PORTLAND, Ore. — The NBA draft has come and gone and the Portland Trail Blazers' future with franchise superstar Damian Lillard remains an open question.
Despite Lillard's repeated insistence since the season ended that the Blazers front office put veteran talent around him and build a championship-level roster, Portland instead selected three rookies with their three draft picks on Thursday night.
Blazers general manager Joe Cronin and the team's front office certainly brought in talented young players. G League Ignite guard Scoot Henderson, whom the Blazers drafted with the third overall pick, is a potential franchise player. Scouts have said in any other draft without a generational talent at the top like Victor Wembanyama, Henderson would have gone No. 1. Iowa's Kris Murray projects as a solid role player who may be able to contribute right away and Rayan Rupert out of France is an intriguing defensive-minded player with upside.
But the fact remains that Portland didn't trade the third pick (or any pick) Thursday night for veteran talent. They didn't put a veteran star next to Lillard. And the Blazers' roster does not currently resemble a championship-level collection of players.
The offseason isn't over yet, but the Blazers used two of their best draft assets, their two first-round picks on Thursday night, to bring in more young players instead of veterans. It remains to be seen what they can do with trades and in free agency to improve the team over the next few weeks.
The Blazers and Lillard met Monday about the direction of the team and Lillard's future. By all reports, the meeting went well, Lillard did not request a trade and, according to Cronin, the Blazers remain committed to building a winner around Lillard.
Here's a look at the latest reports involving Lillard and the Blazers as the start of NBA free agency looms:
(Tuesday, June 26) Blazers plan to make a play at Warriors forward Draymond Green
Sam Amick of The Athletic wrote Monday that "one solution that is known to be a dream scenario from Lillard's vantage point: Re-sign forward Jerami Grant and add four-time All-Star/four-time champion Draymond Green in free agency." Signing Green as a free agent outright isn't possible; the Blazers don't have enough space under the salary cap. To pair Green with Lillard, Portland would need to acquire him via sign-and-trade and for that to happen, Green would need to want to come to Portland and Golden State would need to agree to facilitate a trade to make it happen. Amick reported that "all signs point to Green wanting to stay [with the Warriors]" and called the prospect of Green ending up in Portland "implausible." But Tuesday morning, Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report reported that the Blazers are one of a handful of teams expected to make a play for Green. Amick also mentioned Toronto Raptors forwards Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby as players the Blazers could acquire that would meet Lillard's expectations. Amick wrote that Raptors president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri "has continued to rebuff the many suitors" trying to trade for Siakam or Anunoby. Read Amick's report | Read Fischer's report
(Tuesday, June 26) Damian Lillard 'absolutely did not' request a trade during Monday meeting with Blazers
Neither Damian Lillard nor his agent released a statement after the meeting Monday but Brian Windhorst of ESPN reported Tuesday morning that Lillard "absolutely did not" request a trade during the meeting. "From what I understand, the tenor of the meeting is he doesn't want to put pressure on the Blazers, that he wants to see what they do in free agency and he's going to give them time to do that," Windhorst said. "He's still not pressing, from what I've been told. He is still going to give the Blazers every opportunity to work through this free agency process this week, whether it's through trades or signing players." Windhorst said some teams that were planning on pursuing Lillard via trade may now be forced to move forward with other plans as the offseason gets underway. NBA teams can currently make trades and begin negotiating with free agents on Friday at 3 p.m. PDT. Watch the clip
(Monday, June 26) Blazers GM Joe Cronin after meeting with Damian Lillard: 'We remain committed to building a winner around Dame'
Following a meeting Monday afternoon with superstar guard Damian Lillard and his agent, Aaron Goodwin, the Portland Trail Blazers released the following statement from general manager Joe Cronin: "I met with Dame and Aaron Goodwin this afternoon. We had a great dialogue. We remain committed to building a winner around Dame."
(Monday, June 26) Damian Lillard and his agent to meet with Blazers on Monday to 'discuss the franchise's direction'
Portland Trail Blazers superstar Damian Lillard will meet with the team's front office on Monday to "discuss the franchise's direction," Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report and TNT reported. Lillard will be joined by his agent, Aaron Goodwin, for Monday's meeting, Haynes said. Earlier Monday, prior to Haynes' report, respected NBA reporter Sam Amick of The Athletic wrote that a "source said nothing has changed about Lillard's strong desire to play with the kind of high-level players that would make the Blazers contenders again. The youth movement, impressive though it might be, isn't enough." Further, Amick said that if the two sides decide to part ways, "Lillard indeed has serious interest in joining the [Miami] Heat, who would surely love to pair him with Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo." Read the full story
(7 a.m. Friday, June 23) Blazers want to 'keep building around Damian Lillard' and improve team via trades and free agency, but are likely to accommodate Lillard if he makes trade request
Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported that the Blazers want to keep building around Damian Lillard and will try to make moves through trades and in free agency to improve the team, but if Lillard makes the decision that he wants to be trades, Wojnarowski said he believes the Blazers will accommodate that request.
"Portland wants to keep building around Damian Lillard. They want to try to continue to make some moves here after the draft and into free agency with trades, re-signing Jerami Grant, to continue to try to do this around Damian Lillard," Wojnarowski said during an appearance on SportsCenter. "If he decides he wants a trade, that he wants out of Portland, well then, I think then that organization will accommodate him, try to get the kind of young assets that they would want — draft picks — and they would be well on their way to a rebuild.
"But they don't want to trade him," Wojnarowski continued. "I know teams that called Portland about Damian Lillard in recent weeks and this week and were immediately shut down — he is not available, we aren't going to talk to you about a Damian Lillard trade — and they haven't. If he changes his mind and goes off of what he has said all along, that he wants to win in Portland, he wants to do it with this organization, then the organization typically, you look for the recent history of the NBA, when a star player asks out, typically organizations accommodate them.
"So that is up to, ultimately Damian Lillard next, to decide whether he wants to see what this young group can be around him or go in another direction." Watch the clip
(10:12 p.m. Thursday) Blazers GM Joe Cronin said he has 'no desire' to trade Damian Lillard
During Thursday's press conference after the draft, Blazers general manager Joe Cronin said, when asked if there was zero chance he'd trade Damian Lillard or Scoot Henderson, Cronin said, "in this league, there's no such thing as zero, but it's my goal to keep both of them." He continued, saying, "I have zero desire to trade him ... I hope this works out here." Watch the press conference
(10:07 p.m.) Blazers GM Joe Cronin last spoke to Damian Lillard on Tuesday
During a press conference after Thursday's draft, Blazers general manager Joe Cronin said he hadn't spoken to Damian Lillard since Tuesday. He said they talked about "some trade possibilities" and the "strong likelihood we'd draft here at 3." He said he has talked to Lillard's agent, but the last communication he had with Lillard was Tuesday. Cronin said they still want to build around Lillard. "There's nothing we want more than for Dame to retire as a Trail Blazer" and to put a winning team around him. Watch the press conference
(10 p.m.) Damian Lillard has had no recent communication with Blazers about draft, free agency or future
After Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that Damian Lillard has given the Blazers an updated timeline to improve the team, Chris Haynes of TNT and Bleacher Report, who has a close connection with Lillard, reported that Lillard "has not had any recent communication with the Portland Trail Blazers involving the draft, free agency or his future." So if that updated timeline was communicated to Portland, it did not happen on draft night. See the tweet
(8:19 p.m.) Damian Lillard gives Blazers until 'the start of free agency and potentially even into free agency' to improve team
Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that the timeline for the Blazers to improve the team has been extended until the start of free agency "and maybe even into free agency." Charania reported that all "signs points to [Scoot Henderson] staying in Portland after the Blazers selected him at No. 3. He also said "several teams, including the Pelicans," reached out to Portland about the third pick but Portland "showed no interest" in trading it. On Lillard's future, Charania reported the following: "I'm told a timeline for where the future will land with Damian Lillard likely extends now between here this point tonight, and the start of free agency and potentially even into free agency, and just seeing exactly what Portland is able to do. If Portland is unable to make a meaningful move, enough to improve the team, Lillard has made it clear behind the scenes, from what I'm told, also publicly, that he doesn't want to come back into a rebuilding situation, a situation with young players, a situation with guys that clearly they're trying to make their mark. He wants to be on a more veteran-laden team. So we'll see how this plays out over the next coupld weeks, but for now it's a good night in Portland. Scoot Henderson, he was Portland' s No. 1 priority tonight and they got him. Watch the video
(7:40 p.m.) Blazers select Iowa forward Kris Murray with the 23rd overall pick
The Blazers picked Iowa forward Kris Murray with the 23rd pick, Portland's second first-round pick. Murray, 22, is 6-foot-8 and 215 pounds. He also has good length with a 7-foot wingspan and an 8-foot-10 standing reach. He's the brother of Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray. Last season, as a junior at Iowa, Murray averaged 20.2 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.2 blocks and 1.0 steal per game. He shot 47.6% from the field, 33.5% from the 3-point line and 72.9% from the free-throw line. Read the full story
(5:20 p.m.) Blazers select G League Ignite guard Scoot Henderson with the third overall pick
The Portland Trail Blazers selected G League Ignite guard Scoot Henderson with the third overall pick in the NBA draft on Thursday. Henderson was asked on ESPN after he was selected what kind of player Portland is getting. "They get a dawg. They get a dawg who's going to come in and be hungry," Henderson said. "I'm young but I've got a mature mindset, and that's to work and come in and make a real impact, not just the basketball side, but the community. So they're getting a special player, a special person." Read the full story
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Pre-draft rumors roundup
(4:36 p.m.) Pelicans trying to trade for No. 2 or No. 3, but Hornets and Blazers 'expressing no interest'
Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that the New Orleans Pelicans were granted a meeting with G League Ignite guard Scoot Henderson and that they are pursuing the second or third pick to draft Henderson but "Charlotte and Portland are so far expressing no interest in moving [the picks]."
(2:37 p.m.) Raptors star forward Pascal Siakam won't re-sign with with a team that trades for him
Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report and TNT reported Thursday afternoon that Toronto Raptors star forward Pascal Siakam, a name that has, at times, been linked to the Blazers in trade conversations centered around the third pick, wants to stay with the Raptors. Haynes reported there's "growing sentiment" that Siakam, who has one year left on his current contract, "would not re-sign with a team who attempts to trade for him." See the tweet
(1:13 p.m.) Woj: 'It would take a serious turn of events for Scoot Henderson to overtake Brandon Miller and become the No. 2 pick'
Despite reports earlier Thursday from Shams Charania of The Athletic and Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports that G League Ignite guard Scoot Henderson is gaining momentum to be the second overall pick, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN said he still thinks Alabama forward Brandon Miller will be the choice at No. 2. In a Thursday afternoon appearance on ESPN, Wojnarowski reported the following: "Charlotte has been focused in on Brandon Miller of Alabama throughout this process. I think what they're doing this week is healthy. They're asking themselves the questions, they're digging down, they're going through it. This is an important decision, it's Brandon Miller, it's Scoot Henderson. I think still at this point, just hours from the draft, it would take a serious turn of events for Scoot Henderson to overtake Brandon Miller and become the No. 2 pick." H/T to Kyle Boone of CBS Sports for passing along this clip of Wojnarowski's comments. Watch the clip
(11:05 a.m.) Blazers 'had interest in Paul George' but 'decided not to pursue him'
Andrew Grief and Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times reported Thursday morning that the the "Trail Blazers are another team that reportedly had interest in [Paul] George, but Portland has decided not to pursue him." Read the full report
(10:43 a.m.) If Scoot Henderson goes second, Amen Thompson 'in consideration' for Blazers' selection with third overall pick
In his latest mock draft, Kevin O'Connor of The Athletic moved Scoot Henderson up to No. 2 and though he has the Blazers selecting Alabama forward Brandon Miller with the third pick, he also reported that "if Henderson goes second, the Blazers will find themselves deciding between Miller and Amen Thompson, who sources have said in recent days is in consideration for this selection." O'Connor wrote that if the Blazers decide to trade Lillard, a player like Thompson, would be a better fit because of his "on-ball presence." But if the Blazers keep Lillard, Miller would fit better because he'd be a "complementary playmaking presence" and would be a "constant threat to space the floor." Read the full story
Shams Charania of The Athletic reported something similar Thursday morning on the Pat McAfee Show, saying Thompson could be an option for Portland at No. 3 if Henderson goes No. 2. "He had a very strong workout, I'm told, in Portland. I'm not saying that they will go with him over Brandon Miller if he's there at 3, but I know Amen Thompson, he made an impression on them." Watch the clip
(9:28 a.m.) Scoot Henderson 'gaining serious momentum' to be selected by Charlotte Hornets with No. 2 pick
For the past month, Alabama forward Brandon Miller has been projected to be the No. 2 pick by the Charlotte Hornets. But Thursday morning, multiple reports indicated that may be shifting. Shams Charania of The Athletic reported at 9:28 a.m. that G League Ignite guard Scoot Henderson is "gaining serious momentum at No. 2 with the Charlotte Hornets." Charania reported that the Hornets are torn between Henderson and Miller and have "final meetings today to settle on decision." At 9:36 a.m., Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports reported that "word definitely is spreading among teams in the lottery that Charlotte is still strongly considering Scoot Henderson at No. 2, particularly with support from new ownership." Hours before the reports by Charania and Fischer, Sam Vecenie of The Athletic published his latest mock draft at 6:52 a.m. and moved Henderson to No. 2. He cited as his reasoning a shift in tone during a Wednesday press conference with Charlotte general manager Mitch Kupchak.
(8:26 a.m.) Blazers indicating they'll draft at No. 3; NBA teams 'preparing offers' for Damian Lillard
Brian Windhorst of ESPN reported Thursday morning during an appearance on ESPN's Get Up that "the Blazers have indicated that they're going to draft [the third pick]" and teams around the NBA are "preparing their offers for what happens in the next 24 to 72 hours with how Lillard might react to them, going forward, at making the [pick]." Windhorst clarified that teams "are already getting ready, waiting for the moment to happen. Whether Lillard makes the move or the Blazers make the move, nobody seems like they want to be the fall guy here. Lillard doesn't want to look like the bad guy; the Blazers still are hoping to convince him to stay but we'll see how long they continue with that position." Watch the clip
(7:53 a.m.) Blazers have 'registered interest' in Paul George, talks didn't 'gain any traction' with Clippers
Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, following up on reports that the Clippers were gauging interest in star forward Paul George, reported Thursday morning that "Portland has indeed registered interest in creating a package around the No. 3 pick for George, sources said, but those talks did not gain any traction with Los Angeles." Read the full report
(7:53 a.m.) Portland 'evaluating trade possibilities with pick No. 23'
Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports reported Thursday morning that the Blazers are "evaluating trade possibilities with pick No. 23." On Wednesday, Brian Windhorst of ESPN reported that the Cleveland Cavaliers wanted to move up into the late first round and had engaged in trade conversations with the Blazers. Windhorst mentioned the 23rd pick but also reported that the Cavaliers are interested in Blazers forward Nassir Little. Windhorst reported that Cavaliers forwards Cedi Osman and Dean Wade have been names put forward in trade conversations. Read Fischer's report
