What comes after the draft? That's right, free agency! This year's free agency has shown many stars and veterans trying to test the free agency market. Most notable being 16 year veteran point guard Steve Nash and Eastern All-Star Center Roy Hibbert.

However, news has already been shown that the Los Angeles Lakers have signed Steve Nash!

Nash will receive a three-year deal for an estimated $27 million because the Suns ultimately agreed to sign-and-trade him to the Lakers, who can absorb Nash via the trade exception they created by dealing Lamar Odom to the Dallas Mavericks in December.
In return, the Suns get four draft picks -- first rounders in 2013 and 2015 and second rounders in 2013 and 2014.

Also, big name point guard Deron Williams has resigned with the Brooklyn Nets for a five year contract with $98million.

Williams, the top free agent available, chose to stay with the Nets over signing with the Mavericks, who hoped they could convince him to come back to the area where he grew up.
It's a huge triumph for the Nets as they prepare to move into the new Barclays Center to start the 2012-13 season. They gave up an enormous package to get Williams in a surprising February 2011 trade, sending promising forward Derrick Favors, point guard Devin Harris, two first-round draft picks and cash to the Utah Jazz.

It has been confirmed on Twitter that Damien Lillard will be wearing #0 jersey and Meyers Leonard will be wearing #11 for the upcoming season.








Do follow Damien Lillard and Meyers Leonard on Twitter.

After the conclusion of the 2012 NBA draft, the Blazers has kept 3 of the 4 picks. #6 Damien Lillard, point guard out of Weber State University, #11 Meyers Leonard, center out of the University of Illinois and #40 Will Barton, shooting guard of out the University of Memphis. NBA analysts have regarded this as one of the better picks as the Blazers have selected the best point guard in the 2012 draft class and the consensus second best center.

Here is wishing good luck to the Blazers in the upcoming season!

Trail Blazers Team Overview

2011-12 record: 28-38
Fourth place, Northwest Division
Did not make the playoffs

DRAFT PICKS:

Round: 1

#6 Damian Lillard

#11 Meyers Leonard

Round: 2

#40 Will Barton

#41 Tyshawn Taylor (Traded to Brooklyn Nets)

Areas of Strength:
Flexibility. With a roster ravaged by injuries, attrition and just about anything else that could go wrong for a team, the Trail Blazers enter the draft armed with two first round picks and two more in the second round that give them the flexibility to use whatever avenue they deem best to overhaul the roster. There are no healthy untouchables on the roster heading into the draft. And a new general manager will look to put his stamp on this team one way or another.

Needs Work:
How does everywhere strike you? The Trail Blazers' best player, All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge, is recovering from a season-ending injury and needs help on every front. There is a tremendous amount of work to be done up and down this roster.

Two Stats That Matter:
7 -- The Trail Blazers' losing streak to finish the season, the worst in the Western Conference.
15.1 -- J.J. Hickson's scoring average in 19 games with Portland after being claimed off waivers, a career-high for the restricted free agent.

The Way To Go:
When you fire your coach, gut the roster and announce to the basketball world that you are rebuilding again, most everyone assumes you mean the draft. But even with two lottery picks and four overall, the Blazers have not ruled out improving their lot by any means necessary. With big names on the market and the free agent pool solid at several positions, they can be as active as they want to be in this latest rebuild.

2011-12 Team Stats:
Offensive: 97.2 (16th)
Defensive: 97.8 (18th)