With point guard Ricky Rubio possibly slipping out of the top four, the Blazers are talking to the...

With point guard Ricky Rubio possibly slipping out of the top four, the Blazers are talking to the Wizards about acquiring the No. 5 pick. Pritchard has been on the hunt for a point guard, and Rubio would be a nice fit to round out the Blazers' collection of young, unselfish talents.

But trading for the No. 5 pick is far from a done deal, as the price would be high for the Blazers. The Wizards want any team interested in the No. 5 pick to take Etan Thomas off their hands -- a move that could eat into the Blazers' cap space this summer. The deal almost certainly would cost the Blazers some young talent, like Bayless, Travis Outlaw or Batum.

Chad Ford. If Portland wants to move up to get Rubio, I'd probably insist that they give Rudy Fernandez back as part of their package. No need to take back any less when we could keep Rubio ourselves.

over 2 years ago Mike Prada 27 comments 0 recs |

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The more..

The More people that want our pick the better it is for us. Supply and demand. I am glad Rubio’s agent is an Idiot. Economics baby. Supply and demand.

by Danyon Rome on Jun 22, 2009 1:59 PM EDT reply actions

It seems like the pick is gaining value daily

Each day brings a handful of new reports involving the #5 pick. Each day there are either new teams involved, new players being available at 5, or some other scenario where it seems like we have the most leverage in making a deal of our liking. I am pretty confident that we will have a good draft day.

Dear Diary, JACKPOT!!!!!!!!!!

by Evander holyfield on Jun 22, 2009 10:53 PM EDT up reply actions

agreed

They can keep bayless, frye, outlaw. If they want the 5, they gotta give up their late rounder from last year, Rudy, in addition to some young depth and maybe a pick. Word is they want to sell their pick so if we can get Rudy and stay in the draft i’d declare that a success on our part.

by Spanky731 on Jun 22, 2009 2:00 PM EDT reply actions

I don’t know if we can get Rudy, he’s pretty ingrained in the Blazers promotions with his looks, I think they’re going for the Spanish Trio. Bayless is a pretty decent defender. Frye was useless this season and Outlaw has questionable shot selection though he hits some of them anyways.

by Fundefined on Jun 22, 2009 2:06 PM EDT reply actions

sergio has been traded

LINK
according to a lot of sites the knicks and blazers have a deal set up for draft night where the Blazers send Sergio to the knicks. I couldn’t find any other details

by Spanky731 on Jun 22, 2009 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions

This is an old link from a site that doesn't do any original reporting

Sergio wasn’t traded.

You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.

by Mike Prada on Jun 22, 2009 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Bayless is quick, but a score first guard

Rudy would work..but to be honest this doesn’t sound very appealing. I like Minnesota’s offer better, and that still was just ok

twitter.com/rashad20

by rashad20 on Jun 22, 2009 2:09 PM EDT reply actions

If Rubio falls to 5

You take and keep Rubio and not overthink it.

Portland is intriguing, however, in that they are one of the few teams with cap room, so the Wizards could clean up their salary situation a bit.

Does anyone else think that guys like Chad Ford are getting it wrong about the Wizards trying to get someone to “take Etan Thomas off their hands”? It definitely made sense that the Wizards were trying to get someone to take Etan off their hands last season. But now that he is an expiring contract (and not a locker room cancer), why do the Wizards need to get him “off of their hands”? As an expiring contract, he is an asset that can be used to fashion a package for a good player. I think Ford is about 5 months too late with this info.

by disgrunted on Jun 22, 2009 2:20 PM EDT reply actions

I was going to write a post about the Etan stuff

I’m with you there. Either Ford’s wrong or Ernie is not smart.

You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.

by Mike Prada on Jun 22, 2009 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Besides Brendan..

Has there ever been any bad press on Etan? Could it be that Etan just can’t play because of his medical condition?

Its always Roger Mason (Jr.) time!

by Sean Fagan on Jun 22, 2009 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions

You have it right... Rubio is a no-brainer

But I would not try to over-parse what Ford is saying about Thomas…. He is an asset, yes, but he is only an asset if someone “takes him off our hands” now or later.

by khrabb on Jun 22, 2009 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Absolutely

We’ll be kicking ourselves for years if we pass Rubio. Only move him if you can get a blockbuster deal and I think that if he slips to 5, teams will try to downplay his value. If he’s there at 5, take him and figure out another plan to move our assets. The only other way I trade Rubio at 5 is if Minny wants him so bad that they’ll give up a good and the #6.

by gorebd on Jun 22, 2009 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Also Agreed ...

Take Rubio … go with the current team if you can’t get anything good for Etan or Mike James this summer …. or save them for the trade deadline.

Representing DC with Wizards & Stuff - Truth About It.net and Bullets Forever.

by Kyle Weidie on Jun 22, 2009 8:19 PM EDT up reply actions

I'd Say

Ford is wrong. you know how the national media makes up all kinds of stories about wizards. I never believed for a minute that we would trade Jamison (Abe’s Favorite Player) or McGee. They like to make fun of all DC teams for that matter. Sorry venting.

by Danyon Rome on Jun 22, 2009 2:45 PM EDT reply actions

Be sure to click reply when responding to a specific point

You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.

by Mike Prada on Jun 22, 2009 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions

I still don't believe that Rubio will fall past the Kings

They need a Point Guard. Rubio is acknowledged as the 2nd best player in the draft; and he’s a Point Guard.

There are going to be many, many more rumors before Thursday night – but Rubio slipping past Sacramento just seems too illogical to be possible.

Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......

by Rook6980 on Jun 22, 2009 4:36 PM EDT reply actions

Agreed

Sadly

by MR on Jun 22, 2009 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Boulevard of broken dreams....

by khrabb on Jun 22, 2009 4:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Rest assured.

All is not lost if that happens. Rubio would be nice but he isn’t really what we need. (gotta stop doing that).

by Danyon Rome on Jun 22, 2009 5:03 PM EDT up reply actions

I would not be shocked

If the Kings took Evans or even Flynn over Rubio. Definitely not probable, but it could happen.

The more time goes on, the more I think Evans could be really good in a few years, and could contribute something right away. He already has great size, length, and athleticism to play solid D, and will be able to improve in areas where he is deficient, most glaringly his jump shot. I have him as the 3rd guard, behind Rubio and Harden, and in front of Flynn and Curry.

That being said, I think it would be foolish to pass up Rubio if he slips to the Kings. If he falls to #5, we obviously take him.

by DT711 on Jun 22, 2009 8:52 PM EDT up reply actions

I like Jonny Flynn a lot

But why all of a sudden is he about to be a top 5 pick? I don’t think he is better Rubio and is he going to be a good enough point to warrant being taken that high? Were his workouts this good?

"Would you like to shoot me now or wait till you get home." --- Daffy Duck

by George Templeton on Jun 22, 2009 10:18 PM EDT up reply actions