Nolan Smith came into the season poised to become the back-up point guard behind Damian Lillard. In his second season, it was expected that he improve enough to at least crack the rotation. Come January, his contract options (of which there were two left) have been declined, he is behind Ronnie Price on the depth chart, and he was recently assigned to the developmental league affiliate Idaho Stampede. It is clear that Smith (who most fans wanted to see Faried taken with the pick anyways) is no longer in the Blazers plans for the future. Is there anything on the market for which we could swap Smith for?
-Omri Casspi recently requested a trade. He is a free agent, and most likely on his way back to Europe, but is he really an upgrade over Claver or Babbitt?
-A 2nd round pick. Most contenders would not deal a pick for someone who can't crack a rotation on an average team. Most non-contenders would not either.
-Packaged as part of a bigger deal. This is the most likely outcome, though given Portland's success some think the team should be buyers, and not sellers. Should this occur, JJ Hickson would most likely be on his way out. I realize that he has been phenomenal, and exactly what we have needed, but is he playing his way out of our price range?
-Release him, and sign a free agent. Also possible. Smith needs a fresh start, and a rookie like Scott Machado, who went undrafted (I had a late rd. 1 grade on him, the #23 prospect on my board) could fill his place on a rest of season deal, and a non-guaranteed year after this year. Machado is more of a pass first guard than Smith, but does not score on his own.
I would try to pry a rd. 2 pick, and if unsuccessful I would release him to sign Machado, who has more upside.
Thoughts?
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