Fred Jones is a Blazer

Former Oregon Duck and 2004 NBA Slam Dunk Contest winner Fred Jones (Freddie to us Ducks) is coming back to Oregon as a Portland Trail Blazer. Today, a trade was made between the Blazers and the Toronto Raptors that sent Juan Dixon to Toronto in exchange for Jones. It looks like Portland might actually be making moves to improve the program this year, with our draft picks before this season kicking it off. Now all we need to do is get rid of Zach Randolph, and I'll be totally happy.

I really like this move. Juan Dixon was sort of a combo shooter/penetrator, but he didn't really thrive at either. His shooting was pretty good, but not great, and he was just a little too short to be an effective penetrator. Fred Jones, while not the best shooter, can definitely penetrate and score. And I don't even have to mention what he can do when he gets to the rim. Plus, he's explosive, something we have been without since Darius Miles is out and Outlaw is on such a leash. Plus, almost needless to say, the community loves him. He's a great guy, was loved when he was in Eugene, and will get all of that support in Portland. An all-around good move by the Blazers in my opinion.

[via ESPN]