Well I think it is imperative that POR go after the BEST plahyers, and not get caught up in the "we must get a center" game. In a perfect world, I'd love to see POR get another mid 1st rounder via trade somehow, and then use both ours and mem picks, with hopefully again both lotto, to move UP in the draft and get a Deng or Gordon, and then pick up a Drejer/Jackson or darkhorse (if he declares) Shaun Livingston, with the latter pick.
As far as the centers go, I actually haven't seen most of them play, but I liked David Harrison when I saw him play. I don't think he will ever be a great center, but he is big and could end up being a double\double guy IMO. He was listed as a 1st rounder, but now I see him not listed at all? which I find hard to believe. He would be a GREAT value in the 2nd round. As for the other centers I wouldn't touch Podkolzine with a 10ft pole, especially if I traded up for a top 5 pick. That would be a disaterous move for POR to make IMO. Same goes for Chiriaev, POR is best served not going there, don't be fooled by this kid. I do have interest in Biedrins, but he is YOUNG, 18yrs old, he will take a lot of time to develop, if he ever does, and I think POR is better served, especially with our highest pick getting a player who can help us NOW. We already have one projest in Outlaw. Perovic would be the other guy, then Ha Seung-Jin.
But for arguments sake IF POR ends up about where they are projected currently (#12 & #14), we definitely go for the BEST player on the board. Who could that possibly be? Well I would be happy if Splitter slipped a little more (don't think he will), Iguodala will be a good NBA player IMO, Drejer is interesting, and I can't decide b\t Nelson or Felton, both are small, Nelson being the smallest of the two, but IMO has more heart, and skills. On one hand I'd like t o have him here, the other is still suffering from fears of having another "Damon" type player (small\shoot first\defensive liability), but everything I have read says Nelson is not that type of player, although his size will always be a problem, but Felton isn't much bigger.
Also, I would love to see POR draft L.Jackson, moreso if we had a pick towards the later teens\twenties. I think he will be a good pro, he just has a nice skill set, he can pass, he rebounds well, good shooter, lots of bball IQ and grit. The type of player POR needs. We really need smart players who play hard, or at least 1 of the 2. I wuldn't draft him high in the draft, but later I definitely would.
Contrary to what many are saying I think this will be a good (talent wise) draft. The only Hi-Schooler (besides Howard, and maybe Smith) I would seriously consider taking with a pick is that Shaun Livingston kid, 6'7 PG, he intrigues me, but then again I don't know enough about him. Telfair, another HS looks intersting too, but is small, greater risk IMO. Livingston is pretty much the only Hi-Schooler I would consider taking with the latter of 2 first rounders (IF he even declares).
C.Thomas isn't on the draft board either and I would like him as a 2nd rounder. 'd like to see POR acquire another 2nd round pick, I think there are players worth drafting in the 2nd.