Well the word is that the Blazers have another deal in the works, but nothing has happened as of yet, so I am going to assume that nothing more is forthcoming. So given that I will give my take on the Blazers draft.
Oden #1 - what can you say. He will be an excellent NBA player.
Trading Zach, Fred Jones, and Dan Dickau for Steve Francis, Channing Frye, and a trade exemption. I am somewhat perplexed by this, as the word on the street is that we are going to buyout Francis. It is clear first and foremost that this deal was about signing a FA in 2 years, as LaFrentz, Francis, and James Jones will come off the books in 2 years, and the Blazers will only have about $35 million committed at that point. That will give them the cap space to sign a FA for a max level deal. So we are trading Zach for Frye and a FA to be determined in 2 years. I can handle that, but I am still disappointed that we didn't get more for Zach now.
I like Frye, and I think he will be a good fit, and help us. It is tough to get solid bigs so when you have that chance take it. It looks like the market for Zach was not all that we hoped, and that we would have had to take on marginal contracts that don't allow us any cap flexability or for substantially lesser talent. Players like Richard Jefferson were not in the cards. So getting a player like Frye, and the opportunity to sign a player you really like isn't all that bad. We are still a couple of years from getting deep in the playoffs anyway, so no reason to take on a bad contract just to be out of the playoffs early or not to make the playoffs at all.
As far as the Knicks, how they see getting Zach and Curry to be effective together is hard to understand. They will have the worst interior defense in the league. They will have the worst shot blocking team in the league. They are not loaded with great perimeter defenders anyway, so expect teams to challenge Curry and Zach on D, and get to the rim. No risk of a shot block, and a great opportunity to get an easy basket, or get the offensive basis of the Knick in foul trouble right away.
Rudy Fernandez and James Jones from Phoenix for $3 million and a trade exemption. As I sad this was the second part of the Zach trade. James Jones is a decent player, and he will provide the Blazers with something they have lacked for a number of years, a shooter who can consistently make the 3. I like his addition, though he is limited in what he can do.
I really like the other player, Rudy Fernandez though. He won't come over for at least another year, but he has been a very solid player in the second best league in the world, and he is only 22. He is a legit NBA player. Long term there will be a battle between him and Martell Webster, and I think Webster will lose. Fernandez is a much more complete player, and if not for his buyout issues would have been a lottery pick. Fernandez is only 18 months older, but has a much better track record of success.
$1 mill to $2 mill and Derrick Byers to Philly for Petteri Koponen. I am somewhat ambivalent about this deal. I knew the Blazers were very high on Koponen, and fully expected them to make a deal to get him in a trade. I know nothing about him, other than what I have read. He is only 19, so I expect to remain in Europe next year. From what I have read he has a lot to like about him, excellent in the open court. We will see. Pritchard's approach is if you want a guy go get him, so obviously that is what they did. We will see if their opinion is justified.
In the second round we got Josh McRoberts and Taurean Green. I really like both moves, as I think both have a shot at making it, and it is rare for second rounders to make it. All the statistical analysis I have seen, indicates McRiberts will contribute in the NBA. Green will probably need a year or 2 in NBADL, but often good PG need a few years of seasoning before they get it.
Rick or treat indicated that he thought the pick of Thaddeus Young was an indication that Korver was on his way out. Portland and Philly had numerous discussions regarding Korver, so perhaps there is something there. Pritchard has said a deal still awaits on an accomplished NBA SF. I wouldn't describe James Jones as accomplished, maybe others would, but perhaps another deal is in the works. Korver is clearly accomplished.
