Blazers Trade Up For #34 Pick In Draft
Matt Steinmetz, a Comcast SportsNet reporter who covers the Golden State Warriors, tweets that the Warriors and the Portland Trail Blazers have exchanged second round draft choices.
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Warriors exchange second-round draft picks with Portland. Warriors get No. 44 and cash for No. 34.
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Update: The Blazers have confirmed the report.
There is no argument against this type of move if money isn't an issue. The top of the second round is a prime spot for flexibility and value. It's the location that produced Jeff Pendergraph and Dante Cunningham last year.
Although talent exists well into the second round in this year's draft, the #34 pick is that much more attractive for: packaging the two picks to move up the board, ensuring that you come away with a second round target like Trevor Booker, or catching a late-first guy like Craig Brackins if he slides.
Update (1:37PM): Steinmetz reports the move cost the Blazers more than $1 million dollars.
Jonathan Givony thinks the Blazers are targeting either Booker or Gani Lawal.
Chad Ford thinks it could be a pick package.
Jason Quick has KP splashing cold water on the package talk.
Update (10:03PM):
Adrian Wojnarowski writes that the price tag for the pick switch was actually $2 million.
-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter