The Portland Trail Blazers had a very rough 2021-22 season.
They were already short-staffed and then a plague of injuries hit them hard.
Things were made even worse when Portland lost Damian Lillard for months due to surgery and a long rehabilitation process.
That officially ended the season for them and they wound up with a 27-55 record as the 13th seed in the West.
Lillard is coming back in the new season but the chances of the team suddenly becoming great are slim.
Josh Hart on the Trail Blazers possibly tanking:
“We’re 0-0. I don’t think we’re panicking. We’re not trying to get Victor… whatever his name is.”
(via @highkin) pic.twitter.com/58Yk5oKG1G
— NBA Retweet (@RTNBA) October 13, 2022
Still, they aren’t looking to tank in 2022-23, even with Victor Wembanyama coming in the 2023 draft.
Blazers star Josh Hart isn’t even thinking about tanking, saying the team still has a lot of potential and isn’t throwing in the towel.
“We’re 0-0. I don’t think we’re panicking. We’re not trying to get Victor… whatever his name is,” Hart said.
Hart sounds intent on playing his, well, heart out.
But if the front office decides to tank, he might not have much of a say in the matter.
Damian & Draft Picks
The team needs to do some major things if they wish to keep Lillard around for a few more years.
Even with his contract extension, the celebrated point guard could demand a trade if he gives up on Portland and decides he wants to move on.
Getting some good draft picks would be a great way to turn around the team’s fate, whether Portland uses the picks or trades them away for win-now assets.
Portland’s chances of doing well in the draft only get higher if they tank but Hart says that isn’t happening.
But if head coach Chauncey Billups and Portland’s front office hand down orders to give up a lot of games, it’ll happen.
NEXT: Damian Lillard Still Sounds Committed To Portland