Blazers: Randolph Out, Future Begins Now

The Blazers just got a heck of a lot more interesting. First, franchise favorite and total visionary Kevin Pritchard got named the new general manager. And now, they're getting a chance to see what their young guns can do. According to The Oregonian, Zach Randolph will have season-ending surgery. The details from the official press relase:

Portland Trail Blazers forward Zach Randolph underwent successful surgery today to repair ligaments and remove bone fragments in his right hand...The injury, which occurred during the Trail Blazers' March 25 game at Minnesota, will require Randolph to spend the next five weeks in a cast.

Oh well. Randolph is outrageously talented and a mess as a franchise cornerstone. What this means, though, is that we get to see some consistent focus on LaMarcus Aldridge and maybe even some minutes for Travis Outlaw. Aldridge has some people calling him the best player out of the 2006 draft, while the ever-tantalizing Outlaw is a restricted free agent this summer. If these two can follow through on their potential, Randolph all of a sudden becomes a lot more expendable.

Also, with the Blazers headed for another lottery pick, these last few games could help shed some early light on their draft plans. Although if you think about it, that team's main need seems to be a few more years of maturity on their players.