I love me some Blazers, again

Now, don't get me wrong. I love the move the Blazers made to finally unload Zach Randolph. Sure, he was a 20 and 10 guy - one of very few in the entire league - but he was also an offensive black hole.

That being said, bringing in Channing Frye and Steve Francis was a good move, but only if the Blazers can actually buy out the remaining two years on Francis' contract. There were early reports, right after the trade, that the buy-out could get Francis' salary off the books as early as this year. That would be great, getting the team enough room under the salary cap to sign a big name free agent, all but assuring a return to the playoffs for the first time in four years. But since, there have been reports that the contract won't be able to come off the books until 2008-09, possibly even 2009-10. This hurt a little bit, as I was drinking the "Rashard Lewis to Portland" Kool-Aid. He would have been a great fit here, and seemed like he may have wanted to play here, due to his relationship with his former coach, Nate McMillan. And he would have been our Kevin Durant, since they are very similar players. Alas, the only way that could happen is through a sign and trade deal, but the Sonics are unwilling to help their neighbor to the south in such a manner, especially with the recently rediscovered rivalry. But the delay is not entirely bad, with a free agent class next year that includes guys like Corey Maggette, and the following year with names like Chris Paul and Kevin Garnett.

Names like these used to be a pipe dream, but with the new direction of the franchise, Portland is rapidly becoming a very attractive destination.