Many NBA teams have decided to deal out of this year's draft, as it appears that it is probably be the weakest one since 2000, the year the Nets selected Kenyon Martin with the No. 1 selection.
There are just a handful of prospects that are expected to be quality NBA players, including the projected first-overall selection, Duke's Kyrie Irving, along with Arizona's Derrick Williams, Kentucky's Enes Kanter, BYU's Jimmer Fredette, and Kemba Walker, the leader of the recently-crowned NCAA men's basketball champion Connecticut Huskies. There may be a few more thrown in the mix, but most scouts have only these players listed as NBA-ready.
The under-sized Walker has garnered a lot of attention from teams already, but he is not viewed as one of the top three prospects in the draft. Most mock drafts have him going anywhere between the sixth to tenth overall selection.
Some teams are considering moving up in the draft in order to select Walker. One of those teams is the Portland Trail Blazers, who are foaming at the mouths to get him. They want Kemba Walker. And they feel that they need him.
There are rumors circulating that the Blazers want to make a deal with the Sacramento Kings or Toronto Raptors in hopes of acquiring the former Husky. If Portland is indeed targeting Walker, they would most likely have to wheel-and-deal their way into the top seven.
The only question is should either team be willing to give up such a high selection, what would they get in return?
Rumors suggest that the Blazers ship aging point guard Andre Miller and their No. 21 overall selection to either team, but a deal that simple may not interest the Kings or Raptors.
Using proposed scenarios like this one, the team that the Blazers could deal with would actually need a point guard. That logic rules out the Wizards (who hold the No. 6 pick) because of their selection of John Wall last year.
There may not be a proposed deal that has hit the press yet, but the Blazers would most certainly have to include someone else.
Perhaps their best trade chip, Nicolas Batum, should not even be traded at this point in his career, as he is entering his prime. If Portland decides not to move Batum, the next best option is disgruntled guard-forward Rudy Fernandez.
Walker is considered an explosive guard and he could fit very well in Portland. However, there are problems pursuing his, as many doubt his skills.
It has been said that Walker is not a very good passer, nor is he a typical point guard. His size and defensive capabilities also seem to be problems.
But that's what practice is for. Walker, before stepping onto an NBA court in October, can work on his passing and his defense. His potential is sky-high, and anything can happen.
The Blazers also think they are a legitimate contender for an NBA championship, and they see Walker leading them to it.
A starting rotation featuring Walker, Wesley Matthews, Gerald Wallace, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Marcus Camby looks very good on paper. Especially with once-upon-a-time All-Star Brandon Roy coming off the bench.
Walker is perhaps the biggest name in the draft, as he and head coach Jim Calhoun led Connecticut to an NCAA title.
Last season, Walker averaged 23.5 points and 4.5 assists per game and was also named the Big East Tournament MVP.
The team that drafts Walker, whether it be the Blazers, Kings or somewhere else, will get a great player who will do anything to help that team win.
General Manager Geoff Petrie is just hoping that he can help the Blazers steal Walker.
Jaime Pressly Ashanti Jennie Finch Lisa Snowdon Mariah Carey
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