buy the 21st pick off of NOH to take Budinger

[lon3lytoaster]

I don't like hearing how this team doesn't need projects or anything for the future. We have Rondo and Perk after the P2/KG/Ray era, And honestly while both have showed flashes of absolute brilliance they're still sort of question marks, especially Rondo, imo. Kid is widly inconsistent and so far hasn't shown pro work ethic. Now, I know Rondo could start on almost any team with talent alone, but once the Big Three are gone I don't feel comfortable with Rondo being the best player. Adding some more youth at the 2/3/4 positions isn't going to stop us from competing while everyone around today is still around, assuming we have our 6/7/8th men spots filled with solid veterans.

With that said, I wouldn't mind waiting until after the draft and signing and then trading Davis to New Jersey for Josh Boone and the draft rights to Earl Clark/Gerald Henderson/Ellington, And just for cash, if the offer was there I'd take Budinger from NOH, too. I think he might do better in the NBA, and if not other than a roster spot you didn't lose anything.

[MBz]

I agree, I think this team could use a little youth.  We are not going to have a team with 15 veterans, it's not practical.  Yes Rondo and Perk are young, but besides that, Giddens and Walker are toss ups.  We know what Davis and Powe offer and though both are great bench options, it's hard to say they have the potential to be good starters because of some of their flaws.  There may not be superstars towards the back end of the 1st round in this years draft, but you could pick up a guy like Jrue Holiday who yes is very raw, but in my opinion is already a very good defensive point guard.  Another guy is DaJuan Summers.  Georgetown had a rough year due to inconsistent guard play, but Summers is a very athletic guy who is a legit 3.  Sam Young is another guy who will be a contributor, the list can go on.  The Celtics need some youth, and Rivers needs to let them play a little, give Ray Allen and Paul Pierce a few more days off through out the year, it's a long season.

[Michael Anthony]

Draft Express shows BJ Mullins, Nick Calathes and Patric Mills available at 21. NBDDraft.net shows Jrue Holiday.

All four are better picks.

[Chris]

Draft Express shows BJ Mullins, Nick Calathes and Patric Mills available at 21. NBDDraft.net shows Jrue Holiday.

All four are better picks.

I like all of those guys...but I think Buddinger is the best of the bunch.  I think Buddinger will be a very good NBA player for a long time.  He will never be a star, but he will be a rotation player almost immediately, and will likely be a starting quality player before long. 

[cordobes]

Buddinger has a bigger likelihood of reaching his potential and it's probably a safer pick, but there's no way I'd pass on Jrue Holiday's potential defensive prowess for him.

[jay]

the blazers have a lot of guys under contract.  they may sell their #24 pick.


either way, i would rather draft holiday or darren collison as a backup pg.  get rid of marbury.  cassell is past done so please dont bring him back as a player.

i like bill walker as the athletic backup to pierce.  tony allen isnt gonna be that guy and ray had to play there in the playoffs.  we were just too small with house and ray at the 2/3.   


Rondo  Holiday
Ray  House
Pierce  Walker
KG  BBD/Powe
Perk (Scal)


i still would like to trade Scal/Tony for Pryzbilla,  I think Portland would do it to save against the cap in 2010. 

[bknova]

BJ Mullens has great size and finishing ability.  Would be a good backup to Perk.  And this team can definitely use a legit 7 footer.

[nickagneta]

Don't we already have a 6'5" project at the 2 and a 6'7" project at the 3 named Giddens and Walker, respectively. Why would we buy a draft pick to draft a project to play at a position where we already have projects?

Unless Danny moves Giddens or Walker or both of them, I seriously doubt that he would buy a mid-late 1st rounder to guarantee a contract for yet another project at the SG-SF position. This team needs veterans at those areas not more youth.

If Danny is going to get a pick anywhere between 21 and say 40 I think guys he should be looking at are guys with length or true PG skills. Guys like

Jrue Holiday
Darren Collison
AJ Price
Josh Heytvelt
BJ Mullens

The only SG I would want from this draft is Wayne Ellington and, unfortunately, I think his stock has skyrocketed since midway throught the college season to the point where he could go top 10.

[huzy]

the blazers have a lot of guys under contract.  they may sell their #24 pick.

Unfortunately, Paul Allen is the wealthiest owner in the NBA. Portland doesn't sell picks they buy them. Look at the team's draft history over the last 5 years.

If we did buy into this draft, I'd be wary of Buddinger. When your toughness is questioned at the College level, that doesn't speak well for your professional prospects.

If Jrue Holliday is available, I'd buy a pick to draft him in a heart beat. Also, Patty Mills' style would be a nice extension of Rondo coming off the bench...

[Edgar]

nba draft .net have Bud at 11

[bknova]

Don't we already have a 6'5" project at the 2 and a 6'7" project at the 3 named Giddens and Walker, respectively. Why would we buy a draft pick to draft a project to play at a position where we already have projects?

Unless Danny moves Giddens or Walker or both of them, I seriously doubt that he would buy a mid-late 1st rounder to guarantee a contract for yet another project at the SG-SF position. This team needs veterans at those areas not more youth.

If Danny is going to get a pick anywhere between 21 and say 40 I think guys he should be looking at are guys with length or true PG skills. Guys like

Jrue Holiday
Darren Collison
AJ Price
Josh Heytvelt
BJ Mullens

The only SG I would want from this draft is Wayne Ellington and, unfortunately, I think his stock has skyrocketed since midway throught the college season to the point where he could go top 10.

Gotta disagree.  When picking in the late first/second round the draft is a crapshoot.  It can't hurt to create competition and try to find a gem.  I wouldn't think twice to get my hands on Danny Green, irrespective of Walker or Giddens.  Danny Green's game and experience will translate well to the pro level.  He's also got better size than both.  He's a Trevor Ariza type and can help right away.

[Quinn]

I haven't seen him play, so I have no first hand knowledge of the guy. I've heard he's quite athletic, but he also lacks drive/effort.

How much better is he than Bill Walker? 

Hes not better than Walker. I'd like to get Terrence Williams from Louisiville, 6'8" 2 guard who can play great d and is a triple doulbe machine, hes real athletic just needs to solidify his jumper to make him a star type player.

Great, another Rondo (who btw is my favorite player but we don't need another guard who has no jumpshot)

[ssspence]

the blazers have a lot of guys under contract.  they may sell their #24 pick.

Unfortunately, Paul Allen is the wealthiest owner in the NBA. Portland doesn't sell picks they buy them. Look at the team's draft history over the last 5 years.

If we did buy into this draft, I'd be wary of Buddinger. When your toughness is questioned at the College level, that doesn't speak well for your professional prospects.

If Jrue Holliday is available, I'd buy a pick to draft him in a heart beat. Also, Patty Mills' style would be a nice extension of Rondo coming off the bench...

i don't recall anyone calling mhah a boute tough in college -- in fact the opposite. and the blazers have too many young players to want many more.

[supamike46]

In a similar vein, Chad Ford mentioned in an update on trade talk that the Pistons may be looking to part with their pick and Amir Johnson to save some money...

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draft2009/insider/columns/story?columnist=ford_chad&page=Draf****ch-090521

If that's the case, maybe the Celts could work something out to get both Johnson (who has some athleticism) and the #15 pick.  That would certainly put them in position to take a backup pg or wing player like Collison, Flynn or maybe Wayne Ellington.

[Lucky17]

In a similar vein, Chad Ford mentioned in an update on trade talk that the Pistons may be looking to part with their pick and Amir Johnson to save some money...

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draft2009/insider/columns/story?columnist=ford_chad&page=Draf****ch-090521

If that's the case, maybe the Celts could work something out to get both Johnson (who has some athleticism) and the #15 pick.  That would certainly put them in position to take a backup pg or wing player like Collison, Flynn or maybe Wayne Ellington.

Didn't read the article, but I guess the logic would be to trim payroll to get even further under the cap.

Johnson just hasn't put it together at all since coming into the league. But, I understand Ainge really wanted him when he was available in the draft (but had to fulfill a promise to Orien Greene's agent and select him instead).

Frankly, I think the pick would be worth more than Amir. Would rather simply buy it from the Pistons, and let them figure out a buyer for Amir.