The draft maneuvering begins

The Blazers are officially on the move once again, this time moving up two spots in Thursday's draft by acquiring Dallas' 22nd pick for the Blazers' 24th, 56th and a second-round pick in 2010.

So what does this mean? Well, it's too risky to say who the Blazers are specifically after, or how they're using this move to position themselves. But it's probably safe to say that this is a clear sign that the Blazers aren't going to sit this one out, play it conservatively or trade out of the draft altogether. I would be stunned if that's what this leads to.

They also got this pick for a great deal: Nothing but draft picks, which they had to shed anyway because of the sheer number of picks they're holding.
Here's the release from the Blazers


TRAIL BLAZERS MOVE UP IN DRAFT, ACQUIRE 22nd PICK FROM DALLAS

Portland sends 24th pick, 56th pick and 2010 second-round pick to Mavericks

PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Trail Blazers moved up two spots in the 2009 NBA Draft, acquiring the 22nd overall selection from the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for the 24th pick, 56th pick, and a second-round pick in 2010, it was announced today by General Manager Kevin Pritchard.

With Wednesday's transaction, the Trail Blazers now hold the 22nd, 33rd, 38th and 55th overall selections in Thursday's NBA Draft.

The 2010 second-round pick sent to Dallas will be the worse of the two picks Portland currently owns in next year's NBA Draft, which are the team's own selection and Chicago's. The Trail Blazers acquired the Chicago pick in a three-way draft day trade in 2008.