With the 2023 NBA Draft approaching on Thursday, it looks like there’s potential for a major shakeup before the picks are made.
The Portland Trail Blazers, who hold the No. 3 pick in Thursday night’s draft, are determined to improve their team around superstar Damian Lillard — despite rumors that the All-NBA point guard may be on the move — and the current object of their affection appears to be Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo.
Yahoo Sports reported Tuesday that Portland is preparing a “compelling package” to send to Miami for Adebayo, a package that would ostensibly include that No. 3 pick and a variety of other assets.
Adebayo, 25, would be a massive upgrade for a Portland defense that was 28th in the league in defensive rating last season, ahead of only the Rockets and Spurs.
The big man is coming off an excellent NBA Finals in which he averaged 21.8 points and 12.4 rebounds in 41.7 minutes per game, a clear bright spot for Miami despite the team losing the series in five games.
One would think Miami would need a massive haul to send away their star center, who has been on the NBA All-Defensive Second Team the past three seasons.
Perhaps a top-three pick in the draft would be a good starting point; whoever picks third will have the chance to select either G League Ignite star Scoot Henderson or Alabama wing Brandon Miller, both players that have legitimate star potential in the NBA.
Yahoo further reported that Miami would also want talented rookie Shaedon Sharpe and 24-year-old Anfernee Simons in return for Adebayo, along with that No. 3 pick.
The prevailing wisdom is that Lillard would like to stay with the Blazers, but if the team uses the No. 3 pick to draft a rookie instead of dealing him away for veteran help, he may end up requesting a trade.
Portland has responded by exploring trades for that pick, and Adebayo appears to be their main target.
The Pelicans are reportedly very interested in Henderson, who could be available at No. 3 if New Orleans decides to select Miller at two — and teams believe the Alabama product would be the most likely selection there, though nothing is set in stone.
Perhaps the team would trade Zion Williamson — who in recent months has struggled with injuries and off-court drama involving a scorned former porn star in the wake of his apparent girlfriend’s pregnancy reveal — or Brandon Ingram as part of a package to receive that pick.
Either way, it feels like some movement is coming in the next 48 hours before the draft.