The Blazers are seriously trying to move up in the draft
Over and over I keep hearing that from my friends around the league. Portland, they say, is trying to get up among the top five or six picks. The Blazers are chasing somebody at the top of the draft.
I keep thinking it’s Stephen Curry. I’ve said that before. He makes sense for them — a star-quality shooter to play alongside Brandon Roy. But a thought occured to me last night:
What if they’re going after Curry — or Rubio or someone else — for another team? What if they’ve got New Orleans convinced that if it can replace Chris Paul’s massive salary with a rookie salary that Curry or Rubio would serve the team just as well in the long run and help the team stay in business through tough economic times? Or what if Phoenix is wanting a big name to soften the blow to its fans for shipping Steve Nash to Portland?
Some NBA teams are going through some difficult financial times and Portland is in a position to take on salary. Could drafting one of these players lead to a lopsided deal in Portland’s favor?
I don’t know. It’s just one more thing to think about as we get inside a week before the draft. The Blazers are creative and gutsy — and I just don’t think they are going to get through this draft without a big move.
NBA, Trail Blazers | Dwight Jaynes | June 19, 2009
Chris Paul, Dwight Jaynes, NBA Draft, Portland Trail Blazers, Ricky Rubio, Stephen Curry, Steve Nash
Dwight,
Do you think we’ll end up seeing something big on draft night or will we have to wait for July to really see how it unfolds?
Ive been waiting long enough for this freakin draft, don’t think I can wait another few weeks after that to find out the “real” game plan.
I sure hope you are right. I am getting a little of tired of development players.
I think Nate would come unglued if we add a new young project from the draft. He’s looking for a veteran for a little stabilizing force. I’d think Nash is a little old to be in the Blazers plans right now though.
is the reason nate’s offense is so easy to predict that we had 4 rookies? unlikely. he has the same playbook as mike brown. even with lebron controlling the ball you cant beat a good team 4 of 7 playing 1-4 offense.
Good Hunch Dwight – I like your thinking on this one
I hope you are right.
I don’t get KP love fest with the draft this year.
In spite of the excellent record I don’t think this team is ready to contend deep in the playoffs. Both the roster, and tatics on both side of the ball need to be refined for the playoffs. With the exception of Griffin, there is no one, and I mean on one, that could impact the team anytime soon.
I personally think KP is just making calls, and nothing of significant will come of the draft. They need veterans, but so far KP record there is spotty at best. In the past he could concentrate on the draft, but that is certainly not the case any more.
Please be right.
“for another team”. hmm, interesting thought. I also think they want Curry, but it’s possible they are exploring ‘replacement’ parts for another team in a big name trade. Man, NO sure does fit that line of thinking.
word was NO would send away david west in a salary dump now, because no one would take chandler anymore. dwight do the economics work to package a moved up pick with lamarcus to NO for paul (figuring you then sign and trade for david lee another 8+ million in salary)?
Do you also hear rumors about Nate getting fired? Because that would be Nash’s request before any trade to Portland considering how “well” he bought into Terry Porter’s plans to play a slower pace, more defense, and more plays through the big fella.
As for Paul, even if the Hornets ownership wanted to sell and move the team that is imminently easier with a highly popular player who has demonstrated his ability to become one of the top 5 PGs of all time as the figurehead, than with an unproven one no matter how talented (Rubio) he might be.
Lets face it, the Blazers will have to settle for a more unproven player acquired now in the draft or one who is just a notch below a major star in the league (Miller, Hinrich, Sessions) if they want to change the point guard position at all, and haven’t long decided that the plan is to ride it out with Blake one more year and then have Bayless take over.
we’re on the same page here dwight. i’ve been thinking for a while now that this team would be in a position to draft for someone else and use that pick to draw a player that is more seasoned shall we say. i just dont think that steve nash is the guy for this team tho… its the age thing but on the other hand age is not the be all and the end all if we can find a player with experience and still have 3-4 GOOD years left in the tank that would be good.
There is no way that Chris Paul will be in a Trailblazer uniform. It just doesn’t make sense unless he demands to leave. At this point, he appears to be more classy and professional than to go that route at the moment. We would all love to see him in Portland, but it is somewhat silly to even speculate about it. Whatever we do, I feel we need to give Roy/Aldridge/Fernandez/Batum/Oden a chance. Everyone else, no matter how much I like them, can’t be untouchable.
I guess it depends on what your definition of ‘lopsided deal’ is.
@MotoMan045 I’m torn on that point. I also feel the draft is weak and worry about KP getting fixated on the draft.
But then I remember that the 2006 draft was declared one of the weakest in years and it netted us Aldridge, Roy, Sergio, and Joel Freeland.
There’s something to be said for buying when everyone else is selling and vice versa.
Dwight –
Certainly, I don’t doubt Chris Paul’s talent, but I wonder how good a fit he would be for the Blazers. Obviously, he would be a huge upgrade, but won’t he require the ball alot? And, what effect would that have on Brandon, LaMarcus and Greg, all of whom demand plenty of touches?
My point is not so much about Chris Paul, as it is about adding a super quick, ball-magician and necessarily small pg to the Blazers. For some time I have thought that a more physical, albeit slower pg [eg Deron William, Jose Calderon, Chancy Billups, Derek Fischer] would be a better fit.
Indeed, your attraction the Stephon Curry makes the point. His fast, catch-and-shoot release, deadly accuracy, decent size and high b-ball IQ seem to make him well suited to playing with Brandon and the rest of our boys.
I would welcome your thoughts.
Portland is definently on the hunt
I think your right in that they want to land a ‘big deal’, but knowing KP he also has several other minor deal possibilities if the big deal doesn’t pan out…
You saw the brief glimpses of Paul and Roy playing together in the all-star game. Granted it was just an all-star game, but you could see the explosive chemistry when they are on the same team. It would be amazing and they would be unstoppable
I don’t want to get my hopes too high and end up disappointed here. With that said, I am dreaming of bigger and better things coming our way come draft day
Well one thing for sure. If your friends are talking about how the blazers are trying to move up in the draft you can be sure that they are not trying to move up in the draft. Once again folks if you start hearing the rumors they are already dead.
Oh and chris paul, LOL. And I can’t think of anyone that would fit in less with Nate then a rapidly aging Steve Nash
I really, really hope you are right Dwight!
Can you imagine trotting out Roy, Paul, Aldridge, Fernandez/Webster, and a hopefully improved Oden to finish out games?
That’s a team that would be very hard to stop – any double-team would be punished severely.
I like your logic, and I agree with the possible move.
I continue to believe Devin Harris is the target.
Thoughts on Harris? He may not be Chris Paul, but he seems to be a much better long-term fit than J-Kidd, Nash, Sessions, Miller or Hinrich.
Chris Paul would fit great here. Trade the Portlandia statue, trade Mt. Hood, trade anything we’ve got (except our 7 or 8 best players). Hell, throw the Portland Godfather in if we have to, but get Chris Paul if you can.
If we have to, Paul Allen should kick in the guitar Clapton recorded Layla on – although if they want the Hendrix guitar – sorry – we go for Steve Nash instead.
I like the idea of Devin Harris, but I think he’s pretty untouchable, but it depends though I guess. To think we could have had him and Brandon Bass for Outlaw, Sergio, Jack, and Frye…wow…
How would CP fit in with Aldridge and Oden? Well, for starters, he would be able to get them both a TON of dunks and layins using his ability to drive and dish.
Wouldn’t CP need the ball in his hands? Of course he would. How is that a bad thing?
Honestly, people act like getting a guy who makes things happens with the ball is a bad thing. It’s unbelievable. This team desperately needs someone other than Roy who can create off the drive. Ask LeBron how far a team can go that only has one creator…
There’s plenty of ball to go around for both of them, and the bigs will get plenty of touches off lobs, pick and rolls, and drive and dishes.
Getting Rubio for NJ makes sense. NJ will be moving into a new building soon. There is no flashier player than Rubio. Almost a showtime type of player. Remember NJ is always trying to out-shine big-brother NY city.
While Harris would be perfect in Portland, he’s not that flashy or would not be the indorsement hound that Rubio would be on the biggest stage.
I really think that Pritchard will make his best effort to make this happen.