Welcome back to the irregular column where I simply go off about whatever really grinds my gears. Today's edition is a revolver; six rounds coming at ya.
- This is an Acorn 5 situation! An idea is floating around, consisting of flipping Andray Blatche and the #3 pick to the Trail Blazers for Wesley Matthews and the #6. In principle, this is quite literally one of the worst things I have ever heard. In honesty, it isn't even the worst thing I heard this past week. Compromising the last major draft asset DC is likely to see for quite some time so we don't have watch a cancerous contract walk for nothing? That's worse than nothing. I hope it isn't real.
- Some days I can handle the doubletalk. But it is not that hypothetical day. In actuality, I like Wesley Matthews. Forgive me, but I don't want the last remaining Tier 2 prospect handed out like a consolation prize so we can execute the double whammy of a 'free agency via trade' manuever while Ernie crows about simultaneously clearing Andray Blatche's contract. "We got a young veteran at a position of need while maintaining excellent draft position and bringing our shared vision for the team fully into the next phase."
- Do I trust the guy? About as far as I can throw him. Nothing says 'faith' like a two-year contract for your GM in the middle of laying the foundation for your contender. Hasn't self-determination been a theme omnipresent in every championship narrative? If there's any faith in the front-office to pick the best possible player, how can you justify trading down? Oh, someone should be there? Well, Russell Westbrook should have been available later in his draft, too, but Sam Presti didn't trade down. Depth is crucial on a contender, but who risks compromise with a franchise cornerstone (who should be with the team for the next seven to ten years) for a rotation player and to clear a bad contract (three years)?
- Suppose I believe they're really looking at taking that step. If Portland even was willing to eat Dray's contract to move up three spots, shouldn't that raise a red flag? Like maybe that would not be a move especially made in Washington's favor? Of course, if we're talking about telescoping intent...
- The NBA Draft is not the pro sports iteration of Blind Man's Bluff. Slightly off topic, but is there a reason the Hornets trade couldn't have waited? I mean, when a trade glaringly addresses every possible need but one that syncs up with the hot prospect you have your eye on?
- Strategery. Back to the matter at hand. The question is not whether Dray is overpriced as a third big who can backup both LaMarcus Aldridge and whoever starts at center for the Trail Blazers. The question is whether Portland is willing to pay roughly $4.5 million more over three years for a third big versus a third guard. Know any teams that would pay $1.5 million a year for a few years to move up three spots in the lottery? That's what I thought. What I'd give to know what Ernie Grunfeld is thinking right now.