May 2008 Portland Trail Blazers Wiretap

Pritchard Looking To Trade 13th Pick

May 23, 2008 12:31 PM

Blazers general manager Kevin Pritchard is reportedly looking to trade the thirteenth pick in this June's NBA Draft, according to HoopsWorld.

"I think we need more good players," said Pritchard.

"We've got Greg (Oden) and Rudy (Fernandez) coming in next year, we hope, and we're going to have to be active. That's never been something we've been shy to do and we're going to have to do that," he said of trading the pick.

However, that doesn't mean Portland won't decide to use the pick to take a rookie as the draft approaches.

"If it's the right player," Pritchard said about adding a young player to the Blazers mix. "If Brandon Roy is out there again, I think I would take him again."

HoopsWorld

Tags: Portland Trail Blazers, NBA

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Portland Not Opposed To Trading Pick

May 21, 2008 5:29 PM

After landing the thirteenth overall pick, Kevin Pritchard has not changed his outlook on how the Blazers will approach the draft process, according to HoopsWorld.

"We were happy to get lucky last year, but we're going to have to work hard, make some good moves to take this team to the next level.  I do like this draft at 13. I think there really good players ? some maybe a little further for making an impact ? but I do believe there are some solid players at 13," Pritchard said.

He's open to negotiating trades for their selection.

"We're going to explore all of those options. We'll explore trading it (the 13th pick) and see what it brings - evaluate that instead of the actual pick itself - so we are going to look at every option we possibly can," Pritchard explained.

"I'm going to have some discussions with a few NBA people," said Pritchard who believes the interest in the 13th selection falls into two camps.

"It depends on how many teams around the league are truly trying to get young and get better with their youth and go with the youth movement. If there are more of those teams, competition heats up for the 13th pick. If there isn't that many, and teams still think they can be in the championship hunt with what we have, then it's not as much competition."

"But right now I feel it has good value.  People know at 13, there's going to be a good player," he added.

HoopsWorld

Tags: Portland Trail Blazers, NBA

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Gabriel, Lindsey, Sheppard, Wohl On Short List For Hawks' GM Job

May 17, 2008 3:17 AM

Portland Trail Blazers' personnel scout John Gabriel, San Antonio Spurs' assistant general manager Dennis Lindsey, Washington Wizards' vice president of basketball administration Tommy Sheppard, and Boston Celtics' assistant general manager Dave Wohl make up the list of four potential candidates for the Hawks' GM role, Marc Stein from ESPN.com is reporting.

Former Sixers' GM Billy King and Chris Grant, the assistant GM in Cleveland, would only be considered if the team expands their list.

Outgoing GM Billy Knight is believed to be a candidate in New York to work alongside new Knicks' President Donnie Walsh.

ESPN

Tags: Atlanta Hawks, Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs, Washington Wizards, NBA

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Oden Returns To Court At Home In Lawrence

May 14, 2008 7:14 AM

Greg Oden returned home to Lawrence North high school on Tuesday during an appearance for Topps, according to The Indianapolis Star.

He took part in several endorsement-related activities while home and took the court in Portland warmups as part of a contest, playing horse and 1-on-2 with a pair of winners.

"I've got a long summer ahead of me. I've got to take it slow to make sure nothing happens so I'm ready for next season," he said.

"Portland's been awesome with the support they've shown me. Even knowing I wasn't going to play this year, they've been there for me every step of the way."

The Indianapolis Star

Tags: Portland Trail Blazers, NBA

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