nbadraft.net... NW devision team needs

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http://www.nbadraft.net/node/7325

don't think this article has been posted yet

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[STOMP]

If there has ever been a team that needed a minor league farm system, it would be the current Portland Trailblazers. They have depth and youth at nearly all five positions. Point guard Jerryd Bayless was drafted 11th overall in last year's draft, but was the 3rd point guard on the team for essentially the whole year. The Trailblazers may be in a better position than anyone in the Western Conference. They are young and are winning now, finishing 4th in the Western Conference this season.

Portland's only concern this offseason and next year will be to extend their current roster. Brandon Roy has proven to be a franchise player, but his contract will end after next year if not extended. Same goes for the Trailblazers second best player LaMarcus Aldridge. The large contract of Raef Lafrentz comes off the books this summer, but none of that money will be going towards any free agents. For Portland it is all about keeping its core players and letting them grow, because it's clear that the best has yet to come for these kids.

Portland has ten guaranteed contracts for next year and five draft picks coming up. Barring a big trade or a small contract offer, Portland's roster is very predictable for next year. The perimeter has enough youth and is very productive. Nicolas Batum and Travis Outlaw will eat up most of the small forward minutes. Brandon Roy and 22 year old Martell Webster will occupy playing time at the shooting guard position. They have three legit point guards in Steve Blake, Sergio Rodriguez, and Bayless. Therefore, most of their picks will go towards big men. Especially at the power forward position, where there is no real backup for LaMarcus Aldridge, when it is likely that Channing Frye will play elsewhere and not resign. The center spot has its minutes locked up with Pryzbilla and Oden.

Portland can't do much with their roster but they don't need to. Finishing the season 4th in the Western Conference was an accomplishment alone for a team as young the Trailblazers. Next year will only get better, and if general manager Kevin Pritchard can start to extend these players contracts, the Blazers should be atop of the Western Conference for a long time.

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[Nikolokolus]

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If there has ever been a team that needed a minor league farm system, it would be the current Portland Trailblazers. They have depth and youth at nearly all five positions. Point guard Jerryd Bayless was drafted 11th overall in last year's draft, but was the 3rd point guard on the team for essentially the whole year. The Trailblazers may be in a better position than anyone in the Western Conference. They are young and are winning now, finishing 4th in the Western Conference this season.

Portland's only concern this offseason and next year will be to extend their current roster. Brandon Roy has proven to be a franchise player, but his contract will end after next year if not extended. Same goes for the Trailblazers second best player LaMarcus Aldridge. The large contract of Raef Lafrentz comes off the books this summer, but none of that money will be going towards any free agents. For Portland it is all about keeping its core players and letting them grow, because it's clear that the best has yet to come for these kids.

Portland has ten guaranteed contracts for next year and five draft picks coming up. Barring a big trade or a small contract offer, Portland's roster is very predictable for next year. The perimeter has enough youth and is very productive. Nicolas Batum and Travis Outlaw will eat up most of the small forward minutes. Brandon Roy and 22 year old Martell Webster will occupy playing time at the shooting guard position. They have three legit point guards in Steve Blake, Sergio Rodriguez, and Bayless. Therefore, most of their picks will go towards big men. Especially at the power forward position, where there is no real backup for LaMarcus Aldridge, when it is likely that Channing Frye will play elsewhere and not resign. The center spot has its minutes locked up with Pryzbilla and Oden.

Portland can't do much with their roster but they don't need to. Finishing the season 4th in the Western Conference was an accomplishment alone for a team as young the Trailblazers. Next year will only get better, and if general manager Kevin Pritchard can start to extend these players contracts, the Blazers should be atop of the Western Conference for a long time.

What no Rudy? 3 "legit" point guards? drafting bigs? static roster next year? I'm not sure I agree with much of what this guy had to say ...

 

[Minstrel]

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What no Rudy? 3 "legit" point guards? drafting bigs? static roster next year? I'm not sure I agree with much of what this guy had to say ...

Yeah, it seems pretty sloppy to me, as though the writer just glanced at the roster and threw the pieces together based on his a priori impressions rather than either strong knowledge of the team or some research.

That said, it's nice to see another person legitimately enthused about Portland's future. Even though he got many details wrong, I endorse his overall message of Portland being well-positioned for next year and the future. But I think Pritchard will be more active than this writer believes.

 

[cdub503]

ya and where the fuck is rudy in all that mix?

 

[mgb]

No money towards FAs? I thought we'd have about 7M to play with?

 

[LOTBfan]

No money towards FAs? I thought we'd have about 7M to play with?

HCP spent it all at Jiggles from what I hear

 

[RickyRubio]

Next year will only get better, and if general manager Kevin Pritchard can start to extend these players contracts, the Blazers should be atop of the Western Conference for a long time.

I like this part. But yeah, no Rudy?

 

[Wheels]

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What no Rudy? 3 "legit" point guards? drafting bigs? static roster next year? I'm not sure I agree with much of what this guy had to say ...

yeah wtf