Cavs Stand Pat

Although the West – specifically the Pacific NorthWEST – made the biggest splash in Thursday night’s NBA Draft, it was the East that might have gotten the bigger facelift when it was all said and done.

Portland and Seattle fulfilled the NBA’s worst-kept secret by selecting Greg Oden and Kevin Durant, 1-2. But the two rainy-weather clubs didn’t stop there – each making blockbuster trades that will affect both Conferences. Portland sent Zach Randolph to the Knicks and Seattle shipped Ray Allen to Boston.

The Cavaliers, as predicted, didn’t buy or trade their way into the 2007 Draft. Like the Raptors and Nuggets, the Cavaliers didn’t have a pick in either round. Danny Ferry admitted being tempted in the First Round, but after his top 15 players were taken, he decided to stand pat.

“We were prepared to (purchase a pick), and we explored every opportunity that there was,” said Ferry. “We had two opportunities that I thought there was a chance of it happening – one being Phoenix – and one later than that.”

The Cavaliers may be the reigning Eastern Conference Champs, but the competition definitely made gains on Thursday night. The Pistons – who came into the Draft with two first rounders – got good bang for their buck. At No. 15, they got the player they’d been targeting – Rodney Stuckey – and added Arron Affflalo with the 27th selection. Both are typically hard-nosed, physical guards who can score and defend.

Another Division foe – the Milwaukee Bucks – got bigger and better. That’s assuming that their top pick, Yi Jianlian, is willing to sign with them. His representation was adamant that Yi would go to a city with a viable Asian community – something Wisconsin is not exactly known for. Whether he plays at the Bradley Center or is merely trade bait, the Bucks have definitely improved their lot in the East.

The Bulls seemed a shoe-in to select versatile Washington big man, Spencer Hawes. That is until Joakim Noah fell into their laps at No. 9. The high energy seven-footer gives Chicago another energy player in their frontcourt (to go with Tyrus Thomas) and should just add fire to the budding rivalry between the Cavs and Bulls. The two-time NCAA champion also donned a bow-tie – possibly a first at the Draft.

(Editor's note: Since the publication of this blog, I have been corrected by Basketball Operations Coordinator, Matt Yatsko, who reminded me of Karl Malone's famous Draft Night tuxedo -- as the actual first player to don a bowtie on the eventful evening.)

In other Eastern Conference moves, the Charlotte Bobcats selected Brandan Wright, then sent him to Golden State in exchange for veteran swingman, Jason Richardson. The Hawks landed two quality, NBA-ready players in Al Horford and Acie Law IV. And the Heat snagged former Buckeye sharpshooter, Daequan Cook.

The blockbuster trades that might have seen superstars Kevin Garnett or Kobe Bryant change addresses never materialized, with Allen and Randolph being the two biggest names on the move.

The bold moves by Portland and Seattle threaten to shake up the West. The Suns, Spurs, Rockets and Mavericks continue to collect wins and international players, but aren’t getting any younger. Meanwhile, the Blazers – who won 11 more games last year than the year before – got a possible franchise center and landed Channing Frye as well. Oden joins last year’s Rookie of the Year – Brandon Roy – as well as promising forward, LeMarcus Aldridge.

The Sonics got younger with Durant and added Georgetown’s Jeff Green, who could be the perfect sidekick to the former Longhorn.

Dick Vitale insisted all night that the 2007 Draft is even deeper than the 2003 Draft that featured LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Bosh. Only time will tell, but if he’s right, Thursday night’s moves could shift the league’s complexion – both East and West – for years to come.