While rumors run rampant about the state of the NBA Draft after the No. 1 spot, the Portland Trail Blazers reportedly have their mind made up on one aspect. As to whether the team will trade the 3rd overall pick, it appears Portland will stay pat.
Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated reported that the Blazers do not intend to move off the No. 3 pick. In fact, Mannix reported that the team hopes to find trade partners for players versus picks. From the SI
There is intense league-wide interest in what the Blazers will do this week. Portland holds the third pick in Thursday’s draft and right now are showing no interest in dealing it, sources say. The Blazers have been burning up the phone lines looking for upgrades that will satisfy Lillard—Toronto’s OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam are two players they have discussed, per sources—but to this point have rebuffed overtures to trade a pick that will position them to draft either G League star Scoot Henderson or Alabama big man Brandon Miller.
The state of the Blazers has lots to do with what they will do with superstar Damian Lillard. While many have suggested the team should trade him, it’s probably a lot more complicated than that. Granted, their team-building has been questionable at best, so the reasons for departure also have lots to do with wanting better for Dame.
Portland has made several trips to the playoffs with Lillard aboard. They made the Western Conference Finals in 2019, the farthest point they’ve reached with the superstar point guard on the roster. Since then, it’s been tough sledding for them. They made a run in the bubble, but since struggled to get going. They bottomed out this year and now are picking high in the draft.
It seems, though, that the team won’t be trying to beef up the roster by trying to trade out of the Top 3.
