The possibility of the Charlotte Hornets to selecting Scoot Henderson with the No. 2 pick is “gaining serious momentum,” sources tell Shams Charania of The Athletic.
The Hornets have been “torn” between Henderson and Brandon Miller with many believing they preferred Miller.
The Portland Trail Blazers are widely expected to select and keep Scoot Henderson if he’s available at No. 3, though they will continue to listen to offers through when they’re on the clock.
If the offers they receive don’t improve, the Blazers are comfortable keeping the pick even though that means a potential trade of Damian Lillard in the immediate aftermath. The Blazers don’t appear to believe that is a possibility, even though the teams across the league with interest in Lillard are preparing for that scenario.
“Portland isn’t admitting that, but the rest of the league knows it and they’re preparing their offers for what happens over the next 24 to 72 hours with how Lillard might react to them going forward and making the draft [pick],” said Brian Windhorst on Thursday morning.
Lillard has been clear in his public comments that he wants the Blazers to acquire win-now players and isn’t prepared to be patient as they bring along young players. For Portland, the plan was likely to trade the pick if it was outside the top-3 but moving up has made that decision more difficult for their front office.
“They are already getting ready waiting for the moment to happen,” Windhorst added. “Whether Lillard makes the move, or the Blazers make the move, nobody seems like they want to be the fall guy. Lillard doesn’t want to look like the bad guy. The Blazers are still hoping to convince him to stay, but we’ll see how long they continue with that position.”
The Miami Heat and Brooklyn Nets are expected to be among the teams with interest in trading for Lillard and can assemble a package that is enticing for the Blazers.
The Boston Celtics, Washington Wizards and Memphis Grizzlies are finalizing a three-team trade involving Kristaps Porzingis, Marcus Smart and Tyus Jones.
Porzingis is opting into his $36 million contract for the 23-24 season to facilitate the trade to the Celtics.
The Grizzlies will send Jones to the Wizards as part of the deal while acquiring Smart from Boston. Memphis will also send the No. 25 pick in Thursday’s draft as well as the Golden State Warriors’ 2024 first round pick to the Celtics as part of the deal.
The Wizards will also acquire the No. 35 pick in the draft from the Celtics as part of the deal, as well as Danilo Gallinari and Mike Muscala.
A previous version of the trade involved the Los Angeles Clippers, who were set to acquire Malcolm Brogdon. The Clippers reportedly had concerns over Brogdon’s injury status.
Khris Middleton has declined his $40 million option with the Milwaukee Bucks to become a free agent.
Middleton dealt with injuries this season as his production fell off. Middleton participated in Milwaukee’s coaching search, which some took as a signal that he would remain with the franchise even if he did test free agency.
Middleton is coming off a five-year, $178 million contract he signed with the Bucks during the 2019 offseason.
The Boston Celtics, Washington Wizards and Memphis Grizzlies are finalizing a three-team trade involving Kristaps Porzingis, Marcus Smart and Tyus Jones.
Porzingis is opting into his $36 million contract for the 23-24 season to facilitate the trade to the Celtics.
The Grizzlies will send Jones to the Wizards as part of the deal while acquiring Smart from Boston. Memphis will also send the No. 25 pick in Thursday’s draft as well as the Golden State Warriors’ 2024 first round pick to the Celtics as part of the deal.
The Wizards will also acquire the No. 35 pick in the draft from the Celtics as part of the deal, as well as Danilo Gallinari and Mike Muscala.
A previous version of the trade involved the Los Angeles Clippers, who were set to acquire Malcolm Brogdon. The Clippers reportedly had concerns over Brogdon’s injury status.
