Posted 03/15/2012 6:17 PM

Chad Buchanan continues to amaze me with his ability to pull of trades that we dont necessarily expect.

To start off: Camby for Flynn & Thabeet

Flynn: While he has been a bit of a dissapointment, realize has played for two terrible teams with a surplus of PGs ahead of him. In Minnesota, Ridnour and in Houston, Lowry and Dragic. He was a high draft pick in 2009 and looked like one of the best PGs coming out of a well-coached Syracuse background. Low risk because his contract can end this season. If I were Canales, I'd play him a lot this season, nothing left to loose, especially with Felton out there.

Thabeet: Yes I admit he has been quite the dissapointment so far after being drafted very highly. However, take in consideration the fact that he is 7'3" and played for a final four team, UCONN. People with his size don't come around very often. I'd give him some time, his career isnt over yet. Blazers need to find a way to truly motivate him because if he gives it his all, there is a lot of potential with his size.



Gerald Wallace for Mehmet Okur, Shawne Williams, NJ FIRST ROUND PICK

GW: We all knew Gerald Wallace would probably not be coming back for another year even if he wanted to because his contract was so large for the production we got out of him.

Okur: Out for the season, but his contract ends this year. I doubt he will be resigned unless there is no better option at center.

S Williams: Ummm, do I need to comment? Wavie material

FIRST ROUND PICK: While I do think calling this draft a "very deep" one is an exaggeration, a first round pick is still a first round pick. Optimistically, think how every great young PG out there right now was a draft pick. Ours is just waiting for us. Looking at the standings now, New Jersey would pick sixth overall and I dont see them dropping their record substantially while Deron Williams and Gerald Wallace are running the show. Should be safe from losing the pick to the protection.



Instead of doing what the Blazers have the past couple seasons (finding little pieces to "get us closer", which hasnt worked) Chad, Larry, and Paul all realized it was time to rebuild. I congratulate them for realizing what needed to be done, I was really fearing that they were being too optimistic after Chad's comments a month ago. I was pleasantly surprised.

From here I think the Blazers should heavily play their younger players, newly acquired and not, to see who should stick around for the future of this team. They will obviously get two very good first round draft picks, hey if they play bad enough they might get a pick higher than New jersey's! In the draft, get a PG and C that are not just athletic, but promising to the future of a franchise.

During the summer, I see the Blazers letting Felton, Okur, and Shawne Williams leave. Matthews has really been a dissapointment so I woulnt mind seeing him be part of a trade. We will obviously have a ton of cap space, but who to go after? Below is a link to the 2012 NBA free Agents. Take a look at the list, share who the Blazers should REALISTICALLY sign.

http://www.hoopsworld.com/2012-nba-free-agents

I like the looks of O.J.Mayo, Aaron Brooks, and altho its probably a fantasy, Roy Hibbert would solve problems at center for the next decade.



Overall, I was pleasantly surprised with what occured today. While I wanted to see Felton and Crawford shipped as well, progress was made in every other way. Hats of to Chad, make him permanent GM already!

Looking forward to a young team next season with every rotten trace of this season stripped from the roster.