Many league executives believe the 2023 NBA draft could feature several first-round trades, according to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports. Fischer writes that there is widespread uncertainty surrounding the draft outside of Victor Wembanyama at No. 1, and examines the situations for the Nos. 2-10 picks.
The Hornets, who control the No. 2 pick, will be hosting Overtime Elite twins Amen Thompson and Ausar Thompson for workouts on Friday, followed by G League Ignite’s Scoot Henderson on Sunday and Alabama’s Brandon Miller next Tuesday, league sources tell Fischer.
Charlotte is widely expected to ultimately choose between Miller or Henderson, with the twins ranking just behind them on ESPN’s big board. However, it’s certainly not a consensus like No. 1.
The Hornets have an additional layer of certainty as well, with rumors that owner Michael Jordan might look to sell his majority stake in the franchise. A new ownership group could look to hire a new president of basketball operations and head coach.
That has some Charlotte staffers wondering about the fates of Mitch Kupchak and Steve Clifford, as they each only have one guaranteed season left on their respective contracts, per Fischer.
Here’s more from Fischer on the draft and free agency:
- Rival front offices are skeptical that the Trail Blazers will have a deal lined up to trade No. 3 before they’re on the clock on June 22, Fischer writes. Part of that is the uncertainty at No. 2, because a team trading up to No. 3 would presumably be targeting either Miller or Henderson, and they don’t yet know who will be available. In early trade talks, the Blazers are sending signals to rivals that Shaedon Sharpe will not be part of a possible package with the No. 3 pick, per Fischer’s sources. Sharpe was the No. 7 overall pick last year and showed flashes of brilliance with his incredible athleticism and smooth shot-making, but he’s inconsistent and just turned 20 years old, while star Damian Lillard is 32.
- Although he has been linked to the Rockets, who are fielding offers for No. 4, looking to improve, and project to have the most cap room in the league this summer, rival executives believe Bucks wing Khris Middleton is likely to sign a long-term contract with Milwaukee this summer, according to Fischer. The three-time All-Star has a $40.4MM player option for next season. As Fischer notes, Middleton reportedly met with finalists for the Bucks’ coaching vacancy before they hired Adrian Griffin.
- The Pacers continue to express interest in finding a starting power forward, sources tell Fischer. Indiana controls five picks in the upcoming draft, including No. 7 overall.
POR should just drop the notion that they’re considering trading #3 to put a better team around Dame now. They either aren’t or aren’t up to it. You can’t move assets like #3 or Sharpe for even elite veterans without a clear plan to reshape the roster. They can’t put a deal in place before the draft, but they certainly can lock and load.
Best case scenario for Portland if they keep #3 is that the Hornets take Scoot #2 overall.
Hornets can always screw up a draft, but Scoot v Miller really comes down to what they plan to do with their current roster.
Really the only pieces worth keeping on that roster are Rozier, Melo, Bridges, PJ (depending on cost), and Williams.
If they keep PJ, then Brandon Miller is a bench player. Same thing if they keep Rozier, Scoot is a bench player. Pretty much wasting that pick.
Whichever one they take, I think dictates a trade. PJ and CHO are far apart since they were discussing 4/52 and he wants 4/80. I also see PJ basically as another John Collins – so if you think Brandon Miller is really the next PG13 or Rudy Gay why mess around? You still control PJ’s rights and can trade him later.
Blazers should be thankful. And just take Scoot. Then trade the #23 pick and Simons for a talent. Preferably a PF.
Grant, Dame, Nurkic,Scoot. plus the PF.
Is a solid 5 to compete.
Get Bridges from Hornets. Sign Bane. Sign Schroeder. That’s a good start.
Please get Nurk away and bring Markkanen instead
Shaedon Sharpe is going to be the real deal!!! He is oozing with talent. He’s going to be a starting shooting guard in this league that will be a two way player.
I love Damian Lillard but honestly the Portland Trail Blazers should do him a favor and send him to a championship caliber team. He will look magnificent on a team like the Miami Heat Milwaukee Bucks Philadelphia 76ers Boston Celtics Los Angeles Lakers or Minnesota Timberwolves.
If Scoot Henderson is on the board at 3 I’ll draft him to go with Shaedon Sharpe. If he’s drafted by the Charlotte Hornets at two I’ll draft Amen Thompson and form regardless of what’s on the board the most young and dangerous backcourt.
We seen all the success the Splash Brothers have had.
This will be an extremely athletic backcourt.
If you want to continue to build around Damian Lillard. Shaedon Sharpe is the type of SG that he should’ve been with all these years.
If you do play an undersized backcourt you have to have at least one of them be a good to great defensive player. Or it won’t work.
Great insights Champ! Spot on. I too believe it’s time to trade Lillard while he’s most valuable. Sharpe should have started from day one and had the same opportunities as he did with Aldridge here. I haven’t seen Lillard make his teammates better like a great PG should and Scoot could be that guy. I think they’re selling Simons short if they trade him. At least without actually giving him the opportunity to be more of a facilitator on a young athletic (fast breaking) team. I also wish they would have kept Hart because he likes to push the pace. Look how successful they were early in the season when they ran and played deep into their bench. Then they changed it to the starters playing almost 40 minutes each a game and they stagnated. Bring on the youth movement and let the youth loose. I miss the athletic Blazers who played team ball instead of ISO ball hog, tunnel vision guard play that constantly throw up ugly shots.
Find a contender with 50M cap space and picks