Raef is good enough to be the 3rd string center.

As for next year, we don’t need to worry about centers fouling out and yes Raef is good enough at 3 (though he might get stashed on IR a lot) and LA and Fry can fill in here and there if needed.

Oh and Shaq is done. He won’t be in the league for much longer. I’m guessing next year will be it for him but he might push it too two years. Those knees have been hauling around 300 pounds around the hard wood for a looooooong time.

BUT, if we could get like a Hibbert or Brook Lopez should we draft at the 13th spot it might be a good idea. We should keep Zilla for sure next year but he’s such excellent trade bait that KP will be too tempted to send him out in our runs at LaBron/Paul or someone awesome and more realistically attainable. (though I do not agree with most ya’ll edgers who think there is zero chance at attaining those mega-stars. Psst, our team owner has wicked bank and we’re going to be the place for championships in the years to come) So if we have a great young center around, even if we don’t trade the thrilla, we’d be in great shape after next year when LaFrenz is gone with our three headed mega center.

after Przybilla was injured. Not enough minutes leftover for a rookie draftee to develop if one was drafted.

That’s another near-seven footer (with long arms to boot). Plus there’s Raef & Frye. Further, I disagree with those who assume Oden’s summer league foul trouble is indicative of what we’ll see from him next season. He was exhausted and overeager. By contrast, GO will be going into the coming preseason in top shape and with a year spent studying how NBA refs officiate. Sure he’ll pick up plenty of fouls—but nothing like what we saw last year.

Of course, you can never have too many big bodies in the NBA. But I think the Blazers’ greater needs are at the guard and forward positions. Two quality centers is enough.

only brook lopez, deandra jordan, and roy hibbert excite me from that list. we don’t really need another rookie big man. I’d rather have a playoff tested guy like joe smith

Not very many. With limited minutes behind GO, that should go down even more. Do the blazers need another center when we have 2 good ones, plus Frye and LMA? We’re already squeezed for roster space.

If all else fails, McBob could win games 1 on 5. He’s that good.

if KP did select a big guy to stash at the back of the roster, simply because they maintain their value better than any any other position (KPs words, not mine).

Although I think this is about on par w/ trading the pick (which I think is very likely), since we would basically be punting this year’s draft to help smooth out making a deal in the following years.

I have been thinking the same thing. I am generally of the opinion that you always take BPA available, but in our case, I don’t really want an all around player who might develop into a starter. I want someone who can come in an fill a specific role. For that, I like the idea of Robin Lopez. He is an athletic big who can provide good energy and defense off the bench. He doesn’t have much offense at the moment but we will have time to develop him before he needs to get into the rotation to fill Joel’s role. I would send him to the d-league for a year then have him fill Raef’s role for a year then step up to Joel’s role. Joel should be a great trade asset in the next couple of years. If we have a capable backup ready to step in that frees us up to make a move. If we could trade down a few picks an grab him while picking up a future pick or other consideration I would be happy.

You trade for future first round picks… unless we get a player that we want.

We have too much playing time to juggle and PF’s and Centers a plenty already.

“If Westbrook isn’t available at #13 or isn’t in trade play even with our sizable assets, then I’d like to see us bank the pick—trade it for a future first-rounder or something.”

Now who’s all wrong? Huh? Huh????

is that we find a stiff 7’er with the uncanny ability to get dunked on while fouling for the and-one.

I want Kevin Love and Sasha Kaun just because he has such a cool name.

It’s a sign of how good we have it when the topic of discussion is “Do we need to develop a third string center?”

My answer is no. LaFrenz is more than adequate to fill that role next season. And I agree with hurry that Aldridge can be available to eat center minutes, particularly when you consider we have Frye and Outlaw to provide minutes at the 4.

But I am definitely in agreement for using a 2nd round pick on Jawai or even Koufos (although I think the latter might be gone by early in the 2nd). I like Nathan Jawai as a PF or center prospect with some nice upside and the option to keep stashed overseas for a year or 2. It’s a low risk, high reward scenario that fits our current situation of a crowded roster.