Mar 14, 2013; Nashville, TN, USA; Georgia Bulldogs guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (1) is defended by LSU Tigers guard Malik Morgan (24) during the second round of the SEC tournament at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

With the tenth overall pick in the draft, Portland has options. We’ve always said that. The options range from drafting a wing, to drafting a big, to trading for a veteran center.

Well, here’s a new one for the Blazers: should they trade down in the draft?

The benefit of trading down in the draft, or trading the tenth pick for a lower pick as part of a bigger trade, is that it allows Portland to net a wider range of assets in exchange for giving up a better asset.

For example, let’s say Portland trades the tenth pick to the Atlanta Hawks for the 17th and 18th picks in the draft. How does that help the Blazers? Well, instead of grabbing one lottery-level rookie, Portland can grab two mid-first round rookies.

Consider Portland’s situation right now. Their starting lineup is more or less set, with the center position aside. Nobody that would conceivably be available at the tenth pick would be filling that starting spot–they would be playing on the Blazers’ bench. However, that bench is in dire need of talented players. So, instead of acquiring just one talented player, why not acquire two? The difference in talent wouldn’t hurt the Blazers as much as the added depth would help.

If Portland keeps the pick, let’s say they draft Georgia guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, a very likely possibility. But, if Portland trades the pick for Atlanta’s two picks, they can get, say, San Diego State guard Jamaal Franklin and North Texas forward Tony Mitchell. Neither of those two players are as well-regarded as Caldwell-Pope, but suddenly, the Blazers have two rookies they can play off the bench rather than just KCP. With Portland, that goes further in fulfilling the need of depth.

Another benefit of trading down in the draft is that it allows Portland to offload contracts that they don’t want to a team willing to take that contract on so they can get the guy they do want. This could include most notably Joel Freeland, a big man that was awful in limited minutes for the Blazers this season but will be paid about $5 million over the next two seasons.

Take Freeland’s contract off the books, and that’s more flexibility in signing free agents or making trades. For a team in huge need of depth and an average cap situation at best, the additional cap space could be hugely beneficial.

The Hawks aside, other teams that could make an appealing trade partner for the Blazers include the Utah Jazz (who hold the 14th and 21st pick in the draft) and the Cleveland Cavaliers (19, 31, 33). The Blazers aren’t limited to trading strictly for picks, either. The Brooklyn Nets hold the 22nd pick in the draft and also have MarShon Brooks, a 24 year old guard that appears to be on the outs with the team.

It’s interesting to note that the Blazers have three second-round picks in this year’s draft. Second-round picks are hardly guaranteed for impact players, but the Blazers would likely keep at least two of the rookies they draft with those picks if they kept them, if not all three. Too many rookies in the locker room might not be ideal for the Blazers, which already are a young team, so trading down in the draft might also mean dumping a number of those second-round picks for other assets.

Trading down in the draft hasn’t seen as much buzz as other options have, but it’s a valid route for Portland to go. With their bench the way it is, especially compared to their starting lineup, it’s one option the Blazers should definitely give thought to.

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January 20, 2013; Orlando FL, USA; Orlando Magic power forward Glen Davis (11) defends Dallas Mavericks power forward Elton Brand (42) during the second half at Amway Center. Dallas Mavericks defeated the Orlando Magic 111-105. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

A lot of attention has been given to the Blazers’ free agency options this year (as it should) but far be it from me to overlook another venue for bringing players to Portland. Today that venue is trade. The Blazers will need to bolster their talents in the paint as much as they can next season. With Hickson likely to leave, the Blazers are left with an overworked Aldridge, a developing Leonard, and a miserable Freeland to run their post game.

Most of the ideas to remedy their predicament thus far fall within the realms of free agency and drafting. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for them, but there is more to be considered. If the Blazers decide to move pieces around in order to get some depth at power forward and center, they need to be looking in the right places. Otherwise, they could end up with very little cash for their anticipated revamp.

Basically, they should be looking at high-ceiling players that would not require entirely disassembling their core to acquire. It’s ok if they pursue someone on the expensive side, as long as the books balance in the deal. After the events of the 2012-2013 season, the following post players may be had, via trade, for less than they are actually worth.

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Jan. 12, 2012; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns center Marcin Gortat (right) and Cleveland Cavaliers center Semih Erden at the US Airways Center. The Cavaliers defeated the Suns 101-90. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Blazers’ interest in a “rim protector” has been well-stated. General manager Neil Olshey has made it clear that he will be searching for a veteran defensive center to man the paint beside LaMarcus Aldridge, and give them the interior defense they lacked sorely last season.

A potential trade partner to note is the Phoenix Suns. The new general manager of the Suns, Ryan McDonough, recently explored the possibility of trading for a third first round pick in addition to their 5th and 30th overall picks.

Portland’s 10th overall pick has been available for a while. If Phoenix wants a first round draft pick, Portland’s is one of the earliest ones that can be easily had. Provided the Blazers want to keep their current core (including LaMarcus Aldridge, who has been involved in trade rumors of late), there could be a match here.

What makes sending the 10th pick to Phoenix so enticing for Portland is the lure of being able to add Marcin Gortat. Gortat profiles as a strong 6’11″ center that can make exactly the type of impact that Olshey is looking for defensively. He averaged 1.6 blocks last season in 30.8 minutes per game, and is a very sturdy defender under the basket.

Outside of defense, Gortat is a decent source of rebounds and complimentary scoring. He averaged 8.5 rebounds last season and 10.0 boards the year before. Offensively, Gortat has a surprisingly refined game. He finishes dunks very well, and has a pretty reliable midrange jumper. After J.J. Hickson was able to find success playing off LaMarcus Aldridge last season, Gortat should be fine in a similar role.

29 years old and on an expiring contract worth $7.73 million next year, Gortat would be a very cap-friendly addition to the Blazers. Portland would get one more year to develop Meyers Leonard while they get the short-term veteran rim defender that they were looking for. If they want to keep him, the Blazers could re-sign Gortat after the season and possibly keep him as their starter for a few more years, provided he is up to the task. Portland can then choose to replace him as the starter with Leonard later down the line, whenever they feel is ideal.

After a down season last year in Phoenix, Gortat should be available despite being highly regarded in the past. While the 10th pick this season doesn’t hold too much value, this is a prime ‘buy low’ moment on Gortat. His numbers from last season were significantly down from the year prior: 11.1 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.6 blocks on 52.1% shooting compared to 15.4 points, 10.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocks on 55.5% shooting two seasons ago..

Even if Gortat can’t return his production to what it was two years ago, Portland would be satisfied with just last season’s numbers. The key thing for them would be getting the interior defense neither LaMarcus Aldridge nor J.J. Hickson could offer, and Gortat offers that at a high level.

The only concern with adding Gortat is that in the short term, Portland would be hard pressed to make additions in free agency. A straight up swap of pick(s) for Gortat would take nearly $8 million out of the Blazers’ cap space for this offseason, leaving them with about $5 million to spend on a bench in need of a full revamp. If Portland can sneak the contract of Joel Freeland into the trade, offset by one or more of its three second-rounders and/or cash, that will allow them much greater flexibility.

Regardless of what it takes to get Gortat, this deal is definitely one to at least consider for both teams. It fits the stated agenda for both sides and, for Portland, swapping the 10th pick for Gortat fulfills owner Paul Allen’s wish to quickly become competitive again. An Aldridge-Gortat frontcourt could get the Blazers right back where they want to be: the playoffs.

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