[Chad Ford] It's done. Just got off the phone with the Jazz. The deal is No. 3 to Utah for No. 6, No. 27 and a future first that the Jazz had from the Pistons. http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=8517 Thats a pretty steep price but I guess the Jazz really love Deron Williams.
Well #27 is a pretty bad 1st rounder. And, if the other one is the Pistons' future 1st, that's going to be a pretty bad pick too (and in a draft that doesn't have the depth this one has). It doesn't seem like a very steep price to guarantee you get the guy you want.
Add this to the LONG list of horrible draft decisions by Portland. Even when they had a good thing, Jermain ONiel, they let him sit on the bench for years before trading him for scraps...only to become an allstar. Portland gives up 2 1st round picks plus a condition future 1st round pick to move up 3 slots. Boy...is that ever dumb. Besides, why would you pull off this trade this far BEFORE the draft starts. Wait until the last second so nobody else switches their strategies.
BINGO! Ford said that Patterson was NOT in the deal. No players exchanged. Portland is going to basically get the player they want (Webster) by moving down and gets an additional pick this year and next year. Great move on their part!
I think POR made out pretty well on this trade. They weren't drafting Paul anyway, and at 6 they get the player they probably would have taken at #3 anyway. Plus pick up a 27 (and there are a number of good prospects that may fall there... heck, we are hoping to get a second rounder since there are a number possibilities that may fall into round two) and a future #1.
according to ford if they didn't do it before the draft started, the offer would have been taken off the table.
Erm. Flip that around. It was the Blazers that traded down and the Jazz that gave up three 1st round picks to move up 3 slots.
I think this is a great trade for the Jazz, assuming that they take Deron Williams. They need a PG, Deron's the best one in the draft, and they essentially give up the obligation to pay 1st round money to 2 guys of second-round quality. My opinion is that Felton's not in the same league as Deron, and that's who Utah would have been stuck with at #6.
Best of a tough situation for Portland. Who was going to take it off the table? The Jazz? I don't understand. It's smart on both sides to wait and be sure the desired guys are drafted at the two positions before swapping the rights. What I want to see is if the Bobcats get desparate and offer their two picks to the Hawks. Otherwise, they don't get the PG they badly need (unless Felton falls to #13). All depends on how in love Atlanta is with Williams, and if he's worth trading Harrington, Smith, or Childress to them. Such a fun draft! Hornets may also trade Magloire to get Toronto's two first rounders. Evan
