Who To Draft And Who To Do The Drafting?

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">T he best-kept secret in the franchise might be that the Portland Trail Blazers went through their entire NBA predraft process a year ago, held discussions, watched film, scouted games, handed out psychological tests, evaluated workouts, gathered reports and decided they absolutely had to have . . . Adam Morrison.

True story.

The Blazers' top scout was sold on Morrison -- lock, stock and mustache. Fans were lobbying for Morrison. Then, according to a source who was in the draft room, assistant general manager Kevin Pritchard, who was told "this is your draft," by owner Paul Allen, decided to pick Brandon Roy.

"It's the kind of move that gets you fired if you're wrong," an insider said.

This is why the Blazers made the draft-day moves to secure Roy, which only proves that these draft-evaluation things can be a blend of art, science and gut. And Blazers fans might be pleased to know that the franchise has had a scout at every first- and second-round NCAA Tournament game.

Pritchard was in Spokane to see Texas freshman Kevin Durant, among others, last weekend. And according to NCAA officials, he's taken the unusual step this week of requesting a credential for both East Rutherford, N.J. (where North Carolina, Georgetown, Vanderbilt and USC will play) and San Jose (Kansas, Southern Illinois, Pittsburgh and UCLA).

On Tuesday, Pritchard declined to comment about which teams and players he wants most to see this week. And it's probably wise, as Celtics' general manager Danny Ainge was fined $30,000 this week by the NBA for sitting too close to Durant's mother.

But Pritchard did indicate that the franchise's draft-evaluation process is already about "66.6 percent" done. Said Pritchard: "We know within a few players who we feel pretty good about."

Portland's 27 victories give the franchise the eighth-worst record in the league, which only means, barring a fortunate bounce of the pingpong ball, the Blazers won't have a shot at a player the caliber of Durant or Ohio State freshman Greg Oden, should they declare for the draft.

But a pick between fourth and seventh seems likely, and that puts pressure on Pritchard and his band of talent evaluators. In fact, the next few months could be as pivotal for the franchise as any in the past five years. The Blazers not only must decide who to pick in the June 28 draft in New York but also will choose someone to make future draft decisions. And one wonders which decision will come first.

Remember, Portland is operating without a permanent president or general manager. But also, if Allen has enough confidence in Pritchard to give him the draft again, why not promote him already? </div>

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The Blazers would be better served if they could package this pick and trade it away with Darius Miles and/or Raef LaFrentz. The Blazers have a young core in place already, and the franchise needs to continue to take the steps to get rid of the overpaid players like Miles and LaFrentz, possibly ZBo. However, I think ZBo has matured this past season and fits perfect alongside Aldridge in the post.

This team just lacks experience, but the Blazers have plenty of talent at each position and some nice role players like Udoka.

Getting some cap flexibility should be the goal.

If they do decide to keep the pick, then the Blazers should draft scoring wing player like Al Thornton.