The Emergence of Martell Webster and Andre Miller and What it Means Long Term

Even without their best player in the lineup, the short-handed Blazers throttled the Orlando Magic on Friday.  They were carried by the play of Martell Webster -- who had 24 points, 9 rebounds, and made 5 three pointers -- and Andre Miller -- who had 19 points and 9 assists.  But this wasn't just a case of guys stepping up to fill a void.  Both Webster and Miller have been putting up similar numbers all month.  

Over his last 7 games, Martell is averaging almost 19 points and 7 rebounds a game.  He's shooting well over 40% from 3-point range.  And, just as importantly, he's playing solid defense.  Within the course of just a few weeks, he has gone from a guy the league had forgotten about to a guy most teams would love to have.  If he can maintain anything near this level of production, he will become one of the Blazers most valuable assets, the kind of guy who every GM wants included in any trade proposal.  

As for Miller, he's averaged nearly 19 points and 8 assists over his last 7 games.  He's run the offense well and played under control.  He's been aggressive offensively, posting up smaller guards and fearlessly driving to the rim when he sees an opening.  In short, he's been the guy that Blazer fans imagined he could be when he was first signed.  For long stretches of this season, it was not clear who among the Blazers three point guards deserved the most minutes.  As long as Miller continues to play at this level, though, we won't be having that debate.  

To the extent there is a silver-lining in the Blazers' injury woes, this is surely it.  Had Nic Batum, Travis Outlaw, and Rudy Fernandez remained healthy this season, Webster would have really struggled to find playing time.  As the only legitimate small forward on the active roster for most of the season (and one of only two wings for much of it), Webster has been forced to play big minutes and has managed to work off the rust from sitting out all of last season.  It took him a while, but he's now looking much more confident and comfortable out there, and he's showing real potential to become an elite "D and 3" wing player, the kind of guy all contending teams lust after.  

It took Miller a little longer to get his opportunity, but when Steve Blake was hospitalized with pneumonia, he finally got the chance to shoulder a bigger load at point guard.  And he's responded by playing some of the best ball he's played in years.  Going in to the season, the consensus seemed to be that Miller's contract was very reasonable for someone of his talent and production.  But as the season progressed, and Miller's production diminished due to a more limited role, Miller's value as a trade asset dropped.  The Andre Miller of the last few weeks, however, is definitely a guy who is worth his current contract.  If he keeps playing like this, I don't think Blazer management will have any trouble moving him if they want to.

The real question, with both Martell and Andre, is where do they fit in the Blazers long term plans?  Both play positions at which the Blazers, when healthy, have an abundance of players.  At point guard, the Blazers can't keep Miller, Blake, and Bayless long term.  Someone's got to go. At the wing, the Blazers can't keep Webster, Batum, Fernandez, and Outlaw.  

So should the Blazers consider making a move now?  If so, should Webster or Miller be in that discussion?  

As I've said before, I think the Blazers will ultimately have to choose between Webster and Fernandez, and I think the smarter choice is to keep Webster.  Webster may never be as talented offensively as Fernandez, but he is more versatile (can play both wing positions and power forward in a small lineup) and he plays better defense.  Ultimately, I see Roy, Webster, and Batum taking up virtually all the available wing minutes.  

As for point guard, I really like what I'm seeing from Andre.  I think he "fits" with the rest of the team much better than anyone gives him credit for.  He's the veteran presence that was missing.  I like Blake, but I think it makes the most sense to move him.  Jerryd can play the role of backup combo guard (and starter in waiting), while Miller mans the point for the remaining years on his contract.  

As I see it, the odd men out, at least long term, are Blake, Outlaw, and Fernandez.  With that in mind, if I were Kevin Pritchard, while I wouldn't make any hasty trades, I would certainly look at what I could get right now for a package that included those three players.