Chad Ford of ESPN.com discusses NBA GM's reactions to his first mock draft - which was linked and heavily discussed on BlazersEdge recently. But I thought this part is the most relevant to Blazer fans and what's been discussed here on BEdge lately:

"Next year, ESPNU doesn't have one point guard ranked in its top 20 of the incoming recruiting class. The top point guard is Kris Dunn, who signed with Providence, and he's ranked at No. 23. That means waiting until next year for an elite point guard to emerge might prove fruitless. I had a number of GMs tell me Damian Lillard, Kendall Marshall, Tony Wroten Jr., B.J. Young, Marquis Teague and Myck Kabongo could all go higher than they are currently projected. Then again, the dearth of point guards in the 2013 draft could be an incentive for players such as Teague and Kabongo to return to school and possibly go much higher next year.

Chad Ford of ESPN.com has the Portland Trail Blazers taking Florida's Bradley Beal with the New Jersey Nets' pick at #4 and UNC's Tyler Zeller with their own pick at #11 in his Mock Draft 1.0.
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#4 (via NJ) - Bradley Beal: Beal hasn't had a domiant freshman season, but his scoring ability in the backcourt would help the Blazers get over the loss of Brandon Roy a little sooner.

#11 - Tyler Zeller: If the Blazers can land Beal with their first pick, they would likely look to fill their holes at center or point guard. In a weak point guard draft, their two available options here would be Kendall Marshall and Tony Wroten Jr. While both have strengths, I think the Blazers would go big and take Zeller. He's not going to be a star, but he runs the floor like a guard and has gotten better every year.
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Kiper:

Nick Perry, LB, USC
The Packers need help in the secondary, but a lot of that starts with the pass rush. It's not an exaggeration to say the Packers' pass rush fell off a cliff towards the end of last season. In Perry, you get a guy who played with his hand on the ground at USC, but should be able to stand up for the Packers and provide the complement they need. And hey, the last time the Packers looked for pass-rush help out of USC it worked out just fine.

McShay:

Andre Branch, DE, Clemson
Branch is a good fit in Green Bay, with the athleticism to move to outside linebacker in the Packers' 3-4 scheme, as well as the motor and pass-rush ability to get after the quarterback and draw some attention away from Clay Matthews on the other side.

Chris Broussard of ESPN.com (Insider) reports that the Portland Trail Blazers are open to moving Gerald Wallace and could play facilitator in a bigger deal that involves Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard....
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"Orlando is underwhelmed by the Nets' personnel and would want a third or fourth team involved in any trade. It's possible the clubs could revisit the three-team trade they nearly pulled off in December since Portland is now, according to sources, once again willing to part with Gerald Wallace. Back in December, talks between the three teams had Wallace joining Lopez in Orlando. While the Nets would be amenable to such a deal, they don't currently have any three-team packages on the table because of the uncertainty over whether the Magic will trade Howard, sources said. It's difficult to arrange such complicated trade scenarios when you're not sure the main team in the deal will play ball."
...
[Raymond] Felton, who is having the worst season of his career, had spoken with coach Nate McMillan about coming off the bench to jump start his game, but only temporarily. If the lineup change persists, Felton will be even more uncomfortable and unhappy than he is already. Felton is in the last year of his contract and making $7.5 million.

The question interested teams have to ask themselves is how much are you willing to give up for a potential rental. The Lakers would have interest, but what are they going to give up? Fear of the luxury tax penalty would likely keep them from using their trade exception on Felton.
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Insider article, but the Packer's pick is below. This is probably considering that Nick Collins is done or won't be back 100%

"Harrison Smith, S, Notre Dame

The Packers are another team that should be looking for the best value possible at either safety or cornerback, and Smith provides value here. What I like about Smith is his ability to do it all. He's not the world's greatest athlete, but any scout will tell you: At this position, you take the instincts over the athlete 100 out of 100 times. Smith gets great jumps in coverage and will get in passing lanes, but he's also outstanding in run support. You don't lose ground in one area when he's out there."

Portland Trail Blazers
Current TR championship odds: 3.7 percent

"TeamRankings.com's Power Ratings have Portland as the third-best team in the West, making them dark horse contenders as is. LaMarcus Aldridge is a bona fide star, but could use some consistent scoring help from the wings. Jamal Crawford was brought in to do that, but his 36.1 FG percentage does far more harm than good.

Needs: Brandon Roy and Greg Oden are clearly missed, because the Blazers' biggest holes are consistent wing scoring and a young big man. Marcus Camby still provides strong defense down low, though, so getting an offensive upgrade at shooting guard might be more important.

Assets: Wesley Matthews and Nic Batum are above-average youngsters who could fit in on many teams.

The trade: Matthews and Camby to Golden State for Monta Ellis and Andris Biedrins

This is a downgrade at center and a worse contract for Portland. To give itself a realistic chance to win, however, Portland needs to take a risk on somebody like Ellis. A little shot-selection coaching and some encouraging on the defensive end would really improve his game, and he has much more scoring talent than Matthews or even Crawford. This trade builds a team that can push the pace with small ball, something with which it already has success.

Ray Allen and J.J. Redick could also add the kind of offense the Trail Blazers need."

"My reasoning: One source clued into USA Basketball's thinking told me this week that Blake Griffin is closer to lock status than Bosh. The source insisted: "Griffin is in."

And yet another keen observer of Team USA matters insists that LaMarcus Aldridge, because his shooting ability, will end up appealing to the coaches even more than Blake."

LOSERS: The Portland Trail Blazers

The Blazers carry high salaries with a mediocre team, and we know for certain the GM has not spent the summer executing a new master plan. We know this because there is no GM! But common sense would suggest this team has to win a lot or change a lot, and one of their favorite tools of the past -- outspending rivals -- has grown trickier.

Sounds like it went well, although concerning to hear it will be 6 months "Before they know if he can resume his NFL career". I thought the injury wasn't career-threatening???

Great article on the Packers and the notion of the term "dynasty"

Jonathan Abrams at Grantland.com provides a piece on lessons learned from the '98-'99 lockout, and specifically mentions Glen "Big Baby" Davis and the Portland Trail Blazers' own Raymond Felton as two of the thee players (Baron Davis being the third) that really need to watch their weight during the lockout:
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"Portland fans had a right to be concerned after watching video of Raymond Felton, who enters at about the 39-second mark of this clip from the NC Pro-Am. He looks like a roly-poly."
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A lot has been made of Felton's weight by multiple media outlets, although I'm not as personally concerned. He's one of those players, even in college, that just looks big. He may have put on a few pounds this off-season, but i have a feeling he'll be ready for the NBA season whenever it starts.

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I'ts an ESPN Insider article, but 4 Packers make the list of the Top-25 Under-25 talent in the NFL, highlighted by Morgan Burnett at #2

2. Morgan Burnett, S, Green Bay Packers
The Packers traded up to grab Burnett in the third round of last year's draft, and when starter Atari Bigby was placed on the physically unable to perform list to start the season, Burnett went straight into the starting lineup. He impressed before tearing an ACL in Week 4, which ended his season. He'll be healthy for the beginning of the 2011 season, and as a solid all-around player with great athleticism, he's going to get better with experience. With Bigby not tendered a contract and the best secondary in the league around him, Burnett should end up maturing into the next great Packers defensive back.

11. Matt Flynn, QB, Green Bay Packers
Sure, he got to play with some of the best offensive talent in football during that narrow loss to the Patriots, but remember: He was replacing Aaron Rodgers. A guy who could do a reasonable impression of Rodgers in most weeks would be worth a lot of money, and while he struggled in relief of Rodgers against the Detroit Lions, Flynn showed more poise than anyone could have expected against the Patriots before that ugly final drive. Even if he doesn't take another snap for the Packers, he'll end up competing for a starting job somewhere down the line.

15. James Starks, RB, Green Bay Packers
A speed score favorite (106.3) taken in the sixth round of the 2010 draft, Starks spent most of the year as a rumor tossed around by Packers fans desirous of an effective replacement for the injured Ryan Grant. And while his eventual run as the starter during Week 17 and the playoffs was a success owing partly to huge carry totals and middling run defenses, he did show the potential to be an eventual starter at the pro level. In 2011, he should be part of a one-two combination with Grant, although he could lose snaps to nominal third back Brandon Jackson because of the latter's ability as a pass-blocker.

16. Erik Walden, LB, Green Bay Packers
Walden wasn't even the first afterthought to show up at linebacker for the Packers; Frank Zombo won a roster spot in training camp and then became a starter, only to go down with a knee injury in Week 14 that kept him out until the Super Bowl. That gave Walden, a veteran of four NFL teams in two years, a spot in the starting lineup. All Walden did was win Defensive Player of the Week in the season-ending win over the Bears, thanks to a three-sack performance. He served as an effective spy in the Packers' nickel package, and if he doesn't make the team this year, he'll bounce back somewhere as a linebacker specializing in pass defense.

ESPN NFC North blogger Kevin Seifert predicts the top 5 future stars from the division for the 2014-2016 seasons, and Aaron Rodgers, Greg Jennings, and Clay Matthews all make the list. The Lions' Calvin Johnson and Ndamukong Suh also make the list (haha takes that Bears and Vikes!)

I personally think Tramon Williams got shafted, he should be a shutdown corner in the division for the next 3-5 years

Portland Trail Blazers
12 Players under contract: LaMarcus Aldridge, Luke Babbitt, Earl Barron, Nicolas Batum, Marcus Camby, Raymond Felton, Armon Johnson, Chris Johnson, Wesley Matthews, Brandon Roy, Gerald Wallace and Elliot Williams
Total Payroll: $69.95 million
2 Free Agent Cap Holds: Patrick Mills and Greg Oden (using 2010-11 max cap hold)
Total: $14,738,854
3 First Round Cap Holds: Nolan Smith (No. 21), Victor Claver (2009 draft No. 22) and Joel Freeland (2006 draft No. 30)
Total: $3,078,600
Estimated Over The Cap: $29.73 million

Notes: Portland's cap can decrease slightly if they waive Earl Barron and Chris Johnson, who have conditional contracts for next season. Regardless, the Blazers will be well above the 2011-12 salary cap when it is announced. They may be content with moves made so far; or simply have no choice.

Probably can't get either with the MLE, but sign-and-trade? II'd move me some Nene. But if they think Oden will be back, probably doesn't make sense

ESPN Insider article - but it's a list of the top 10 overlooked talents in the last 20 years or so. Some guy named Favre was #1

10. Tramon Williams, CB, Houston Texans
Undrafted coming out of Louisiana Tech in 2006, Williams was signed by the Texans and had eight tackles and a pass breakup during the 2006 preseason before he was waived in early September. The Green Bay Packers added Williams to their practice squad two months later and signed him to a "reserve/futures" contract when the season ended. Playing a minor role as an extra defensive back and occasional starter from 2007-09, Williams was productive and totaled 129 tackles, including a quarterback sack, with 10 interceptions and 33 passes defensed. Inserted as the full-time starter opposite Charles Woodson in 2010, Williams had a breakout season, intercepting a career-high six passes and earning his first trip to the Pro Bowl. He also signed a four-year, $33 million contract extension before adding three more interceptions during the Packers' run toward a fourth Lombardi trophy.

You know it's slow on NBA news when....but it's about a recently former Blazer, so here you go!

Chad Ford of ESPN.com writes that the Portland Trail Blazers are apparently looking to trade up for a point guard.
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"Finally, the Blazers have been aggressive, according to a number of GMs. They are out there looking for a starting point guard and would like to move way up in the draft to get one."
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This report is similar to one from Kerry Eggers of the Portland Tribune. After Eggers released his report, Blazers.com attempted to refute it and out his source as Sacramento Kings president Geoff Petrie before retracting the article. No word yet on whether Ford will be given the same treatment.

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-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter

Insider article, but here's the quick take on what the Blazers are going to do at #21:

"The Blazers fell in love with Faried last year before he withdrew from the draft. If they are fortunate enough to get a second chance at him this year, they'll grab him.

His relentlessness on the boards is a nice complement to LaMarcus Aldridge's more offensive-minded style. Markieff Morris, Tobias Harris, Darius Morris, Reggie Jackson and Nikola Vucevic are other players to watch."

For what it's worth, in this version of the mock Nicola Vucevic, Reggie Jackson, and Cherles Jenkins are all still on the board when the Blazers pick

Jeff Caplan of ESPNDallas.com reports that Dallas Mavericks guard Jason Terry says the Portland Trail Blazers played the best defense of any team the Mavericks have faced in the playoffs, including the NBA Finals opponent, the Miami Heat.
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"But Terry still seems hesitant to give too much credit to the Heat, even going so far as to say the Portland Trail Blazers were better on defense in the first-round series than Miami has been in the Finals."

"Portland, by far, has the best D," said Terry, who added that the Heat has a "great scheme" that is "working for them thus far this series."
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Donatas Motiejunas

Position: PF
Height: 7-0
Weight: 220
Age: 19
Country: Lithuania

Analysis: The Blazers have been looking for a point guard -- Reggie Jackson, Darius Morris and Nolan Smith will get a look -- but the team also needs depth on its front line. Motiejunas provides that and, at No. 21, he's a big-time bargain.

insider article - but main part included below. Blazers need more speed, shooting, and perimeter shot creation, this guy is now ranked #22 and would solve some of those needs. Someone we could take at #21 with "steal" potential

Every year I stumble across a player who causes me to radically re-evaluate where I have him ranked. This year that player is Providence guard Marshon Brooks.

Within minutes of walking into the gym, it was clear that Brooks was playing at a completely different level than I'm used to seeing from college prospects. As I moved over to Grover, I began to grill him.

Rick Reilly takes a look at where players drafted in the first round from 2006-2008 would be taken if those drafts were held again now. Green Bay finished 3rd overall with a +224, meaning that our players should have been drafted a total of 224 spots higher than where they actually went. Leading the way in the value department were Greg Jennings, Desmond Bishop and Jermichael Finley, with Mason Crosby actually being the most "value" pick at +163

Chad Ford has his first mock draft of the year on ESPN Insider and gives his guess for who the Portland Trail Blazers will select in the first round...
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Portland - Kenneth Faried, Position: PF, Height: 6-8, Weight: 225, Age: 21, School: Morehead State

Analysis: The Blazers were very high on Faried last year when he entered the draft and likely would have taken him in the first round. Faried withdrew, however, then came back to have another terrific season.

I find it hard to believe they'd pass on him if he falls this far. He was the best rebounder in college basketball, plays hard every night and brings some frantic energy to the court. A steal at No. 21.
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Behind only Troy Polamalu and Ed Reed....not too shabby!

55. "As rough as that neighborhood could be, we had us a community. Nobody, no victim, who didn't matter. And now all we got is bodies, and predatory motherf**kers like you. And out where that girl fell, I saw kids acting like Omar, calling you by name, glorifying your ass. Makes me sick, motherf**ker, how far we done fell."

One of the show's most poignant moments (Bunk laying into Omar and everything he stands for) goes to the most poignant moment of Round 1: Brandon Roy's unfathomable Game 4 performance, when he dragged Portland back from 20 down for an astonishing comeback victory that doubled as "The Round 1 Game You Would Have Most Wanted To Be In The Building For" and guaranteed him a free trip to the 2011 ESPYS. I wrote once that true sports fans feel obligated to watch everything hoping they might catch one of those rarer than rare sports moments -- something that might happen once every 2,500 times -- and that we put up with the other 2,499 times for that 2,500th time when something magical might happen. The Brandon Roy game was definitely a 2,500th Time Game. There's no question. I will always remember watching it. That specific player, in front of those specific fans, at this specific point of his career? I still can't believe it happened.

Quick tangent: During the tail end of Larry Bird's career, after his body had betrayed him, my father and I went to a playoff game against Detroit when Bird couldn't hit anything. Then a bird flew from the rafters, parked himself near midcourt and wouldn't leave. The crowd started chanting, "Lar-ree! Lar-ree! Lar-ree!" They got rid of the bird. Larry came out and started making jumpers. A bunch of them. The fans were beside themselves. We won the game. And as we were leaving, my dad looked at me and said, "Did that just happen?" Anyway, it's one thing to watch a game like that on television -- but being in the building for a "Did that just happen?" game. You never forget. You just don't. The Blazers may have lost in Round 1, but their fans will always have that game.

It's an Insider article - but the Packer's part is quite the endorsement:

Randall Cobb, WR, Green Bay Packers: The rich, pass-happy Packers got richer with this selection. Cobb is a jack-of-all-trades whose future could eventually be as one of the premier slot receivers in the league. But for now, Green Bay can bring Cobb along slowly. In the meantime, the Packers' return-man situation was enhanced a great deal. Cobb never should have lasted to the end of Round 2, and as usual, the Packers pounced on another great addition to their squad. Packers coach Mike McCarthy and QB Aaron Rodgers will soon find ways to get this kid the football in a multitude of ways. And, by the way, this is about where Green Bay selected Greg Jennings when he came out of college. I also strongly considered putting RB Alex Green on this list. The Packers' offense is going to be amazing.