Blazers Edge: Why Kyle Lowry May Become a Blazer on Draft Night

[Clips/Roxfan]

By Blazin' in NE

Let me start by saying I love Andre Drummond. Not for his potential as a future Trail Blazer, but for his potential that has other Center-starved teams intrigued and willing to gamble. Unless a team drafting in front of Portland suddenly gets a crush on him and can't pass up the "elite potential" in Drummond, then he's tee'd up perfect for Portland at #6. Which means Portland should be establishing the value of Drummond around the league. What's fantastic is that Drummond is going to serve as a bargining chip without the Blazers ever needing to draft him!

Now onto how this relates to my topic. It's no secret trouble is brewing in Houston at the PG spot. Lowry has voiced his displeasure with the current situation, and it's valid. The team has two starting-caliber PGs, but not enough minutes for both. Has he pouted a little in the media? Sure. Did he battle some injuries this season? Yeah. But for an easily recoverable sports hernia. Make no mistake though, this guy can flat out ball, and plays both ends of the floor. He's 26, which is the comparable age the Blazers have been wanting in their PGOF to pair next to Aldridge. And the "head case" issue I strongly feel will go away, if he's in a situation where the starting position is his, and not having to look over his shoulder.

It's also no secret that the Blazers covet Dragic. So does Houston, to the point they want to lock him up long term. That can't make Lowry happy. So if you're the Rockets, what do you do? You find the best package in a deal you don't have great leverage in, as you plan to sign your incumbent starter's back up to a long term, starter salary. How do the Blazers fit in? Olshey gets on the horn to Morey and says, "Do you want to get into a bidding war this summer for Dragic and have us make you overpay for him to stay in Houston? OR do you want to take us, (your biggest competition for him), out of the race altogether? Wait, what's that you say, Morey? You guys are also in the market for a center? What, you'd like a shot at the best center prospect in this year's draft? So, you need a center, and you need to unload an uncomfortable PG situation, AND you want to resign Dragic without competing with us? Well, I think we have a deal!"

#6, #40, #41 for Kyle Lowry and #14.



The Rockets draft Drummond, and pave a smooth path to keeping Dragic.

The Blazers get a great, young talent at the PG spot, who is only on the books for approx $6 million for the next 2 seasons. Very affordable, which Uncle Paul has stated is a priority. Plus you still have a ton of options with #11 and #14. Trade down or move up by packaging those with Crawford? Or use those picks on some combination of Leonard/Zeller/Sullinger/Waiters/Lamb/Rivers/Ross/Marshall/PJ3.

Houston is the perfect patsy for us to steal this draft, and Andre Drummond is the lynchpin to make it all happen


http://www.blazersedge.com/2012/6/18...on-draft-night

[REEKO_HTOWN]

I wish.

[Clips/Roxfan]

i hate the Blazers, and now that they employ Neil Olshey, i hate them even more....

[Fullcourt]

I'm down. I can't hate the Blazer's they have nothing but bad luck.

[jopatmc]

I think I know Morey better than to believe he would be the slightest bit interested in Drummond unless he could get him in the 2nd round for a little bit of nothing.

[A_3PO]

Originally Posted by By Blazin' in NE Houston is the perfect patsy for us

Doubtful. This guy doesn't seem to realize a lot of other teams are interested in Lowry.

His post should be titled, "The Perfect Pipe-Dream for the Portland".

[Raven]

Sweet Jeezus, I'd cry enough tears of joy to float a battleship.

[rocketblaze]

I'll bite...

Get'er Done Murray!

[ROXTXIA]

Kyle and #16 for the #6 (and #41 maybe) seems more even.

Portland convinced Crawford not to opt out. I can also see them snagging the #18 and the mostly-waivable contract of Miller or Webster from Minnesota.

[Rocketfan713]

I actually predicted something similar to that.

I predicted Lowry+14th pick and 16th pick for the Blazers 6th and 11th pick and with the picks we select Drummond and Jeremy Lamb.

[UTAllTheWay]

I really wouldn't mind getting Drummond. Even if it means losing Lowry, and you guys know how much I love Lowry.

[asmith8266]

Drummond?!

ICK!

[rockbox]

Please make this happen.

[ObamaFan]

i want a little more for Lowry.. throw in a top 5 protected pick for the 2013 NBA Draft, and you have a deal

[jopatmc]

Originally Posted by Rocketfan713 I actually predicted something similar to that. I predicted Lowry+14th pick and 16th pick for the Blazers 6th and 11th pick and with the picks we select Drummond and Jeremy Lamb.

No way. There is no way Morey touches either one of those guys in the first round. NO way.

[Francis3422]

#6 and hope that Beal drops.

[JayZ750]

Originally Posted by jopatmc No way. There is no way Morey touches either one of those guys in the first round. NO way.

I can't figure you out. You honestly believe that Morey wouldn't draft Drummond in the first round? Even if he fell to #14, which has no chance of happening? Do you follow the draft at all, or just focus on the Dwight/deron pipe dream?

I would in no way be surprised if Morey moved up in the draft to take Drummond. I can see him taking Drummond at #2 frankly. He may not ever become great, but DM is absolutely tryingfor this type of move.

[Firebomb525]

Can't say I know much about Drummond; get the gut feeling he won't be as good as many have hyped.

Quick question: If this does go down, with the Rockets taking Drummond, and he is just an absolute bust; will you all cry for Morey's forced resignation even though many have stated they want to see more risk-taking? Or would you be happy with the fact he took a risk even though it didn't quite pan out?

[JD88]

No to drummond. He's a waste of talent.

[Alvin Choo]

I can't see another 2 2nd round draft picks. Rox essentially have 2 "rookies" in the team in Morris and DMo.
And if Llull comes over as well, that will be 3 rookies plus picks in the first round.

I could envision Morey trade those picks for players or package all of them for a high pick.

And I just laugh at ,

Do you want to get into a bidding war this summer for Dragic and have us make you overpay for him to stay in Houston?

Morey will just say lets see you overpay Dragic and we will keep lowry.