10 Wild and league-changing predictions for the 2023 NBA Draft

The Portland Trail Blazers will trade out of No. 3

Heading into the NBA Draft, we know one thing of certainty – and it’s that the Portland Trail Blazers probably need to trade the No. 3 pick in order to appease Damian Lillard. If everything that’s been reported is indeed accurate, you’d have to imagine that there’s a good chance the Blazers end up flipping the pick. I predict that when the time comes, the Blazers will move the No. 3 pick for a star for Lillard to play around.

One player that I would keep an eye on is Pascal Siakam. I have no information and there hasn’t been anything firmly reported regarding a potential swap, but I think a Siakam for the No. 3 makes a lot of sense for both sides. If the Raptors are indeed pivoting toward a full-blown retooling around their young players, they could greatly benefit from having another talented draft pick.

Can you imagine if the Raptors could build around the young foundation of Scottie Harnes, OG Anunoby, and Brandon Miller or Scoot Henderson? For Portland, they would also get their star to appease Lillard. Objectively, the idea of a Lillard-Siakam duo could be too much to pass up if it’s a legit possibility.