Expectations that the Portland Trail Blazers would have any chance in the playoffs after Brandon Roy was sidelined with microscopic surgery on a torn meniscus were slim to none.

However, in game 1 Andre Miller matched Steve Nash nearly point for point and assist for assist, giving Blazer Nation hope while leading a Portland attack exposing a monumental weakness in Phoenix’s armor.

It is safe to say that Portland fans have all but forgotten the growing pains the team experienced after Miller signed a 3-year deal last summer.

Miller is making Portland fans forget the growing pains.

It always pains me when a team cannot live up to the namesake of this blog, but I must point out how poorly Phoenix failed at protecting the paint, which is the cardinal sin to this blogger.

If Phoenix cannot immediately reverse things and adhere to a drastic change in defensive mentality things could be real bad, real quick, for the Suns.

Amare Stoudemire is the Suns only hope of stopping anything in the middle, but he has been historically inadequate in this capacity.

Robin Lopez, who I liken to Sideshow Bob after eating angry pills, was the Suns heart and soul of enforcing defense in the post.

Unfortunately for Phoenix, Lopez is out indefinitely after sustaining a back injury during the end of regular season and is not returning in any foreseeable time frame.

After Stoudemire and Lopez the Suns depth chart are left with only two options: Channing Frye and Jarron Collins.

Collins is so limited offensively that it cripples the Suns. Ironically, Frye’s best defense is to try to combat the Blazers by chucking up loads of 3 point attempts. Both are tragic options.

The Suns allowed Andre Miller and Jerryd Bayless to combine for 49 points on 16 of 27 field goals and 16 of 19 free throws.

Bayless was crucial for the Blazers, supplying direly needed offense to offset the absent Brandon Roy, and his play will be pivotal in Portland surviving long enough in the playoffs to allow Roy to return.

Marcus Camby owned the boards for Portland, snaring 17. This should be a consistent trend during this first round of the Western Conference playoffs. If the Suns cannot find away to rebound (no pun intended) from this glaring weakness, Steve Nash and company might be watching the playoffs at home fairly soon.

Now that December 15^th has come and gone, the list of free agent signees this off season eligible to move teams is kindle wood for the fire that is NBA trade rumor. Although most players will remain with their new squads, there is a short list of players who are in demand and might be moved sooner than later.

Here is the top free agent signings who appear heading to a new home:

Andre Miller               Portland Trail Blazers

It is apparent Brandon Roy and Miller cannot co-exist in Portland’s backcourt together. Miller is a veteran PG and there is always an interest for veteran PGs who can still play at a high level.

With Greg Oden done for the year amongst other Blazers riddled by injury, Portland needs help. With Steve Blake and Jarred Bayless on the roster, Miller becomes the most movable option

Sessions will make any offense more potent. (Credit: picapp.com)

Ramon Sessions            Minnesota Timberwolves

Minnesota is Jonny Flynn’s team. David Kahn will find a way to ship Sessions somewhere in exchange for more young talents and future draft picks. Sessions is a highly potent offensive threat when given the reigns to an offense. He is just not getting the chance playing 22 minutes per game in Minnesota.

Jannero Pargo             Chicago Bulls

Not panning out for Chicago. Pargo can shoot and could be a solid addition to a team in need of instant offense from their bench. Ironically, that is what he was supposed to bring to the table for the Bulls. Pargo could be packaged together with Tyrus Thomas to get a player with an expiring contract that can score in bunches.

Bass is a valuable asset to any NBA franchise. (Credit: picapp.com)

Brandon Bass              Orlando Magic

Orlando has Dwight Howard and Marcin Gortat, and Ryan Anderson can drain the 3 as well as rebound, making him fit better with Orlando.

Bass is a solid player who offers toughness to a team in need of just that. Look for Orlando to move Bass to acquire a player who can handle the ball and is a lock-down defender.

These players might not all find new homes this year, but it seems likely that to remain competitive this season, some of these teams will have to swing some deals to overcome injuries and remain in the playoff hunt.

The Philadelphia 76ers leave many questions prior to the start of 2009-10.

First off, their moves in free agency are quite strange.

They let Andre Miller leave. Which is rather crazy enough. But then…..

They sign Jason Kapono. Sure he has a ring, but also had Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O’Neal back then. Sure he can hit 3s. But can he do anything else?

The 76ers expect Jrue Holiday, Royal Ivey, and Lou Williams to run the back-court? Oops, um sorry, I meant scuttle the back-court.

That is stretching it thin. At least Ivey can defend well. When you have no experience at the point, your overall chances are diminished substantially.

Elton Brand has only played 37 games over the last two years. This is a huge variable for the 76ers. If I were Brand, based on Philly’s moves, I would be saying either “Ouch, my Achilles” or “Please trade me now.”

They were unable to rid themselves of Samuel Dalembert. Although there have been several trade rumors since last season, this is my favorite .

Chances are, they won’t be able to move him because of his inconsistent play. Also, he is not so high on the basketball IQ food chain. Ultimately, if he stays, he should end up losing loads of minutes to Philadelphia’s younger big men.

Thaddeus Young is the real deal. He’s a young and talented defender with some serious offensive upside. His future looks real bright. He has an inside-out game. He is left handed which is always a plus in the world of sports.

Young killed it last year at the age of 20, dropping in 15.3 points while shooting 49.5%. He also had 5 rebounds a game. Look for these numbers to climb next season.

Marreese Speights is a young big on the 76ers roster. In 16 minutes a game he dropped in 7.7 points while shooting 50% with 3.7 rebounds a game. He is faraway the smarter center with the ball than Dalembert and he has NCAA Championship experience.

Speights’ numbers will increase with more time. Make that with Dalemberts’ time.

We are looking at a potential 15 and 10 guy here all the way.

The main question is: How are Brand and Iguodala going to feel about the rebuilding process? These guys are solid when they have the rock, but who is going to set them up?

This is going to be a long year..... (Credit: picapp.com)

It would require impossibly massive years from the 76ers backcourt in addition to  Speights in order to return to the playoffs.

We all know Williams has game, but he is not a pure point, and Holiday is not Derrick Rose.

The 76ers appear to have taken a couple of steps backwards this season. However, they could easily be on the right path after this year.

The prognosis: 76ers miss the playoffs, and will be in the lottery next draft.

The only good news involving “old” is that the 76ers are planning to bring back the old school jerseys.

Unfortunately, that is not enough to make a playoff run.

This past week we have seen Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva join Detroit.

Ron Artest took a pay cut and is hoping to get his first ring playing for the world champion Lakers.

Hedo Turkoglu reneged on a Portland offer, selecting the Raptors instead.

Rasheed Wallace is now alongside Kevin Garnett in Boston.

Trevor Ariza maxed out his contract value and is Houston-bound.

And Finally, Jason Kidd is staying in Dallas instead of going to New York.

The free agent signings become official today, the first day that players are allowed to ink their verbal agreements. There are more deals to come involving free agents, and it is going to be interesting to see where everyone ends up.

We here at Protect the Paint will list some of the rumors/moves involving the available free agents.

REMAINING FREE AGENTS

Lamar Odom

Odom might be hugging members of the Blazers soon. (Credit: daylife.com)

Lamar Odom doesn’t seem to be thinking repeat. Instead he and his agent want to be shown the money in the neighborhood of $10 million per season. Odom appears to be going the Trevor Ariza route, cashing in elsewhere now that he has the ring. He sacrificed his stats to win and now wants to sign with a team that could offer him a starting position and big bucks. Should have a different address in 2009-10. The Blazers are reportedly interested. Championship experience on an up and coming squad never hurts.

Andre Miller

Looks like Miller is heading to Portland. Gives the Blazers the floor general they lacked last season and gives Miller a chance to win. Good match all the way around.

Brandon Bass

Bass would make a mistake going to Detroit. (Credit: ocregister.com)

Bass could be staying in Dallas, heading to Orlando, or possibly ending up in Detroit. It makes absolutely no sense for him to sign with the Pistons. With rumors circulating of Carlos Boozer being shipped there for Rip Hamilton, and Charlie Villanueva signing a 5-year deal, he would essentially be the third option at power forward. The Magic need help up front. Orlando would be a good fit.

Antonio McDyess

McDyess could get a ring if he heads to San Antonio. (Credit: ugplay.com)

McDyess is leaning towards San Antonio in the most recent rumor involving the veteran which would provide more depth in the Spurs front court. He’s a solid shooter and depenable on the glass averaging 9.6 ppg and 9.8 rpg last year for the Pistons. The Spurs would have a solid 1-2 post punch with McDyess and Tim Duncan giving them the size to contend with the Lakers huge frontline.

Marcin Gortat

Marcin Gortat is going to get paid big bucks this summer. (Credit: mlive.com)

Most likely headed to Dallas. We’ll see how he responds to more minutes and more responsibility. This is a huge loss for Orlando who now have lost the majority of their front line not named Dwight Howard–Tony Battie via the Vince Carter deal, Hedo Turkoglu to free agency, and Gortat. The Magic better hope Ryan Anderson is as good as Pat Williams thinks he will be.

Grant Hill

Hill should go to a contender rather than a pretender. (Credit: offsideswithfletcher.com)

There are rumors of Hill heading to the the Knicks. Finally healthy, his game resurfaced playing with Phoenix. He appeared in all 82 games for the Suns last season. It’s unfortunate that he would want to make the move to New York, especially when he could most likely ink himself onto another team with better chances of winning a title. Seems like he and fellow 1994 co-ROY Jason Kidd have more in common then we thought: Take the money, not the chance for a championship ring.

Channing Frye

Frye could play minutes that matter for the Cavs. (Credit: nike.com)

Frye is very interested in signing with Cleveland. The guy has been marred with the “wrong place, wrong time” syndrome during his career. He was buried behind David Lee in New York and then behind LaMarcus Aldridge in Portland. If Cleveland loses Anderson Varajao, Frye will have an immediate chance for big minutes at power forward for the Cavs. This is a good opportunity for both sides. Frye has showed he has a lot of game and could be a late bloomer if given the chance.

Trade rumors involving Carlos Boozer, Rip Hamilton, Andre Miller, and CJ Miles are circulating throughout the league.

With substantial free agent activity about to ensue,  trades will be made by both cash-strapped teams and ones hoping to clear cap room for next summer. Historically it has been proven that teams will make trades out of desperation (i.e. Jason Kidd for Devin Harris to the Mavs). What teams are on the verge of making moves they will one day regret.

Protect the Paint will now look at some of the trade rumors floating around the league:

RUMORED TRADES

Carlos Boozer in exchange for Rip Hamilton

Boozer might be headed to Detroit for Rip Hamilton. (Credit: scorereport.com)

It is obvious Hamilton needs to be shipped elsewhere as Ben Gordon and Stuckey are the back-court of the future/now. It’s rare a guy is awarded $50 million or more to be the 6th man. It is curious though as Boozer and Charlie Villanueva essentially play the same position. By trading for Boozer, what purpose was there in signing Villanueva? With free agency rumors involving Brandon Bass, one must wonder why Joe Dumars is trying to stockpile power forwards.

Andre Miller to the Portland Trailblazers

Andre Miller: heading to Portland via sign and trade? (Credit: slamonline.com)

Miller appears to be on his way to Portland via the sign and trade. We mentioned this possibility here last week. This is a sensible move for the Blazers who lacked experience at the point especially evident in the post-season. Brandon Roy will thrive with a good decision maker running the show. Portland may trade Rudy Fernandez–rumored to be unhappy even after Hedo Turkoglu decided not to come to the team–which may be a move general manager Kevin Pritchard ends up regretting. Expect Travis Outlaw to be a part of the deal.

CJ Miles to Toronto Raptors/Boston Celtics/New Jersey Nets

CJ Miles is heating up the trade talks. (Credit: blog.tribphoto.com)

There are many teams (possibly six) rumored to be closing in on C.J. Miles. Miles is young (22), a capable shooter (46% FG in 2008-09), and has played within Jerry Sloan’s strict system. Boston, Toronto, and New Jersey could use his outside shooting, and it is a safe assumption he would thrive in a system outside of Utah, as other players have (see Mo Wiliams). New Jersey has the most talent to offer. Miles would see an increase in minutes in Toronto or New Jersey, resulting in a chance to realize his potential.

Shawn Marion to the Dallas Mavericks

Marion: Heading to Dallas, but will it do any good? (Credit: daylife.com)

This would be a sign and trade deal in which Marion comes to Big D with Jery Stackhouse heading a package of players headed north of the border. This move would give the Mavs some athleticism and a good rebounder. The nucleus of Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd, and Marion with Jason Terry and the possible addition of Marcin Gortat improves the roster. Whether it places them among the upper echelon teams of the Western Conference is up for debate. This roster appears to be a work in progress.

This summer marks the continuation of major spending reform (and not for the better) in the NBA. The Vince Carter, Shaquille O’Neal, and Richard Jefferson deals exemplify that liquidating huge contracts for scrap (or crap) heaps, and aiming to win it all now, is THE popular trend–the rich getting richer. Ben Gordon, Hedo Turkoglu, Jason Kidd, and many other free agents will land large deals, but who can afford to pay them?

Teams are preparing for next summer by dangling expiring contracts via trade to desperate teams.  Assessing the chances to land a marquee name–LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Amare Stoudemire, Chris Bosh, Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash, Paul Pierce, Manu Ginobili–in 2010 is becoming commonplace, and as a result unthinkable trades are being made.

But let’s not forget, there is top-notch talent available this summer, and Protect the Paint will now evaluate who we think the most relevant free agent is for the teams with the most spending power. Lets face it, money talks, or else the free agent walks.

The teams with the most cap space are:

1. Memphis ($18 mil)
2. Detroit ($16.6 mil)
3. Atlanta ($14.8 mil)
4. Oklahoma City ($14.7 mil)

Other teams with significant room are:

1. Utah ($9.2 mil)
2. Portland ($8.1 mil)
3. Miami ($6.7 mil).

MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES

Memphis is going to need every penny they have if they hope to lure a major free agent to play for the Grizzlies. We’re talking about a small market team and a perennial losing franchise. It is doubtful any free agent of substance would be willing go there. What’s the draw? Don’t say Mark Gasol. Beale Street is pretty nice though.

Whoever Memphis signs, they will likely pay more than that player’s true market value. Additional revenue is the only thing luring a player to the Grizzlies. The only destination less attractive may be Milwaukee where Brandon Jennings hardly looks (or sounds) like a savior.

BIGGEST NEED: New Location. If the Grizzlies were located in a larger market, we’ve got to believe more players would consider playing there. Until then, have your checkbook ready Griz. They do have the money to offer Hedo Turkoglu a salary he could not refuse. The combo of Turkoglu, OJ Mayo, and Rudy Gay is solid yet entirely unrealistic.

DETROIT PISTONS

Wednesday’s breaking news of head coach Michael Curry being fired implies Joe Dumars wants to insure free agents will want to come to Detroit. It is well documented that Curry ruffled more than just one player’s feathers. Apparently, Dumars plans to let Allen Iverson and Rasheed Wallace walk.

Iverson and Wallace are in the twilight of their careers, and locking either one of them into a long-term deal makes absolutely zero sense when the Pistons are building around Rodney Stuckey and Tayshaun Prince. Acquiring a third scoring option who is entering/closer to his prime is what Detroit needs.

Gordon's offensive skills would help Detroit (Credit: chi-ball.com)

GREATEST NEED: Ben Gordon or Hedo Turkoglu. Ben Gordon is ideal for Detroit. He is a young, capable scorer who would give the Pistons a solid trio of offensive weapons to build a bright future around. Turkoglu might not make sense with Rip Hamilton and Stuckey already there, but he is a major factor why Orlando went to the finals and the Pistons can afford him.

ATLANTA HAWKS

After recently acquiring Jamal Crawford from Golden State, it raises questions if Atlanta will re-sign Mike Bibby. Crawford gives Atlanta another 4th quarter scoring threat, easing the defensive pressure on Joe Johnson.

Atlanta can let 30-year-old Bibby walk, and re-sign key reserves Zaza Pachulia and Flip Murray. Retaining Pachulia gives Atlanta depth in the post, which is a necessity for playoff basketball.

Will Childress play another year in Greece? (Credit: lowposts.com)

GREATEST NEED: Keeping what they already have (re-signing Pachulia and Murray). These two players are too valuable and affordable not to re-sign and the Hawks need to save their coin for Johnson who can opt out next summer. Josh Childress returning from Greece would give them back-court flexibility.

OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER

OKC cannot afford to spend too much on a major free agent. The Thunder need to spend frugally in order to retain the core of Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, and Russell Westbrook. It is an unconditional must. This being said, signing a mid-level free agent would be the wise move for OKC and there are several available. One in particular would fit nicely with the Thunder’s nucleus.

Millsap would thrive playing with the Thunder (Credit: deseretnews.com)

BIGGEST NEED: Paul Millsap would immediately add a tough rebounding presence and the blue-collar attitude that the young Thunder need. Adding Millsap makes the playoffs a possibility, especially considering Yao Ming’s injury in Houston puts the Rockets 2010 playoff hopes in major jeopardy opening up a spot for another Western Conference team. Millsap gives any team he’s on many second (and often third) chance opportunities on the offensive end. If Boozer opts out of Utah, then expect the Jazz to match any offer made on Millsap.

UTAH JAZZ

The Jazz faced potential free agency disaster, but both Carlos Boozer and Mehmet Okur have decided against opting out and will stay. Luckily for Utah, Boozer’s injury-plagued 2008-09 season and lingering questions of his ability to stay healthy is most likely all that prevented him from bailing and receiving a large offer elsewhere. Does he care about money more than winning? He did bail on LeBron. That should answer that question.

Okur–a big man who can shoot–must believe his best chance for another title (he won a ring in Detroit) lies in Salt Lake City.

Mehmet Okur won't abandon the Jazz. (Credit: nba.com)

BIGGEST NEED: Staying healthy. A healthy Jazz are as good as any team in the NBA. Re-signing Milsap as insurance for the fragile Boozer would be huge, but chances are good a team with more cap room will nab him.

PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS

Portland is a young team on the rise. They made the playoffs, and in doing so, exposed their greatest weakness.  Depending on which players they decide to retain the rights to, they could go as far as $15-30 million under the cap. They will not advance past the 1st round with Steve Blake as the starting PG. The Blazers have a solid leader in two time All-Star Brandon Roy, but they need a savvy veteran who can bring the ball up court.

Andre Miller is a massive ugrade to Steve Blake (Credit: ESPN)

BIGGEST NEED: Andre Miller or Jason Kidd. Miller would instantly bring leadership and make Portland a title contender as the Blazers mature. Miller has a lot of game left in the tank, and with $8 million to spend in cap space, they could afford to sign him.

With Jason Kidd coordinating the offense, there is no telling where the Blazers could go. Odds are Kidd remains in Dallas or signs with the New York Knicks. Kidd is already in New York and ready to begin negotiations.

MIAMI HEAT

Miami obviously has no interest in spending any money this summer. Their top priority is re-signing Dwyane Wade. The irony might end up being that in not making moves to secure talent around Wade they may lose him. Wade has made it abundantly clear in the media that he wants players provided for him now, not later. What Miami really needs is a low post presence. A solid center would immediately seal up a lot of loose ends for the Heat.

Marcin Gortat can start and make a difference in MIami (Credit: pablonasportowo)

BIGGEST NEED: Marcin Gortat or Anderson Varejao. With Orlando recently acquiring Vince Carter, Orlando will have trouble matching offers for Gortat. With Cleveland making the O’Neal trade they have no chance of paying Varajao the money he wants. Gortat has proven to be a solid performer when filling in for foul-prone Dwight Howard, and could be an affordable solution to fill the void in the middle in Miami. Varejao’s athleticism and defensive prowess might be the better move for Miami. He can give them what last year Jermaine O’Neal couldn’t.