5 Ways Blazers trading 3rd pick in NBA Draft would come back to haunt them
By Tyler Watts
1. History says 3rd pick becomes a superstar
Recent history suggests the number three pick in the NBA Draft becomes a superstar. Would Portland like to have Joel Embiid, Luka Doncic, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Evan Mobley, or LaMelo Ball on their current roster? What do all those players have in common? They were third overall picks in the last nine years.
The other three are R.J. Barrett, Jahlil Okafor, and last year’s pick Jabari Smith Jr. It is too soon to say on Smith Jr. and Barrett has shown some flashes, which leaves Okafor as the lone bust.
Go back a bit further to find names like James Harden, Carmelo Anthony, Bradley Beal, Al Horford, Deron Williams, and Pau Gasol all going third overall since 2000. There will be a superstar player on the board when the Blazers hit the clock on June 22. Will Portland draft him?
It is why the Trail Blazers hired Mike Schmitz away from ESPN. They need to nail this pick to get back into contention, and history is on their side. If they trade it, they will be kicking themselves in five years when Scoot Henderson is one of the NBA’s best point guards.
Will the Portland Trail Blazers keep the third overall pick? Trading it could be a massive mistake, and fans should stay tuned to see how it all shakes out.
