The Portland Trail Blazers currently don’t have a pick in the first round of tonight’s draft, but it seems they may want one. According to Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald, the Blazers are trying to slide into the first round:
League sources say Portland trying hard to get into first round. Celtics (aka the https://t.co/DcH2s5OS60 of draft picks) open for business.
— Steve Bulpett (@SteveBHoop) June 23, 2016
The Blazers don’t necessarily have an asset valuable enough to grab the Celtics’ 3rd pick that they want to trade, but they might try to acquire the Celtics’ 16th or 23rd pick. The Celtics are not the only team shopping picks; the Atlanta Hawks reportedly want to deal their two first round picks so that they can make cap room to resign Al Horford. The Blazers have a number of young assets, and they could deal players such as Mason Plumlee or Noah Vonleh.
It is understandable that the Blazers are trying to get into the first round. They have a solid young team, but they want more. It makes a lot of sense for them to try to grab another young stud to add to their young core, and if they choose wisely, they may be able to grab a player that will help them towards a championship.
