Draft rumors

Portland Trail Blazers Could Trade Third-Overall Pick

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It was another season to forget for the Portland Trail Blazers as they missed the playoffs for a second consecutive year. While the Damian Lillard-led team improved by six wins from the previous season, they still finished 33-49. The Trail Blazers team that reached the Western Conference Finals in 2019 feels so, so long go.

However, they earned a crucial rebuilding piece last week when the NBA Draft Lottery granted them the third-overall pick. While much of the focus of the NBA Draft has been presumptive first-overall pick Victor Wembanyama, this year’s class is incredibly deep. Players like Scoot Henderson and Brandon Miller could also be franchise-altering. Despite this, there are rumors that the Blazers might not stay at #3.

Blazers Could Trade #3 Pick For “Elite” Small Forward

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – APRIL 02: Kevin Knox II #11 of the Portland Trail Blazers goes to the basket for a slam dunk against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second quarter of the game at Target Center on April 2, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

There is a lot of debate about what could happen after the San Antonio Spurs presumably take Wembanyama first overall. In particular, the Blazers don’t appear to be ready to accept their fate as a rebuilding team just yet. This news comes from The Athletic‘s John Hollinger. Hollinger’s reporting contradicts news from other sources, such as ESPN‘s Jonathan Givony.

The Trail Blazers, who currently own the pick, will seek to trade out of the third position rather than select another young player. With Portland in “win it for Dame” mode and the Blazers desperate for playable wings (even presuming they re-sign Jerami Grant), speculation is already widespread that a package of the third pick and Anfernee Simons might be used to snag an elite small forward.

John Hollinger, The Athletic

So who counts as an elite small forward in the eyes of the Blazers? There is only a small group of small forwards who could be considered “elite”. While that position includes the likes of LeBron, Durant, Kawhi, and Paul George, all these players come with baggage. Whether it’s age, injury history, or a poison pill contract, they simply aren’t worth the #3 pick. “All in for Dame” is not enough for a year of LeBron or a risk on an injured player. The same goes for the likes of Jimmy Butler and Jayson Tatum, who are elite but unlikely to be moved by their current teams as they are actively franchise keystones. So who does that leave? The Blazers could potentially move to trade for the likes of Andrew Wiggins, Brandon Ingram, or DeMar DeRozan. However, maybe it’s time for the Blazers to accept their fate and rebuild with their best draft position since 2007.

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Major Trade Expected At NFL Draft

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It is finally draft night in the NFL. The league has converged on Kansas City for the annual selection of new players. Overall, 259 players will be selected over the next three days by the league’s 32 teams. It’s the moment that fans have been waiting for for months now.

However, the draft order is far from certain. The Carolina Panthers have already traded up to the first-overall pick while the Jets and Packers swapped their picks in the middle of the first in the Aaron Rodgers trade. However, even as the start of the draft draws closer and closer, there are still rumblings that more trades are in the works. These rumors span the entirety of the first round, from #2 to #25.

All Major Draft Trade Rumors

Let’s begin with what won’t happen. In the past hour, the Baltimore Ravens have signed quarterback Lamar Jackson to a five-year deal. That all but takes Jackson off the table, unless the Ravens are about to pull the craziest sign-and-trade in league history. However, a pick that is expected to move is the #3 pick, currently held by the Arizona Cardinals. Earlier in the offseason, there were as many as six teams inquiring about the pick. Any number of QB-hungry teams could look to snag one of the top signal callers. That could still be a trade by the Ravens, however, who has been linked to Cardinals wide receiver De’Andre Hopkins.

The New York Giants are also rumored to be looking to trade up from their current spot of 25. Also looking to move up is the Eagles, who hold the 10th pick despite their Super Bowl run last season. According to Pro Football Network, the Eagles could trade up to snag an elite pass rusher. Furthermore, people are expecting movement from the Texans, be it at their second or twelfth overall pick. The Titans could also make moves, with an ESPN report suggesting the Titans will “do anything” to get their personal favorite QB. HotNewHipHop is going to have plenty of draft coverage tonight and onwards, so don’t go anyway. Round 1 kicks off tonight at 8pm EDT.

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