It's_GO_Time

If one is to take PA at face value, then the Blazers are clearly for sale. That would mean that any action taken by Blazer management would be with the idea of making the team more maketable to the potential buyers. I think this factor comes into play during the draft.

The easy answer is that the organization is more marketable if they are winning, so draft the player that helps them win. If the Blazer organization has a firm idea of who that player will be, then they will draft that player. However, I don't think this is a draft where one can feel confident that any individual player is going to automatically be a success.

Given that, I see Aldrdige being the safest pick for an organization on the market. At worst he is a servicable big man with a 2-4 year rookie salary. He may not help the team as much as other draft picks, but he is the safest bet to help a team . . . especially the Blazers who lack big men.

So I suspect if the choice comes down to Morrison, Aldridge, the Euro, ect.. that if PA is serious about selling, the Blazers pick Aldridge.

Blazer Maven

My feelings are exactly the opposite.

The Blazers are in the tank in the public eye and need to create a buzz. Morrison is the best pick to accomplish both. Get a new face of the franchise, while sending out Miles (hopefully on draft day) and generate some positive PR for a change.

Aldridge would be nice, but he would not create instant value that Morrison would. PA is looking to improve the team's image and Morrison goes a long way in getting that accomplished.

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It's_GO_Time

Interesting how you see it. I tend to go with the school of thought that Morrison will not automatically put fans in the seats. Maybe he creates a buzz, but if he doesn't produce than his novelty will quickly fade.

Morrison is the risky pick that could pay off big dividends, but Aldridge is the safe bet in getting a big man cheap.

I think after everything that has happened, PA goes for a safe pick. But I see what you are saying . . .

mediocre man

The one thing that would make a new owner elated is to rid itself of contracts like Zach, Darius and Theo's.

I wouldn't be surprised to see them deal at least Zach and Darius for nothing more than salary relief.

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It's_GO_Time

Agreed. That is what scares me about the rumor of trading Miles and moving down the draft pick.

zagsfan20

I don't think that Aldridge will even be there at 4 so I think its a moot point.

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Fork

Here's how I think it will go down.

We pick Morrison, whether we have to trade up or he falls to us at #4.

Paul Allen is so damned EXCITED by this wonderful turn of events that he announces he can't bear to part with the team in such an exciting time and he pulls the team off the market and buys the Rose Garden for more money than he could have paid for it just a few months ago. So, Paul doesn't look like he's an idiot, because this decision was made only after Adam showed up riding his bowlegged white unicorn to rescue the franchise. Miracles do happen to really, really rich people!

And everyone lives happily ever after.

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wastro

Buzz is interesting.

Pick Morrison, and there's short-term buzz.

But if he doesn't rescue this franchise or make an immediate impact, all that buzz is squandered.

I think Paul will have a say, but I think it's impossible to say who he's all about right now. There haven't been any indications one way or the other from ANYONE in the organization, so it's hard to say what Paul's motives have been.