The Portland Trail Blazers won't have an opportunity to build via the draft this summer, as the downside of making the postseason is that their lottery-protected first-round pick will finally be conveyed to the Chicago Bulls. However, that also means Portland is finally free from the Neil Olshey era, which includes the questionable Larry Nance Jr. trade in 2021.
On the surface, it's poor timing considering the projected strength of the 2026 draft class. The Blazers could've added a dynamic piece to their young core even without the slim odds of jumping into the top four, with intriguing prospects well beyond the headliners. But one overlooked benefit of losing their first-round pick is that the Blazers are now in a position to capitalize on the Milwaukee Bucks' inevitable decline.
Blazers clear the path for Bucks' 2028 pick swap
The Blazers have yet to fully cash in all their chips from the lopsided Damian Lillard blockbuster, as Milwaukee still owes them a first-round pick in 2029 and swaps in 2028 and 2030. Had Portland missed the playoffs again next season, they'd run the risk of not being able to utilize that 2028 swap.
Portland would've likely made the postseason next season regardless, given Lillard's return and the continued growth of their core. But nothing is a guarantee in the NBA, especially considering the injuries Portland has dealt with and the strength of the Western Conference, which will be deeper next season with healthier teams in the mix like Dallas and Golden State. Now, the Blazers don't have to worry about running into that hypothetical nightmare.
There were pros and cons to either making the playoffs or coming up short. Of course, it's valuable experience for a young core that needs to become more battle-tested. But this is also one of the overlooked benefits of finally reaching the postseason. Portland is already building something special and will have an easier time adding to that up-and-coming roster in the future.
Now, we just patiently wait for Giannis Antetokounmpo to land elsewhere.
The Blazers may be in Cancun soon, but they should get their margaritas ready to sit back and watch the Giannis sweepstakes unfold. Even if Portland doesn't land Giannis directly, these picks are their best path to a genuine window of contention.
And getting off that pick they owed the Bulls all these years was quietly a piece to the puzzle that eventually needed to be solved.
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