After a year of absence from the NBA Draft, the Trail Blazers kept busy on Thursday evening to cap-off what president of basketball operations Neil Olshey called "48 really good hours" that began on Wednesday by trading small forward Nic Batum to Charlotte for veteran swingman Gerald Henderson and 2014 lottery pick Noah Vonleh.
The activity accelerated on draft night with the Trail Blazers taking Arizona forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson with the 23rd overall pick. Despite a fashion sense that would make Dr. Jack Ramsey proud, Hollis-Jefferson's time as a Trail Blazer lasted just a little over an hour. Olshey dealt the former Wildcat and veteran point guard Steve Blake to Brooklyn for third-year big man Mason Plumlee and the rights to Pat Connaughton, whom the Nets selected with the No. 41 pick from Notre Dame. The Trail Blazers closed out draft night by acquiring the rights to the Utah Jazz's selection of 22-year-old Spanish forward Dani Díez with the 54th overall pick for cash considerations.
With the bevy of moves to begin to shape Portland's roster ahead of the 2015-16 season, there was no shortage of reaction from around the country.
ESPN.com's Chad Ford gave the Trail Blazers a B- in his post-draft reaction, calling himself a fan of Connaughton (Insider access required):
Also on ESPN.com, Kevin Pelton gave Portland a thumbs up for its effort to acquire the rights to Díez:
USA Today Scott Gleeson's review of all 30 teams' activity on draft night, wasn't as favorable for Portland. Though optimistic about Connaughton's NBA career, Gleeson handed the Blazers a C-:
Kelly Dwyer of Yahoo! Sports' Ball Don't Lie awarded Portland a B grade, calling Connaughton "a killer shooter":
Also on Yahoo! Sports, Marc J. Spears named the Trail Blazers a winner of the draft, lauding Olshey's moves on Wednesday and Thursday.
Regarding the trade to acquire Henderson and Vonleh, CBSSports.com's Zach Harper calls Vonleh's development the key to the deal:
Finally, Sheridan Hoops' Chris Bernucca names the Trail Blazers the winner of both trades.