Blazers planning several moves between now and the eventual start of the season. Based on the repeated statements concerning having Jon Diebler playing a year or two in Europe, it seems clear that is the Blazers preference. I think that's what they wanted to do with Patty Mills, but it didn't work out.

If Diebler's not on the roster that leaves the team's # of guards down to seven. In recent seasons Portland always goes into the regular season with seven guards and eight front court players. The problem with the remaining seven (Roy, Matthews, Williams, Felton, Johnson, Mills and Smith) is age. Mills, Johnson. Williams and Smith are too young and too inexperienced for a team with playoff hopes.

I think it's clear the Blazers first step will be to remove one of the young guards and bring in a vet. That means Mills will likely not be back and I think the team will look to add a cheap vet with starting experience - someone like TJ Ford.

I could see the season starting with Felton, Ford, Roy and Matthews in the playing rotation with Smith, Williams and Johnson seeing spot duty.With the goal being for Smith to move past Ford sometime during the season.

While the three small forwards are set,  with Wallace, Batum and Babbitt, the rest of the front court is just as unsettled as the guards. Assuming Greg Oden is back and ready by January. Aldridge and Camby would take two of the remaining four roster spots. That means signing a vet banger like Samuel Dalenbert or Erick Dampier and still bringing in someone to compete with Chris Johnson for the final roster spot.

It seems like the roster is taking shape, but still needs plenty of work.