By Chad Ford NBA Insider Updated: August 12 10:57 AM ET It just wouldn't be an NBA offseason without the Blazers stage diving into the NBA trade mosh pit -- so it was with warm, familiar appreciation that we learned this weekend that GM John Nash was attempting to extradite Rasheed Wallace and Ruben Patterson to New Jersey for, of all people, Kenyon Martin. It makes perfect sense if you think about it. The Blazers are stressing character now, and Martin is definitely a character . . . Martin, for those of you with memories that erase upon seasons end, was the 2001 version of Ron Artest. Martin, during his second year in the league, picked up an NBA-high six flagrant fouls (the same number Artest picked up this season), 12 technical fouls, was suspended for seven games and was fined $347,000 over the course of the season. Kenyon showed his gentler side this year, reducing the number of flagrants to two, but he was still tied for fifth in the league in technicals with 13 -- one more than he got during the infamous 2001-02 campaign. His teammates claimed he mellowed out. Martin says he's just matured. "This is my third year, man. I've grown up a lot since last year," Martin said earlier this year. "I don't know what (prompted it); it's just maturing. That's the way it goes, I guess. Some people get it, and some people don't. I think I got it." Still you've got to wonder, do they put something in the water there in Portland that inexplicably draws whoever is in the Blazers' front office to the shadier players in the NBA? Martin isn't a bad man. But he's not what you'd call an NBA model citizen either. Of course, compared to Wallace, who has led the NBA in technical fouls from 1999-2002, he's a saint. Wallace got a whopping 41 technicals during the 2000- 01 season, once attacked a referee and was nailed for marijuana possession last season. Patterson, the other guy the Blazers are trying to dump, was arrested and charged with felony assault in 2002. In 2001, before he was signed to a lucrative long term deal with the Blazers, he pled guilty to charges of forcing his nanny to perform sex acts. No wonder Paul Allen announced last week that he was initiating a "25-step" recovery program for the Blazers. How bad of shape are the Blazers in? Alcoholics Anonymous has a 12-step program. Allen felt the need to more than double it. Among the key components is a pledge to "evaluate character along with basketball talent when selecting players " and to "establish a player code of conduct and to hold our players accountable for their actions both on and off the court." Dumping Wallace and Patterson is a must. But do they have to replace him with Martin? It's time for the Blazers to start cleaning house, and of course, I have my own ideas. Here's my five-step plan for rebuilding the Blazers and rehabilitating their image. Step One: Ship 'Sheed to the Wizards The Blazers claim they want a "Top 15" player in return for Sheed, but that just doesn't jive with 1) reality and 2) their pledge to evaluate character when making deals. The truth is, there isn't a great deal out there for the Blazers and perhaps, they're better off just letting his contract run out. However, I think there's one trade out there that's doable -- shipping Wallace to the Wizards for Kwame Brown, Christian Laettner and Jahidi White. Laettner and White both have two years left on their contracts and become, basically, salary-cap filler. The prize, of course, is Brown. Everyone knows the talent is there, but the kid is in serious need of a change of scenery. I'm not sure exactly how he fits with the Blazers' other young low-post prospect, Zach Randolph, but swapping Brown for 'Sheed gives them size, upside and a future, something the Blazers need in abundance. Step Two: Swap Bonzi Wells, Patterson and Dale Davis to Dallas for Michael Finley and Raef LaFrentz I also suggested this trade last week in my "Five Trades We'd Like to See" piece. Dallas is in need of toughness, especially in the paint, and Davis is a great fit. He won't put up a lot of points, but he'll do the dirty work and that's all Dallas really needs. Wells gives them a more physical option at the two and Patterson, for all of his faults, is a tenacious defender. In turn, the Blazers upgrade character-wise. Finley and LaFrentz both have ugly contracts, but each still has plenty left in the tank. Finley would be the team's leader and LaFrentz is still one of the best shot blockers in the league. In the end, the Blazers gain ground on the character end and draw very even on the talent end. The only downside is cap ramifications, but frankly, Paul Allen can afford it. Step Three: Send Arvydas Sabonis to Denver for Marcus Camby This deal was rumored close to the draft and still makes sense for both teams. The Nuggets don't need the cap room any more this summer, but trading for Sabonis and waiving him would give them enough room next year to make serious runs at the likes of Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson. For the Blazers, Camby gives them another big option to play center. Camby's well- documented injury history is a concern, but with LaFrentz and White in place to back him up, what do the Blazers have to lose? If Camby stumbles again, he has only two years left on his contract. Step Four: Sign Stephen Jackson The team still has its full mid-level exception and will need a solid small forward now that Wallace and Scottie Pippen aren't in the fold. Jackson has the athleticism and defensive prowess to step right and hold down the fort at the three until Qyntel Woods is ready to take over. While Jackson makes lots of questionable decisions with the ball, he's the best free-agent small forward on the board and can help the Blazers. Step Five: Kick Damon Stoudamire to the curb New president Steve Patterson reportedly told season ticket holders last week that he couldn't trade Stoudamire for a chair. That's probably very accurate. With yet another marijuana possession charge looming, Stoudamire has worn out his welcome everywhere. He still has two seasons left on his ridiculous contract and despite the sign of life late last season, he's a cancer that has to be taken care of. It's unlikely that his trade value goes up much next season despite being in the last year of his deal. He has too many off-the- court problems for a team to risk trading for him. If the Blazers really want to send the message to the fans, they eat the last $24 million of his contract as penance. Those moves would give the Blazers this opening-day roster: Point guard: Derek Anderson, Jeff McInnis Shooting guard: Michael Finley, Qyntel Woods Small forward: Stephen Jackson, Travis Outlaw Power forward: Zach Randolph, Kwame Brown, Christian Laettner Center: Marcus Camby, Raef LaFrentz, Jahidi White Basketball-wise, the team is big, versatile, athletic and deep. The Blazers have a nice mixture of veterans and young, up-and-coming players. Four of the five starters can play multiple positions, and five of their bench players should be able to contribute immediately next season. On the character front, the team still isn't perfect. Laettner has a history of problems getting along with teammates. Randolph punched a teammate in the face last year. Woods is an admitted marijuana user. White was accused of sexual misconduct last season, but charges were later dropped. McInnis has had his share of off-the-court controversies as well. But by dumping Wallace, Patterson, Stoudamire and Wells, and by adding Finley, LaFrentz and Brown, the Blazers are better both on and off the court. Given the Blazer's troubled past, any scenario that doesn't include warrants, suspensions, cops or giant bongs is a good one. -- @_________@||| --

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