#26: Jordan Hamilton
The reigning NBA Champion Mavericks have taken forward Jordan Hamilton with the 26th overall pick… or have they?
ESPN’s Mark Stein is reporting that the Dallas Mavericks have traded the 26th overall pick along with the 57th overall to the Portland Trail Blazers for Rudy Fernandez and, 2007 first round pick, point guard Peterri Koponen. The pick would be then used as apart of a deal for the Blazers to acquire Raymond Felton from the Denver Nuggets.
For Dallas, the Mavericks have acquired a veteran guard who can hit the 3-pointer but also has the size to be disruptive on the defensive end. The move to acquire Fernandez gives Dallas insurance just in case back-up point guard J.J. Barea leaves via free agency while also fortifying the team with another veteran presence with size that can contribute in another playoff run. Koponen has spent time overseas since entering the league and won’t likely see much time on the floor for Dallas.
Lost in the shuffle though is Hamilton, who would have been an excellent pick for the Mavs at 26. If the proposed trade goes through, Denver will be the beneficiary of the 6’8 forward; a freak athlete who can do damage on the offensive end and has potential to be a legitimate contributor down the line. The Nuggets would also receive point guard Andre Miller.
For Portland, they get their man in Raymond Felton while only having to give up a back-up guard, an overseas draft bust and a late second round pick. As it stands, it appears to be a solid trade for everyone involved.
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