Bayless!

[Chi Dynasty12]

So cool that you got him. B-Rush is going to be a stud though, but still, managing to get Bayless is exciting. congrats

[SoHo]

I seriously doubt anyone on the trade board would have said we could get Bayless for Jack and the 13... Heck if someone told me that a few weeks back I would have said no way.

[Spykes]

Another amazing Draft Day by Kevin Pritchard. It obviously took a little luck for Bayless to drop to 11, but once things started to fall Portland's way, Pritchard took advantage. Up until just last week, Bayless was widely considered the consensus #4 pick in the draft. Then to not only get Bayless, but to turn Jack and McRoberts into Diogu in the same deal... Amazing. So the Blazers gets their PG of the future in Bayless, another promising young player in Diogu, and they've opened up an extra roster spot by giving up 3rd stringer Josh McRoberts.

The Blazers then follow up one steal with another by being able to grab Darrell Arthur all the way down to 27. A guy who leading up to the draft today, was believed to be a lottery pick. So far it sounds like Portland is keeping the pick, and Portland just continues to add in high quality prospects.

The only real complaint anyone could have is that Portland didn't get any kind of veteran experience. It'll be a very young group, but the promise and potential of this roster is absolutely off-the-charts...

Bayless/Blake/Sergio
Roy/Fernandez
Outlaw/Webster/Arthur
Aldridge/Frye/Diogu
Oden/Przybilla/LaFrentz

On top of all of this, Portland still has LaFrentz's expiring contract and a lot of new potential trade assets for a potential move at next seasons Trade Deadline. And if they don't find a trade, they'll still have a ton of cap space for 09. The options are endless for Kevin Pritchard and the Blazers.

EDIT: Of course, it's never too early to call the Draft Day over. DraftExpress is reporting Portland is making a move for Batum. So we might need to swap out Arthur for Batum on that draft chart. Another great move for Portland as Batum is a guy I wanted in Portland a lot.

[The Sebastian Express]

I could definitely see us packing Outlaw or Martell with Raef now for a veteran possibly. Especially if we keep Arthur who is 6'8, can he play SF? I must research.

[ForeignBlazer]

I was watching the draft and couldn't believe Bayless was dropping out of the top ten and was begging he would drop to #13 but the Pacers picked him up. Was a bit surprised with that if the Pacers get TJ Ford but it could of left the door open for Sacremento to come in and pick Bayless, which would of meant there would of been no chance of getting him.

But to get Bayless for Jack, McRoberts and Rush (#13) is a great deal, but if you add on Ike, it is an awesome deal.

I won't be surprised if a vetern is picked up in free agency, if not then Raef's expiring can easly be moved for a solid vet.

And it's also good to have Paul Allen's money backing the team.

[Spykes]

I could definitely see us packing Outlaw or Martell with Raef now for a veteran possibly. Especially if we keep Arthur who is 6'8, can he play SF? I must research.

Doesn't look like Arthur is going to stay a Blazer, he's reportedly being traded to Houston for Batum.

[The Sebastian Express]

Oh well. Batum is a good pick too. He can play SF, and he can spend a few years in Europe leaving us another roster spot.

[SpaceJam]

I hate you guys

[joew8302]

As a Pacer fan I am sick. Don't you feel a little guilty stealing from the blind?

[mojomarc]

I could definitely see us packing Outlaw or Martell with Raef now for a veteran possibly. Especially if we keep Arthur who is 6'8, can he play SF? I must research.

Tayshaun Prince

[joew8302]

The way Pritchard is going I wouldn't be surprised to see Portland land Lebron James for Joel Pryzbilla and a conditional 2009 2nd rounder.

[mojomarc]

The way Pritchard is going I wouldn't be surprised to see Portland land Lebron James for Joel Pryzbilla and a conditional 2009 2nd rounder.

Too rich. Make the second rounder top-59 protected, and maybe KP considers it

[Bskey]

The way Pritchard is going I wouldn't be surprised to see Portland land Lebron James for Joel Pryzbilla and a conditional 2009 2nd rounder.

LBJ for Von wafer and a future 2nd rounder. You saw it here first folks.

[boogydown]

Portland needs a passer, not a shooting PG. They already have that with Roy and Aldridge.

[Charcoal Filtered]

Oh and for the record I would still want Jack and 13 for 11.

How quick things change.

When the Pacers drafted Bayless, I was in shock that my hometown Pacers could have a top player fall in their lap ala Danny Granger a few years ago. When the Blazers drafted Rush, the shock went from the good kind to bad. It was even worse when it was announced initially as only JJ and Rush for him. Even with Ford, I keep a top tier PG over a SG.

McRoberts may turn out ok, but JJ in a running offense is going to be a disaster. My feeling is that this trade was agreed to before the draft and the Pacers just stayed true to the agreed terms. For months we have been worrying over what it was going to take to get a top PG. Who would have thought it was #13, JJ, and McBob?

I am happy as a season ticket holder, but embarrased that Bird did not get more.