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Portland Trail Blazers: Top draft priority for each Northwest Division team

By Austin Carroll

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - FEBRUARY 11: Paul George #13 and Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder look on after the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on February 11, 2019 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - FEBRUARY 11: Paul George #13 and Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder look on after the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on February 11, 2019 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – FEBRUARY 11: Paul George #13 and Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder look on after the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on February 11, 2019 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – FEBRUARY 11: Paul George #13 and Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder look on after the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on February 11, 2019 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) /

With only hours remaining until the 2019 NBA Draft, let’s evaluate the Portland Trail Blazers’ draft day priorities alongside their biggest division rivals.

Truth be told, this won’t be the most exciting draft of all-time for the Northwest Division. Between the five teams, there are only a collective five draft picks on the table. It appears there won’t be much room to maneuver for the Portland Trail Blazers and their longtime rivals.

However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t still big implications for next season in play tonight. Big trades will be made. Some teams will sacrifice assets in the pursuit of a championship ring next year while others patiently wait out the storm, waiting until the moment comes where they’ve collected enough talent to strike.

With two blockbuster trades unfolding just days before the draft kicks out, it’s virtually guaranteed that the manic move-making of the NBA’s general managers will carry on into the night.

Perhaps the success of Masai Ujiri’s shocking move to dump beloved franchise star DeMar DeRozan emboldened the rest of the league to make similarly daring deals.

The following slides will be sorted by last year’s placement in the Northwest Division, so strap in ready yourself for the big moves bound to unfold during tonight’s proceedings.