The Clock is Ticking
posted: 6/26/2008 at 11:05 AM
The countdown is official on, and there is a flurry of activity at the Trail Blazers practice facility in Tualatin. Kevin Pritchard's executive staff is meeting, owner Paul Allen is there, and the phones are ringing. The phones are ringing. And, oh yeah, the phones are ringing.
Early Thursday morning I was outside the war room, and Pritchard took a few moments to brief a few of us broadcasters (and executive producer Scott Zachry), about the day. I always love this day, and love this chance to be right where all the action is. It's always an exciting scene. There are closed-door meetings going on in Nate McMillan's office, and then Pritchard will dart out of that room, and into another. Then, he'll pop out of that room (always with the phone to his ear) and head into the war room.
It's different this year, to be sure. In recent years, especially last year, we had some idea of what to expect, at least in terms who Portland would select with the first pick. That didn't mean there wasn't excitement, as the Zach Randolph trade was announced mid-draft, and then the Phoenix Suns offered up their yearly gem to the Blazers, which in this case was Rudy Fernandez and James Jones. Even two years ago, we learned in our meeting with KP that the team was in a position to get LaMarcus Aldridge, and had fleeced Boston out of the pick that was used to take Brandon Roy (Theo Ratliff and Sebastian Telfair).
But, today I'm sensing that everything is a moving target. Kevin said the offers are pouring in, and said, in fact, right before we met with him, that four new trade offers had come in just the previous 20 minutes. We didn't learn as much from Pritchard in this year's meeting, because there is so much that could still happen in the hours leading up to the draft. He doesn't even know, and I'd rather not know about the deals they're right in the middle of trying to make happen.
Here is what I can tell you, and some of these things won't shock you. If nothing happens today (and you know better than that) it's going to be a very successful draft. In fact, plan A is to stand pat. Judging by many of your comments the last month, that's exactly what many of you want to see happen- nothing. Just take the 13, the 27, and get rid of the second-round picks.
The Trail Blazers do now own the 27th pick. It won't be officially announced, but it's ours. Don't expect them to pick at 27. That pick was purchased to be moved. And, at this point, I'd be very surprised to see the Blazers pick at 13. They'll either move up, move back, or move out. Pritchard told us there are multiple deals on the table to do any of those three things.
Portland is going into this draft with five picks. If I had to guess, I'd say the Blazers will come out of the draft with two players. And, they'll likely give up a player or two off the current roster in the process. I do think the roster will change today, in other words.
A lot of you have asked about the probability of the Trail Blazers trading Raef LaFrentz, and his massive expiring contract, on draft day. I'd say that's extremely unlikely. They would only do that if the player comes along for them and they can't pass it up. But, as you know, that contract will continue to get more and more valuable as we approach the trading deadline next season. I think they'll save it for that.
On the chance that Travis Outlaw gets traded, Pritchard said it will "take a hell of a player" for them to even consider that.
The one player who seems to be popping up everywhere in rumors today is New York's David Lee. He WILL be moved today. The Knicks are trying to set themselves up to make a run at LeBron James, and Lee is their most valuable asset. I think he'd look great in a Blazer uniform, and it's no secret that the Knicks want Portland's pick at 13.
Many of the other rumors you've heard in the last few weeks have been totally bogus. Just because a team wants a particular player off your roster doesn't mean you've made him available. I've heard the names of several Blazers, supposedly on the block, and Pritchard assured me there was nothing to those deals. GMs around the league use the media like crazy right now, and even gauge fan reaction by floating trades.
One other thing we're seeing this year is teams trying to drive prices up because they know Portland will pay it. KP's reputation proceeds him, and so any offer to the Blazers is usually overpriced. In other words, if you're looking to move up, you're going to pay through the nose. Like anything in business, it's all about leverage.
Teams around the NBA, of course, study the rosters of the teams around them in the draft. Everyone knows the Blazers would like to grab a point guard. Therefore, you've seen the teams in front of the Blazers float, publically, that they're thinking about taking a point just to see if the Blazers will bite. That's the beauty of having Paul Allen as your owner. I hope you realize how fortunate we are.
I think the unique thing about this draft is that KP and his staff are really having to work to manufacture the things they want. Kevin uses the analogy that we're just playing station to station baseball. Getting the 27th pick was a bunt to put a player in scoring position. Now, you've got to move yourself to third. Eventually, perhaps a sac fly brings him home. Forget the home run today.
One note on James Jones. As reported earlier, he has opted out of his contract. Or, to put it correctly, he has not opted in. Kevin said it's "sad." The Blazers want James back, and he has said he loves Portland and found something special last season. That being said, the rumor is, Jones has an offer worth 25-million dollars, for five years, elsewhere. If that's true, and not a bluff, then consider him gone.
Our annual NBA Draft radio show will kick off at 4pm this afternoon. I'll be at the Rose Garden, on the club level, along with Mike Rice and Antonio Harvey. Brian Wheeler will be right outside the war room at the practice facility. Make no mistake, he gets the first word on everything, and he'll have the news, no matter what happens, first. You know that if you've listened the last four years. We'll be on 95.5 FM The Game in the Portland area, or you can listen live on line by clicking on the link at the top-right of this page. We start at 4, and will likely be on the air well past 8pm.
Buckle up.
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Phewwww! That was a beauty of a post Mike! A lot to chew on. I'll probably reread it to see if I missed anything. I wouldnt mind seeing the Blazers standing pat, but there is a certain excitement to hear the wheeling and dealing that could occur. This past year was really the first year that I really enjoyed the whole team and would be saddened to see them broken up as a team, but I trust the big guys now, whereas I didnt so much in the past. I am grabbing for my four point harness and securely fastening myself in an upright postion!
Thanks for the update. A question about David Lee: doesn't his rookie contract expire at the same time as Jack's, Martell's and Frye's? It seems like trading for him doesn't solve the cap-hold problem that Dave at Blazer's Edge so nicely identified....
MB,
I love Pritchard's resolve in that he won't trade Travis unless it's a hell of a player that he's trading him for. You're right...we are so fortunate that we have an owner like Paul. It's comforting to the fans that we can trust our GM and owner to always make the right move. That wasn't the case a few years ago when KP wasn't here but it is now.
A brief side note: I had a chance to listen to your conversation with Channing and he definitely will have a career at ESPN or somewhere else. He sounded so polished and knowledgable. Great guy.
Thanks for keeping us up to speed with what's happening. I'm sure it's not easy since you're so busy but we appreciate it.
George
Mike;
great update. It saddens me to see Jones go.
But, maybe Martell and Outlaw can take up the slack. That is if Martell isn't traded.
I'm Ready to be launched into 2008-2009, knowing of course that it may not be what it is tonight.
hg
Seems like James Jones is all about the money, can't blame him though. It's almost a bad thing if he becomes the best 3 point shooter in the league. Then he is going to feel under payed for 4 more years. It will be a shame to see him gone. While the Blazers are raising a championship banner, I hope that 25 mill is worth it, if it is true.
After reading Chad Ford's (ESPN) latest mock draft, I say we stay at 13. Ford now has Bayless at 12 and Augustin at 13. If either of them is still on the board, we grab him. Otherwise we make the trade for a veteran that Jason Quick hinted at in this morning's O.
Mike, I am so excited right now. I am overwhelmed at the info and action you guys are providing us fans. You make it feel like we are there and are all part of this action. I am at home at my office reading all this info and making decisions of my own!! Great work and Lets get this goin. Have fun fellow fans see you all in the war room!
Amazing draft getting Bayless who was projected to go at 4. Should have kept Arthur though, don't understand the reasoning behind that trade.
I didn't hear about them trading Arthur. Who to and what did they get back?
Kevin Pritchard is a flat-out genius! Getting Bayless and Ike Diogu for the 13th pick plus turnover-prone Jack. Even if they have to part with Josh McRoberts as part of the deal, Diogu softens that blow considerably and we keep all the other pieces. Amazing!
hey mike,
i have recently started an nba jersey collection and would like to know the best way to get them autographed. i've tried at games but can't seem to get down to the floor. any suggestion would be much appreciated. thanks. go blazers
i really had my set on getting d.j.. hope bayless turns out to be as good of fit as d.j. would have been. i've heard he is very cocky and he never even worked out for us. it sounds like his assist to turnover ratio isn't any better than jacks.
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