While it’s safe to assume the Spurs will be hanging onto their No. 1 overall pick, a number of other first-round picks could be up for grabs following Tuesday’s lottery. Here are a few early reports on some selections that are worth keeping an eye on:
- The Trail Blazers‘ move to No. 3 “raised eyebrows all over the league,” according to Zach Lowe of ESPN.com (Insider link), who says rival executives think Portland will explore the possibility of trading that pick for win-now help. The Blazers, who are expected to be in the market for wings and big men, may not get a difference-making veteran for the No. 3 pick on its own, but attaching a player like Anfernee Simons to it would make for an intriguing package, Lowe notes.
- Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports also touches on the possibility of the Trail Blazers making that third overall pick available via trade, pointing out that there’s a consensus on the top three prospects in this draft. In other words, Portland could hold a “bidding war” on either Scoot Henderson or Brandon Miller, depending on which of them is drafted second overall, Fischer writes.
- The Mavericks, who are eager to build a contender around Luka Doncic, are considered likely to gauge the trade value of the No. 10 overall pick, according to both Fischer and Tim MacMahon of ESPN (Twitter link).
- The Pacers control five picks in this year’s draft, including three first-rounders and four in the top 32. They already explored the idea of trading for veteran talent prior to February’s deadline and may revisit that possibility this summer, says Fischer.
- According to Fischer, the Kings are another team to monitor for first-round trade possibilities. Sacramento holds the No. 24 overall selection.
If im Portland im trading Dame, picking Scoot and start from there. Send Dame wherevere he wants to go, if possible, retire his jersey if you love him that much and move on. The amount of money, age and limitations that Portland’s roster has makes impossible to build a contender team around him.
I first just want to say Congratulations to the San Antonio Spurs for getting the number 1 pick in the 2023 Draft and being able to get Victor Wembanyama. I’ve called that over a year ago. I wrote a post about that over a year ago and said they was going to get him. It’s the perfect organization for him to play for. From an organization that has had David Robinson and Tim Duncan. Then being coached by one of the 3 best head coaches to ever coach in Gregg Popovich. It’s absolutely amazing!!!! I’m so happy for the young fella.
I totally agree with you. If the Portland Trail Blazers would’ve got the number 1 pick I would’ve kept Damian Lillard. With them missing out it’s time for Joe Cronin and Chauncey Billups to blow that roster up. It’s the perfect time. I’ll let Jerami Grant hit the open market and go get paid. I’m trading Anfernee Simons to a team like the Orlando Magic for Jalen Suggs Jonathan Isaac and the number 11 pick in the 2023 draft. Then I would trade Jusuf Nurkic and the 23rd pick in the 2023 draft to the Phoenix Suns for Deandre Ayton. Then I’m going to Damian Lillard and letting him know he’s done all he can do for our organization and the greatest player in Portland Trail Blazers history and our All Time Leading Scorer. So I will retire his number 0 and put a statue outside of the arena. Then I’m sending him to whatever team he can see himself playing for.
I was thinking build around AS and whomever they draft and not a full full reboot. Suggs is at best a rotation NBA player, not even a starter IMO, but the Nurkic and Ayton swap sounds good. The pick + AS + Ayton is a decent building block. Not sure if that trade will be ok for the Suns though.
The best player ever for Portland is Walton, even if he had a shorter stint, his peak and chip puts him above Dame. I can see them retiring his jersey but no way he gets a statue.
Keep an eye on the Bulls. They need to rebuild. They have no picks. LaVine and DeRozan (expiring deals) are nice chips to play.
Agreed! The #3 pick in a deep draft can help a rebuild move along more quickly. If Portland can get a couple of decent young/developing players plus some draft picks in a Lillard trade, I’m not sure what they’re waiting for. Fans certainly wouldn’t forget about Lillard any time soon (nor should they), but a young nucleus of Sharpe, Simons and either Brandon Miller or Scoot Henderson would be exciting. In addition, if they can somehow get a first round pick in this year’s draft in a deal for Nurkic, that would give them that pick + their own pick at #23.
Nurk s contract is miles under water
Does a Simons plus the pick for Siakam make any sense for both teams? Raps need shooting, have OG and Barnes as Fs. Siakam would give Lillard a real #2 (which is Siakams ideal role)
Maybe it will be too much for Siakam? Even if they can add Siakam a don’t see them being a contender in the west.
No
Siakam value is low
The value is equal to an young all star like Jaylen Brown
Agreed Siakam doesn’t fetch that package. Maybe the number three pick and salary matching but no chance for the pick and Simons together.
#3 has a huge value, more than OG, more than Scottie Barnes
It’s trade value is equal to top 10 young players younger than 25
This is not true. Scottie Barnes is a number 4 pick that actually panned out and still has ceiling. That’s certainly worth the number 3 pick.
Not that the Celtics are likely to be interested in trading Brown. Unless he explicitly says he wants out, I’m assuming he wants to stay. Even then, they need a truly good defensive Center. Nurkic isn’t a bad player, but he’s a subpar defender for his position. He’s also not a guy with a ton of upside. Stable, but not exciting.
Then the Portland Trail Blazers can start rebuilding with Shaedon Sharpe at the Shooting Guard position. Scoot Henderson at the Point Guard position. Instantly giving you the most athletic backcourt and two young guys both with two way potential. Then I will draft the best available forward with the 11th pick. Then you will have a starting Center in Deandre Ayton that I know needs a change of scenery and have untapped potential. Then they will have all the assets they receive from the Damian Lillard trade.
I’d do Siakam and OG for Simmon’s, Sharpe the #3 and a future first, if POR wants to do a sign n trade with FVV or GTJ or both they can be included to. We will take whatever salary you want to dump.
I still think the Mavs should have been penalized one spot in the order for intentionally playing a weaker lineup while they were still in contention for the play-in just to hold onto their pick protection.
Idk I think it’s punishment enough that Luka gets to watch other play-in teams make the conference finals after they willingly gave up the spot. Does them absolutely no favors.
Blazers are nowhere close to contending. They need to trade Dame already and rebuild. They are the Wizards of the West.
Hey, Trailblazers & Pacers, call Connelly with the Timberpuppies. Now that the Gobert trade has cemented both his idiocy and the continued ineptness of the owner; check in on the availability of: KAT, Gobert and Conely.
How about Lillard to the Warriors for Poole and Thompson…..He would love to wind down his career at home…..the $$$ probably would not work without some massaging with draft picks or cash
Blazers need a miracle to build around Dame now. It’s best to blow it up. Take Scoot or Miller. Both will be future stars. With what they get for Dame. This team could be a contender for yrs. Also a sign n trade for Grant.
Yes. I think they can 1) keep Lillard, acquire maybe one more all-star caliber player with the resources they have, get back to being around .500 and see early playoff exits until Lillard is 36 and done, while Sharpe and Simons become all-stars somewhere else, or 2) keep Sharpe and Simons, keep the #3 and #23, get a nice haul for Lillard, and go farther in the playoffs by the time he is 36 and playing somewhere else… I think in a few years they could be a better team without him than they will be if they keep him. I think it isn’t a question of where they want to be next season, but a question of where they want to be in three or four years. I’d rather they think longer-term.
#2 works but keeping Lame-time is the worst thing Cronin can do for the fans or the organization. Time to move on from this BORING hero ball hog ISO offense. Plus Lillard can’t guard his grandma.
How do you match Lillard salary if Portland choose to go young ? Contenders have not enough picks so Barett + 4 picks is the only option… Or a 3 teams trade but sound hard