But conventional wisdom ? and history ? suggests the lockout eventually will come to an end. That the billionaires and millionaires will stop squabbling over unfathomable amounts of money and begin a shortened season that is sure to be filled with fan discontent.
And then what? As Rip City endures talk of CBAs and BRIs instead of LAs and B. Roys, it?s easy to forget exactly where the Trail Blazers? roster stands 122 days into the lockout. Below is a brief overview, including the contract status, potential impact of a new collective bargaining agreement and the expected role of the players who are tied to the Blazers? roster:
LaMARCUS ALDRIDGE
Position: Power forward
NBA experience: Sixth season
Contract status/Impact of new CBA: Will make $12.6 million in the second of a five-year, $62.5 million deal. A new CBA should have little immediately impact.
2010-11 stats: 21.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists
When last season ended: Breakthrough season saw Aldridge emerge as The Building Block of the franchise. He was on the cusp of being an All-Star after establishing new career highs in points, rebounds, assists and steals (82). His play carried the Blazers during an injury-riddled season.
Expected role if lockout ends: The centerpiece, offensively and defensively, of a team that could feature a more uptempo playing style. Perhaps the biggest question is whether he will play as much center as he did last season.
GREG ODEN
Position: Center
NBA experience: Fifth season
Contract status/Impact of new CBA: The Blazers offered an $8.8 million qualifying offer, making him a restricted free agent. Oden's status is as complex as any player's in the NBA. Any team can offer the former No. 1 pick a free agent deal, but the Blazers' would then have seven days to match the offer (assuming the new CBA features a similar rule). They Blazers also could negotiate their own multiyear deal with Oden or, if he does not generate any free agent interest, simply sign him to the one-year qualifying offer. He then would become an unrestricted free agent next offseason.
2010-11 stats: Did not play because of knee surgery
When last season ended: Missed the entire season with his third season-ending knee surgery. He's played a total of 82 games over four years.
Expected role if lockout ends: It all depends on his health. He had microfracture surgery on his left knee on November 19, 2010, and the Blazers said he would miss "six to 12 months." Oden said last week on his Facebook page that he recently started to run, but his rehabilitation status is unclear. If he's healthy and can replicate the dominant potential he flashed before his second knee injury two seasons ago, he could be a difference-making starting center. But after three knee surgeries, expectations are at an all-time low for the one-time franchise player.
BRANDON ROY
Position: Guard
NBA experience: Sixth season
Contract status/Impact of new CBA: Will make $15 million in the second of a five-year, $82 million deal. Multiple reports suggest the CBA will include some form of "Amnesty Clause," which would allow teams to remove one contract from their salary cap by cutting a player (although the player would still receive his full salary). Roy, who's All-Star ability deteriorated seemingly overnight last season because of knee issues, is widely considered a prime candidate for such a clause because he is at the beginning of a max NBA contract. It's unclear what the details of the clause will be, but Roy's career with the Blazers is in jeopardy, an unfathomable scenario heading into last season.
2010-11 stats: 12.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists
When last season ended: Balky knees forced him to miss all but 47 games and his game lacked the athleticism and burst that allowed him to develop into the centerpiece and heart and soul of the franchise. Was an effective sixth man off the bench, however, and his magical play in Game 4 against the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Playoffs will go down as one of the most memorable moments in Blazers history.
Expected role if lockout ends: It depends on the details of the Amnesty Clause. But if he comes back, he would compete for minutes at shooting guard and has stated a desire to return to the starting lineup.
NICOLAS BATUM
Position: Small forward
NBA experience: Fourth season
Contract status/Impact of new CBA: Will make $2.2 million in final year of rookie contract. New rules for free agency and salary allocation and changes to salary cap or luxury tax system will have significant implications for him after this season, when Batum becomes a free agent for the first time.
2010-11 stats: 12.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists
When last season ended: Had a solid, but unspectacular third season that included starting and reserve roles at small forward. After the trade deadline acquisition of Gerald Wallace, Batum eventually evolved into a top reserve off the bench.
Expected role if lockout ends: Coach Nate McMillan hinted in the offseason that Batum could see time at shooting guard. Will battle for minutes there and at small forward with Wallace, and will continue to serve as one of the team's best wing defenders and a "glue" player on both ends. A big season could cement his status as a long-term fixture in the franchise.
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MARCUS CAMBY
Position: Center
NBA experience: 16th season
Contract status/Impact of new CBA: Will make $11.2 million in final year of two-year, $21 million deal. New rules would effect free agency next offseason, but after a long and lucrative career, impact is minimal.
2010-11 stats: 4.7 points, 10.3 rebounds, 1.56 blocks.
When last season ended: Maintained hold on starting center job despite age and arthroscopic surgery on left knee that caused him to miss 17 games.
Expected role if lockout ends: Until Greg Oden or a to-be-determined-center replaces him, will continue to be the Blazers' starting center. In the twilight of his career, will need to prove he can stay healthy and withstand what could be a shortened season crammed with games and less-than-normal rest.
WESLEY MATTHEWS
Position: Guard
NBA experience: Third season
Contract status/Impact of new CBA: Will make $6.1 million in the second of a five-year, $32.5 million deal. A new CBA will have no immediate impact.
2010-11 stats: 15.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.0 assists
When last season ended: Despite playing with undisclosed ankle injury during the last four months of the season, lived up to the hype of his controversial contract by developing into starting shooting guard.
Expected role if lockout ends: Depends on the health of Brandon Roy -- and the impact of an Amnesty Clause -- but likely will regain role as starting shooting guard and defensive tone-setter.
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Position: Point guard
NBA experience: 7th season
Contract status/Impact of new CBA: See: Batum. Will make $7.6 million in the final year of a two-year, $14.6 million contract. Felton will be a free agent next offseason in the prime of his career, so any changes to the CBA will have a direct effect on him next summer.
2010-11 stats: 15.5 points, 8.3 assists per game with the New York Knicks and Denver Nuggets
When last season ended: In the midst of his best statistical NBA season, Felton was included in the blockbuster trade that sent Carmelo Anthony to the from the Denver Nuggets to the New York Knicks. Finished season with the Nuggets as a backup point guard.
Expected role if lockout ends: Instantly becomes the Blazers' starting point guard, replacing Andre Miller, the player he was traded for on draft night. Because Felton excels in the open floor and in the pick and roll, the Blazers could be poised to replace their methodical style with a more uptempo offense. A standout season would reinforce the Blazers' belief that their revolving door at point guard is over and he could run the show for years to come.
GERALD WALLACE
Position: Forward
NBA experience: 11th season
Contract status/Impact of new CBA: Will make $9.5 million in the final year of a six-year, $57 million deal and holds player option for 2012-13. Like Batum and Felton, a new CBA will impact him directly next offseason unless he exercises his player option.
2010-11 stats: 15.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists
When last season ended: After providing a necessary late-season burst of adrenaline that catapulted the Blazers to the sixth seed in the Western Conference, he fizzled in the playoffs, which played a significant role in the Blazers' six-game loss to the eventual-champion Mavericks.
Expected role if lockout ends: One of the team's most important players, he likely will regain his starting small forward spot ahead of Batum. His rugged defense and all-hustle game will be critical to the Blazers' success.
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NOLAN SMITH
Position: Guard
NBA experience: Rookie season
Contract status/Impact of new CBA: Will make $1.1 million in the first year of his rookie contract. A new CBA should have no immediate impact.
2010-11 stats: 20.6 points, 5.1 assists, 4.5 rebounds at Duke
When last season ended: Completed a stellar four-year career at Duke by earning first-team All-American and ACC Player of the Year honors.
Expected role if lockout ends: The Blazers selected him with the No. 21 overall pick -- ahead of gritty power forward Kenneth Farried -- because they think he can play backup point guard immediately.
LUKE BABBITT
Position: Forward
NBA experience: Second season
Contract status/Impact of new CBA: Will make $1.8 million in the second year of his rookie contract. The new CBA should not impact him this season.
2010-11 stats: 1.5 points and 1.3 rebounds
When last season ended: Touted as an immediate contributor when the Blazers drafted him No. 16 overall (in a trade with Minnesota), Babbitt failed to live up the hype, playing just 137 minutes in 24 games.
Expected role if lockout ends: Will have to show exceptional growth to crack the playing rotation at forward, a position of depth and strength for the Blazers. If he can prove he can shoot -- the reason the team drafted him -- he could carve a niche.
ARMON JOHNSON
Position: Point guard
NBA experience: Second season
Contract status/Impact of new CBA: Will make $800,000 in second year of two-year deal. As a rank-and-file player, a new CBA will greatly impact career going forward -- but not this season.
2010-11 stats: 2.0 points, 1.2 assists
When last season ended: After a surprising training camp and preseason performance earned him a backup point guard role, Johnson lost his job to Patty Mills and ended the season outside of the playing rotation.
Expected role if lockout ends: Should get opportunity to compete with rookie Nolan Smith and -- if he returns -- Mills for backup point guard duties. But the selection of Smith was hardly a ringing endorsement.
ELLIOT WILLIAMS
Position: Guard
NBA experience: Second season
Contract status/Impact of new CBA: Will make $1.4 million in second year of rookie contract. A new CBA should have no immediate impact.
2010-11 stats: Did not play (knee surgeries)
When last season ended: Had resumed basketball activities in March after undergoing separate surgeries to repair patella instability in both knees.
Expected role if lockout ends: A wild card, but unlikely, contributor this season. The Blazers valued Williams' athleticism and potential enough to draft him No. 22 overall -- despite knowledge about his knee issues. But with just two years of college play and one injury-riddled professional season under his belt, growing pains are to be expected.
CHRIS JOHNSON
Position: Center/forward
NBA experience: Second season
Contract status/Impact of new CBA: The Blazers hold the rights to a nonguaranteed contract that would pay $800,000 if exercised. As a player who went undrafted and features a nonguaranteed contract, it's unclear what impact a new CBA would have but it could be substantial.
2010-11 stats: 2.4 points, 2.3 rebounds
When last season ended: Showed potential as a spark plug post player off the bench after the Blazers signed him with a hardship exception in January. Distinguished himself in the Game 3 of the playoffs with a standout effort off the bench and earned playing time throughout the Dallas series.
Expected role if lockout ends: Depending on what free agent moves the Blazers make, could compete for backup minutes at power forward and center.
PATTY MILLS
Position: Guard
NBA experience: Third season
Contract status/Impact of new CBA: The Blazers offered $1.2 million qualifying offer, making him a restricted free agent. Any new free agency rules and tweaks to salary cap structure would directly and immediately effect Mills.
2010-11 stats: 5.5 points, 1.7 assists
When last season ended: Held backup point guard job for most of season, at one point earning fourth-quarter playing time over then-starter Andre Miller. But failed to do enough to cement long-term status with team.
Expected role if lockout ends: A restricted free agent, the Blazers hold Mills' rights and will have seven days to match any contract offer from another team (assuming the new CBA features a similar rule). But with the Blazers' draft selection of Nolan Smith and their investment in Johnson, he appears to be a long shot to return to Portland.
--Joe Freeman
Source: http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2011/10/trail_blazers_roster_breakdown.html
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