Draft day trade #1

It's official, Sebastian Telfair and Theo are headed to Boston. We get Raef Lafrenz, Dan Dickau and the #7 pick.

I won't cry over losing Bassy. I don't dislike the kid, but I'm also not crazy about him. Theo? Well, he is a great shot blocker, that I will miss. I do think it's OK for him to go though. What bothers me is Raef's big contract. Why would Portland take it on? The contract looks like this:
10,905,000 for 06/07
11,813,750 for 07/08
12,722,500 for 08/09

I thought we were trying to MAKE ROOM??? Is this to replace Joel? Why take this on for a back up C? 35 mil? Am I seeing things?

Dan Dickau tore his achilles, will he be usable at all? We dumped him once already.

I don't know. I hope there is more to this that we see right now. I'm still holding on to hope that Darius will be moved TODAY!

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Beaver Nation!!!!

Congratulations to the Oregon State Beavers on winning the NCAA World Series.

It's about time someone around here got a trophy!

So saith the Blazer Prophet...

BlazerTalk now has a guest blogger! Welcome Blazer Prophet and thank you for your help. Hopefully the prophet will speak often! Here goes:

Greetings Blazer fans.

Well, we’ve learned a few things about this draft. There are virtually no players in it that a GM can point to and predict they will be an all-star. This doesn’t mean there won’t be some all-stars from this draft- only that they may come from any draft position in either the first or second round.

All the big men (Thomas, Aldridge, Bergnani, Patrick, Sene) have multiple flaws and in the battle of the SF’s in Portland yesterday (Morrison, Gay & Roy), all proved they are marginal NBA players at best. As to guards, what guards. One of the top, JJ Redick, has been arrested and faces back surgery as well.

Mock drafts are all over the place in both rounds. What we do know is that this draft, from the first to last pick, is a pure gamble for each & every pick. So let’s answer two questions.

First, what’s a GM to do? This is a classic case of trading down if you’re at the top and/or drafting for need with the idea you’re not drafting an all-star. You’re plugging holes at best. GM’s who may think they’re hitting a home run best rethink themselves into singles (or fielder’s choice).

Second, what do the Blazer’s do? I think first we have to recognize that unless we can offer Joel more money that the mid-level exception, he’s gone to da Bulls. Period. That means we have to move not less than one of the ‘big three’ contracts (Theo, Zach or Darius). To accomplish that, we need to dangle the #4 pick and add a good young player (Telfair, Outlaw…). In fact, I would say any player aside from Webster is fair game in a trade. Clearly, moving down in the draft won’t hurt us.

Lastly, who do we draft? If we keep #4, the players I like best (not in order) are Aldridge, Gay & O’Bryant. But none of them are players we have to have and there are plenty of other players very close to their talent level in the last third of the first round.

HO HUM

Not much happening in Blazerland these days. John Nash got fired but that was no surprise. In ways I feel sorry for the man, he only did what he was told or allowed to. My happy day will come when we lose Steve Patterson.

The Blazers had a great shot at getting the first pick but managed only a 4th. As laughable as this may be, it makes no difference. This draft looks to be the most boring one ever. I can not name one hot prospect.

There haven't even been any good rumors! The most interesting thing I have heard is the name Desmond Mason. This is certainly something to peak some interest but unless more is said, there is no need to get all crazy about it.

The playoffs have been entertaining. I am enjoying all the seven game series, which makes me re-think the idea the new divisions somehow caused the wrong teams to play each other. I change my pick to win it all nearly every day. Dirk is having an outstanding run and the Pistons seem to be fighting for air. I do have a question though, why isn't Brian Grant being allowed to play? I know he isn't a difference maker but hey, he's an ex-Blazer and I want to see him play! Speaking of ex-Blazers, have you seen Derek Anderson sitting smugly next to his new big brother Shaq? The irony of it all!!!

I wonder if the Blazer's will make an appearance in the Rose Parade? Last year the only one that showed was Travis. Maybe this year they will let Darius be the pooper scooper behind the Wells Fargo horse drawn carriage. :)

GO BLAZERS!

P.S. Happy Birthday mommy!