Draft Day Shake Up In Blazers Roster

Not only did the Blazers pick Greg Oden, one of the most prized centers to come out of the NBA draft in a decade, but a blockbuster trade involving Zach Randolph was made. After the dust settled from making the official announcement that Oden would in fact be a Trail Blazer, Kevin Pritchard and family stirred it all up again by trading their leading scorer of the past 4 years. The Blazers sent Zach Randolph, Dan Dickau, and Freddie Jones to the New York Knicks for Steve Francis and Channing Frye.

Some may criticize this trade because we didn't get much in return for Randolph’s skills, who was the only player in franchise history to lead the team in scoring and rebounding for four consecutive seasons. But Randolph just didn't fit in with the up-tempo team that the Blazers have been assembling. It was also evident that the fans and the organization were tired of his off the court incidents. In his six seasons with the Blazers, he was suspended by the team three times and was involved in several other off-court incidents ranging from sexual assault allegations to a DUI.

This trade will go down as one of the best trades the Blazers have ever made. Not only will they be saving their new and improved reputation, but they will also save 28 million dollars in two years, by unloading Randolph's inflated contract. Critics will point out that we also took on the large contract of Steve Francis, but his contract expires two years before Zach's does. Mr. Stevie Franchise may play in Portland or the Blazers could work out a buy out of his contract. If the Blazers did buy out Francis's contract, it would enable them to go after a much needed Small Forward like Rashard Lewis in the free agent market.

More changes are sure to come this off season, but it is clear that Rip City made its way back in Portland.