Is Almazan Worth It?

Now that Raymond Almazan is doing a Calvin Abueva trading maneuver, let's see what might happen. Just like what happened with Terrence Romeo and Calvin Abueva, I doubt that a team can force a player to stay on with the team if he no longer wants to. So a trade might be best for both player and team.

If I had to name the top 5 best centers in the PBA right now, I would say Jun Mar Fajardo, Poy Erram, Japeth Aguilar, Greg Slaughter, and maybe Ian Sanggalang. Raymond Almazan isn't even in that top 5 list.

I tried looking at his stats during the 2018 Philippine Cup. He averaged 9 points, 6.33 rebounds and 1.78 blocks per game. That doesn't even come close to Jun Mar Fajardo's 22.8 points, 13.3 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game or Poy Erram's 14.18 points, 13.82 rebounds and 3 blocks per game. So getting Almazan on one's team isn't as good as getting a Fajardo or an Erram. But some teams could sure use the shot blocking.

So, which PBA teams lack a legitimate center. The following teams come to mind.
1. TNT Katropa
2. Meralco Bolts
3. Columbian Dyip
4. Northport Batang Pier
5. Phoenix Fuel Masters
6. Alaska Aces

Let's try to analyze the potential trades for each of these teams.

TNT Katropa has been lacking a decent center for a long time now. Kelly Williams has been forced to play this spot even though he is better at the power forward position. The departure or Ranidel de Ocampo and Moala Tautua has turned this team into a shooting dependent team. And once your shooters are having an off-night, there's no one to rebound and get second chance opportunities. I'm not saying that Almazan is famous for getting second chance opportunities, but he might help improve TNT's rebounding. TNT might have to shed one of their premier guards for an Almazan trade. But I'm not sure if Rain or Shine would want another guard. They would probably want a center or power forward. And Kelly Williams might not be on the table despite his age.

Even though the Meralco Bolts have Dillinger, Hodge and De Ocampo, they could still use someone like Almazan at the center position. One of those three though might be up for trade.

The Columbian Dyip might want to trade Jackson Corpuz for Almazan. They would end up getting the roughly the same numbers, but a player who is taller.

Despite having Tautua, I think Northport still needs a decent center. I would actually go for a Tautua Almazan trade.

With the addition of Abueva, the Phoenix fuel masters just need a center and point guard to complete their core five. Phelps is doing a great job at the center position which is the reason why Phoenix is a contender during this Governor's Cup conference. But once he is gone during the Philippine Cup, then Phoenix might become a middle tier team. So if there was any reason for them to acquire Almazan, it is in preparation for the future. I would trade Intal or Eriobu for Almazan.

Alaska still has Sonny Thoss. And they might have an up and coming star in Magat. But until that time comes, they will need a center like Almazan to help Vic Manuel down low. Trade Thoss, Racal or Baclao for Almazan.

The other PBA teams could still benefit with the addition of Almazan. For example, Black Water could trade Raba Al-hussaini for Almazan and become an even better team. And a reunion with coach Yeng Guiao is possible at NLEX although I don't know who they would trade for Almazan. Maybe Marcelo. Magnolia, too, could use another center to help Sanggalang. Would they trade Pingris for Almazan? Would Rain or Shine be willing to wait for Pingris to recover?

Teams like San Miguel or Ginebra would probably have a hard time inserting Almazan in the rotation even if they could acquire him.

MVP teams probably have the best chance of getting Almazan. And with no potential premier centers in the 2019 PBA draft, getting Raymond Almazan could be the best move before 2019 even begins.