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NBA Power Rankings: Where all 30 teams stand after the draft, free agency

By Michael Saenz

Denver Nuggets trio (Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports)
Denver Nuggets trio (Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports) /
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Scoot Henderson
Scoot Henderson (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

28. Portland Trail Blazers

Key offseason move: Drafted Scoot Henderson, re-signed Jerami Grant

The Portland Trail Blazers are another team that is probably, maybe, we think making the pivot toward a rebuild. Damian Lillard has demanded a trade away from the team, but there hasn’t been any traction on a potential deal. There are even whispers that the Blazers are hoping they can change Lillard’s mind about returning to the Blazers and moving off his trade request. As unlikely as that may seem, that’s where we may be in the Lillard saga.

Assuming he does eventually get traded, the Blazers do have a pretty strong core in place. After drafting Scoot Henderson, the Blazers have a solid core three with Shaedon Sharpe and Anfernee Simons. Being such a young team, it’s unlikely that the Blazers are going to make a serious push toward the playoffs this season. But, their combination of Scoot, Sharpe, and Simons could be quite entertaining to watch.

Even if the Blazers get nothing but a flurry of draft picks in exchange for Lillard, it would be a win for the Blazers. It was time to move and this is something that makes sense for both sides.