NBA Draft rumors: Damian Lillard could demand trade from Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers own the No. 3 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. That doesn't really align with the team's immediate goal of building a championship contender around Damian Lillard, something the front office has managed to do approximately zero times during Lillard's 11-year professional career.
While the Blazers can absolutely add an instant impact player at No. 3 — most likely Scoot Henderson — there's a good chance Portland explores the trade market. Lillard has made it very clear he does not want a bunch of young talent populating the roster.
If Portland can't put a winner around him, Lillard may finally consider a trade request.
The Portland fanbase is split on the direction the franchise should take. There's a contingent of rational thinkers who look at the current roster, recognize Lillard's rapidly advancing age, and see a Lillard trade as not only inevitable, but necessary. Others want to cling tightly to Lillard for as long as possible. There's certainly an admirable quality to Lillard's intense loyalty to his team.
Henderson is a genuine top-tier guard prospect and he should be able to share the court fruitfully with Lillard. If Portland can then re-sign Jerami Grant or add more pieces on the margins, maybe the team does take a noticeable step toward contention. On the other hand, the odds of winning the title with rookie Scoot Henderson as your No. 2 are infinitesimal, and the consequences of trading Henderson for a shortsighted win-now move would be severe. It really might be time to cut ties with Lillard and embrace what's next.
NBA Draft rumors: Rockets want Thompson twin, may trade No. 20 pick
The Houston Rockets own the No. 4 and No. 20 picks in the NBA Draft. While fans were disappointed to drop out of the top-3 on lottery night, the Rockets should get a more than fair consolation prize in the form of Amen or Ausar Thompson.
The Thompson twins were out of the national spotlight last season in the Overtime Elite league, playing mostly high school-age players. There are valid concerns tied to the jump from such a low level of competition to the NBA, but the Thompson twins are both A-plus athletes with advanced basketball IQs. Houston appears to be deciding which twin to take with the No. 4 pick.
Amen Thompson has a narrow edge on the FanSided big board, but Ausar Thompson's name has been gathering momentum lately due to his experience playing off the ball, his more advanced jump shot, and his superior defense. The Rockets are blatantly angling to sign James Harden in free agency; maybe Ausar's slightly better peripheral skill set makes him the wiser investment.
The Rockets are also considering trades centered on the No. 20 pick, according to Barlow. The Rockets have been tied to Brandin Podziemski, and workouts with players like Jett Howard suggest a definite willingness to use the pick. If Houston can get a serviceable veteran to bolster their pursuit of contention, however, don't be shocked if the pick gets moved.
NBA Draft rumors: Pacers working out multiple forwards
The Indiana Pacers' need at power forward in well documented. The team has its point guard of the future in Tyrese Haliburton, its defensive backbone in Myles Turner, and a high-octane scoring wing in Bennedict Mathurin. Another infusion of size, shooting, and defensive versatility in the frontcourt could tie it all together.
That would appear to be the central focus in Indiana's recent individual workouts. Houston's Jarace Walker and UCF's Taylor Hendricks both held one-on-one sessions with the team on Tuesday in hopes of potentially becoming the No. 7 overall pick on draft night.
Both players bring different attributes to the table. Hendricks is your traditional 3-and-D forward. He's a monster athlete with the mobility to defend 1-4 or 1-5 depending on the matchup, and he hit almost 40 percent of his 3s in college. He does, however, have significant limitations as a self-creator and decision-maker offensively.
Jarace Walker doesn't provide the same volume threat from deep, but he's even stronger and offers true 1-5 versatility on the defensive end. He's bulky enough to wage battle with post-up centers and he's nimble on the perimeter, capable of sliding his feet to stonewall guards at the point of attack. Offensively, Walker makes up for his limited shooting volume with advanced passing acumen and tantalizing flashes of face-up scoring ability, combined with his elite touch around the rim. Hendricks is the No. 11 prospect on the FanSided board; Walker is the No. 5 prospect. Both would be sensible choices for the Pacers.