PORTLAND, Ore. — The NBA draft is June 22 and the Portland Trail Blazers have two first-round picks (No. 3 and No. 23) and one second-round selection (No. 43).
Local and national NBA reporters have reported that Portland is being aggressive in trying to trade the highly coveted 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 onto the third pick unless they get a trade offer that blows them away.
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 June 22, with the most recent reports at the top:
(June 19) Charania: 'It's really up to Portland' whether Damian Lillard stays or goes
Shams Charania of The Athletic went on The Pat McAfee Show on Monday and said it's up to Portland whether Damian Lillard remains with the Trail Blazers. Said Charania: "It's really up to Portland. Damian Lillard has really left it up to Portland. He wants to be there. He wants that team to get better. They have the No. 3 pick in the draft, they have the 23rd pick in the draft, they have Anfernee Simons. What can you go get in the marketplace to make this team better? If nothing comes about, then I think Damian Lillard will have to look very hard at his future in Portland. But if they do make the team better between now and Thursday and on Thursday night, I think you'll see Damian Lillard be there. It's really on Portland. ... Publicly, they're saying all the right things. We'll see. Actions always speak louder than words." Watch the full clip
(June 19) Miami Heat targeting Damian Lillard, believe he's ready to leave Portland
Chris Haynes of TNT and Bleacher Report tweeted Sunday after Bradley Beal was traded to the Phoenix Suns (and not the Miami Heat, who had earlier been reported as one of the frontrunners to trade for Beal), that Miami is zeroed in on Damian Lillard. Wrote Haynes: "Miami's focus is Portland superstar Damian Lillard with the genuine belief this could be the offseason the veteran guard seeks a change of scenery." Haynes, who is close to Lillard, did not include any information from the Blazers or Lillard in his tweet. See the tweet
Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer also reported on Miami's focus on Lillard, writing Monday that "Damian Lillard is the primary target" for Miami. O'Connor wondered whether Miami has the pieces to make a Lillard trade happen, saying "Miami has some value to give but not a ton." He said the Heat are eligible to trade first-round picks in 2023, 2028 and 2030 with first-round pick swaps in 2024, 2027 and 2029. As far as players to send back in a Lillard trade, O'Connor mentioned Tyler Herro and Nikola Jovic as players with trade value. Read the full report
On June 6, Lillard told Brian Custer, host of Showtime's The Last Stand, that he expects to be playing for the Blazers when next season begins, but also expressed interest in playing for the Miami Heat or the Brooklyn Nets, if he is traded. Watch the full show
(June 18) Blazers 'focused on moving' Jusuf Nurkic
Matt Moore of Action Network reported that sources tell him the Blazers "have been focused on moving center Jusuf Nurkic" this offseason. See full report
(June 16) Blazers trying 'some pretty aggressive moves' leading up to the draft
Brian Windhorst of ESPN reported on his podcast that the Blazers are "trying some pretty aggressive moves, from what I've been able to glean. I have no idea how accurate everything is, but they are swinging." Windhorst said the Blazers know they can get a large trade return for Lillard and rebuild with Shaedon Sharpe and the No. 3 pick. "But that's not the direction they're going at all," Stein said. "That is not the intel I'm having at all. If that's being considered, it's not being considered outside the family." Listen to the podcast
(June 16) Blazers' plan: trade Anfernee Simons and No. 3 pick for win-now talent next to Damian Lillard
Marc Stein reported on his Substack newsletter that the Blazers' plan remains focused on putting star talent next to Damian Lillard. Stein said league sources tell him that the Blazers "continue to intimate that they are prepared to package Anfernee Simons with the No. 3 overall pick in a trade to acquire win-now talent to place alongside star guard Damian Lillard." Stein said teams hoping to trade for Lillard are rooting for Portland to come up short in their search for a win-now trade in the hopes that it will lead to a Lillard trade out of Portland. Read the full report
(June 16) Top draft prospect Brandon Miller works out for Trail Blazers, says he and Damian Lillard would make a 'good duo'
Alabama forward Brandon Miller, projected to be selected with the second or third overall pick in the NBA draft on June 22, worked out for the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday at the team's practice facility in Tualatin. In an interview with Portland reporters after the workout, Miller told KGW's Orlando Sanchez that he'd be a great fit with the Blazers and star Damian Lillard. "I think I'd fit great," he said. "I see myself coming off a lot of actions with Dame. I know he's a great vet. For me to be under his wing, I think that's a good duo." Read the full story
(June 14) 'Well-placed' source convinced Pelicans would trade Zion Williamson in order to draft Scoot Henderson
As reported below, the New Orleans Pelicans really like draft prospect Scoot Henderson and are "aggressively" trying to trade with the Charlotte Hornets or the Trail Blazers for the second or third pick in order to draft Henderson. Do the Pelicans like Henderson enough to include Zion Williamson, the team's uber-talented but oft-injured big man, in trade discussions? Marc Stein reports that appears to be the case. In his Substack newsletter, Stein reported the following: "I heard this week from one well-placed observer who is convinced that the Pelicans would indeed consider dealing Williamson away if it meant they could draft Henderson." Read more
(June 14) Windhorst: 'I'm hearing nothing' about Damian Lillard wanting to be traded or the Blazers wanting to trade Lillard
ESPN's Brian Windhorst said he doesn't believe Damian Lillard will be traded, "as of right now." During an appearance on ESPN's First Take, Windhorst said that "the Blazers aren't interested in trading [Lillard] right now," adding that it is a fluid situation. Windhorst, one of the most-plugged in reporters in the NBA media landscape, said he hasn't heard anything that leads him to believe the Blazers want to trade Lillard or that Lillard wants to be traded. "I'm going to tell you, because of the questions about Dame, I'm hearing nothing. Nothing from the Dame side. Nothing from the Blazers side, formally, that he doesn't want to be there." Windhorst said if the Blazers don't do anything with the draft or in free agency, that could change, but he doesn't "see it happening right now." Watch the complete segment
(June 14) Scoot Henderson wows in workout with Charlotte Hornets, who hold the No. 2 overall pick
Jonathan Givony of ESPN reported that G League Ignite guard Scoot Henderson, a projected Top 3 pick who already worked out for the Portland Trail Blazers, had an impressive workout in Charlotte last week. The Hornets have the second overall pick in the draft. However, in Givony's mock draft, housed in the same article, he still had the Hornets selecting Alabama forward Brandon Miller, who has been projected to Charlotte since the night of the draft lottery. Givony wrote that Henderson "showed an impressive level of conditioning, intensity, explosiveness and shot-making that portend good things for him later. Still, many signs continue to point toward Miller being the pick at No. 2." In the same article, Givony reported that Miller "will be in Portland soon to also make his case for being the No. 3 pick." Read the full article
(June 14) Villanova forward Cam Whitmore, a projected Top 5 pick, works out for Portland Trail Blazers
Villanova forward Cam Whitmore worked out for the Blazers at the team's practice facility in Tualatin on Wednesday. Whitmore, 18, is a projected Top 10 pick, and has been showing up in the Top 5 of many mock drafts recently. As was the case with the workouts for Scoot Henderson and Amen and Ausar Thompson, Blazers star Damian Lillard was in attendance to watch Whitmore work out. In an interview with Portland media after the workout, Whitmore said he could "definitely live in Portland" and discussed how he would fit playing alongside Lillard. Whitmore, a 6-foot-6 forward, averaged 12.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.4 steals during his freshman season at Villanova. He shot 47.8% from the field, 34.3% from 3 and 70.3% from the free-throw line.
(June 12) New Orleans Pelicans 'seriously pursuing' second or third pick to draft Scoot Henderson
Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that sources tell him the New Orleans Pelicans "are expected to aggressively pursue a top pick, potentially [No. 2 or No. 3], in this upcoming NBA draft with their eyes set on Scoot Henderson." The Charlotte Hornets own the second overall pick and the Blazers have the rights to the third pick. "The Pelicans are among teams seriously pursuing that No. 2 pick," Charania said. New Orleans has multiple first-round picks over the next few years, including the 14th overall pick in this year's draft, intriguing young players like Dyson Daniels and Trey Murphy, and star players like Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram that it could put in trade talks. Charania did not report on any ongoing trade discussions or what the Pelicans are willing to put on the table. Watch the video
(June 7) CJ McCollum says if he 'was a betting man, this is the last we've seen of' Damian Lillard in Portland
CJ McCollum, who played 10 seasons with Damian Lillard in Portland and is good friends with the Blazers' star guard, said he believes Lillard has played his last game in Portland. McCollum made the comment during an appearance Wednesday on ESPN's First Take with Stephen A. Smith and Chris Russo. McCollum, who said he had wine and sushi with Lillard last week, prefaced his comments early in the conversation by saying, "Dame isn't telling me these types of things." But later in the conversation, he made his opinion clear: Lillard won't be wearing a Portland Trail Blazers uniform next season. "If I was a betting man, this is the last that we've seen of him there," McCollum said. Read full story
(June 6) Damian Lillard said he expects to still be playing for the Blazers when next season begins, expresses interest in Miami Heat, Brooklyn Nets if he is traded
During an appearance on Showtime's The Last Stand, Damian Lillard was asked by host Brian Custer if he thinks he'll still be in Portland next season. "Oct. 24, when the NBA season tips off the new season, do you think Dame Lillard will be in Portland?" Custer asked. Replied Lillard: "I do." Earlier in the conversation, Custer also probed Lillard on a hypothetical: if he was traded, which of the following four teams — New York Knicks, Miami Heat, Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets — would he like to play for. "Miami, obviously," Lillard said, laughing, adding that Miami Heat center "Bam [Adebayo] is my dog." He said Brooklyn is another "obvious one because [Nets forward] Mikal Bridges is my dog, too. And both ... have capable rosters." Watch the full show
(June 6) Rival teams skeptical Blazers will get trade offer they want for No. 3 pick
Jake Fischer reported that though Portland is open to trading the No. 3 pick, "rival teams are skeptical Portland will find a suitable trade partner for that coveted selection before the Blazers come on the clock." Read the full report
(June 6) Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe 'off limits' in trade discussions around No. 3 pick
Jake Fischer reported that teams have left discussions with the Blazers convinced that second-year guard Shaedon Sharpe is "off limits in any dialogue regarding the No. 3 pick." Sharpe, the seventh overall pick in last year's NBA draft, averaged 9.9 points in 22.2 minutes per game last season. In the final 10 games of the season, all starts, Sharpe averaged 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 35.9 minutes per game, while shooting 46% from the field and 37.8% from the 3-point line. Read the full report
(June 5) Projected Top 3 draft pick Scoot Henderson works out for Blazers
The Blazers worked out G League Ignite guard Scoot Henderson on Saturday at the team's practice facility in Tualatin. Henderson is projected to be drafted either second or third overall. The 19-year-old has drawn comparisons to players like Russell Westbrook, Donovan Mitchell and a young Derrick Rose. Henderson, who said he's only working out for the Blazers and Charlotte Hornets (who have the second pick), told reporters after the workout that he can fit in with any team, including Portland and star point guard Damian Lillard, who was in the gym to watch Henderson's workout. Watch video from Henderson's workout
(May 30) 'Very good chance' Celtics and Jaylen Brown agree on supermax extension, meaning he couldn't be traded for a year
Boston Celtics All-NBA wing Jaylen Brown has been mentioned in NBA circles as a player the Blazers could trade the No. 3 pick for, especially after the Miami Heat eliminated the Celtics from the playoffs Monday night. Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer suggested Tuesday morning that the Celtics should consider a trade of Anfernee Simons and the No. 3 pick for Brown. Brown, one of the top wings in the NBA, was named second-team All-NBA this season after averaging 26.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.1 steals per game. But according to a report Tuesday from ESPN's Brian Windhorst, the Celtics and Brown are more likely to come to an agreement that would keep him in Boston. Brown is eligible for a supermax extension with the Celtics that would pay him up to $295 million over five seasons. If he agrees to the supermax, he couldn't be traded for a full year from the date of signing the extension. Windhorst said Tuesday that he expects the Celtics to offer the extension and for Brown to accept it. "In talking to people on both sides, I think there's a very good chance they're going to find ground on that," Windhorst said. Read the full story
(May 30) Blazers bring in Amen and Ausar Thompson, twins projected to be selected in lottery, for draft workout
The Blazers worked out two projected lottery picks Tuesday, bringing in twins Amen and Ausar Thompson for a workout at the team's practice facility in Tualatin. Sean Highkin of the Rose Garden Report reported that Damian Lillard was in attendance to watch the workout. Both players passed up college and played for Overtime Elite last season. Both players are 6-foot-7 forwards with Amen projected to be drafted in the Top 5 and Ausar in the Top 10 in most mock drafts. Read an ESPN feature about the Thompson twins
(May 29) Blazers 'a candidate to shop' No. 3 pick for 'win-now considerations'
Marc Stein in his Substack newsletter reported that the Blazers are "being mentioned as a candidate to shop its upper-echelon pick for win-now considerations." Stein reports that the Charlotte Bobcats with the second pick, Houston Rockets with the fourth pick and Detroit Pistons with the fifth pick are also "generating such chatter." Basically, every team in the Top 5 of the draft except the San Antonio Spurs, who will draft Victor Wembanyama with the top pick, is shopping their pick, according to league chatter. Read the full story
(May 26) No. 3 pick may not 'be as available' as previously thought; Portland may try to 'keep Dame and the pick'
Brian Windhorst of ESPN said on The Hoop Collective podcast that with Portland jumping up into the Top 3 of the draft, he's not so sure the pick "is going to be as available" in trade as had previously been thought. Windhorst's co-host, Tim McMahon of ESPN, responded "if Portland's pick's not available, then Dame might be." Windhorst said Portland "might try to walk the line, which is to keep Dame and the pick and see if they can make it work." Listen to the full podcast
(May 26) Portland 'willing' to trade 3rd pick for 'really, really elite player'
Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN in a conversation with ESPN colleague Jonathan Givony on The Woj Pod podcast said he thinks the Blazers are "willing" to trade the No. 3 pick but they "have to get back a really, really elite player." He added that he thinks "in a lot of ways, the draft starts with" the Blazers. Givony responded and said he's been told the Blazers will "need something to actually blow them away in order to trade that pick ... and right now it doesn't look like that trade is on the table." Givony also said the Blazers are "very excited about where they're slated to pick." Listen to the full podcast
(May 24) Blazers could be facilitator in Deandre Ayton trade to Dallas
Bill Oram of The Oregonian said on the Sports by Northwest podcast that he heard some talk in Chicago during the draft lottery and the draft combine "about the Blazers and [Phoenix Suns center Deandre] Ayton but more as potentially a third piece in a deal that facilitates Deandre Ayton to Dallas." He said he doesn't know what the Blazers would get in that deal, "except for potentially getting off of Jusuf Nurkic." Listen to the full podcast
(May 20) Portland 'prepared to hang onto the No. 3 overall pick'
Marc Stein on his Substack newsletter reported that Portland "has tried to convey the message to skeptical teams out there that it is prepared to hang onto the No. 3 overall pick in the June 22 draft rather than immediately look to trade it in search of more win-now talent to assist Damian Lillard." Read the full story
(May 19) 'Nets aren't interested' in trading Mikal Bridges to Portland
There has been speculation that a player Portland could target in trade conversations using the third pick is Brooklyn Nets small forward Mikal Bridges. Alex Schiffer, the Nets beat writer for The Athletic, reported that those rumors "are all talk" and that the "Nets aren't interested' in trading Bridges to the Blazers. Bridges has trained with Lillard in past offseasons and has been named by Lillard as a player he'd like to play with. The 26-year-old was a first-team All-NBA defender two seasons ago and this past season, after a trade from Phoenix to Brooklyn, he averaged 26.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists. Read the tweet
(May 19) League speculation: Blazers will package No. 3 pick and Anfernee Simons in trade for 'elite small forward'
John Hollinger of The Athletic reported that there is "widespread" speculation around the league that "a package of the third pick and Anfernee Simons might be used to snag an elite small forward." Read the full report
(May 18) Blazers would be 'very happy' to keep No. 3 pick, draft Scoot Henderson or Brandon Miller
Jonathan Givony of ESPN reported on Zach Lowe's podcast that the Blazers would be "very happy" to keep the third pick and draft Brandon Miller or Scoot Henderson. "If the draft were tonight, I think they'd keep the pick, yeah," Givony said. Listen to the full podcast
(May 17) Blazers expected to make No. 3 pick available in trade
Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report reported that the Blazers are expected to make the third overall pick available for trade, "in an effort to continue building around its star Damian Lillard." Haynes also reported that the Blazers front office is "evaluating the market for the No. 3 pick as well as examining incoming rookie prospects that are attainable at No. 3." Read the full report