It could have been a Damian Lillard blockbuster that shook the NBA landscape. Or it could have been a stunning draft-night trade featuring the No. 3 overall pick. Or it could have even been an Amen Thompson-shocker, at one point. Instead, the Portland Trail Blazers 2023 NBA Draft was mostly newsworthy because of its, well, lack of news.
The most significant occurrence of the night came in the draft’s opening minutes after the sports world’s love affair with Victor Wembanyama subsided (temporarily). The Charlotte Hornets made the decision to select Alabama forward Brandon Miller with the second pick, which meant G League Ignite guard Scoot Henderson was available for Portland to select at No.