The Portland Trail Blazers might be on the verge of big moves ahead of next week’s NBA Draft.
Nearly everyone has speculated if they’d try to acquire big talent to help Damian Lillard lead his team out of the depths of the Western Conference.
According to Marc Stein, via NBACentral, that is exactly what they are trying to do.
Stein reported Portland’s plans:
“The Trail Blazers, league sources say, continue to intimate that they are prepared to package Anfernee Simons with the No. 3 overall pick in a trade to acquire win-now talent to place alongside star guard Damian Lillard.”
The Blazers still hope to trade the No. 3 pick and Anfernee Simons to help build a contender around Damian Lillard
“The Trail Blazers, league sources say, continue to intimate that they are prepared to package Anfernee Simons with the No. 3 overall pick in a trade to acquire… pic.twitter.com/EM4CB7Tt5b
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) June 16, 2023
The Blazers will allegedly attempt to trade not only their No. 3 pick in next week’s draft but also young Anfernee Simons as well.
That draft pick alone could get them someone special but adding Simons to the deal makes it even sweeter.
In 2022-23, the guard averaged 21.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists.
Because of his youth and shooting abilities, certain people thought he could be the future of the franchise.
Multiple teams will be enticed by the idea of landing both a high draft pick as well as Simons.
Stein says that the Blazers want “win-now talent” for this package.
This makes it obvious that they are going all-in on Lillard and are trying to really build a strong roster around him.
It is important to remember that this proposed deal might not be the only one Portland makes.
They could send away other players after the draft as well.
Following years of flirting with the idea, it seems that the Blazers are finally attempting to give Lillard a strong team that can win as soon as possible.
Who can they get in return for Simons and such a coveted pick in the draft?
NEXT: Brian Windhorst Believes Damian Lillard Wants To Remain With Blazers
