Portland has cap space at the end of this season (if they don’t make any trade in the interim) and over at BlazersEdge we’ve rehashed the 2009 FA class a million times. We won’t be a player in the 2010 class because three of our young players will get extensions that summer.

Recently, there has been a little discussion on Hedo. My question for you guys is: How much does Orlando value Hedo? Will they definitely re-sign him? Can they afford the $10-12 million that article talks about him commanding? How does he play with Rashard Lewis? I think of them both as SFs even though they are both big and can play multiple positions.

Ok, that was more than one question. But I’d be very interested on any insight as to the chances of Orlando not retaining Hedo after this season. Also, he you think Orlando would have any interest in a sign and trade where they get a SF (Travis Outlaw) or PF (Channing Frye, I know, he’s not that good, but he’s a big body and can shoot outside most of the time) and PG (Sergio Rodriguez) in return?

We can afford it, but not without going into luxury tax territory, which we just won’t do. Hedo has a $7.35m player option currently counting against our comitted cap for next season, so we’d likely need to find another $5m or so to re-sign him.

Brian Cook’s on the hook for $3.5m at his option, which he’d surely exercise, so if we could trade him we’d free up enough, hopefully, if the cap rises a little, enough to get Hedo back and just miss the lottery.

But then we’d have to sign draft picks, and replace Gortat, Foyle and Bogans (well, maybe) who all have deals expiring in the summer.