Draft: May 7 workout
The Portland Trail Blazers held a work out Friday for 12 prospects for the 2010 NBA Draft. The session was held at the team’s practice facility in Tualatin, Ore.
Working out:
Devan Downey, point guard, South Carolina
Jeremy Wise, power forward, Bakersfield Jam (NBA Development League)
Donald Sloan, guard, Texas A&M
E’Twaun Moore, wing, Purdue (U)
Gavin Edwards, post, Connecticut
Lavoy Allen, forward, Temple (U)
Talor Battle, point guard, Penn State (U)
Dominic Waters, point guard, Portland State
Malcolm Delaney, wing, Virginia Tech (U)
Eniel Polynice, wing, Mississippi (U)
Alex Tyus, forward, Florida (U)
Mike Davis, forward, Illinois (U)
U — underclassman
Chad Buchanan, Blazers director of college scouting, said Waters, Sloan, and Wise all looked strong.
In addition, Downey was “as quick as a jet,” while Edwards was clearly “well coached.”
Buchanan said none of the underclassmen stood out, and added that he believes any underclassman who will not likely be drafted in the top 20 should always return to school for another year.
Underclassmen must declare for this year’s draft by 2 p.m. Saturday, Buchanan said.
Friday’s underclassmen-heavy workout allowed the Blazers to view up close future prospects who will likely not enter this year’s draft, while also providing feedback to their college coaches.
“It’s a chance for us to meet them. And it’ll help us a year from now, as some of these kids enter the draft next year,” Buchanan said. “We’ll have met them, have an idea of what they’re about as people, see them in a workout, and it’ll kind of give us a little bit of a sneak peek to looking toward next year.”
Buchanan considers the 2010 draft to be strong, with solid picks available through the early second round.
“We’re looking forward to seeing what we can pull out of it,” Buchanan said.
The Blazers hold the Nos. 22 and 44 picks in the draft, which is scheduled for June 24 in New York City.
Buchanan on Blazers picking based off talent versus need:
“There’s definitely some needs we feel like are on our team. Not every year you’re going to feel like there’s some things you’d like to add. But it’s kind of always been our philosophy to take the best player available. Because I think if you worry about your needs in the draft, you can make a mistake and pass on somebody who is going to be more helpful for you in the long run. There’s so much turnover in NBA rosters. If you make a pick based on that particular moment of what your team need is, that team need can change a year from now, and you’ve passed on a guy who you knew was more talented, because you wanted to address a need at that given moment, and now you might’ve made a mistake by doing so.”
Blazers’ upcoming draft schedule:
May 19-23 — Pre-draft combine in Chicago
Late May — Draft workout held by Minnesota
June 1 — Blazers begin official draft workouts in Tualatin. Note: Buchanan estimated Portland will work out 4-6 players per day for a 7-8 day period.
June 5-7 — Adidas Eurocamp
Mid-June — Draft workout held by New Jersey
June 24 — 2010 NBA Draft
