The three ways to get a player are drafting them, trading them or signing them. Which one is our best option for getting a SF? The obvious SF to draft would be Durant, but we could also pick up another pick and get another SF that way. The two players who's names come up the most in trade rumors are Zach and Jack. I'm not sure what FA SFs are out there. Who are the best SFs we can get with each option? Which option costs us the most? Which one gives us the most bang for our buck?
My thinking is that Portland may well want to consider drafting Durant instead of Oden.</p> There's nothing wrong with Randolph, other than his contract. Given his stats, he's probably even worth the contract.</p> Going forward, drafting Durant gives Portland 4/5ths of an awesome starting lineup, plenty of depth at the forward positions, and all they need is for one of the PG prospects to pan out. And it shouldn't be that hard for one of them to get a lot of assists passing to Roy, Randolph, Durant, and Aldridge.</p> Durant's draft Capsule (notice the bolded parts). A 25/11 guy in college, lots of blocks, AND All-Defense. All the tools. </p> <div style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); padding: 2px; background: rgb(255, 255, 255) url(/img/g/2.gif) repeat-x scroll left top; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <h2>Kevin Durant Draft Capsule</h2> <div> VITALS: 6-9, 225, Texas </p> OVERVIEW: Quickly establishing himself as one of the top scoring threats in college basketball, Durant became the first freshman in NCAA history to receive both the coveted Naismith and Wooden Awards. Ranked fourth in the nation in scoring (25.8 ppg). Led the Big 12 Conference in scoring, rebounding (11.1 rpg) and blocks (1.9 bpg). Named the Big 12 Player of the Year and earned all-conference first-team and All-Defensive Team honors. Set school record and Big 12 record for most points in a season with 903. Also set school single-season mark in rebounds with 390. Averaged 28.9 points and 12.5 rebounds in conference play, both Big 12 single-season records. Scored a career-high 37 points on four different occasions, including a game against Texas Tech when he also had a career-best 23 rebounds. Became first player on a losing team to be named the Big 12 Tournament MVP, after scoring 37 points, grabbing 10 rebounds and setting career highs in both assists (6) and blocks (6) vs. Kansas. Set league tournament record with 92 total points scored. </p> LIKELY DRAFT POSITION: Second overall selection. </p> COMPARATIVE UPSIDE: Rashard Lewis </p> COMPARATIVE DOWNSIDE: Jonathan Bender </p> ROLE PROJECTION: Scoring small forward. </p> POSITIVES: Unlike most players who come into the NBA with certain spots from where they like to shoot, Durant seems to be able to make shots from anywhere on the court. He has a stable, consistent release and his shot looks the same whether he is shooting a 10-footer or a 20-footer. He has uncommon agility for his height and he is so rangy it appears he can get to the basket from anywhere over half-court in two dribbles. Durant is a confident ball-handler and can be very aggressive in taking the ball to the hoop. He is a terrific foul shooter and an excellent rebounder. </p> SHORTCOMINGS: It's been well-documented that Durant failed to bench press 185 pounds even once at the NBA Pre-Draft Camp. Considering he doesn't turn 19 years old until NBA training camps open in the fall, this isn't much of a concern. He'll add strength both naturally as his body matures and as a result of working with NBA strength and conditioning coaches. The only concern about Durant is that his NBA coach will want to play his developing body too many minutes right from the start, and he could break down over a long season. A judicious coach would play him about 28 minutes per game as a rookie. </p></div></div>
I kind of agree that it'd be interesting to draft Durant.</p> While it's not the conventional wisdom, I don't think Oden is as overpowering as Shaq or anything close to as skilled as Oden. He reminds me of more of a Moses Malone or Alonzo Mourning level. Which obviously is still a hell of a player, but I look at Durant and see a guy in the Lebron, Wade, MJ, Grant Hill (w/o injury), Kobe, Magic, Bird, Pip mode.</p> And contrary to popular belief, it's those guys, not the bigs, that have dominated the NBA for the last 30 years.</p> It also solves the problem for the Blazers of what to do with Randolph. Randolph and LA is still a way above average frontcout. Roy is a terriffic player and while they'd like an upgrade at PG I'm sure, Jack and Rodriguez are plenty passable. </p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MikeDC)</div><div class='quotemain'> I kind of agree that it'd be interesting to draft Durant.</p> While it's not the conventional wisdom, I don't think Oden is as overpowering as Shaq or anything close to as skilled as Oden. He reminds me of more of a Moses Malone or Alonzo Mourning level. Which obviously is still a hell of a player, but I look at Durant and see a guy in the Lebron, Wade, MJ, Grant Hill (w/o injury), Kobe, Magic, Bird, Pip mode.</p> And contrary to popular belief, it's those guys, not the bigs, that have dominated the NBA for the last 30 years.</p> It also solves the problem for the Blazers of what to do with Randolph. Randolph and LA is still a way above average frontcout. Roy is a terriffic player and while they'd like an upgrade at PG I'm sure, Jack and Rodriguez are plenty passable. </p> </div></p> So, Oden isn't as skilled as Oden? You think Durant will reach his potential but Oden will only get to the low end of his range? I agree that Aldridge and Randolph is a way above average front court, but I think I'm one of the few Blazer fans willing to keep Randolph around, so I wouldn't use him as a reason to pick one player or the other. I also agree that Randolph and Durant would be great on offense, but Randolph isn't good on defense and I don't know how good Durant will be in the NBA. I love the idea of having Oden and Aldridge on Defense. I'm not against having a three man rotation with Randolph as well, and even playing all three of them for short stretches. My first choice would be to get Lewis. If that fails, Grant Hill is high on my list of players to throw the MLE at. As I said, I would rather keep Randolph, but he could probably get us a good SF in a trade and Oden+SF traded for Randolph>Durant+whatever C we could get IMO. Another rumor that keeps coming up is Jack to Atlanta for one of their many SFs. Many options, but I still like Grant Hill. </p>
There's no way you can pass on Oden. I say you trade Randolph for a 3, maybe a sign and trade with the Sonics for Lewis, then you run with this:</p> Oden/Aldridge/Lewis/Roy/Jack</p> If you don't get Oden, you'll never have enough defensively IMO. That's an anchor that'll turn your whole defense around on his own. You can find a Durant, orclose,easier than an Oden. Plus you have Webster, Miles,and Outlaw still, if I'm not mistaken. You needa center more than a 3.</p>