NBA Trades: 3 teams likely to trade their top-10 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft

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PORTLAND, OREGON – FEBRUARY 08: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers warms up before the game against the Orlando Magic at Moda Center on February 08, 2022 in Portland, Oregon, NBA Trades: 3 teams likely to trade their top-10 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. 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 Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /

NBA Trades: 3 teams likely to trade their top-10 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft – Portland Trail Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers went full reset at the trade deadline, moving on from Norman Powell and Robert Covington, along with Damian Lillard’s long-term running mate CJ McCollum. But it appears that was simply a ploy to free salary cap space and continue a downward trajectory that culminated with the seventh overall pick.

With Lillard set to return after an injury-plagued season, Portland appears set to use the pick for an established player to build around their superstar while he remains in his prime. In a recent episode of the Yahoo Sports Podcast, NBA insider Chris Haynes was adamant about what the Trail Blazers should do.

"“Portland Trail Blazers– they did all that tanking, and they finished one spot worse than what they were projected, got the seventh pick. So I’m going to tell you right now. They better trade that pick. Trade that pick… I talked to Chauncey Billups in March, and they were going through it. Chauncey was like, look, man, we want this to be a quick turnaround. You don’t get a quick turnaround by trying to get the number seven pick in the draft”."

Portland has been strongly linked to Pistons forward Jerami Grant, a move that theoretically works given Grant’s two-way ability and the Trail Blazers’ lack of defensive presence.

Would a core of Lillard, Grant, Anfernee Simons, and Jusuf Nurkic revitalize Portland into a championship contender? Probably not. They could certainly make the playoffs, though, especially if Lillard returns near his best and Simons continues his exciting upward trajectory from the end of this season.

Like the Kings, however, the Trail Blazers need to be absolutely sure of the direction their heading. Do they trade the pick just to appease Lillard and his desire for success, knowing full well it probably won’t be enough for the ultimate success of lifting the Larry O’Brien championship trophy?