Coaches always want proven players rather than young hopefuls, but Nate McMillan is particularly adamant with his desires as this year’s draft approaches.

“Last year, we had three draft picks,” McMillan said. “I’d like to see us add some guys in their prime to the roster.

“We have young; we have old. Let’s see if we can get some guys in their prime.”

McMillan means via trade or the free-agent route. And Chad Buchanan, Portland’s interim general manager, is in agreement for that as a goal.

“We are hoping to add to the team a player who can play right away, whether that’s a player in the draft or through a trade,” he said. “If we’re not able to do that, then you take the best player you can get” in the draft.