has not made up his mind. Cheeks said if Wallace came out and said he wanted to stay in Portland, it could affect how the team approached his status.

"If he comes out and says that, then you have to look at it," Cheeks said. "That would be a strong statement. But I'm not going to stay that he has said that or not."

Cheeks also would not say whether he wanted to keep Wallace.

"You have to look and see what is best for the organization if you keep him or not," Cheeks said. "I don't know any other way to say it. That's the bottom line.

"You see, this is a unique place. There is a great fan base here. But in looking at the arena (Thursday) night -- I don't know how many were there -- but it wasn't indicative of how the Portland Trail Blazer fan base is," Cheeks said. "These are great fans who love their basketball. But it is not there right now. It's very disappointing right now to Trail Blazers fans."

Cheeks said it would be in everybody's best interest if the uncertainty were cleared up.

"And I imagine a resolution will come sooner than later," Cheeks said. "But I don't think it's an easy situation."

Just look at the past 24 hours.

Notes:

Mavericks president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson said he would meet with Nash today, the Fort Worth (Texas) Star-Telegram reported. "I'll see how much fire there is to this smoke," Nelson said Friday before the Mavericks' game against the Denver Nuggets. . . . This is the latest the Blazers have been five games under .500 since March 1996. That team, which featured coach P.J. Carlesimo, rookie Arvydas Sabonis and leading scorer Clifford Robinson, was 26-34 and trailed the eighth and final playoff spot by six games with 22 games remaining. But the Blazers won 18 of their final 22 games to finish 44-38, earning them the sixth seed in the playoffs, where they lost their first-round series 3-2 to Utah. . . . Cheeks defended his decision not to practice on Friday even though the team has lost seven of eight. "You can practice, practice, practice, but sometimes you take a different approach. I've got to feel it out and deal with it."

[V]

Oregonian's recap of wild trade speculation ending Friday afternoon 01/17/04

11 a.m. Thursday: General manager John Nash and coach Maurice Cheeks meet with Rasheed Wallace after the team's shootaround to tell him which trade rumors are fact and which are fiction. Wallace offers opinions about his future and the state of the team.

8:30 p.m. Thursday: Owner Paul Allen, president Steve Patterson and Nash meet in a private Rose Garden room during the third quarter of the Blazers' game against Phoenix. The meeting lasts at least 30 minutes, after which Allen said he was left with a decision: trade or not trade.

9:20 p.m. Thursday: With Allen back in his courtside seat, the Blazers can't complete a frantic comeback, dropping a 105-96 decision to the last-place Phoenix Suns, the Blazers' seventh loss in eight games. A sparse crowd, announced at 14,202, watches the Blazers fall to 16-21, their worst 37-game start since 1976 (13-24).

11 a.m. Friday: As the players arrive at the team's Tualatin facility for practice, Cheeks abruptly cancels the workout, instead choosing to lecture the team about togetherness before sending players home to "clear their minds."

1 p.m. Friday: Nash says no trade will be made Friday, and that no trades are in the near future. However, he states that teams are beginning to contact the Blazers about previously rejected offers.

[XERXES]

Thanks for the recap, V. I just wonder how much of that is fact and how much is spin control?

[V]

Skin from Dallas Sports Radio 1310 reports credible sources inside the Mavs organization tell him the Jamison + Najera + Delk rumor was a complete fabrication.

Sources suggest the mavs are more interested in upgrading the back end of the roster ... leaving the Big-5 intact.

[mavs413]

Originally posted by: V
Skin from Dallas Sports Radio 1310 reports credible sources inside the Mavs organization tell him the Jamison + Najera + Delk rumor was a complete fabrication.

Sources suggest the mavs are more interested in upgrading the back end of the roster ... leaving the Big-5 intact.

That is music to my ears!
I dont know, however, how we can trade our back end for players that would be considered an upgrade.

[grndmstr_c]

Originally posted by: V
Skin from Dallas Sports Radio 1310 reports credible sources inside the Mavs organization tell him the Jamison + Najera + Delk rumor was a complete fabrication.

Sources suggest the mavs are more interested in upgrading the back end of the roster ... leaving the Big-5 intact.

Jamison, Najera, Delk being BS doesn't surprise me much. Najera and Delk would be considerably more palatable as trade filler, or even major pieces in a smaller trade than TAW, hence, including them without losing TAW in an AJ for Sheed swap would not be a no-brainer from the Mavs persepctive. No mention of the AJ and TAW rumor, V?

[XERXES]

DO we have any tradeable assets (talent/expiring contracts) outside of the big 5? Anything?

[ddh33]

Someone tell me how we're looking to upgrade the bottom of the roster. We don't have anything worthwhile outside the Big Five, Shawn, and the rookies.

I don't think teams are lining up for Abdul-Wahad or Delk.

The only way I could see this team adding to the bottom of the roster is in a package deal where we send out one of our big names.

I still think this Rasheed thing will happen. Right now, I think both teams may be in spin-control. You don't want to mess with the rest of your team and keep everyone worrying. Donnie even hinted at that in the paper...

I wonder if we're trying to get Portland to give someone else for us to have at the end of the bench (Woods, Outlaw, Stepania, Boumjte). I could see something like that happening.

[Dirkenstien]

After looking at portland forums it seems the fans there are more fond of the Jamison, Najera, and Delk package as opposed to the Jamison and Wahad one. Most though, would like to see Sheed go to the east or to a team that isnt very good due to the fact that we would be, and I quote, "down right scary with sheed"

[V]

X - The Mavs don't really have many tradeable assets at this point. This is the way I see things from a value standpoint... if we believe the Big-5 will not be moved we have

Nash, Fin, AJ, Walk, and Dirk stay.

Howard & Daniels out-value their contracts so moving one or both of these guys for a comparable cap figure is unlikely to upgrade the roster...

Bradley may be the best backup center in the league. He is very moveable .. he has a good contract ... but moving him makes NO sense for the Mavs.

Delk is potentially moveable but he's not likely to bring a big man

Best makes the league minimum and as such wouldn't fetch a qulity big man alone. Plus he's the starting PG.

N'diaye is on a 10-day. If he were any good (repeat ANY good) he would already have a full time job.

Najera... ... .... .... Najera is an interesting role player. He could have some value if he were healthy but he has a long contract & most mimportantly he's exactly the type pf player one would expect to find if one were looking to upgrade the back end of a roster. I've said this before... and so have others ... but I'm afraid ole Najera is washed up. In any event Najera has zero trade value unless he's used as cap filler.

What we're left are two bad contracts (i.e. players who are paid more than they are worth) Fortson, TAW... but neither of these guys carry an expiring contract. These guys are potentially moveable as cap filler... and probably little else.

So what's the upshot? Upgrading the back end of the Mavs roster will be exceedingly difficult ... if not impossible.

I agree with DDH33 ... I think we're hearing quite a bit of spin control... Mavs are backing off as Donnie suggests they're going to"see how much fire there is with all of this smoke." Meanwhile Nash says "...now teams are suggesting that they would do things that they wouldn't have done previously." Sounds to me like both sides are prep'ing the media. In case a deal is done the Blazers certainly don't want to come off like they gave in to another team by giving them a (Cuban's words) "sweetheart bargain that we couldn't say no to." Likewise, the mavs don't want to sound like desperate Trader Joes.

My opinion, this circus is all about posturing. I have no idea if anything will get done but rest assured I bet they're doing some serious talking about a deal as we speak.

EDIT: Spelin

[V]

Mavs, Blazers talk, but for now, no deal
Teams agree that scenarios involving Wallace make no sense

12:18 AM CST on Sunday, January 18, 2004

By EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning News

PORTLAND, Ore. – For now, the Mavericks and Portland Trail Blazers have agreed to disagree about Rasheed Wallace.

Donnie Nelson, the Mavericks' president of basketball operations, and Portland general manager John Nash met for about 20 minutes Saturday night before tipoff to discuss their team's priorities going into the final month before the Feb. 19 NBA trading deadline. The bottom line is that the trade talks about Wallace going to the Mavericks don't make sense for either team.

"We just reiterated what each of us is trying to do," Nash said of the meeting that ended about 15 minutes before tipoff. "We had a nice conversation, but nothing's imminent."

The meeting, which took place in Blazers owner Paul Allen's private office, put to rest, for the moment, talk of a Wallace trade for Antawn Jamison and at least one other Maverick. With the Blazers expected to field numerous trade options in the coming weeks, there's always the chance things could reheat with the Mavericks.

The two most widely discussed deals had Jamison and Tariq Abdul-Wahad going to the Blazers, or Jamison, Tony Delk and Eduardo Najera being exchanged. The Blazers don't want Abdul-Wahad's contract, which runs four more years after this one. And the Mavericks don't want to give up three rotation players for Wallace.

"Nothing but smoke," was Nelson's comment after emerging from the meeting.

The Mavericks have been named in numerous reports as possible trade partners with the Blazers. Owner Mark Cuban said the Mavericks remain committed to keeping their core players together unless "a no-brainer" comes along in trade talks.

[V]

This article appeared earlier today... before the Nash / Donnie meeting

Dallas Is Exactly The Kind Of Environment Where 'Sheed Can Succeed
Ian B. FordBasketball News Services

More likely than not, Rasheed Wallace has been traded to the Dallas Mavericks. Though the trade may not be announced until sometime after Saturday night's game between Portland and Dallas, all the signs are there indicating that Rasheed has finally worn out his welcome in the Rose City. Whether or not the deal goes through, the very thought of adding a player as talented and volatile as Wallace to the Mavericks' already potent roster begs the question; would Rasheed even make a difference in Dallas?

On the surface, the Mavs potential acquisition of the oft-troubled former Tar Heel reeks of desperation. After a summer of wheeling and dealing, Dallas Head Coach Don Nelson still doesn't have the low post presence he so understandably covets. Critics will remind anyone within earshot that Rasheed isn't exactly a classic big man. In fact, upon further review, he almost looks tailor-made for Nelson and his wide-open offense. Again, that doesn't exactly solve the Mavs' lack of an interior presence, but it hardly sucks either.

Before everybody starts dismissing this move as nothing more than a brief rental of a talented headcase (Wallace is a free-agent upon the conclusion of this season), the Mavericks would actually come out looking much improved with the addition of the 6'11" forward. Assuming Dallas is giving up reserve forward Antawn Jamison (as part of some type of package), they will be adding a starter in exchange for a sub. (That would be the first sign that this is a good move for Dallas. It's not quite getting something for nothing, but it's close.)

With Steve Nash at the point (once his hip feels better), Michael Finley at the two, Antoine Walker at small forward, Dirk Nowitzki at power forward and Rasheed at center, the Mavericks are a much better team than the one that is currently third in the Midwest Division and still looking to regain whatever magic it was that carried them all the way to last year's Western Conference Finals. (His name is Nick Van Exel, by the way. He can be found in Oakland.)

The main knock against the Mavs is their doughnut-like interior game. Shawn Bradley doesn't exactly instill much fear in opponents, while Danny Fortson inspires the wrong kind of fear altogether. With Wallace manning the middle, the Mavs would have themselves an athletic shot-blocker that has the ability to guard all three front-court positions effectively. (Jamison is a classic matador on defense. Actually, that's unfair to matadors.) Rasheed tends to try and bait his man into taking a shot that he thinks he can reject, but that's not always such a bad thing. At least he's aggressive on defense, which is one thing that can't always be said about his offense.

In order to fit in with the Mavs, Rasheed Wallace is simply going to have to relax and play exactly the type of game that suits him best. With the presence of so many talented players, all 'Sheed has to do is post up to draw the defense, then either create a high-percentage shot for himself or find an open teammate. With shooters like Nash, Walker and Finley patrolling the perimeter, it wouldn't be too surprising to see Rasheed averaging crazy assist for a man his size. He's not exactly selfish, so convincing him to give up the rock won't be an issue. (Convincing him to stay in the paint may be.)

Then again, maybe not having to be "the man" will re-energize Rasheed. (Lord knows nothing he's doing in Portland seems to be working.) There was a time he was among the most dependable personalities in the game. Now he's hardly even in the news anymore, save for those ridiculous comments about feeling "exploited" by the man...er, the NBA earlier this season. (That was a low point, even for 'Sheed.) Perhaps being surrounded by studs will remind him of his days at North Carolina. Back then Rasheed would routinely blow up for 20 and 10, usually off of a variety of silky moves and money jumpers. If he played his way into becoming a lottery pick in the 1995 NBA Draft (one spot ahead of some guy named Kevin Garnett) while balling with cats like Jerry Stackhouse and Dante Calabria, just imagine how comfortable he would be with Dirk, Ringo, 'Toine and Finley as his teammates. It's downright horrifying, particularly for the rest of the league.

Rasheed Wallace and the Dallas Mavericks might not seem like a match made in heaven, but looks can be deceiving. He might not be a "true" center, but, other than Shaquille O'Neal, how many of those are there left in the NBA anyway? Other than his off-court issues (and there are more than a few), adding Wallace to the Dallas puzzle is not as risky a move as some would say. Sure, dude might go off on some poor ref (perfectly nderstandable) and wind up suspended for the rest of the year, but what are the odds of that? (On second thought, don't bother answering that.)

[sbjensen]

from the star-telegram:

The ongoing speculation about a trade between Dallas and Portland was put to rest by Donn Nelson: "There has never been an offer, there isn't one and I don't expect their to be one. It's really just a media fabrication more than anything else." Nelson said he met with Portland general manager John Nash before the game to air things out, adding: "We just wanted to make sure there wasn't anything we were missing, and there wasn't, so we just kind of move on our separate ways."

[kg_veteran]

Saw the same quote in the AP game report.

Donn seems pretty definitive in this quote.

No Rasheed to Dallas.

[V]

Oregonian

Nash and Nelson met for about 20 minutes -- until pregame introductions -- before emerging with smiles, both content to move on with their seasons, which are heading in different directions.

"If it could mesh, we would have meshed by now," Nash said of the trade talks. "It seems like we have spent a lot of time talking, and we have been unable to come to a common ground."

Nash hinted that the trade talks were not centered solely on Rasheed Wallace.

"Everybody assumes we were talking about one individual on our roster, when frankly we were talking about a number on both," Nash said.

So a deal with Dallas is dead?

"Dead is a strong word," Nash said. "I think it's safe to say there is nothing imminent."

[V]

Mavericks need Wallace to upgrade their frontcourt


01/18/04


T he Dallas Mavericks limped into town Saturday, a shadow of the team that went to the Western Conference finals last spring.


Gone are Nick Van Exel and the chemistry that made Dallas so exciting to watch. Newly arrived is the confusion that an unresolved pecking order brings to a game where just one basketball is used. Antoine Walker, the talented former Boston Celtics star, is the Mavericks' leader in shot attempts, something that should never happen to any team with Dirk Nowitzki.

The Mavericks sneaked out of town with a 108-104 victory but left behind a bigger prize and a key to reinvigorating their title hopes: Blazers power forward Rasheed Wallace.

Wallace and the Mavericks have been the focus of trade talks off and on for months. The latest two ideas were Wallace for Antawn Jamison, Tony Delk and Eduardo Najera or Wallace for Jamison and Tariq Abdul-Wahad, who anchors the Dallas injured list with a $7 million a year contract.

Blazers general manager John Nash and Mavericks owner Mark Cuban dismissed trade talks Saturday.

"The only thing I can say to you," Cuban said before the game, "is both teams played hard."

Dallas has been slowed by injuries. Point guard Steve Nash missed Saturday's game with a sore hip. Delk was out with an ankle sprain and Najera, the team's lone blue collar post player, continues to miss time with a sore knee.

"We are not playing defense as well this year and the injuries have hurt us," Cuban said.

But Dallas' problems run deeper. When the Mavericks acquired Walker, they added a highly skilled offensive player, but one who needs the ball.

As much as Portland fans might loathe to hear it, you can have too much talent on a team. Championship teams need hard-working role players in addition to stars. Dallas added a poodle when it really needed a bulldog.

The Mavericks hope to uncover that elusive chemistry and begin a drive toward the playoffs; but the run this year will fall far short.

The only defensive pressure Dallas exerts is of the hurry up and score variety. Watching the Mavericks and the Trail Blazers -- two of the NBA's weakest defensive teams -- is like watching 48 minutes of power play hockey.

Wallace has become an emblem for all that ails Portland, but he remains a very good player. Overnight, he would become Dallas' best defender and give coach Don Nelson a forward who could guard stars such as Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett.

Wallace is as versatile as he is volatile. He can play all three frontcourt positions. He has guarded scorers from Vince Carter to Shaquille O'Neal. What other NBA big man can do that? Nelson could use Wallace at center against many teams. A frontline of Wallace, Nowitzki and Walker would create matchup nightmares.

Wallace understands the game and would blend with Dallas' open-court style. He would be more comfortable in a system in which he wasn't the star and his Dean Smith-bred unselfishness would fuel his stay in Texas. His addition would give the Mavericks a chance at competing with the western power teams: Sacramento, San Antonio, Los Angeles and Minnesota.

The Blazers, on the other hand, would learn a lot about their roster in Wallace's absence. He has become the lightning rod for problems, but there is much more that ails this team. Once he is gone, the weaknesses of other players will be seriously revealed.

The Blazers glimpsed that in the past week after Wallace went down with an ankle injury. Zach Randolph's play suffered and the defensive lapses that have plagued this team soared.

Cuban and his Mavericks left town with a W, but the wrong one. If Dallas is to return to the conference finals, Cuban should do what is necessary to woo Wallace from Portland.

Brian Meehan: 503-221-4341; brianmeehan@news.oregonian.com

[Dirkenstien]

I dont believe we need Wallace as much as this article suggest though he would be an improvement to our defensive front line. I wont be upset if we dont make this trade nor will I be exctatic if we do.

Either way we gain or lose something, however I am somewhat contempt with the notion that if we dont make this trade we'll be just fine with the great character and play of Jamison.

[MightyToine]

Dallas added a poodle when it could have used a bulldog

YOU CALL THIS AN OBJECTIVE COLUMN?????? [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-mad.gif[/img]

WHO IS THIS MORON THINK HE'S CALLING A "poodle"?? Walker would knock this idiot for a loop if he ever said that to his face!!!!!!!!

The Mavericks hope to uncover that elusive chemistry and begin a drive toward the playoffs; but the run this year will fall far short.

And funny how this guy all of a sudden can predict the future. I'd like the winning Lottery Numbers, please....

Moron.

[V]

I got several PMs on this topic so I thought I wuld just post my thoughts on the recent Sheed news.... This is how I see things as of today:
---
When you read the Mavs & Blazers have not come to an agreement on a Sheed trade you have to look at what else may be available to Portland if you're going to understand how they're playing the negotiation game... and you have to consider that maintaining Portland's playoff streak means a lot to owner Paul Allen. Most importantly, Portland has a chance to tie the longest streak in NBA history if they can get it done this year. Unfortunately for those of us who would like to see Sheed in a Mavs uniform, keeping Wallace probably gives Portland's their best chance at extending the streak.

Now we understand Patterson's trade or not-to-trade dilemma.

If Portland is serious about the playoffs it doesn't seem there are many options that sound better than Jamison or Walker. Several teams can provide young talent, picks, or cap relief but I don't think that's going to be very appealing to Blazers management. Of course, that stance could change... A poster I know as PHATGUYSRULE atended a "fans meeting" with Patterson & others last week... and when asked how they would feel about a rebuilding effort EVERY fan said they would be willing to lose some games if it meant they would see consistent effort from young & talented players every night!

The Mavs are hoping for a repeat of the chemistry issues that plagued Portland earlier this season. Sheed was on his best behaviour last night (despite getting a Tech) ... but that does not mean a bad loss or two won't cause another implosion.

Here's the irony for Dallas: If Sheed plays in Portland with the heart & fire one would hope to see if he comes to Dallas then I say he stays & the Blazers make a serious playoff push. If he reverts to "bad Sheed," then I think Allen will want a talented vet in return & the Mavs will get Wallace for Jamison or Walker plus junk.