Now that the draft lottery has been completed, it’s time to focus on the June 22 NBA draft.
The Portland Trail Blazers find themselves in an interesting position after coming away with the No. 3 pick in Tuesday’s lottery.
Why?
Because the Blazers have no intention of actually using the pick. The goal, once again reiterated by an NBA source to The Oregonian/OregonLive, is to trade the pick for a veteran star player, or two, who could help Damian Lillard lead the Blazers into contention.
If the Blazers actually use the pick, it would be because they failed to find a trade partner. And that could mean that they also failed to add enough talent to make the Blazers relevant next season.
Now, it’s also possible that the Blazers end up keeping the pick but still acquire needed talent by trading Anfernee Simons and/or Shaedon Sharpe. The Blazers also have the No. 23 pick in this year’s draft.
So, at least for now, let’s move forward with the idea that Portland does use the pick and examine what could take place with a three-team mini-mock draft.
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France | 7-3 | Foward/center
San Antonio Spurs: The Spurs have now won the lottery when David Robinson (1987), Tim Duncan (1997) and Victor Wembanyama were available.
Meanwhile, the Blazers just missed on a coin toss for Hakeem Olajuwon (1984), won the lottery the year Greg Oden was available in 2007 and now have missed out on Wembanyama.
It’s truly not fair. But the Blazers can’t complain too much given that they tanked their way into position to potentially receive the No. 1 pick.
That pick will be Wembanyama, and Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, 74, will hope to earn at least a sixth championship ring with the uber-talented kid before calling it a career.
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Alabama | 6-9 | Small forward
Brandon Miller talks to the media during the 2023 NBA basketball Draft Combine in Chicago, Wednesday, May 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)AP
Charlotte Hornets: Now things get interesting.
Miller would be a better fit for the Blazers than guard Scoot Henderson. The last thing the Blazers need is another small guard.
Miller would give the Blazers a legitimate star forward of the future and another elite-level athlete to play alongside Sharpe down the line.
Miller averaged 18.8 points and 8.9 rebounds for Alabama while shooting 38.4% on three-pointers.
In a fit with Lillard, Miller probably comes off the bench to provide instant offense and lengthy defense. But there’s no way he starts if the Blazers are looking to contend.
But Miller also looks like the better fit for Charlotte, which already has a star point guard in LaMelo Ball. So, that’s a problem if you’re the Blazers. He will likely be gone.
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G-League Ignite | 6-2 | Point guard
Scoot Henderson (0) of G League Ignite brings the ball up the court against the Ontario Clippers in the first quarter of their game at The Dollar Loan Center on Dec. 27, 2022, in Henderson, Nevada. Ignite defeated the Clippers 114-108 in overtime. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)Getty Images
Portland Trail Blazers: The only way Henderson would make sense with Lillard would be as the backup point guard, which the Blazers would need if Simons is dealt. Carrying Lillard, Simons and Henderson would be pointless for all involved.
The book on Henderson is that he has elite athleticism and a 6-9 wingspan. He plays with explosion and, at 195 pounds, already has an NBA body.
Henderson averaged 16.5 points per game this season with 6.8 assists and 5.3 rebounds. But he shot just 42.9% from the field and 27.5% on threes.
Should the Blazers ultimately trade Lillard because they fail to acquire adequate talent, then Henderson still might be a strange fit with Simons still on the roster. But, Henderson would still be too good to pass up. Portland could sort out the position issues later.
There are other directions the Blazers could go. Guard Amen Thompson and his brother, Ausar Thompson, both bring length at 6-7, plus high-end athleticism. So does Arkansas’ 6-7 guard Anthony Black.
But when drafting this high, it’s dangerous to select need over talent.
The 2023 draft has three players projected to become stars. They are Wembanyama, Miller and Henderson.
So, if the Blazers keep the pick, they must go with Miller or Henderson.
Again, the goal remains to trade the pick for an established star. If the Blazers accomplish that, they could find themselves in contention as soon as next season.
— Aaron Fentress | afentress@Oregonian.com | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook). Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts
