Draft Day Looming

After a long five days out of town and out of touch, I'm back in Oregon trying to wrap my head around the current buzz involving the Blazers and the draft.

With only three days left, Blazer fans continue to feel confused and unclear on what the team might do.

I keep going back and forth on the topic, but Jason Quick may have cleared a few things up for us today with his article in the Oregonian. Basically, Paul Allen is telling Pritchard to do work this summer. He wants the team upgraded as the Blazers are ready to take the next step.

Some of the discussion involves the Blazers trading out of the draft and focusing on a legit free agent when July 1 rolls around. The more I think about it, the more it seems like a good decision.

If we could somehow get a guy like Brandon Bass, Andre Miller, or Kirk Hinrich, we'd be set up nicely for next season.

With all systems a go from Paul Allen, KP just needs to make the right decision. I think the last quote from the article sums it up nicely:

"But I will assure you: When it's time to run -- we will run," Pritchard said. "What I mean by that is when I feel like there's the right deal to take us to next level, I'm not going to be afraid to make it. I just have to make sure it's the right one."

I'm at the point now where the draft day options don't get me as excited as the free agent list. I think this year's draft is going to have a lot of flops, including a handful in the top 10.

Basically, I'd like someone with a few years of experience in the NBA so they can contrinbute right away. Bass would be excellent as a backup, but I'm not sure how he would feel about that role.

Can you imagine Brandon Bass coming off the bench to relieve LaMarcus? Bass would crush people.

I also see Andre Miller or Kirk Hinrich as major upgrades at the point. Even Jason Kidd or Steve Nash could be huge for Portland for at least a couple years. A veteran point guard who understands Brandon Roy and can control the team is crucial. They'd be a co-pilot, of sorts, to Roy.

The draft is close, I am admittedly excited about it. But this could be the first year in a long time in which we do very little. I'm fine with it, as long as we do something dynamic in free agency.

So what do you think? What is your ideal scenario for the off-season? Let's talk draft day since there are only three days left!