<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Like players in a high-stakes poker game, nobody involved in the scramble for Portland's No. 3 pick in the NBA draft tipped their hand Monday. The Jazz, however, quietly upped the ante. In an attempt to jump ahead and select Illinois point guard Deron Williams, The Salt Lake Tribune has learned that the Jazz have offered Portland the No. 6 and No. 27 picks in this draft, as well as a future first-round pick. Shooting guard Gordan Giricek could also be included in the deal. In addition, the Jazz have agreed to take baggage-toting veteran Ruben Patterson as part of the proposed trade, which seems to be designed to blow away any competition the Jazz might have for the No. 3 pick. It certainly appears that Charlotte, Toronto and the L.A. Lakers - teams known to be interested in moving up - will have a difficult time making the Trail Blazers a better offer. Contacted Monday night, Jazz vice president of basketball operations Kevin O'Connor declined comment on the possible trade. Over the weekend, a league source said that Utah was among "eight or nine" teams interested in acquiring Portland's No. 3 pick. "The phones have been busy," Jazz president Dennis Haslam said. "There has been a lot of activity." But the Trail Blazers patiently waited, and in the end, the Jazz bumped an original offer that would have sent Kirk Snyder, Giricek and the No. 6 pick to Portland for the No. 3 pick and Patterson. All the drama, of course, raises one pertinent question: Is Williams worth it? Apparently, the Jazz think so. </div> <div align="center">Source </div>
