So...based on this articles from probasketballtalk, the Blazers want to move up in the draft in order to select a PG. Unfortunately they have the unenviable position of selecting 21st overall, which would actually increase the package that they would have to give up if they wanted to move to #6 overall (hopefully you already see where I'm going with this). With that being said there are any number of options, or maybe just one big options.
Trade Idea
From Wizards: #6
From Blazers: Nicolas Batum + #21
Execute the trade only after Options #1, #2, and #3 fail:
Option #1 – Nibble at Khan for the #2 with a package that does not include McGee
Option #2 – Knock on the Utah Jazz’s door for #3 and offer a salary dump (possibly Okur) and/or trade Crawford; if a straight up swap for picks is not an option.
Option #3 – If all else fails…see where Kantner falls
Option #4 – If none of the above works out in our favor, then execute the above trade with Portland.
Reason: Batum appears to be a better talent than Leonard, Singleton, et. al and the Wizards don’t have to worry about “investing” time and money into teaching him how to catch and shoot a 3pt or play defense. (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/355396-nicolas-batum-finally-allowed-to-flourish)
My thoughts - Batum can be a building block for the future at that position, especially with his perimeter offense (very good catch and shoot guy, which plays nicely into JW's style of play). You keep the rest of the roster together (which the ability to trade Blatche if/when Bookere breaks out of the box. At #18 and #21 your looking at any combination of (based on prejections from nbadraft.net and DraftExpress) two of the following players:
|
Tobias Harris |
Jordan Hamilton |
Bismack Biyombo |
|
Kenneth Faried |
Trey Thompkins |
Marshon Brooks |
|
Donatas Motiejunas |
Chris Singleton |
Tyler Honeycut |
|
Nikola Vucevic |
Plus #34
*please don't comment on the players projected to go between #18 and #21, this is not MY perspective, but two pretty relevant mock drafts.
Poll
Do you like this trade idea.
Yes (55 votes)
No WAY!!! (48 votes)
Just wait until the draft and stop all of the speculation and wishful thinking. (48 votes)
151 total votes


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