Trading for #3 pick - trade down with Clippers (part 2)

If Portland was to get the #3 pick it may not be what they end up with as Portland could be orchestrating a three team trade to move up or move down. Here is what I think may happen with trading back down.

LA Clippers really want OJ Mayo on their team. Mayo’s body and maturity for the game is NBA ready for any team that selects him. Clippers are trying to demonstrate to Corey Maggette and Elton Brand that even if they opt out, that they should resign with the Clippers. With OJ Mayo, Corey Maggette, Al Thornton, Elton Brand & Chris Kaman the Clippers will be a serious contender for a playoff spot.

The recent rumor has the Clippers offering their #7, Clipper’s own ’09 1st (lottery protected) and Minnesota owes to Clippers ’09 1st (top 10 lottery protected). Here are two scenarios:

Scenario #1

#13 (Kosta Koufos / Robin Lopez), Raef LaFrenz, Martell Webster and Jarrett Jack to Minnesota
#3 (OJ Mayo)
#7 (Anthony Randolph ), Antoine Walker, Marko Jaric, Greg Buckner & two 1st ’09 picks to Portland

Portland’s lineup at the start of pre-season:

Steve Blake, Brandon Roy, Travis Outlaw, LaMarcus Aldridge, Greg Oden
Marko Jaric, Rudy Fernandez, James Jones, Channing Frye, Joel Przybilla
Sergio Rodriguez, Greg Buckner
NBDL: Petteri Koponen, Josh McRoberts, Anthony Randolph
Antoine Walker (buy-out)

Scenario #2

#13 (Kosta Koufos / Robin Lopez), Raef LaFrenz, Martell Webster and Jarrett Jack to Minnesota
#3 (OJ Mayo), Marko Jaric & Greg Buckner to LA Clippers
#7 (Anthony Randolph ), Antoine Walker, Shaun Livingston & one 1st ’09 pick to Portland

Portland’s lineup at the start of pre-season:

Steve Blake, Brandon Roy, Travis Outlaw, LaMarcus Aldridge, Greg Oden
Sergio Rodriguez, Rudy Fernandez, James Jones, Channing Frye, Joel Przybilla
Shaun Livingston
NBDL: Petteri Koponen, Josh McRoberts, Anthony Randolph
Antoine Walker (buy-out)