While Charlotte’s pick at No. 2 represents the first pivot point of the 2023 NBA draft, the Trail Blazers‘ decision at No. 3 is arguably even more interesting. That pick is a valuable one in a draft considered to have a consensus top three prospects, but Portland is eager to build a contender around Damian Lillard in the short term and may be more inclined to trade the choice.
In the view of Jason Quick of The Athletic, the Trail Blazers’ only real option – if they’re serious about keeping Lillard and building a winner around him – is to trade the pick. But ESPN’s Jonathan Givony isn’t sure Portland will take that route, suggesting during an appearance on Zach Lowe’s Lowe Post podcast that he believes the Blazers will hang onto the selection.
“I don’t see them trading it either, honestly,” Givony said, per RealGM. “I think they would be very happy with Brandon Miller or Scoot Henderson. “I also think they’re going to kick the tires on the Thompson twins and Cam Whitmore. I think this is going to be a process here where they’re looking at a lot of different options.”
If the Blazers do shop the pick, the expectation is that they’ll be targeting two-way impact players, a league source tells K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago. As Johnson observes, Lillard has strong relationships with Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan, but neither of those offensive-minded Bulls wings really qualifies as a two-way dynamo.
Here’s more from around the Northwest:
- Thunder wing Kenrich Williams underwent a follow-up procedure on Tuesday to remove hardware that was inserted during his March wrist surgery, the team announced. According to Thunder, Williams’ rehab process is still on the same timeline, and he remains on track to be ready for the start of the 2023/24 season.
- Timberwolves forward Kyle Anderson, who sustained an eye injury during the team’s first-round playoff series, underwent surgery on Wednesday to address the issue, tweets Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News and SKOR North. While there’s no official timeline for Anderson’s recovery, there’s no indication he won’t be ready for training camp.
- Tony Jones of The Athletic sketches out an offseason to-do list for the Jazz, including identifying a point guard, resolving Jordan Clarkson‘s free agency, and comprehensively investigating what trade opportunities might be out there for them.
Kenrich Williams should definitely be someone other teams should look at acquiring. The Thunder already have a deep rotation at PF, but Williams is a very solid player. Only real weakness is free throws.
How many two way superstars are their even? Let alone get moved. I feel like DeRozan and Caruso for Simons, little, Johnson and 3 seems fair.
DeRozan age 33
He is worth 15th pick, not 3rd pick
Would be a cool fit for the Blazers, though. They’ve always struggled with the midrange, and DeRozan’s improved passing would open up shooters like Lillard, Nurkic, Grant, Watford, and Sharpe. And the improved version of Thybulle, if that sticks, would be an awesome piece alongside Caruso off the bench. It wouldn’t make them championship-caliber, but they’d be fun to watch again.
As I said
Simons plus 3rd pick is equal to Jaylen Brown
Brown is all nba 2nd team
Does anyone truly think that the Blazers can add the right piece to win a championship. Contending is nice, but just making the playoffs is the ceiling here.
They don’t have and won’t get a Top-10 player to put them into true title contention. Mainly bc that guy isn’t available to them.
Even if you extend this to Top-25. Is Jaylen Brown added to this squad (Grant or Simon’s back to Boston) making them a top WC team?
I would trade Dame, Little, Nurkic, and Grant. I’d keep Simons and Sharpe and draft Scoot. Simons is a + shooter, basically a CJ.
Re-up Reddish and Thybulle, see if you can develop them during a cheap 4 yr deal.
Take on some meh contracts for your quality players and build through the draft. Take flyers on some prospects that contenders don’t want to develop.
I just don’t see the point of this team going into the Luxury tax to barely contend.
I think they’d have to sign Grant first? But I agree, they don’t have the resources to go all-out in acquiring the kind of talent needed to help Lillard get his ring in Portland. Simons, Sharpe, and then either Miller or Henderson would be a good nucleus to build on, and that doesn’t include other possible first rounders they might be able to get in trades of Lillard and Nurkic. Nurkic might bring a draft pick or helpful young player. Lillard might bring a helpful young player or two, as well as draft picks. Maybe Portland could trade their own #23 and some of the others they acquire (and other assets) to get another pick in this year’s draft in the top 7 or 8. Thybulle and Reddish could at least stick around as place-holders while the younger talent develops.
The roster might look like Simons, Sharpe, Henderson or Miller, Watford, Thybulle, Reddish, Eubanks, Knox, K.Johnson or Winslow, Skylar Mays, maybe Little, and if they play their cards right, one of the Thompsons or Cam Whitmore or Anthony Black.
I do. We’ll see if they can pull it off.
Great post
Id also add with Hou Okc Sa getting better that playoff spot isn’t even granted-
Could be super tough just to scrap the 9 seed in West next couple years
I’m with you, Id sell Dame while the pennies shiny, S&T Grant and make that 3 pick myself, Probably just eating Little and Nurks deals
A package around Simons and #3 for Embiid
LOL!
BLAZERS should blow it up, while Dame still has great value around the league ……. build around Simons and Scoot.
Heed the lessons from the WIZARDS, some years ago they had the chance to trade Beal – it’s near impossible to trade Beal now, not with him starting to slow down and that albatross contract. They’re stuck with him, fighting for a play-in spot every season.
#3 pick, Simons, Sharpe, Little, future #1 and a #2 for LaVine and Caruso.
Take Sharpe out and add salary
Good trade
So every positive asset Portland has for LaVine? Yeah, no.
POR doesn’t appear inclined to build around Lillard vs rebuilding the roster. Their rhetoric and their actions are in conflict on this, but, in those situations, actions are more telling. So, I think they’ll take whoever is there at #3 between Miller and Scoot. I also think it’s the right move, but they should come clean about their path with Lillard.
If they do pivot to the trade market, this asset (#3 in this draft) has far more trade value than is assumed in this comment section. The biggest problem POR will have is finding a star worthy of it. That’s why if they’re serious about using the pick this way, they need to be aggressive. It doesn’t matter who’s available, it only matters who you want. Nobody is going to be insulted by an ask if this pick is being offered in exchange.
I’ve always felt like their front office is confusing. That and their coach isn’t very good. They had good 2-way players in Hart and others. However, they didn’t know how to use them properly. They basically gave away CJ because the stuff they got they wasted, it feels.
Perhaps it’s time for new ownership? That or at least stop meddling, if the owner is, or hire a new GM and coach, if he isn’t.
KAT for the #3 pick!!!!
Draft Brandon Miller
Anfree Simons for DeRozan
Let Winslow, Reddish, Knox, Little and Eubanks all leave. (26mil combined) but bring back Thybulle.
Sign Dennis Schroder to a 2 year 20mil deal, Kevin Love to a 1 year 5mil deal, then finish with Andre Drummond on vets min
Also have picks 23 and 46 in the draft
Dame DeRozan Miller Grant Nurkic
Schroder Sharpe Thybulle KLove Drummond
Johnson Watford
Huge pivot going from Simons to DeRozan but it’s what you do in order to keep Dame happy and give your team a chance at competing for a title.
You then keep the third overall pick and take Brandon Miller who would be a great fit with this side.
You have Dame as your lead guard giving you almost 30. DeRozan Miller and Grant are all somewhat interchangeable from 2-4 which makes defence great. DeRozan is the clear second choice on offence and gives you 20-25 all middies, Grant is the third option and he’s really efficient. Nurkic main role will be collecting rebounds and protecting the rim. Don’t need him trying to shooting threes or play make from the post.
From the bench KLove returns home and is a solid stretch big option with heaps of experience. Dennis Schroder plays the sixth man role, is a great defender and can provide iso scoring too. Drummond is a board man, Thybulle is a beast defender and Sharpe an exciting prospect.
Think they would be a serious threat to any team and would actually match up well with almost any team. Built to win now but still have a promising future with Sharpe and Miller
Lillard really wants to play with Brown, he plays better D than Lillard and shoot like Lillard. He shot 7-23 yesterday in losing to the 8th seed Heat, oh and he was 1-7 in threes. It just shows how stupid it would be to try and build around a PG who’s a horrible defender and can’t pass well under pressure. Now you know why Lillard shoots so much, he can’t pass like a true PG. unless Lillard learns to play off the ball he will never be a winner. You think he’d realize playing with young stars could extend his career and bring a possibility of winning but sadly he only wants Lame-time over the team game. Trade him while he has any value and before it’s too late. Bring on the youth movement and build around Sharpe and Simons.