Roy's Stock Surges Higher

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Charlotte and Portland, with the third and fourth picks in the NBA draft, have shown the most interest.

While other teams scheduled workouts with Brandon Roy in Los Angeles, the Bobcats arranged for him to fly to Virginia last week. The Blazers made a trip north and met with him at Mercer Island's Jewish Community Center, which offers an NBA 3-point line.

Yet the Chicago Bulls, who have the No. 2 selection, recently rescheduled a workout with Roy so the team owner could be present, a sure sign the organization is giving the former Huskies guard full consideration.

Boston, which is seventh up, will take a long look at him next week, but fans on the message boards in that city already are urgently clamoring for the Celtics to add him to the roster.

Then there are the Los Angeles Lakers. They have the 26th pick, far too low to be in the running for his services, but when coach Phil Jackson and others met with Roy they suggested they might trade up for him.

Nearly three weeks from the draft, Roy's basketball stock appears to be rising steadily, and his suitors increasing.

"There's the part where I sit around and I catch myself daydreaming a lot," he said.

It's a taxing existence, though, with Roy spending more days in airplanes and hotel rooms, albeit in first-class seats and ocean-view accommodations, than in his newly purchased $70,000 Cadillac Escalade and local apartment, while putting his talents on display for anyone who asks.

Los Angeles has been a steady meeting place because Roy's agent, Arn Tellem, is headquartered there. Teams either put the player through workout paces at a private gym at the Bel Air home of Lakers super fan Steve Jackson or Santa Monica High School, depending on what's available for the agent's agency. Steve Jackson's gym was built as a mini Staples Center, as a shrine to his favorite team, complete with hanging championship banners. On the wall is a piece of the wooden floor from the Forum, the Lakers' former home, and it is signed by Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant and others, and now Roy.

On Monday, Roy was back on campus, playing pick-up ball in the Edmundson Pavilion north addition with several former teammates, including guard Will Conroy, incoming recruit Spencer Hawes, New York Knicks guard Jamal Crawford and Arizona forward Marcus Williams.

Conroy, after spending his first pro season in the NBA's developmental league, has a workout lined up with the San Antonio Spurs, who considered signing him a year ago.

This week, Roy travels to Orlando and the NBA pre-draft camp, but only for measurements and agility drills, no competition. Former Washington teammate Bobby Jones will join him there and go through the full slate of activities. Jones, with his defensive ability, has sparked the interest of several teams and possibly could be a mid to late second-round pick.

Most weeks, Roy works out with former Duke players J.J. Redick and Sheldon Williams, and UCLA guard Jordan Farmar. Compliments flow freely between them.

"You find out they're as big a fan of you as you are of them," Roy said. "J.J. says, 'You're the most complete player in college basketball.' That was cool for him to say that."

<u>For fun, Roy has envisioned himself wearing the uniforms of the Trail Blazers and Lakers.</u> He easily could pull on the green and gold of the hometown Sonics, too, though their 10th pick is likely far too late to land him.

"People think I just want to get away from home, but that's not the case," he said. "I would love to play in Seattle. I'm a Seattle guy. ... It's a team not far from the playoffs with the right parts. I think I could help them."

To learn his final destination, Roy will head to New York and the June 28 draft. He is the first Washington player invited back as a potential lottery pick. He will travel with a large contingent of family and friends, including Conroy and Crawford and former Garfield High teammate Cole Allen, all watching him realize a childhood dream.

"I get a chance to shake the commissioner's hand," said Roy, referring to the draft ritual with David Stern. "Even if I go 10th, I get a chance to shake the commissioner's hand."</div>

I think this kid is very smart and is going to be one hell of a player. LA is very interested in this kid. Do not be surprised if L.A. trades up to get him, or trade for him on draft day after he's selected.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/cbasketball/272874_roy06.html

 

I can't see any team in the top 6 trading with the Lakers. Theres nothing the Lakers would give up that is worth a chance at an elite player in the draft.

 

I just don't seen how we get Roy. He loves the Lakers and the Lakers love him. I just don't see how they get Roy without giving up Odom, which honestly, I wouldn't mind doing. Something like Odom and Cook for Miles and Roy (if Portland drafts him)?

 

The Lakers are in a situation where it's going to cost them Odom or Bynum to move up in the draft or to trade for another star/superstar type player.

Last year Portland was at the workout where Bynum won over the Lakers. They also were keen on drafting him, they might still be interested especially since Pryzbilla could leave via free agency.

So the question becomes, does the organization feel Roy is worth Bynum? The answer is no, especially when you consider the team wouldn't trade Bynum for Ron Artest.

 

I wouldn't mind giving up Bynum for Roy, to be honest with you. Bynum is very raw and won't be having an impact on this team for another 3-5 years, Kobe's prime.

The club wants to win, Kobe wants to win, and the fans want to win. Roy can come in here and have an immediate impact on this team.

 

Didn't someone post that it wasn't Mitch rejecting the Artest deal, it was Buss' son? He didn't want to let go of Lamar. Bynum is no sure thing, he has potential but how many players with potential flop? Kwame, Chandler, Curry, Skita, Darko's turning out that way...although he really hasn't had a chance to prove himself. A lot of big men flop, there is no sure thing about Bynum.

Right now, Roy is more sure of a thing than Bynum. He can come in here and have an immediate impact, he can relieve Smush Parker of his "duties". Kobe, Roy, Odom is much better than Kobe, Smush, and Odom.

Once again, it's a personal choice for Laker fans. Win now or win later. Kobe's in his prime, I'd like to win now.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TheBlackMamba:</div><div class="quote_post">Didn't someone post that it wasn't Mitch rejecting the Artest deal, it was Buss' son? He didn't want to let go of Lamar. Bynum is no sure thing, he has potential but how many players with potential flop? Kwame, Chandler, Curry, Skita, Darko's turning out that way...although he really hasn't had a chance to prove himself. A lot of big men flop, there is no sure thing about Bynum.

Right now, Roy is more sure of a thing than Bynum. He can come in here and have an immediate impact, he can relieve Smush Parker of his "duties". Kobe, Roy, Odom is much better than Kobe, Smush, and Odom.

Once again, it's a personal choice for Laker fans. Win now or win later. Kobe's in his prime, I'd like to win now.</div>

I'd also like to win now with Kobe, but I don't think Roy is a sure thing to accomplish it. It's going to take him at least half the season to learn the Triangle offense and most rookies don't make an immediate impact for a team.

I think Bynum's trade value is a lot higher than just Roy, and if the Lakers are serious about winning now, then they would get a deal done to get themselves a proven player.

Bynum is still only 19 years old, and if he had declared for this year's draft there's a good chance he'd be the #1 overall pick. The Lakers reported he grew two inches during the course of this past season. So he's now 7'1 or 7'2?

He also has the frame to support a lot more bulk and he knows how to use his wingspan. I can see why the Lakers don't want to trade him and personally I want to see what he can do in the SPL with a year of NBA under his belt.

Last year his lack of strength and conditioning kept him off the floor, he also had a nagging abdominal strain all season long. These are two areas Bynum can make strides in this summer. When he first joined the team he could barely bench press 155lbs, now he's benching 230lbs in repetition. I'm sure he's pushing 255 by now. He'll also be working out this summer with Kobe and KG. Going up against KG will improve his game and help his confidence.

 

Very valid points. I just think Roy, right now, is more of a sure shot than Bynum, it's my opinion. I like both cats and if Bynum can pan out in the NBA, I'll be excited we kept him.