Schilly

It depends...I would Top 3 Protect it, but then would they takle that trade?

Ed O

To answer the question: hell, no.

Most years I would seriously consider it. Why?

-- getting a high pick sooner is usually preferable to getting a high pick later, and
-- I tend to be optimistic that the Blazers are going to improve.

So why wouldn't I do it this go-around?

-- the weakness of the 2006 draft (no probable franchise players)
-- that we already have a top pick (so we'll probably get the guy we really want already)
-- that we're going to absolutely suck next year, and
-- that the 2007 draft is going to be strong. Oden is clearly the key, but the rest of the top of the draft should be pretty good, too. I am NOT willing to trade away from a chance to get Oden without a very good reason to do so.

Ed O.

Minstrel

I didn't say there were definitely no franchise players. Such a statement would suggest I am smart enough to know something no one else does.

I said there are "likely" no franchise players. Based on the collective wisdom of draft and college experts and logic, I think that's a perfectly reasonable expectation. Could a player break expectations and become a superstar out of the blue? Sure. It just isn't the likeliest outcome.

I wouldn't call either player a "franchise player," but yes, they were better than expected.

My definition of franchise player has nothing to do with intangibles. I consider a franchise player to be a superstar or a near-superstar player. Obviously, that has some subjective element (not everyone has the same standards for superstardom), but it's based on production, not intangibles or aura.

This year? Nothing. McGrady's having a bad year due to injury...if you want to boil it down to year-by-year status, McGrady's not a franchise player this year, while Arenas is.

And, in fact, I do consider Arenas to be a franchise player in general. I also consider McGrady to be one, and a better one than Arenas when healthy. That can vary from year to year, of course, based on health and variance in performance. Not that it matters much for the purposes of this discussion, since I consider both to be franchise players.

__________________
You'll never live like common people
You'll never do what common people do
You'll never fail like common people
You'll never watch your life slide out of view
And dance and drink and screw
Because there's nothing else to do.

hasoos

Note: I am not sure of the particulars of the situation, but I would not trade any pick that would probably be a lotto pick the year Oden is coming out.

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Hasoos

Kmurph

Absolutely correct...

The name Dwayne Wade comes to mind...Kirk Hinrich is another...

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Quit the Webster hate

Minstrel

I don't think we should toss aside rational analysis of what's most likely just because it possible for a Dwyane Wade to emerge.

It's not a question of what's possible, it's a question of what's probable. You don't hit on a 19 because history has shown that it's possible to draw a deuce. You weigh the likelihood of drawing that deuce against the likelihood of busting.

Based on fairly rational evaluations of the college crop, there's no reason to believe it's stronger than normal to equalize the fact that there isn't a crop of talented high school prospects available. Therefore, it's a weaker draft. Why deal a pick in a stronger draft (next season, when the talented high school class denied us this season will be available along with that season's standard crop of collegians) for a pick in a weaker draft?

__________________
You'll never live like common people
You'll never do what common people do
You'll never fail like common people
You'll never watch your life slide out of view
And dance and drink and screw
Because there's nothing else to do.

BBert

To quote Wally Cleaver: "Heck No!"

But I'd at least consider trading this year's pick for a chance at a second lotto entry next year. Heck, I'd consider trading all of this year's picks for a good shot at a high lottery slot next year.

The problem with that is that trading this year's (sort of) known commodity is really a long-shot because: (a) the pick we would get from team 'x' next year may not end up being a lotto pick; and (b) even if it were, there is only a small chance it would be the No. 1 pick, or even No. 2 or 3.

Obviously you can't make any such move until after our draft position is determined and we've had a chance to work out this year's candidates. Top lotto picks don't come along that often (I hope), so if we can get someone the talent gurus think is close to a sure thing this year, like (hypothetically) Tyrus, Aldridge, Bargnani, or Morrison (ok, I had to throw him in there to not get flamed ), then I think I'd just keep the bird in the hand.

I guess only if whichever of these 4 guys are available to us are projected to be only pedestrian NBA starters would I give up our pick this year for what could very well be a later pick next year. Our own pick will likely be a very good pick next year regardless, so NO WAY I trade next year's pick.

And while I'm off the subject, I'd prefer to draft a big.

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In KP I trust.

Ed O

Kirk Hinrich is a franchise player?

Wow.

Ed O.

Foulzilla

Kirk is hardly a franchise player. Good player yes, maybe an all star someday. Also, I don't think Wade was expected to be a franchise player when drafted.

There are certain players that are obviously franchise players when coming into the league.

Lebron, Shaq, AI, Oden, etc.

So when saying there aren't any likely franchise players I believe most people mean no obvious choices, not "there will be no franchise players in this draft at all".

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"If push came to shove, I could lose all self-respect & become a reporter."
-Charles Barkley

Kmurph

He is the best player on CHI, and better than any player POR has...including Z-bo

I guess it also depends on your definition of "franchise player"....Does it mean the same as "superstar"? or does it mean your team's best player and a player who would start on most other teams?

I'd love to have Hinrich on POR, wouldn't you? He is a damm good player...

C.Frye, E.Okafor, B.Gordon, A.Iguodala, C.Bosh, D.Wade, K.Hinrich, P.Gasol. J.Richardson, J.Johnson, R.Jefferson

I think these guys are pretty darn good players....

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Quit the Webster hate

Masbee

Here is an old post about the "Masbee Plan" (all rights reserved):

http://www.basketballboards.net/foru...6&postcount=26

Ok, so Rudy Gay did not have a stellar season, and did not lock up the No. 1 spot alone for 2006, but he is still in the mix.

Read my plan. Do you see anywhere where it discusses trading OUT of the 2007 draft?

Can't find it? Cause its not there. It's not there because it is a bad idea (no offense). It was a bad idea before the season started when I posted it, and it is STILL a bad idea.

Minstrel

They are good players. Bosh and Wade are the only ones with real superstar production or potential. I expect a group of similarly good players out of this draft...I just don't think the most likely outcome is for any team to get a Bosh or Wade. It is certainly possible, but not likely, IMO.

Meanwhile, next season there is as close to a surefire superstar as possible in Oden and maybe another couple of prospects with greater superstar potential than anyone in this draft, in Durant and Wright.

To me, while I accept the possibility that a player in this draft could unexpectedly break out, it's most rational to assume none will be unexpectedly great and maintain our position in a draft that has some players who could be expectedly great.

__________________
You'll never live like common people
You'll never do what common people do
You'll never fail like common people
You'll never watch your life slide out of view
And dance and drink and screw
Because there's nothing else to do.

Utherhimo

well none of it matters cus the trail balzers wont exist next season

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Mead for Life and Life for Mead ~ "ORAGUN", not "ORYGONE"!
WELCOME RUDY, BAYLESS and Batum to the Blazer Tribe: wear the Scarlet and Black with Pride. HAIL THE NORTH WEST! LONG LIVE OREGON!

00 this season is for YOU!!!! RIP!