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NBA Draft Rumors: Damian Lillard ripple effect, Hornets indecision, Pacers trade

By Jonathan Lurensky

TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 08: O.G. Anunoby #3 of the Toronto Raptors celebrates a basket with Scottie Barnes #4 Toronto Raptors during the second half of their NBA game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Scotiabank Arena on January 8, 2023 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 08: O.G. Anunoby #3 of the Toronto Raptors celebrates a basket with Scottie Barnes #4 Toronto Raptors during the second half of their NBA game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Scotiabank Arena on January 8, 2023 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) /
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NBA Draft Rumors, Damian Lillard
Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

NBA Draft Rumors: Trail Blazers exhausting all options for Damian Lillard trade

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Portlant Trail Blazers are looking to exhaust all options before trading Damian Lillard this offseason. They have certainly committed to the all-NBA player so far in his career. But the best way they can exhaust their options involves the team’s desire to package the No. 3 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft with Anfernee Simons.

Ultimately, though, how things proceed with that package and if it is able to land Portland valuable assets that they can build around Lillard with will ultimately determine the future of the guard with the Trail Blazers. If they didn’t find the right deal and were to trade Lillard, they could end up with a franchise player like Brandon Miller or Scoot Henderson with the third overall pick.

On the other hand, the Blazers have a really good chance to add good talent to the roster. One option that the Trail Blazers could potentially get with the third pick would be Pascal Siakam. The Raptors are stuck between rebuilding and retooling, but moving on from Siakam while bringing in Miller or Henderson could be too enticing for the team to pass up.

There should be other interested suitors for the No. 3 pick given the strength of the prospects at the top of the draft. Having said that, the ripple effects of that selection and what becomes of it tie heavily into what’s next for Damian Lillard and his future in Portland.

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