No one knows for sure what the Portland Trail Blazers are going to do.
Some believe they’re gonna blow it up and set Damian Lillard free, while most reports state the opposite.
As of now, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN believes they’re going to stay put with the No. 3 pick and take whoever the Charlotte Hornets don’t pick at No. 2, whether it’s Brandon Miller or Scoot Henderson, as seen below.
“Portland is very engaged around the league in seeing if they can turn that #3 pick into a star-level player to pair with Damian Lillard, but it is going to take a tremendous package,”
— @wojespn on the status of the Blazers heading into the NBA Draftpic.twitter.com/Hg7iPXr4Bl
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) June 20, 2023
Notably, Woj believes the Blazers are still determined to flip that No. 3 pick — or the player who’s taken there — and get an All-Star-caliber player next to Lillard.
However, he also says that it’s going to take a lot to “blow them away” and get them to trade out of that slot.
Still, it would be interesting to see whether they’re actually willing to keep both Henderson and Lillard, as they’re both ball-dominant point guards and offense initiators.
Having Lillard there could severely hamper Henderson’s development, not to mention they also have Anfernee Simons coming off the bench.
Truth be told, they could try and stay put if they get Miller, with Shaedon Sharpe as another intriguing and talented prospect to build around, whether Lillard is there or not.
It doesn’t seem like the Blazers have a legit shot at contention, regardless of what happens during the NBA Draft.
Lillard has continuously reaffirmed his desire to stay with the team, and this feels like the Kevin Garnett situation with the Minnesota Timberwolves all over again, as he’s likely never going to win a ring unless he leaves.
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