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

That would be nice. Not sure Morey has any plans except washed up bums in his heart. I think he wants Gasol badly. Bad enough to overlook the draft strategy of moving up in this draft.

 

If this trade happens and we do get Drummond, if I were GM at least, I take Ross at 16 if he's there. I take 40/41 and some other small asset and try and trade with Boston's 22. Take Fournier and stash him. If that deal can't be done or he's gone, take 40/41 and trade one or both for future 2nd rounders.

Morey will probably do something completely different/better though.

 

It's weird how Portland knows how to get off the rat wheel compared to some of these other teams.

 

IMHO there is a significant chance that Morey will reveal his strategy in the next month. However waiting until 2013 and the larger FA market may be his goal. Rumors say that next years draft is much deeper with big men.

If he moves up and selects Drummond he will be basically moving from his "safe" strategy to look at building for the 2014-2015 season. I would expect several other moves towards potential and youth, while maintaining a winning % around 0.500 or below. Moving Lowry for a pick of a high potential SG in this draft would be supportive of aiming for 2014 - 2015. Lamb, Rivers, Ross who knows? Not resigning Lee would probably fit into this strategy well. With no trade for a huge contract expect Scola around for the duration. There would be a large number of players needing serious development: D-Mo, Morris, a 2012 SG, Drummond. Dragic would have to be resigned of course.

The other avenue would be to trade for Gasol. This would be a win it all now approach. It also has the positive effect of dumping Scola's 3 years and $31 million contract. I also would expect a move for another all star such as Josh Smith. A Gasol/Smith/Parsons/Martin/Dragic lineup with a bench of D-Mo, Camby, Bud or Morris, and Lee would be potent. With this lineup the Rockets would be aiming for 52-55 wins next season. The window of opportunity would be 3 to 4 years.

While I would be ecstatic with either approach, the most likely thing Morey does is bide his time. He has more patience than I do.

This post is just my opinion. It is unsupported by facts.

 

Hopefully Morey gets another Parsons with that 41 pick because Drummond is gonna bust.

 

Drummond has the best size and athletic ability of anyone since Howard at the 5. His ceiling is much higher than Cousins. His character/motivation issues are dwarfed by the baggage Cousins brought with him. He has the lateral quickness and speed to stay with point guards. He has the size and strength to hang with Bynum. That said he certainly is not risk free and will need a couple of years to develop.

http://www.nbadraft.net/players/andre-drummond

http://www.nbadraft.net/players/demarcus-cousins

 

Please God make this happen.

 

Why do they automatically assume when we trade for the #6 pick we take Drummond?? Seems idiotic to me...

 

Center is the biggest area of need. Drummond has the highest potential. Many question whether Robinson, Beal, Barnes and MKG will ever become an all star. The drop off after Davis in talent and potential is huge.

 

Robinson and Beal will be allstars. Barnes and MKG, not so sure. Personally, i would take Beal over Drummond and pick a center with that 16th pick.

 

The team with no rats left as GM, just Vulcanizing the show from Seattle?

 

Personally I'd take the 6th pick and either swap it for a greater asset or select whichever of the 2nd tier remains; and get my 5 thru a deal or FA (Everyone wanted Jordan last year, this year they'll give him to you. Kamen. Asik (if for CLee). Hawes. Eddie Curry (no, just kidding).

 

Lowry and #14 for Blazers #6 and #11 or worst case scenario, Lowry,#14 and #16 for #6 and #11.

 

One thing that wasn't mentioned in the article is that Lowry to the Blazers for nothing but draft picks isn't do-able under the CBA, as the 2011/12 team salaries still apply and the Blazers thus don't have the cap space to absorb Lowry.

The Blazers would have to include either Wes Matthews or at least three of Luke Babbitt, Kurt Thomas, Nolan Smith and Elliot Williams.

 

I believe teams have made trades on draft night with the condition of "to be completed on July 1" in order to deal with the issue you mentioned. I think the Rockets even made such a deal recently. Don't recall the specifics, but they were going "no comment" on potential trades for several days after the draft.

 

Good point. Could they just trade Thabeet back to us?

 

The Blazers convinced Jamal Crawford not to opt out so they can use him in a trade. If they don't find (haven't already found) a trade they like, then he can still opt out before the July 1 deadline (or whatever it is).

If the TWolves still have interest in J. Crawford and vice versa (a deal was scuttled at the March deadline), I could see something like----
Lowry + #16 + #18 to Portland
Crawford to Minnesota
#6 and Miller's (very) partially guaranteed contract to Houston

Or, of course, as has been posted, wait til July.

 

who's Miller?

 

Not possible as Thabeet is about to become a free agent.

Good point about Crawford extending the deadline on his player option. I somehow missed that. If he's not part of the Blazers plans anyway I guess he'd be a good salary filler.

I think Lowry and #16 is too much to give up for #6, but that's just me.

Brad 'I didn't lose any of my explosiveness' Miller.

 

Oh perfect. He can come out of retirement and play a pivotol role at backup C for us. He should retire a Rocket anyways.