Posted 05/19/2010 9:01 AM

 Not really going out on much of a limb to pontificate that the Trail Blazers will try to move up. I'm going to make a prediction that the sun rise in the east tomorrow.

Posted 05/19/2010 9:21 AM

wow. i figured they would try to move up, don't they always... but 3rd or 4th? We're going to have to give up something pretty special to move all the way up there. Are they ready to ditch Oden?

Posted 05/19/2010 10:32 AM

I personally dont see the point of moving up this draft.  Glad Wall and Turner are going east.
  Rookies just dont appeal to me this summer. I want someone who already plays at the nba level. No room to "develop young talent" in minutes next season.....

Posted 05/19/2010 10:58 AM

I love rookies, love the draft, and already am excited about the rumors. I stayed up last night contemplating who KP could be targeting, Cousins or Favors...maybe Turner if he slips, and just what exactly we would have to give up to get that high of a draft pick. Minnesota looks like a terrible trading partner, since they are in-division and are loaded in the front court where we have our most assets. I think dealing with New Jersey would occur before Minnesota.

Posted 05/19/2010 11:25 AM

I have a few theories on this rumors:
First- If we are being so active already on draft day, it must be good for KP's future with the Blazers. Why try so hard if you're a lame-duck GM? It doesn't add it. If the rumors of moving up are true, it fuels the fire of KP staying in town.
Second- Could acquiring the #3 pick be more ammunition to use in a sign and trade for Bosh since we'd ,ost likely have to give up Aldridge in any trade to get #3/4

Posted 05/19/2010 1:02 PM

KP is not going to trade LA.  Just like when the Bosh rumors started last year....
YAWN on this years draft.
We arent a lottery team anymore, we are one or two pieces from a championship run, with at least one of those players coming back next season. . I dont see those pieces coming in the draft this year.

Posted 05/21/2010 11:56 AM

Draft Mesaurements were just released:

A few things that stood out to me:
Cousins is 292 lbs and 16.4% body fat, but has a longer reach than Oden or Dwight Howard.
With those physical tools, he could be the next great center or Eddy Curry if he lets his weight get the best of him.

Hassan Whiteside had a wingspan of 7'7", the best in the draft! If he could get his work ethic down pat, he could be the next great shotblocker.

Greg Monroe is 6'11" in shoes, which is definitely an inch taller than I expected.

Ekpe Udoh only measured out to be 6'9 3/4" tall but his 7'4.5" wingspan is one of the best in the draft.

Posted 05/21/2010 1:40 PM

Do the Timberwolves really want to trade picks with us again? I would thing the Foye trade was the last draft day trade they would do with us. :-P

I don't think the team needs to move that high, if anything low lottery, 4 year college PG or PF.

Posted 05/21/2010 2:23 PM

Looks like the Sixers are listening to offers for their #2 pick only if the receiving team will take on Elton Brand's mammoth contract:

 A number of teams have already looked into the availability of the Philadelphia 76ers' No. 2 pick in the June 24 draft.

The asking price? Several sources said they were told that the Sixers want their trade partner to take Elton Brand off their hands. Good luck with that. With Brand set to earn $51 million over the course of the next three years, he's virtually impossible to trade.

As much as teams like the Minnesota Timberwolves, for instance, love Evan Turner, I don't think they love him that much.

I've been pushing a Turner/Batum/Roy 1,2,3 back court since December but never thought it would happen due to Turner rising so far in the draft.

Posted 05/22/2010 3:34 PM

That Elton Brand contract is no bueno.

Posted 05/22/2010 6:40 PM

But we have the luxary of not worrying about finances when our owner is Paul Allen, someone who has shown before in the past, that money is no object. Not to mention, Brand is a terrible fit in Philly's offense and could use a change of scenery. He is still around 30 years old and looked good against us in the RG last season.

Posted 05/23/2010 12:05 PM

This is true but, no one should be paying Brand that much money. Going over the cap for a guy like Camby is one thing...3 years $51 million for a bench forward is too much even for Allen in this economy.

Posted 05/24/2010 3:09 PM

Who's everyone's Top 3 Sleepers and Busts?

Busts:
Cole Aldrich-
After being high on him the whole season, I just can't get over his lack of lateral movement. Visions of Greg Osterag pop in my mind

DeMarcus Cousins-
Has a chance to be amazing, but I think his mental instability will catch up to him in the end. Highest risk/reward of anyone in the draft

Gordon Haywood-
I just don't see it. Not quick, not a great shooter.

I'll work on the sleepers later

Posted 05/24/2010 3:11 PM

I don't think we're moving up in the draft..however I also wouldn't be surprised if we did. But I think most of our damage will be done starting July 1st. WE are just a 2-3 more pieces away from a championship.

Posted 05/24/2010 3:31 PM

Here is a great recap of Day 1 at the Draft Combine from NBADraft.net-

 Quincy Pondexter Promise?
Quincy Pondexter turning down an invite to the combine suggests that he has a promise in the first round. Or else he’s attempting to make it appear that way. Fellow Husky Jon Brockman turned down a combine invite last year fueling speculation that he had a promise. And it turned out to be true he had an early second round promise from Sacramento. But it’s unlikely Pondexter would turn down an opportunity to workout in front of the entire league for a second round promise. 

 Larry Sanders Sanders looked very impressive. His body looks like he has put on some real muscle since the end of the season. He’s still very thin, but his shoulders are showing more definition. Showed a nice release shooting behind the three point line. Looked impressive shooting off the dribble.

 Dominique Jones outside shot looked average. Didn’t make a huge impact. Outside shot shows good form but doesn’t get much lift.

Read More

Posted 05/25/2010 6:52 PM

From Chad Ford's Twitter-

  Also, Blazers had private workout with Paul George and Dominique Jones. Word out of Blazers had George winning the match-up.

Jones, I like and will definitely be available at #22 but George, who I have never seen play does sound intriguing.
His Draft Profile compares him to Ariza/Granger and it looks like he has all the tools to become great, just needs some seasoning. I doubt he was really pushed at Fresno State but imagine what Nate and Monty could do with him? We'd definitely have to move up a little bit to acquire him as he is projected in the 15 range give or take 3 spots, but I am interested.

Posted 05/26/2010 2:52 PM

Not sure I consider Aldrich "Bust" material...not yet anyway. He doesn't have a high ceiling so pretty much what you see is what you get. Lateral movement is a big one not to have but a lot of his flaws can be corrected (movement, post moves, shooting mechanics, etc.) Cousins on the other hand does have the potential to be a huge bust considering his lack of mental toughness and being in the top 5 in most mock drafts ive seen. I like Larry Sanders (Demarcus Cousins-lite) a lot but we kinda have the big PF with shooting touch spot taken on this team. If the Suns had a first rounder this year I could see them picking him up.

Posted 05/26/2010 3:40 PM

I think if Wesley Johnson is asked to be the man somewhere, he'll bust. He is definitely a Robin and not a Batman. Its always scary drafting a wing in the top 10 who can not create their own shot.

Posted 05/28/2010 11:07 AM

Hassan Whiteside/Daniel Orton Workout-

Bob Hill on Whiteside and Orton

"They're different players. Hassan can dribble the ball, shoot the ball, blocks a lot of shots. He's a good kid. He's more of a big forward because he doesn't have the strength to play center. As he continues to mature, he's got a really bright future."

"Daniel's the opposite. He can play big forward and center. He's got good range on his shot. He's a little bit bigger and a little bit more confident (offensively) around the basket. He's more physical than Hassan."

"They can both block and they can both shoot. It's going to be a matter of both players getting indoctrinated this summer into what pro basketball is all about to understand the length of the game and the pace of the game."

CONTINUE READING>>>

Posted 05/28/2010 11:36 AM

SI.Com 2010 NBA Draft Big Board-

Here is their Top 5 of 75:

  1- John Wall
An exceptionally athletic point guard with great size and natural playmaking instincts, Wall plays with intensity on both ends of the floor and still has a huge upside to grow into. He can score, pass and defend, but must improve his perimeter shooting (32.5 percent from downtown) and cut down on his four turnovers per game to reach his full potential.

2- Evan Turner
The most versatile player in college basketball, Turner defended four positions for Ohio State while manning the point in Thad Matta's offense -- and still found time to haul in nearly 10 rebounds per game. His smooth mid-range game and unselfishness will allow him to fit in seamlessly on any NBA team's roster.

3- Derrick Favors
A long and athletic big man with superb rebounding and defensive instincts, Favors is the prototype for what NBA teams look for these days in a modern power forward/center. He's still raw offensively (12 ppg in his one college season), but will be productive on both ends of the floor as he continues to mature thanks to his physical tools. He's still only 18 years old.

4- DeMarcus Cousins
A massive physical presence inside the paint with terrific size and length, Cousins ranked as the most productive college player in the past decade as a freshman, with a gigantic 34.4 PER (player efficiency rating). He can score both facing and with his back to the basket, is a phenomenal rebounder and would garner legit consideration for the No. 1 pick if not for his seemingly shaky intangibles. NBA teams worry about how coachable he is and question his conditioning.

5- Al-Farouq Aminu
Young and athletic with long arms and terrific rebounding skills, Aminu is the prototype for today's NBA combo forward. He can switch on screens, beat opposing players down the court, put up nearly 11 rebounds per game, and could develop into an All-Star-type talent if his ball-handling skills improve (3.2 turnovers) and he develops some shooting range (27 percent on threes).

Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/20...z0pFczbXTa

Posted 05/28/2010 3:39 PM

So who's minutes are these rookies going to take? 

Starters:
Miller,Roy,Batum,Aldridge,Camby

Bench:
Bayless,Fernandez,Webster,Cunningham,Oden
then of course there is Pryz and Pendergraph.

I'm still not feeling this years draft as being the piece that puts the Blazers over the top. To move up significantly, teams will want Dante. I'm not willing to let him go.  I'd rather have Blake and Travis back to fill the holes for depth and insurance, and not have to start another " rookie project ".

Posted 05/28/2010 9:22 PM

Portland is usually very active come draft day, so there's a decent shot one of our current players would have to get moved in order to move up. Personally, I just don't see us standing pat this offseason....it's not in KP's nature to stand still while others get better. Also, KP's track record for his draft picks speaks for himself, so whichever player we get in the draft will probably be a stud! Finally, when drafting this low in the draft, its not about finding the piece to put you over the top but to simply make your team better than it was before draft day. It doesn't matter how much your team improves, just that it is getting better.

Posted 05/30/2010 3:44 AM

Hello Blazer Mania Fans, I am a long time Blazer fan from the hay days of the mid 80's. I can't wait to see who we will draft in this non talented draft class. Who ever we select will just find room on the bench for the most part, but I think that KP will deal both picks away with cash and players in a sign-n-trade deal with the Cavs. It would make most sense for the Blazers and the Cavaliers. Mostly for the Cavs since their lose everything if Bron doesn't sign. Looking at all the teams and their talent, ages of players, and contacts and determine that we'll need to send over a handful of players like Rude, Webster, Miller, and a few more with draft picks and cast just for LeBron James. An article that I read earlier this week suggested that we bring Mo Williams along to help. is wouldn't be a bad idea to lose some bodies to bring the marquee player of the league to our Blazers family. Any truth to this rumor?

Posted 05/30/2010 3:06 PM

I have not heard of the Mo Williams rumor, but sign and trades can't be worked out until July 1st, at earliest, and that is 1 week after the draft.

Posted 06/03/2010 5:19 PM

According to David Aldridge, Donatas Montiejunas is likely to pull out of the 2010 NBA Draft.

 The chances of an international player cracking the top half of the first round of the June 24 Draft is decreasing rapidly, with 19-year-old forward Donatas Motiejunas of Lithuania likely to pull his name from consideraton before the June 15 deadline for international players under 22 to withdraw from the Draft. The 7-footer, who is playing for Benetton Treviso this season, was looking to get a guarantee from a top-12 team in the Draft before coming to play in the NBA next season, but none was forthcoming.

In a sign that Motiejunas is likely to stay in Europe, he had his tonsils removed on Monday after dealing with throat infections for the better part of a year. The time he'll spend recuperating instead of practicing and working out for potential NBA employers would indicate that he's made his decision.

A source close to Motiejunas put the chances of his withdrawal from the Draft at "90-10."

Through the first part of this year, many mock drafts had Motiejunas as a potential top-10 pick, with his ability to shoot and score at his size a potential boon for NBA teams. But growing concerns about his weight and his defense made many NBA personnel people in the top half of the Draft leery. If Motiejunas stays with Benetton another year and works on his game he probably will be one of the top prospects in the 2011 Draft, which isn't viewed as having as many big men prospects.

The Draft status of another 2010 prospect with first-round potential, French forward Kevin Seraphin, is also up in the air. Seraphin injured his knee this week and is expected to miss a couple of weeks at minimum, and won't be able to work out for NBA teams that have gone to Europe this week to see him in action with his French League team, Cholet, which is in the French League semifinals, or in next week's Adidas Eurocamp in Treviso.

Seraphin, whose agent, Bouna Ndiaye, is credited with helping developing talents like Portland's Nicolas Batum and Dallas rookie guard Rod Boubois while they were emerging talents in Europe, is currently thought to be a late first-round pick by NBA personnel sources.

I am not to thrilled with this news, because it pushes another prospect away from our reach at #22. Not only would I have liked to take on the project of Montiejunas, but now another player who may have been there at 22, will be gone, because he has withdrawn.

Posted 06/03/2010 6:00 PM

Thats too bad, looks like Seraphin might not be able to work out as well... :( was looking forward to seeing a better look at that kid. 

Posted 06/03/2010 6:05 PM

Jones, I like and will definitely be available at #22 but George, who I have never seen play does sound intriguing.
His Draft Profile compares him to Ariza/Granger and it looks like he has all the tools to become great, just needs some seasoning. I doubt he was really pushed at Fresno State but imagine what Nate and Monty could do with him? We'd definitely have to move up a little bit to acquire him as he is projected in the 15 range give or take 3 spots, but I am interested.

Posted 06/03/2010 6:07 PM

but would a player like george fit in? we already have batum and if george is willing to be the sixth man it would be good but he has some serious abilities and he probly wont want to be a backup forever. and with monty maybe on his way to the hornets he might not receive as good of coaching, not saying nate isnt amazing.

Posted 06/03/2010 9:59 PM

SO I have been looking over the message boards and trying to decide if I wanted to throw my two cents in or not. Let me first say that the Blazers are in a really great spot with the team they already have. We have the pieces (well except 1 or 2 ) key pieces. I think that we could acquire those pieces through other teams. I am not sure I want to put my hopes on the draft. There are a few guys that are available this year that I think would make a good addition for P-town BUT, given the history of Portland and the Blazers, even if he came in and played amazing, he would still end up taking a number and sitting on the bench. I would love it if we could find that perfect one. Then I ask myself, which one would be the perfect one? Would we want someone that could back up L.A.? Roy? Priz? Another P.G.? Someone to replace a player that as much as I would hate to see go, there is still the chance? I mean, how much rebuilding do we need to do before we say "OK, this is the team, it might take a few years but these are the guys that will take us there. Not just one year, but keep us at the top for multiple years."   I am as big a fan as anyone else, I would LOVE to bring home that trophy! It is way overdue. Portland is ready, the blazers are ready, lets get it done. How much longer are we going to rebuild in order to get the trophy?  NOW please do not get me wrong. I know that we need a few key pieces in order to do that and the talent that is available in the league right now might not be the right pieces, BUT, just because they are not the right pieces for another team does not mean that they can't come into Portland and totally shock us, I mean look at Camby or Miller. I suppose that no matter what, we will end up getting a few new guys, we will make the draft day trades and will get the guys we really want. I only hope that the team as well as the town is ready. 

Posted 06/04/2010 10:02 AM

Posted By Kropf on 06/03/2010 6:07 PM
but would a player like george fit in? we already have batum and if george is willing to be the sixth man it would be good but he has some serious abilities and he probly wont want to be a backup forever. and with monty maybe on his way to the hornets he might not receive as good of coaching, not saying nate isnt amazing.

After Trav left, there has been a hole left in the backup small forward spot (I consider Marty more of a 2 guard). Given Batum's ability to play the 1,2, or 3, I feel a player like George could come in and still get minutes. Every team needs backups. Ever since the 2006 draft, I am on the KP bandwagon philosophy of just drafting the best player available. Competition amongst the players makes everyone better and ensures that the 5 best players are out on the floor. If the Blazers feel like Paul is the best player they could realistically obtain, then go out and get him!

Posted 06/05/2010 10:28 AM

From DX-
Paul George Workout & Interview

 

Paul George Workout and Interview by: Jim Hlavac, Richard Walker June 4, 2010 Of all the players in this draft, none elicits as wide a range of responses from NBA talent evaluators as Fresno State sophomore Paul George. An extremely late bloomer from the out of reach desert town of Palmdale, California who was completely overlooked by Pac-10 teams after being deemed a two-star high school recruit, George is fairly young for his class and appears to have a huge amount of room to grow as a prospect. As we quickly found out while watching him work out in Southern California, George is an incredibly tantalizing prospect to watch in person due to his physical tools, versatile skills and considerable upside. The first thing you notice is that he is much bigger than the 6-7, 190 pounds he was listed at in high school (or even the 6-8 that Fresno State pegged him as), measuring a legit 6-9 in shoes with a solid 6-11 ¼ wingspan at the NBA combine. Clearly he has grown a few inches in the past few years and, although his body could still stand to put on weight, his frame should have no problem filling out over the next few years. The second thing that stood out about George is just how versatile and dynamic a player he is -- far more than we had given him credit for up until this point. Exceptionally smooth with terrific body control and the ability to get off the floor quickly, George is an extremely impressive athlete. The last revelation from this workout involved George’s skill level. Despite his imposing size, he is a pure swingman -- not the SF/PF we had listed him as following his freshman season (when he played primarily at the 4 spot). His ball-handling skills are excellent for a 6-9 player. He handles the ball on a string and looks incredibly confident, almost effortless, in the way he creates shots for himself in the mid-range area. As you can see in the video below (take note of the sequence starting 28 seconds in), George’s size, coupled with the elevation he gets on his jumper, allows him to get his shot off whenever he pleases in isolation situations. This was something of a curse for him in college, as he was allowed to take pretty much any shot he wanted in an undisciplined, disorganized offensive system. George clearly did not get the kind of direction and accountability that a late blooming player such as himself needs. With the right coaching (and a more serious environment), George has the tools to develop into an incredible mismatch. George scored in a variety of ways in the competitive four on four pickup games we took in: turnaround jumpers and basic post moves (video 2:07); smooth, effortless NBA 3-pointers (2:17); beautiful mid-range jumpers; off the dribble getting to the rack; and ferocious put-back dunks, which he executed with frightening ease. He’s going to be a terror in transition on the right NBA team. His length and explosiveness allow him to finish incredibly well around the basket -- check out the series of dunks we filmed in the video above, starting at the 5:10 mark, for evidence of that. The most impressive part of George’s workout from our perspective was the potential and intensity he showed on the defensive end -- something we rarely saw at Fresno State. His outstanding size, length, lateral quickness and instincts give him the potential to develop into a Trevor Ariza-type defender. He’s capable of defending up to three positions at the NBA level, and is fully capable of impacting a game on that. George’s anticipation skills were on full display. He was able to block shots, get into passing lanes, contest jumpers and generally touch everything in his area. George has been criticized for his laid-back demeanor dating back to his high school days. Seeing how easily the game of basketball comes for him, it’s not hard to see where this is coming from. He has gone from being an unheralded prospect to being discussed as a legitimate lottery candidate, which is a huge jump as far as expectations are concerned. The biggest factor for George will be whether or not he lands on a team where he’ll be pushed consistently by the coaching staff and challenged to reach his full potential as a player. While his talent is impossible to ignore (and his ceiling is obviously incredibly high), George still has plenty to prove in terms of his ability to impact the game in a manner that is conducive to winning games -- his Fresno State squad underachieved badly this year. He must show that he can play with a killer instinct and display the willingness to do whatever it takes on both ends of the floor to help his team win. To his credit, George seems to realize this and touched on that topic in the video above (1:57). Still, there’s a big difference between flashing talent in a workout setting and translating it to an actual NBA game. Much of that will come down to how hard George is willing to work (something his trainer Don McLean praised him for emphatically to us) and the situation he finds himself in. In terms of pure upside, though, there may not be five players in this draft with more overall talent than what we saw from George in Los Angeles. The buzz around him has been gradually building over the past few weeks, to the point that it’s no longer a stretch to say he could be the first wing player taken after Wesley Johnson. With teams such as the Los Angeles Clippers (his favorite team growing up), Utah Jazz, Memphis Grizzlies and Milwaukee Bucks all looking for a dynamic swingman who can create, shoot and defend, the chance of George being picked in the 8-15 range looks very good at the moment.

Click here for the Video

I am really starting to warm up to this kid. He's a late-bloomer, who was overlooked by all the pac-10 schools. At only 20, he still has more upside. Also, he can play both the 2 and the 3, meaning he could be the primary backup to Batum/Roy and form a great rotation of guards and small forwards (Andre/Bayless/Roy/Batum/George)

Posted 06/05/2010 11:44 AM

Posted By DHawes22 on 06/05/2010 10:28 AM
 
(Andre/Bayless/Roy/Batum/George)

...So is trading Rudy part of obtaining George?  Just curious.

Posted 06/05/2010 7:45 PM

Posted By BR7_Fan on 06/05/2010 11:44 AM

Posted By DHawes22 on 06/05/2010 10:28 AM
 
(Andre/Bayless/Roy/Batum/George)

...So is trading Rudy part of obtaining George?  Just curious.

I like George to, but I worry about his willingness to play defense and he seems to fall in love with his jump shot. His potential is there though.

Posted 06/07/2010 10:01 AM

I don't know a whole lot about his game, but from an appearance standpoint, George looks like a cross between Tracy McGrady and Danny Granger.

Posted 06/08/2010 11:04 AM

What do you do in a talented big man draft if you're Golden State desperately needing a big? You reach for a marginal wing at best, at least that's what coming out recently.

 Warriors general manager Larry Riley says he prefers to draft the best player available rather than go with need.

Golden State owns the No. 6 pick in this month's NBA Draft.

Kansas guard Xavier Henry believes the team is interested in him, but they already have an overabundance of wing players.

"They made it clear that they were really interested in me," Henry said Monday. "I think I showed them everything they wanted to see. I think I should at least be in contention for it."

Read more: http://basketball.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/67077/20100608/warriors_interested_in_xavier_henry_at_no_6/#ixzz0qHmvHHl0

Posted 06/11/2010 12:09 PM

I know it's not the mosst recent tidbit of news, but I stumbled upon a tweet from last week pertaining to the Pacers moving their #10 pick on draft day.

Sources confirm that the Indiana Pacers are trying to move the tenth overall pick. The team doesn't expect to have the pick on draft night.

I'd be very interesting in moving up to #10 and targeting one of the elite big men in the draft (Ekpe Udoh, Hassan Whiteside, Patrick Patterson)..just unsure of their asking price. We do have recent history of dealing with them on draft day (2008-Rush for Bayless) though.

Posted 06/12/2010 10:44 AM

Not sure what the Pacers want in return for that #10...wouldn't mind seeing any of those 4 in the black and red. I'm sure we can entertain some offers.

Posted 06/13/2010 2:47 PM

Wolves set on Wes Johnson at 4?

 DraftExpress

  

Hearing Cousins won't work out in Minnesota. Apparently they have their mind made up on Wes Johnson. Jives w/everything else we're hearing.

Another poor draft move if true. While Wes is a nice prospect, he's more of the 3rd musketeer than the ringleader. That team needs a superstar, not complimentary stars and while Cousins has high bust potential, he could be their superstar they need in the post and it would allow them to move Love or Jefferson for more pieces.

Posted 06/13/2010 7:58 PM

Looks like the first trade domino falls tomorrow or Tuesday-

Draft Express Twitter-

 Something will go down tomorrow or Tuesday but I'm sworn to secrecy. Argh!

I wonder if our Blazers are one of the teams involved?

Posted 06/14/2010 10:54 AM

...Interesting. We'll have to wait and see. 

Posted 06/14/2010 1:59 PM

From Chad Ford (free)- Nuggets Looking To Move up In The Draft?

 We just unloaded 2000 plus words of the latest draft talk on our NBA Draft Blog today. We covered the DeMarcus Cousins-Derrick Favors workout in Sacramento and gave the latest updates on what the Wizards, Sixers, Nets, Timberwolves and Kings were all up to. As we get closer to the draft the info just keeps rolling in. Here's a few bonus nuggets, that came in after the blog published

A number of NBA sources are telling me that the Denver Nuggets are in the hunt for a Top 10 pick. Nuggets GM Mark Warkentein has been calling around trying to gauge interest in teams selling the pick. According to sources Warkentein is offering Ty Lawson for the pick. A Nuggets source said the Nuggets are looking for big man to fill up their front line. Several bigs including Cole Aldrich, Ed Davis, Ekpe Udoh, Patrick Patterson, Daniel Orton and Hassan Whiteside could be there at 10.

Butler's Gordon Hayward is getting serious looks from the Clippers, Jazz, Pacers and Bucks. But could he go even higher than No. 8. The Sacramento Kings (drafting at No. 5) have been pushing to get Hayward in and will have Hayward and Nevada's Luke Babbitt in for a workout on June 23rd, the day before the draft. Could the Kings take Hayward ahed of the two guys we have highest on their board -- DeMarcus Cousins and Greg Monore? Probably not. But the Kings have been talking to several teams about moving down in the draft. The Kings are looking for veterans and have been shopping Andres Nocioni and Francisco Garcia to see if they can get any takers. If they do move down a few notches, both players could be intriguing.

Denver would be foolish to deal Lawson for a pick around 10. They need a point guard to replace Billups and he looked really good last year.

Interesting to see the Kings would move down and with the news that Johnson could go #4, that'd make Cousins there at 5.

Posted 06/15/2010 1:18 PM

From Chad Ford (free)-

Two league sources told ESPN.com that the Blazers (who pick at No. 22) have been very active in trade discussions. Specifically, the team has been hunting for a pick in the mid first round -- somewhere between 16 and 19. They appear to be trying to move ahead of the San Antonio Spurs who pick 20.

Who is their target? According to sources, the Blazers like several players including Damian James, Daniel Orton and Solomon Alabi. They also like international big man Kevin Seraphin from France. The concern in Portland is that the player they're targeting might all be gone before the 22nd pick.  

Posted 06/15/2010 3:59 PM

First of all, I still think the Blazers should trade out of the draft. From what I've seen of Saraphin (which isn't a whole ton) he would serve similar to Pendergraph. Now, I like Saraphin. I saw him at the Nike Hoop Summit two years ago and he was the reason why the World Team came back and won that. He was crashing the boards like no other. I was incredibly impressed. The lithuanian forward just got to the foul line, but it was Saraphin that cleaned up the glass on both ends and really controlled the last quarter of that game. I wanted them to draft him that day but unfortunately he was too young. Now Portland has a comparable player. Maybe I'm wrong, but I think they're pretty similar. Although, it would be fun to go from the Spanish Armada to the French Revolution. Realistically, though Portland doesn't need another player that they stash overseas for 3 years. Then again, is that Paul Allen's new move? Draft players that he doesn't have to pay, then use them for trade bait when they start to develop into decent players. It saves on cap space and still appreciates in value. Is this just another business  move like Victor Claver?

Posted 06/15/2010 4:19 PM

As much as I like them, players like Dante, Jeff, Patty, Rudy, and Martell are a dime a dozen in today's NBA. We need more help. If we think there is a young player in this draft who can address a need and be a key piece to the championship puzzle, you go after him and make room for him on your roster. Although, I pray those three players (James, Orton, Alabi) aren't the three we are targeting, I love the aggressive nature of our draft team.

Posted 06/16/2010 5:42 AM

Not to beat a dead horse here, but I think we all can agree this Blazer team has two immediate needs, long term at the PG, and a rebounding interior scorer.  In this year's draft, I only see one player that I believe can contribute right now on the block.  Larry Sanders.  In the interviews I've watched of him, he repeatedly uses the words "work" and "improve" and seems to be an individual fitting Portland's "culture".  I think he will go MUCH HIGHER than our CURRENT 22nd though.  Going on record now as saying this kid will make a name for himself in this league. 

Though this years draft isn't particularly deep, especially for PGs, I like Dominique Jones.  He's what I consider a poor man's Ty Lawson (whom I STILL wish we would have taken when we had the opportunity).  Like Lawson, there are questions about his jumpshot.  He's a point guard, a distributor, and a relentless penetrator with an NBA body...so the fact that he hasn't shot the ball well in workouts doesn't concern me.  His form is sound, and in an NBA system, the shot will come.  Unlike Sanders, this kid WILL be available at 22. 

Just my two cents guys.  8 days and counting....

Posted 06/16/2010 5:48 AM

Hey DHawes22!  What did I miss?  Had to work a double yesterday (Tuesday).  What went down?

Posted 06/16/2010 10:09 PM

Not too much. Just the regular workouts. Sanders missed Tuesday but made it today due to travel issues. All of the draft workout video can be found here:

Draft Video Central

Here's a draft tidbit from DX-

 DraftExpress

  

Daniel Orton has canceled all six of his remaining workouts, according to an NBA source. Speculation is that he may have a promise from OKC

Makes sense, becuase OKC really needs a big man. What does this say about last year's first rounder Byron Mullens?

Posted 06/19/2010 12:28 PM

Posted By DHawes22 on 06/15/2010 1:18 PM
From Chad Ford (free)-

Two league sources told ESPN.com that the Blazers (who pick at No. 22) have been very active in trade discussions. Specifically, the team has been hunting for a pick in the mid first round -- somewhere between 16 and 19. They appear to be trying to move ahead of the San Antonio Spurs who pick 20.

Who is their target? According to sources, the Blazers like several players including Damian James, Daniel Orton and Solomon Alabi. They also like international big man Kevin Seraphin from France. The concern in Portland is that the player they're targeting might all be gone before the 22nd pick.  

Ford is probaby right about those players not being there at 22...Alabi or Seraphin would be nice additions to the team. Be interested in what players are being discussed...

Posted 06/21/2010 4:34 PM

Minny already giving up on Jonny Flynn?

  WojYahooNBA

  

Minnesota offering Jonny Flynn and two first-round picks (16 and 23) to Indiana for a package that includes the 10th pick, sources tell Y!

Seems like an awfully steep price to move up 6 spots in the draft and doing so by giving up on theri 1st year point guard already. They sure swung and missed big time in the 2009 draft.