In advance of the 2023 NBA Draft on Thursday, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst has an update on the latest plans for the Portland Trail Blazers. Portland holds the third overall pick but has been rumored to be interested in trading for veteran stars instead of waiting on the growth curve of a rookie, no matter how talented. The Blazers have been spurred in this direction, in part, by franchise superstar Damian Lillard, whose career timeline will not accommodate an eight-year wait for relevancy.
Speaking on ESPN, Windhorst relayed that teams that have been negotiating with the Blazers in recent days now believe that Portland intends to keep the pick rather than move it on draft day.