Trade sends UA’s Bayless to Portland

Jerryd Bayless’ slide from the top 10 of the NBA draft came with a soft landing. The former Arizona guard was chosen No. 11 by the Indiana Pacers on Thursday, much lower than expected, but he was quickly shipped to the Portland Trail Blazers.

The widely reported deal, confirmed by agent Mark Bartlestein to The Associated Press, sent Bayless and former Arizona State forward Ike Diogu to Portland for guard Jarrett Jack, center Josh McRoberts and No. 13 draft pick Brandon Rush.

In an interview, Bayless’ body language and comments indicated disappointment.

“I’m excited for the opportunity,” Bayless said on ESPN’s draft telecast, after being traded. “Obviously, I wasn’t waiting. I didn’t know I was going to be left (undrafted) that long. But there’s an opportunity there and I’m going to a good team that needs a couple of good parts to win. I’m really excited to be playing with Greg Oden, Brandon Roy and all those great players they already have there.”

Projected as the No. 4 pick by many NBA mock drafts, the 6-foot-3 Bayless likely slid because of doubts about his ability to play the point guard position. He was chosen well after combo guard peers such as O.J. Mayo (third, Minnesota), Russell Westbrook (fourth, Seattle) and Eric Gordon (seventh, Clippers) were gone.

Portland officials would not comment because the deal was not official, but Blazers GM Kevin Pritchard told the Star at last month’s NBA predraft camp in Orlando that he was not concerned about Bayless’ position.

“He’s gonna be a great pro,” Pritchard said. “There are a lot of things (good about him). He has athleticism, plays two positions, he can play with good players and can fit into a system.”

In Portland, Bayless will be able to play alongside the versatile Roy, who can play point guard with Bayless off the ball if necessary. Bayless also will be playing alongside last year’s No. 1 NBA pick, Oden .

The drop to No. 11 meant Bayless will earn a first-year salary of about $1.99 million, $1.5 million less than if he were the No. 4 pick. He will receive a two-year contract worth about $4.14 million, and the Blazers will hold a team option on him for years three and four for another $5.29 million total.