PORTLAND, Ore. — The NBA draft is just a day away and the Portland Trail Blazers have been one of the hottest names in the rumor mill. Portland has two picks in the first round (No. 3 and No. 23) and one in the second (No. 43).
Both local and national NBA reporters have reported for the past month that Portland is being aggressive in trying to trade the No. 3 pick for another star player to complement superstar point guard Damian Lillard, but they've also reported that the Blazers are happy to hold on to the third pick unless they get a trade offer that blows them away.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Blazers trade rumors from May 17 to June 19
We'll keep an eye on reports from reputable NBA reporters like Shams Charania, Sam Amick and Sam Vecenie of The Athletic, Adrian Wojnarowski and Brian Windhorst of ESPN, Chris Haynes of TNT and Bleacher Report, Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer and Marc Stein to see what's being reported about the Blazers leading up to the draft.
Here are the latest offseason reports, rumors and discussions around the Portland Trail Blazers. Check back as this story will be updated often between now and Thursday, with the most recent reports at the top:
(June 21) Blazers and Cavaliers have had trade discussions about Portland's first-round pick at No. 23
ESPN's Brian Windhorst went on ESPN Cleveland on Tuesday and said the Cavaliers are looking to move up in the first round and have had trade discussions with the Blazers about the 23rd pick. "The pick that I keep hearing about is 23 with Portland. ... The Cavs, from what I understand, have had a lot of talks with the Blazers, not just for the 23rd pick, I think they have some interest in Nassir Little." Windhorst mentioned that the players the Cavaliers are offering in these discussions to move up into the late first round are forwards Cedi Osman and Dean Wade. Osman, 28, is a 6-foot-7 forward who averaged 8.7 points and 2.3 rebounds per game last season in 20.1 minutes per game. He shot 37.2% from the 3-point line. Dean Wade, 26, is a 6-9 forward who averaged 4. points and 3.4 rebounds in 20.3 minutes per game last season, shooting 35.4% from 3. Watch the clip
(June 21) Damian Lillard, G League Ignite guard Scoot Henderson 'have been communicating regularly' since workout with Blazers
Marc J. Spears of ESPN reported that sources have told him Damian Lillard and G League Ignite guard Scoot Henderson, "have been communicating regularly since the G League Ignite star's workout in Portland." Henderson, who worked out with the Blazers on June 3, is widely projected to be the Blazers' choice at No. 3 if they don't trade the pick for a star veteran to pair with Lillard. Henderson and Lillard were in communication long before the workout in Portland, according to a December 2022 feature article about Henderson by Mirin Fader of The Ringer. Fader reported that Henderson first reached out to Lillard for advice in 2021 and the Blazers star guard responded. Read the article
(June 21) Blazers 'have shut down anybody' calling with trade offers for Damian Lillard
Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported Wednesday during on an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show that even though the Miami Heat are hoping Damian Lillard requests a trade out of Portland this summer, the Blazers' superstar point guard is not currently available. "He's not available now, he says he wants to be in Portland, and the Blazers have shut down anybody who has called about the possibility of trying to trade for him," Wojnarowski said. Watch the clip
(June 20) Blazers 'identified as potential trade partner' with LA Clippers for star forward Paul George
Marc Stein reported in his subscription Substack newsletter on Tuesday night that the Los Angeles Clippers "have left various rival teams with the impression ... that they are, at a minimum, attempting to gauge Paul George's trade value" and that the Blazers, with the third pick, and the Houston Rockets, with pick No. 4, "have been identified as potential trade partners" if the Clippers decide to trade George. Stein referred to Portland's position as "the Blazers' presumed interest in George." His reporting doesn't include anything from the Blazers or sources close to Portland. George is one of the league's best players, a multi-faceted star on both sides of the ball. He averaged 23.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.5 steals per game last season while shooting 37.1% from the 3-point line on high volume. There are some qualifiers that any team considering trading for George would need to weigh before completing a deal, including his age, injury history and contract status. George, 33, has averaged 47.3 games played the past four seasons, playing in 61.3% of his team's games. He'll also soon be eligible for a four-year contract extension worth more than $200 million and could become a free agent next summer if he declines his player option. Read the full story
(June 20) Brandon Miller 'continues to be the focus' for the Charlotte Hornets for No. 2 pick
Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported Tuesday night that Alabama forward Brandon Miller "further solidified his standing as Charlotte's choice at No. 2" with his workout performance Monday in front of outgoing team owner Michael Jordan. Miller and G League Ignite point guard Scoot Henderson both worked out a second time for Charlotte on Monday, and Wojnarowski reported that Miller "was better the second time around." Charlotte's choice seems to be conditioned on fit. "Positionally, Miller's advantage over Scoot Henderson in Charlotte is that they've got a point in LaMelo Ball in Charlotte who they believe is a franchise-level point guard." Miller is a 6-foot-9 sharp-shooting forward, while Henderson is a 6-2 dynamic point guard. Watch the clip
(June 20) As of Tuesday afternoon, Blazers plan to use No. 3 pick, try to acquire veteran talent regardless of status of third pick
Brian Windhorst of ESPN reported Tuesday afternoon that "teams dealing with the Blazers have come to the conclusion that the Blazers are going to probably keep [the No. 3] pick; at least that's their plan on Tuesday of draft week, which is the centerpiece for misinformation." Windhorst went on to report that the Blazers are trying to acquire veterans, whether they trade the third pick or not. "Just because they don't trade the No. 3 pick, it doesn't mean they're not going out and trying to get veterans," Windhorst said. "And just because they're saying they're going to use the pick on Tuesday doesn't mean they're going to use it on Thursday." Watch the clip
(June 20) Blazers preparing 'compelling' trade package for Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo
Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports reported that the Blazers are "preparing what the team believes to be a compelling package for Miami to part with All-Defensive centerpiece Bam Adebayo." Adebayo, who turns 26 on July 18, is a two-time All-Star and four-time All-Defensive player. He's coming off a season in which he averaged 20.4 points, 9.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.8 blocks and helped lead the Heat to the NBA Finals. Though Fischer didn't report the details of the package, he wrote that Miami is "very unlikely to consider any Portland overture that doesn't include standout rookie Shaedon Sharpe, in addition to a package of the No. 3 pick and Anfernee Simons." The Blazers have been offering Simons and the third pick in trade discussions with other teams as they try to build a contender around Lillard. Read the full report
(June 20) It will take a 'premium target' for Blazers to trade No. 3 pick
Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports reported that league sources indicate that Damian Lillard "prefers to remain with Portland, and the Trail Blazers have not shown any willingness to discuss the seven-time All-Star with inquiring teams." What the Blazers are trying to do is build a contending roster around Lillard, Fischer reports, but they look at that as something that spans the "entire offseason," not just this week's NBA draft. While Portland is looking at trade opportunities around the third pick, Fischer reported that "the Blazers are strongly valuing [the third pick] in talks with opposing teams ... [and that] Portland appears unlikely to part with the No. 3 choice unless the Blazers are netting back one of a select number of premium targets to pair with Lillard." Fischer reported that the Blazers' attempt to trade for Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo "reveals the type of talent it will take for this front office to part with the third selection." Read the full report
(June 20) Assessing Blazers' interest in Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby, Zach LaVine and Karl-Anthony Towns
Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports reported that though the Blazers have been linked by people around the league to Raptors forwards Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby, Fischer reports that "Portland doesn't truly covet either Toronto player for the No. 3 selection." Fischer did not report whether the Blazers would be interested in trading for both players for the No. 3 pick, which is something Danny Marang reported about Monday on 1080 The Fan. Fischer also reported that Bulls All-Star guard Zach LaVine "does not appear to be a legitimate target for the Blazers," and that "there has been no apparent interest from either the Wolves or Blazers" in trade talks centered on Minnesota center Karl-Anthony Towns and the third pick. Fischer mentioned Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo and Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul George as the kinds of players Portland is targeting, "forwards with size at the top echelon of the league's player hierarchy." Read the full report
(June 20) Pelicans would require more than the No. 3 pick to trade Zion Williamson or Brandon Ingram to Blazers
Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports reported that the New Orleans Pelicans, who have been rumored for the past week to be very interested in trading up to draft G League Ignite guard Scoot Henderson, "have yet to make formal offers to the Blazers for the No. 3 pick." Fischer also reported that it's unknown at this time if the Pelicans are actually "open to parting with Williamson," and that a determination likely won't be made until Portland is "on the clock" Thursday with the No. 3 pick. Furthermore, Fischer reported that "all indications are that the Pelicans would require more than the third selection to part with" Williamson or Pelicans All-Star forward Brandon Ingram. Read the full report
(June 20) Charlotte 'appears headed toward selecting' Brandon Miller with the No. 2 pick
Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports reported that the Charlotte Hornets, who own the second overall pick in Thursday's NBA draft, appear "headed toward selecting [Alabama forward Brandon] Miller" with the No. 2 pick, even after the Hornets brought Miller and G League Ignite guard Scoot Henderson back for a second workout and interviews with the team's leadership, including current team owner Michael Jordan. Fischer reported that though Henderson was impressive in both the workouts and interviews with Charlotte, "Miller's perceived optimal fit next to [Hornets guard LaMelo] Ball seems to be too large of a factor for Charlotte to pass over." Read the full report
(June 20) Miami Heat, targeting a trade for Damian Lillard, expecting Damian Lillard to request a trade from Portland
Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report and TNT reported that the Miami Heat, who are reportedly targeting a trade for Portland Trail Blazers superstar Damian Lillard this offseason, "feel like they got some sense, some knowledge that this could be the offseason that Dame request out." Haynes said the Heat's belief is based on Lillard making it clear this offseason that he wants the Blazers to build a contending roster around him and Miami's belief that won't happen. Haynes reported that "all indications are Portland is going to keep that [No. 3] pick as of right now. ... And then Dame will have a decision to make at that point." Listen to the podcast
(June 20) Damian Lillard 'does not want a youth movement [and] wants to play with veterans'
Brian Windhorst of ESPN reported that in discussions he's had with teams around the league, he said they've told him the Blazers have indicated they may not trade the No. 3 pick because they aren't getting the kind of trade offers they want. So what would happen if Portland doesn't trade the third pick and drafts G League Ignite guard Scoot Henderson or Alabama forward Brandon Miller? Windhorst said he checked in with "the Lillard side," and was told "unequivocally [that] Dame does not want a youth movement, he wants to play with veterans, he wants the team to upgrade fast and immediately with veteran players that can help him now." Watch the clip
(June 19) It will take a 'tremendous package' for Blazers to trade No. 3 pick
Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported Portland "is very engaged around the league in seeing if they can turn that No. 3 pick and perhaps other assets into a star-level player to pair with Damian Lillard, but it is going to take a tremendous package to get Portland to trade out of No. 3, to trade out of possibly a young player in Scoot Henderson who has All-Star potential." Wojnarowski said "teams will get more serious about what they might be willing to offer" now that the draft is just days away. "It's going to have to be a deal that blows them away because this is a draft and a spot at No. 3 that the Blazers have to get quality, they have to get value, and right now, I think they're still penciling themselves in with Scoot Henderson if indeed he's there at 3." Watch the clip