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Portland Trail Blazers: 3 teams to monitor leading up to the 2020 NBA Draft

By Stevie Cozens

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 20: The first round draft board is seen during the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 20: The first round draft board is seen during the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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The Portland Trail Blazers have the 16th pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, but which three teams should fans monitor until and on draft night?

The Portland Trail Blazers will likely have a straight forward NBA Draft. I think they will make their 16th and 46th picks without moving up or making any trades. Neil Olshey seems to like the squad he has built, and in a draft that doesn’t have any proven stars at the top, picking at 16 has its advantages.

For fans of the Blazers, they should keep an eye on some other teams who will be an interesting follow on draft night. Many teams are looking to find the next cornerstone of their franchise or trade-up or back to try and get one more piece as they try to contend for the playoffs.

Which 3 teams should fans monitor over the next week and into the NBA Draft?

(Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
(Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) /

NBA Draft 2020 team to watch – Minnesota Timberwolves

The Minnesota Timberwolves are undoubtedly in a prime position come the 2020 NBA Draft night. With the first pick, the seventeenth pick, and the thirty-third pick, Minnesota’s fans can hope for an interesting night.

GM Gersson Rosas is only a year into his role and will likely look to be aggressive in this year’s draft. He had a rough first 12 months of his tenure, but he still made many moves, including getting off one of the league’s worst contracts in Andrew Wiggins and unloading half the team in a wild 24 hours at the trade deadline.

Having three picks in the first 33, including number one, there is more pressure on him to deliver. With D’Angelo Russell now paired with Karl-Anthony Towns, there is also pressure to surround them with talent. Potential superstar, and franchise cornerstone Towns, has now been in town five years, of which all bar one have been lottery level seasons.

Towns seems loyal to Minnesota, but the clock is always ticking when you have the best offensive center in the game on a five-year max deal.

Rosas and the rest of the organization are under pressure to deliver some complementary role players to their new co-star duo.

I’m not certain that the Wolves make moves on Draft night, but with the big expiring salary of James Johnson and three strong picks, I think there is a good chance they look to make some moves.

Rosas may pull some strings in this draft to bring back a wing or defensive player. I think the Wolves are one of the most interesting teams to watch this draft night.