Archive - Jun 2008 - Article

Top five sliders

1. DeAndre Jordan, Texas A&M, 35th overall to LA Clippers

The trade winds were blowing at the 2008 draft as 20 of the 60 players selected were traded with Darrell Arthur moving twice. Combine that with the number of "upside picks" rising and falling and you had one of the wildest drafts in years. The following is a report card based on how teams used their picks to improve. Grades and comments by Aran Smith.

Winners

Portland Trailblazers- Traded Jarrett Jack and draft rights of Brandon Rush (No. 13) to Indiana for Ike Diogu and draft rights to Jerryd Bayless (No. 11), traded draft rights of Darrell Arthur (No. 27) and the draft rights to Joey Dorsey (No. 33) to Houston for draft rights to Nicolas Batum (No. 25).

[img_assist|nid=1288|title=OJ Mayo|desc=|link=none|align=right|width=292|height=219]
A list of the trades on draft night:

The Grizzlies acquired OJ Mayo (No. 3) from the Timberwolves for Kevin Love (No. 5) in a multi-player deal.

The Blazers acquired Jerryd Bayless (No. 11) from the Pacers for Brandon Rush (No. 13) in a multi-player deal.

For the first time in this site's history, NBADraft.net will be breaking down the draft as it happens. Nick Prevenas and Kevin Duffy will be offering instant analysis after each pick, while attempting to document every trade, awkward interaction and ill-advised suit choice. Feel free to join the party by leaving a comment below.

This year's draft is one of the most difficult ever to project because there are so many unknowns with regard to trades taking place at the top of the draft, beginning with the 2nd pick, down through the lottery and into the late first round. Look for a number of trades to go down changing the expected course of events throughout the draft.