JA Adande - ESPN - Trail Blazers looking to move into the top 10.

Brandon Rush is the same age as Rudy, same height but 40 pounds heavier and shot 41% from 3 point land last year. No need for Rudy and lower pics.

 

I cant wait to see what we pull. Im going to be so mad if nothing happens.

 

Bah no need to be mad. I just expect nothing to happen. That way I am never let down.

 

Why mad? We have tons of talent, let's just hope they stay healthy.

 

I am not a huge fan of rudy. that being said assuming we do not get one of the first five picks, who is there at 5-10 that we would want more than a combination of rudy and whatever we can get with the other two picks?

 

I would assume that Portland would be acquiring a top 10 pick to sweeten a deal to get Chris Paul.

Since Monty is there I would also assume Batum has to be part of that deal too.

 

4 players

Pryz
Miller
Batum
Oden
Top 10 pick

for

Paul and Okafor

I think NOH would take that

 

Assuming that the pick doesn't become part of a trade package, then I think there's a possibility they would look at a wing to take over Rudy's minutes. Maybe a Xavier Henry or Paul George type player (maybe even Luke Babbitt). Other than that I think they could do a lot worse than a guy like Patrick Patterson who is a nearly finished product, has good size for the 4 spot, can shoot out to the college three point line, has good athleticism and projects out to a Usonis Haslem like career.

Bottom line: I think the situation is way too fluid to get a great read on what the team really wants to do.

 

What team in the lottery wouldn't love to have a guy who complains about playing time while not earning any, fades when the team needs them most and apparently is allergic to weight lifting?





Besides, of course, all of them.

I won't be sad to see the backside of Spanish Flu.

 

While we're at it we should just throw in Roy too.

 

Well at least if we hit every possibility then we can decisively say that at least one of us knew all along what was going to happen.

 

A team trying to lure Rubio over?

A team with a large hispanic fan base?

A team that was close and could use a proven player over a rookie?

A team that was rebuilding and didn't think there was a huge difference between 10 and 22 in the draft....and they get Rudy and an early 2nd?

 

IMHO, you grab Aminu. He may be a "project", but with LMA/Batum entrenched as the starters, you can afford to bring him along at a reasonable pace. If you want immediate help, go for Monroe. Limited upside, but good skills and more NBA ready. Patterson would be another decent option.

 

That reminds me--I'm trying to complete a deal where a Miss Universe winner cleans my scrotum every morning for a year in exchange for a half-finished bag of Twizzlers.

 

I wouldn't approve this deal for the Blazers.

 

It would be so hard to part with Oden, but it definitely makes you think twice. Okafor is no slouch and would probably thrive under McMillan.