Rip City Project
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Ranking 4 lucrative trade packages for Blazers to deal Scoot for a star

By Josh Cornelissen

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 02: Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors drives against Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half at the Smoothie King Center on January 02, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 02: Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors drives against Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half at the Smoothie King Center on January 02, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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The Portland Trail Blazers are trying their best to balance between two different paths. They want to continue competing with Damian Lillard as their leader, refusing to trade their franchise icon. At the same time, they have held onto their recent draft picks and have the No. 3 pick in tonight’s NBA Draft.

At some point, they have to pick a path, and that decision could come as soon as today. The latest intel from NBA insiders is overwhelmingly in support of the Charlotte Hornets drafting Alabama forward Brandon Miller at No. 2, thus leaving G League Ignite point guard Scoot Henderson to fall to the third pick.

This does a couple of things for Portland. First, it increases the trade value of the pick right now; it’s almost a lock that a team trading up will be able to draft Scoot Henderson. They can negotiate with teams and be ready for a deal when they come on the clock.

The other thing that it does is put pressure on Portland. It could draft Henderson, but that communicates to Lillard the franchise isn’t serious about putting a contender around him. If they’re keeping Lillard, the Blazers need to flip the pick for a star; Dame and Scoot aren’t a pairing to win, next season or long-term.

If they’re going to make the trade, which package is the best? Let’s power rank four packages from four different teams rumored to want Scoot, aligning them from “worth taking” to “slam dunk”. We begin in Canada and the potential addition of a two-time All-NBA forward.