NBA Draft: Portland's missed opportunity
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by user Karlfilsaime
Portland had a great draft and all (who could miss with the first pick this year, really?) but somehow I feel like they missed out on an opportunity to build a team for the ages. Let's start by saying they gave Zach Randolph away for nothing, really - cap flexibility when they need the big bucks to resign Oden and Roye. I think they could have done themselves 1 better: flexibility + a franchise PG...
Considering that Zach Randolph is one of the best young PFs in the game right now, isn't it conceivable that Atl would've taken him for the #3 pick? He is immediately better than Al Horford and only 25 years old. Throw in a player like Josh Childress, and Atl stays under the cap (not requiring unanimous ownership agreement, which is apparently what held up an attempt to get Amare).
And who does Portland take with the #3, you might ask? None other than Mike Conley that's who. Keep the two kids togethor, throw in some Brandon Roye, with good role players in Childress and Aldridge, guys like Jack, Dixon, Webster, Udoka coming off the bench...you're looking at a team that will dominate the league. I would've gone ahead and drafted Davis early in the second (or where they got the Finnish guy from Phoenix) and you're looking at a complete team, a little young but will grow together.
Just my humble opinion.
