[Bryan88]

Who should the Blazers target with the 13th pick? Or should they package their first and second round picks together and try to trade up to secure one of the second-tier PG's?

DraftExpress: NBA Team Needs: Northwest Division

Portland Trailblazers (41-41 in 2007-0

Draft Picks: No. 13, No. 33, No. 36, No. 55

Depth Chart:

PG: Steve Blake / Jarrett Jack / Sergio Rodriguez
SG: Brandon Roy / Von Wafer*
SF: Martell Webster / Travis Outlaw / James Jones
PF: LaMarcus Aldridge / Channing Frye / Josh McRoberts
C: Greg Oden / Joel Pryzbilla / Raef LaFrentz

*Potential free agent

Could use help at: Point Guard

Bottom line: The Portland Trailblazers really took a big step forward this season. Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge have turned into fantastic players under Nate McMillan, and have taken the team to a new level. Portland’s terrific staff has done a sensational job revamping the roster (and the organization in general) from top to bottom, making this team a force to be reckoned with in coming years. With the opportunity to add another player through the draft, Portland will be stacked with young talent. While Kevin Pritchard has the flexibility to pull the trigger on any number of deals to expedite the team’s competitive window, he may choose to let his current staple of players gain experience and see where things go. With a core featuring Roy, Aldridge, Webster, Outlaw, and Greg Oden, things will be looking even better in Portland very soon.

Draft outlook: Don’t be surprised if the Trailblazers deal their lottery pick on draft night. Portland has enough youth on its roster already, and would probably like to pick up a savvy veteran to set an example on the court and in the locker room. They are reportedly heavily shopping their pick at the moment, and as we’ve seen in the past, will have no qualms about making a move if it makes sense. Should Portland choose to keep the pick, Pritchard would strongly look at Russell Westbrook and D.J. Augustin should he find a suitor for Jarrett Jack or Steve Blake. It doesn’t appear that either will be on the board, though. They are reportedly very high on Joe Alexander as well, but he too may be gone when they pick. The name Alexis Ajinca has started to circulate more and more around this pick, and it will indeed be interesting to see if Portland pulls the trigger on this highly skilled, highly competitive and extremely raw player with incredible physical tools.

Pritchard is guaranteed to deal at least one (and possibly two or even all three) of his second-rounders in a package to sweeten a deal. Portland is the ideal franchise to draft Nikola Pekovic, who is unlikely to come overseas in the near future, but could be an instant contributor whenever he does. Most teams would be in a hurry to get a player like Pekovic in uniform, but Portland doesn’t have the roster space to make him come over before he actually wants to. Other internationals that their scouting staff has likely been looking at are Omer Asik, Serge Ibaka, Ante Tomic and Goran Dragic. Two other possibilities for the team in round two should they decide to keep the pick are Richard Hendrix and D.J. White, both of whom would add some muscle to Portland’s more athletic power forward stable, something that team is lacking somewhat. The Portland Trailblazers will be one of the most interesting teams to watch on draft day, since they’ve reached the point that they have, essentially, too much depth.

[Lefty Noob]

I agree with the draft outlook. This team is loaded with young talent. They could use some veteran leadership to put it all together. Plus they get Oden back... he's essentially going to be like a rookie this year as well.