Report Card
Grade: A
Normally the report card is an assessment pertaining to the Blazers’ play over a one-week span. But given the roster overhaul, what happened on the court is practically irrelevant. Is it still possible for Portland to make the playoffs? Well, stranger things have happened.
But more significantly, the Blazers made a concrete move to improve down the road.
Trading away Gerald Wallace to the Nets in exchange for Mehmet Okur, Shawne Williams and protected first-round lottery pick may allow Portland to snag a high-quality player in the draft.
They are also well under the salary cap and may be able to go after a strong free-agent. Did they have to trade away Marcus Camby? Not necessarily. He’s 37 and has an expiring contract. But he was discontent, it is good for locker-room chemistry, and may allow Portland to develop younger players while beneficially losing (i.e. get a better pick in the draft.)
As for the firing of Nate McMillan? Well, it seemed necessary. McMillan was a two-time Coach of the Year candidate before this season — guiding a broken roster to the playoffs when most figured the Blazers would tank. He deserves acclaim for his work here, but it seemed as if he had lost the locker room.
