RE: Portland looking to dump "bad" players?

["John Lyell" <jlyell@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Wells, Wallace, Davis, and Randolph are about the only guys that could help
us. If we could get Davis and Wells without giving up Walker, Pierce or
Banks I would do it. If we could get Wells and Randolph or Davis for Walker
I would do it but I think Wells ins a BYC player.  Wells and Pierce would be
an awesome 2-3 combo.


John















-----Original Message-----
From: owner-celtics@xxxxxxxx [mailto:owner-celtics@xxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of
hsu@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Thursday, July 17, 2003 1:34 PM
To: celtics@xxxxxxxx
Subject: Portland looking to dump "bad" players?


So is there anyone on the Blazers roster that we should trade for who will
not bring shame upon the Celtics?  From the sound of the news article,
everyone but Randolph and Qyntel Woods could be available.  One
interesting comment was how their new GM feels that the Blazers have too
much talent.

Excerpts from:
http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/sports/105844310
2109012.xml


Nash promises changes

07/17/03
JASON QUICK

Start squirming, Trail Blazers players. The man empowered to straighten
the team's jumbled mess is in town, meaning nobody is a lock to return
next season in a Blazers uniform.

John Nash, an experienced deal-maker during three previous stints in NBA
front offices, took over as the Blazers' general manager on Wednesday,
promising imminent change.

"I think it's fair to say that the roster will probably not come back the
same as last year," Nash said. "It would be my goal to make some changes
before the season starts."

Nash, 56, said his method of operation will be based on achieving two
goals: reducing the payroll and improving the team's reckless and troubled
image.

"(Owner) Paul Allen has made it clear: He wants a team that he and the
city of Portland can be proud of," Nash said. "We are not going to
tolerate the behavior that has been here previously."
[...]
By 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nash said he already had spoken to three teams.

"And I intend to be in contact with every team in the league," Nash said.

Nash has an extensive history of making blockbuster deals during his years
as general manager in Philadelphia, Washington and New Jersey. He twice
has engineered nine-player trades, while also orchestrating an
eight-player trade and a five-player trade.

Nash made it clear Wednesday that he thought last year's Blazers had too
much talent and that it might be time for the team's younger players --
such as Zach Randolph and Qyntel Woods -- to begin playing more prominent
roles.
[...]
Another hot topic is Rasheed Wallace, the volatile and controversial power
forward who has led the team in scoring the past four seasons. As the
general manager in Washington, Nash drafted Wallace with the fourth
overall pick in 1995.

"He remains a marvelous player and he remains a player who has high
value," Nash said. "There is a high level of interest in Rasheed Wallace
among the NBA, and I think the Trail Blazers will put a premium on his
value because of his talent."

That doesn't mean the Blazers are sold on keeping Wallace, who is entering
the last year of a contract that will pay him $17 million. Coach Maurice
Cheeks said he wants to keep Wallace, "but anything is possible," while
Nash said the Blazers need to identify a leader.

"I don't know that (Wallace) is the type of guy I would classify as a
consummate leader," Nash said. "In fairness to Rasheed, I'm not trying to
criticize him because I haven't had the opportunity to talk to other
players and the coaches . . . but this team hasn't had the greatest
quantity of leadership."
[...]