Adrian Wojnarowski: Blazers are targeting Elliot Williams
Nathan Begley | Tuesday, June 22, 2010 at 4:34PM This would indicate that Portland really likes Williams but either likes someone else better at #22 or #22 is already being packaged in a deal of some sort.
Elliot Williams’ DraftExpress profile seems to indicate that he does a lot of the same things that Jerryd Bayless does. He can defend point guards and get to the foul line at a high rate. So the questions that come to my mind are firstly, “Is Jerryd Bayless being packaged in a trade?” and secondly, “What of the #22 pick?”
If Wojnarowski’s report is accurate, I’ve come up with three scenarios to explain it:
- Jerryd Bayless is being traded as the “young talent” in a deal and Portland is targeting Williams as a replacement. For instance, perhaps Bayless, Joel Przybilla, and the #22 pick are being packaged for a player like Mo Williams or to move up much higher in the draft.
- Rudy Fernandez is being traded and Portland thinks that Elliot Williams is a good replacement even though his skill set overlaps with Bayless.
- Portland likes Williams and is taking him regardless of who else is under contract.
The third scenario begs the question “Who is Portland in love with at #22?” The names that spring to mind there are Hassan Whiteside, Solomon Alabi, Daniel Orton, and Kevin Seraphim. If Portland is trying to get another pick in the twenties to snag Williams, I can’t imagine that they would use #22 on a guard as well. James Anderson and Quincy Pondexter are the only wings projected to go between #22 and the end of the first round, but it’s hard for me to see Portland being so enamored with either of them that they would be locked into taking them at #22. EDIT: Matt Moore makes a strong argument for James Anderson.
No matter what happens, it looks like Portland fans may be in for an exciting couple of days.
Are their alternative scenarios that are being overlooked? Let us know in the comments below.
Reader Comments (4)
chris paul to portland for rudy, bayless, and picks!!!!!!!!
Wouldn't have to if we'd not traded down for Martell Webster a few years back. We could've had Paul with our original pick. Still would be a nice trade if Hornet's would agree.
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