Can/will the Blazers take then next step in 2009/10

[Reality]

54-28 including a couple thorough butt kickings of the Lakers.
But, a 1st round flameout to a very good Houston team.

Can, will Portland exceed this past year?
Being in The Collusionists division, is 2nd place all they can hope for?
Discuss.

Does it all depend on Odens health?
Does it greatly depend on Odens health?
Will they surpass the Spurs or does the new addition of flaming Richard Jefferson douse out any Blazer hopes of overtaking the Poppycrew?
Oh wait, Portland won 2 playoff games in 08-09, the Poppycocks only won 1.  Sorry.

[ziggy]

If they can add Kirk Hinrich that would be a major upgrade in my opinion.  They can get Hinrich for nothing but cap space so that gives them a lot of flexibility in dealing with Chicago.

Clearly Oden has to be healthy and more consistent.  Webster has to be healthy.  Outlaw, Rodriguez, and Frye are gone in my opinion.

http://blog.oregonlive.com/blazers/2009/06/nba-trade-rumors-bulls-kirk-hinrich-to-blazers.html
More NBA trade rumors: Hinrich to the Blazers? He thinks so.
Posted by Sean Meagher, OregonLive.com June 24, 2009 11:50AM
Categories: NBA Draft, Trade rumors

The real art this time of year is not building draft boards or evaluating talent, rather separating fact from fiction.

The latest buzz from Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports includes:

    ... Chicago Bulls guard Kirk Hinrich is telling friends that he thinks he'll be dealt to the Portland Trail Blazers, who have interest in pairing him with Brandon Roy in the backcourt. ...

Marc Stein, of ESPN.com, essentially echoes this:

    Kirk Hinrich, meanwhile, is said to be prominent on Portland's wish list given the Blazers' growing pessimism about persuading Phoenix to part with Steve Nash via trade and their ability to sign Jason Kidd away from Dallas.

Marc J. Spears of the Boston Globe (via Ken Berger):

    Portland and Phoenix are interested in trading for one of Minnesota's two picks in the top 10 (No. 5 or No. 6).

Kevin Pritchard has used some of Paul Allen's pocket change to buy a few extra late-first round picks in recent drafts and Scott-Howard Cooper of SI.com believes this year may be no different:

    Among those willing to spend while so many others are looking to save or survive: the Spurs, Nuggets, Trail Blazers, Mavericks and maybe the Rockets. The second set of Minnesota picks are obvious targets. So is the Kings' pick at No. 23.

In a chat earlier today on ESPN.com, Chad Ford answered a question about KP and his assumed activity in tomorrow's draft:

    Paul (Seattle): Is KP winding up for another Pritch slap?

    Chad Ford: I would be seriously disappointed if he isn't. He has single handedly kept us entertained in the draft the past few years. I know he's trying to be prudent and focus on adding some veteran talent to their roster. But if he can find a way to get Rubio or Curry ... I think he'll do it.

..............

Ian Thomsen's latest mock draft over at SI.com has the Blazers picking Lousiville SG Terrance Williams with pick No. 24:

    The biggest surprise would have the Blazers sticking with this pick, based on their history of draft-day trading. They'll do well to find someone who can help their second unit, and to that end, Williams' defense should impress coach Nate McMillan.

Williams has apparently been given a promise by Larry Brown and the Bobcats (pick No. 12) but he may not slip past the Nets one pick ahead.

Ford's latest mock has the Blazers grabbing VCU's Eric Maynor (6-3 PG) with 24:

    Analysis: This would be a pretty big slide for Maynor, who could go as high as No. 13. But with so many point guards on the board, in this scenario, he slides a bit and Kevin Pritchard picks up another home run in the draft.

I don't see Maynor still around at 24.

Ball Don't Lie's mock has the Blazers going with Tel Aviv's Omri Caspi at 24:

    At age 20, Casspi has shown the requisite grit and toughness in his group workouts and still has all the time in the world to figure out how to stop shooting jumpers like Shawn Marion. Barring a draft day trade, there's really not any room for Casspi on the Blazers' roster but in a thin draft year and with their eyes towards free agency, Portland can afford to wait a year for him.

Tags: NBA Draft, Portland Trail Blazers, trade rumors

[Lurker]

Breaking news....Blazers trade up to #22

The Portland Trail Blazers acquired the 22nd pick in Thursday's NBA draft from the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for the 24th and 56th picks in this year's draft, and worst of their second round picks in 2010.

The trade has been agreed to in principle by the two teams. It should be finalized by the league office later today.

Why would the Blazers move up two spots in the draft? The word around the league was the Kings had zeroed in on Omri Casspi with the 23rd pick. Casspi could be a good pick for the Blazers to either keep or to bring over this year to provide more toughness in the front court.

Another potential target for the Blazers could be Florida's Nick Calathes, Pittsburgh's DeJuan Blair, Georgetown's DeJuan Summers or VCU's Eric Maynor.

For the Mavericks, they pick up a couple of extra picks to move two spots in the draft.

Chad Ford covers the NBA for ESPN.com.

[Joe Vancil]

Portland's rise depends on whether or not they plan on developing Jerryd Bayless.  They should have done that this past year, but wasted the opportunity.  You're not going to go far on this team with Blake as the starter at point guard.  Blake is a great guy to bring off the bench, but they still need a starter.  And I think they have that in Bayless.