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After evaluating 52 prospects during 13 private workouts over 22 days, the Trail Blazers have arrived at a singular conclusion less than two days before the NBA draft:
"Not much has changed," coach Nate McMillan said. "We've had a few teams call (with trade inquiries) and so we have more options. But as far as the (draft prospects) we have on the radar screen, guys we feel could be there around that 13th pick, that hasn't changed much."
So what now? Over the next day and a half, general manager Kevin Pritchard and the Blazers' management team will field calls involving trade proposals, continue to debate and deliberate about draft options and finalize a draft-day strategy that will shape the team heading into next season.
Through it all, the Blazers appear to be weighing three distinct draft plans -- each with its share of potential benefits and possible risks -- that could have wide-ranging consequences on the roster and rate of progress the franchise could make next season.
The Blazers officially are on the clock. Option No. 1: The Blazers trade out of the first round and acquire a veteran
Since the end of the season, McMillan has made clear that he would like to add experience to a roster that was the youngest in franchise history. Pritchard and the Blazers have shaped the team through the draft in recent seasons -- Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge and Greg Oden being notable additions -- and now that the roster features budding stars, it might be time to add immediate veteran help. Pros: The Blazers' offseason maneuvering results in a deal for an accomplished player who seamlessly blends into the roster by adding experience and leadership to one of the NBA's rawest teams. Instead of adding someone who will have to mature and learn from the bench, the team acquires immediate help as it attempts to make the playoffs for the first time since 2003.
"Hopefully that player can help us now, hopefully that player can be a guy that gets out on the floor and brings experience and know how, something that we don't have," McMillan said. Cons: The Blazers' locker room, for the first time in years, was harmonious last season, and one of the team's biggest assets was its chemistry. Also, the current roster features depth at every position. Any veteran addition could have a negative effect on each of these positives.
"It could create a logjam," McMillan said. "If you look at our roster, we have two centers, we have two power forwards . . . we have two small forwards, we have two shooting guards and three point guards. So if we bring in another veteran, there could be a logjam. Then you have to ask what happens if there is a logjam? Do you have to make another move?"
There's also this: "We could miss out on a potential star," Pritchard said. Option No. 2: The Blazers move up in the draft and select their No. 1 target
Of the 52 prospects who have visited the team's Tualatin practice facility, three seem to feature enough talent and potential to risk adding more youth to the roster. But those three players -- UCLA point guard Russell Westbrook, Texas point guard D.J. Augustin and West Virginia forward Joe Alexander -- almost certainly will be gone by the time pick No. 13 comes around. The Blazers could package their first-round selection, one or more of their second-round picks (Nos. 33, 36 and 55) and a current player to a team picking among the top 10 and snare their most-desired draft target. Pros: Pritchard put it best: "It has worked out pretty well in the past." Indeed. In the 2006 draft, he made six trades, adding Roy and Aldridge. In last year's draft, after acquiring a late first-round selection, he added Spaniard Rudy Fernandez. Pritchard has transformed the Blazers' roster from a laughingstock into a playoff contender thanks to shrewd draft-day deals. He could pull off another bonanza. Cons: Adding another young player to a roster that started 2007-08 as the NBA's youngest could delay the franchise's rebuilding and temper playoff aspirations. "That would add another young player that you will have to develop and wait on," McMillan said. "That (development) could come fairly quickly. But it's still adding a young player to an already-young roster." Option No. 3: Stand pat, avoid the lure of draft-day trades and select the best available prospect at No. 13 Pros: The Blazers already have a roster that is the envy of the league. On top of that, the team will inherit tens of millions of dollars in salary cap space after the coming season. Why tinker with a good thing? Why not discover how Oden and Fernandez -- who will make their NBA debuts next season -- fit into an already talented roster? Cons: Although Oden and Fernandez appear to be talented, they do not provide the experience McMillan covets. And while this draft is considered deep, there is wide debate about what type of talent will be available at No. 13. The Blazers run the risk of acquiring a three- to four-year bench player.
"I like deals; I'm not afraid to make deals," Pritchard said. "The thing is you have to have a little bit of a consensus of what you're doing and then you try to go make that happen. And if it doesn't happen, it's OK. Our plan has always been we like this young team and we have flexibility next year. Nothing had changed. So if we sit on our hands a little bit right now. That's OK, too. That might be Plan A."
Note:
The Blazers announced their Las Vegas summer league schedule: July 14 against Washington, July 15 against Sacramento, July 17 against Minnesota, July 19 against Phoenix and July 20 against New Orleans. All five games will be broadcast live on CSN (Comcast 37). The Trail Blazers are expected to announce their summer league roster next week.
http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/orego ... amp;coll=7 |
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