The Portland Trailblazers selected 20-year old forward Victor Claver with the 22nd pick in the NBA Draft last night. Claver played in 121 games in his 5-year career in Spain and he averaged 10.1 points, 3.6 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game. While he is a tad soft he did shoot 56.6% from the floor which is probably what caught the Blazers’ eyes. Still, better players seemed available when this pick came up.

The Trailblazers have lost F/C Raef LaFrentz for the next 6-8 months due to surgery he recently had to repair a torn right labrum.  This will likely cause him to miss most if not all of the 2008-09 NBA season.  The 32-year old LaFrentz played in 39 games (0 starts) for the Blazers last season and he averaged 7.5 minutes, 1.7 points, 1.7 rebounds and 0.2 assists per game.  LaFrentz’ injury is probably the main reason why the Blazers’ recently signed F/C Shavlik Randolph.  LaFrentz has played two years for the Blazers in which he has appeared in 66 games (9 starts) and averaged 9.7 minutes, 2.5 points, 2.1 rebounds and 0.2 assists per game.

The Trailblazers have signed 24-year old forward Shavlik Randolph to a 1-year deal. Randolph has been injury prone in his first three seasons in the NBA but he is a talented player. Randolph played in 9 games (0 starts) for the 76ers last season and he averaged 3.0 minutes, 0.9 points, 1.2 rebounds and 0.3 assists per game. He might have a hard time finding playing time for the loaded Blazers’ frontcourt but when he does play he will do a decent job for them. Randolph has now played in 79 games (7 starts) in which he has averaged 8.8 minutes, 2.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 0.3 assists per game.

The Trailblazers have acquired rookie point guard Jerryd Bayless and power forward Ike Diogu from the Pacers for Jarrett Jack, first round pick Brandon Rush and F/C Josh McRoberts. This was a steal for the Blazers as both Diogu and Bayless have big time upsides. Bayless might start at point guard as a rookie for the Blazers. He’s got nice size at 6′3″, 200 pounds and he shoots well from long range (40.7% on three pointers). Bayless started 30 games in his freshman year at Arizona and he averaged 19.7 points, 2.7 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game. Ike Diogu is a power pack at 6′8″, 255 pounds. All he needs is playing time to show how dominant he could be and the Blazers might be willing to give it to him. Diogu played in 30 games (1 start) for the Pacers last season and he averaged 10.3 minutes, 5.6 points, 2.9 rebounds and 0.3 assists per game. Look for him to definately come close to doubling those numbers with the Blazers this season. Diogu has now played in 158 games (17 starts) in his NBA career and he is averaging 13.3 minutes, 6.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game. The Blazers made a very nice trade here as they are a better team because of it.

Reserve forward James Jones has informed the Trailblazers that he is opting out of his contract for next season thus becoming a free agent. Jones liked playing in Portland but money talks. Jones played in 58 games (3 starts) for the Trailblazers last season and he averaged 22.0 minutes, 8.0 points, 2.8 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game. Jones’ best skill is his long range shooting as he shot 44.4% from behind the 3-point arc last season.

Jones has now played in 290 games (58 starts) in his NBA career and he has averaged 19.9 minutes, 7.0 points, 2.6 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game. Jones has nailed 39.9% from three point range over his NBA career. The Blazers would be smart to consider bringing Jones back as long as the price is right.