RealGM Basketball Wiretap

04 June 2023

• Scoot Henderson Views Both Hornets, Blazers As Good Situations

  Scoot Henderson is "very interested" in being drafted second overall by the Charlotte Hornets, sources tell Jonathan Givony of ESPN.

  Henderson grew up in Marietta, Georgia, so playing for the Hornets would allow him to remain close to his hometown.

  Henderson also views being selected No. 3 by the Portland Trail Blazers and being mentored by Damian Lillard as "an attractive option."

  There is a belief that Henderson, Lillard and Shaedon Sharpe could play together.

  The Hornets are also considering Brandon Miller at No. 2.

• Nets Not Interested In Trading Mikal Bridges To Blazers For No. 3 Pick

  The Portland Trail Blazers are determining what the third overall pick plus Anfernee Simons can return them on the trade market as they attempt to improve their roster around Damian Lillard and one player who is not available is Mikal Bridges.

  Alex Schiffer of The Athletic reports that the Brooklyn Nets are not interested in trading Bridges.

  Bridges has three seasons remaining on his contract and has emerged as more of a scorer since joining the Nets. The Nets were previously offered four first round picks for Bridges at the trade deadline, which they declined.

• 'Widespread Speculation' Blazers Could Package Third Pick, Anfernee Simons For Wing

  There is "widespread speculation" that the Portland Trail Blazers will trade out of the third pick, according to John Hollinger of The Athletic.

  Hollinger adds that the Blazers could package the third pick with Anfernee Simons for an "elite" small forward.

  There have been differing views as to what the Blazers would do with the selection, with others believing that the Blazers are comfortable keeping the pick.

  The Blazers could also renegotiate the protections on a future pick owed to the Bulls in order to trade the pick.

• Blazers Comfortable Keeping No. 3 Pick

  The Portland Trail Blazers have been widely expected to seriously entertain trading out of the No. 3 pick in order to maximize the window of Damian Lillard, but a deal may not materialize that vaunts them into true contender status and that would lead them to keep the pick. The Blazers will consider whichever player between Brandon Miller and Scoot Henderson is not selected at No. 2, as well as Ausar Thompson, Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore.

  "I don't see them trading it either, honestly," said Jonathan Givony on Zach Lowe's podcast. "I think they would be very happy with Brandon Miller or Scoot Henderson.

  "I also think they're going to kick the tires on the Thompson twins and Cam Whitmore.

  "I think this is going to be a process here where they're looking at a lot of different options."

  Lowe expressed surprise that Givony expects them to keep the pick.

  "If the draft were tonight, I think they'd keep the pick, yeah," said Givony.

  Givony added that the front office is committed to Lillard, but they are taking a long view.

  Lowe doubts No. 3 and Anfernee Simons would be enough for the Blazers to acquire either Mikal Bridges or OG Anuonby.

• Brandon Miller Not Currently In 'Great Shape', Interviews 'Have Not Gone Great'

  Brandon Miller is the type of multi-dimensional wing that every team in the NBA covets considering how he could become a very productive player even if he doesn't reach his ceiling. Miller's talent and position has put him under consideration to be drafted as high as No. 2 by the Charlotte Hornets.

  But there are still questions surrounding Miller's involvement in the killing of Jamea Jonae Harris and his interviews reportedly have not gone well in addition to his current conditioning level.

  "Every team is looking for this type of player," said ESPN's Jonathan Givony on Zach Lowe's podcast. "Six-nine, big guard, can handle the ball. Pass out of pick and roll. Make shots off the dribble. Defend multiple positions. Rebound. That's what people are looking for.

  "At the same time, he's not in great shape right now. So I don't know how great his workout is going to be.

  "His interviews have not been great, I've been told. Both publicly and privately with NBA teams.

  "I would put it 60 percent Brandon Miller at two, 40 percent Scoot Henderson. I do think they're going to have trade conversations too. I would be shocked if they traded [the pick]. They would be out of their minds honestly. The best thing in the world that could have happened for them is getting the No. 2 pick."

• Blazers May Attempt To Renegotiate Protection On Pick Owed to Bulls

  The Portland Trail Blazers moved up to the third pick in the draft. Portland GM Joe Cronin indicated the team's goal is to still build a winner around Damian Lillard. That could have the Blazers in the market to trade that pick.

  In addition, Portland may reach out to renegotiate the protections on a pick that they owe to the Chicago Bulls. That pick is lottery-protected through 2028. That hampers the Trail Blazers ability to trade future picks, because they could still have that original pick to convey to Chicago.

  In recent years, the Miami Heat renegotiated protections on a pick they owed to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Miami loosened protections and delivered an early pick to Oklahoma City, in order to free up a later pick. Portland could do the same, or could send Chicago additional draft compensation or a player, in order to change the protections on the future pick they owe them.

• Trail Blazers Could Hold Bidding War For Third Pick

  Outside of the San Antonio Spurs, who landed the top overall pick, the Portland Trail Blazers arguably had the most luck at the 2023 NBA Draft Lottery. Portland moved up from the fifth pick to the third pick.

  That spot at three has the Blazers positioned to hold a bidding war for the third overall pick. Portland is looking to build an immediate winner around Damian Lillard. That has Trail Blazers GM Joe Cronin at least open to taking offers for the third pick.

  "We're a team that's trying to win and trying to maximize Damian's timeline. This was an important night for us," Cronin told Yahoo Sports. "Front offices around the league think highly of this draft, so you would think that a lot of teams that were sitting (on stage) tonight will be getting a lot of calls from teams trying to move up and maneuver."

  The Charlotte Hornets, who got the second pick in the lottery, aren't considered a great fit for Scoot Henderson, who most consider to be the second-best player in the draft behind Victor Wembanyama. ESPN has Charlotte selecting Alabama forward Brandon Miller with the #2 pick. If that happens, Portland could see trade offers pour in from teams looking to move up to pick Henderson.

• Brandon Miller To Hornets, Scoot Henderson To Blazers In ESPN's First Post-Lottery NBA Mock Draft

  With the San Antonio Spurs winning the lottery ahead of the Charlotte Hornets at No. 2, Portland Trail Blazers at No. 3 and Houston Rockets at No. 4, Jonathan Givony of ESPN has published an updated mock draft.

  1. San Antonio Spurs: Victor Wembanyama
  2. Charlotte Hornets: Brandon Miller
  3. Portland Trail Blazers: Scoot Henderson
  4. Houston Rockets: Amen Thompson
  5. Detroit Pistons: Ausar Thompson
  6. Orlando Magic: Cam Whitmore
  7. Indiana Pacers: Jarace Walker
  8. Washington Wizards: Anthony Black
  9. Utah Jazz: Gradey Dick
  10. Dallas Mavericks: Taylor Hendericks
  11. Orlando Magic (via Bulls): Jordan Hawkins
  12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Cason Wallace
  13. Toronto Raptors: Keyonte George
  14. New Orleans Pelicans: Nick Smith Jr.
  15. Atlanta Hawks: Jalen Hood-Schifino
  16. Utah Jazz (via Wolves): Noah Clowney
  17. Los Angeles Lakers: Jett Howard
  18. Miami Heat: Rayan Rupert
  19. Golden State Warriors: Kobe Bufkin
  20. Houston Rockets (via Clippers): Brice Sensabaugh
  21. Brooklyn Nets (via Suns): Leonard Miller
  22. Brooklyn Nets: Bilal Coulibaly
  23. Portland Trail Blazers (via Knicks): James Nnaji
  24. Sacramento Kings: Kris Murray
  25. Memphis Grizzlies: Dereck Lively II
  26. Indiana Pacers (via Cavaliers): Dariq Whitehead
  27. Charlotte Hornets (via Nuggets): Maxwell Lewis
  28. Utah Jazz (via Sixers): Colby Jones
  29. Indiana Pacers (via Celtics): Andre Jackson
  30. Los Angeles Clippers (via Bucks): Jaime Jaquez Jr.

• Spurs Win 2023 NBA Draft Lottery

  The San Antonio Spurs have won the 2023 NBA Draft Lottery and the chance to select Victor Wembanyama.

  1. San Antonio Spurs

  2. Charlotte Hornets

  3. Portland Trail Blazers

  4. Houston Rockets

  5. Detroit Pistons

  6. Orlando Magic

  7. Indiana Pacers

  8. Washington Wizards

  9. Utah Jazz

  10. Dallas Mavericks

  11. Orlando Magic (via Bulls)

  12. Oklahoma City Thunder

  13. Toronto Raptors

  14. New Orleans Pelicans

• Heat Likely To Pursue Trade For Damian Lillard If Blazers Make Him Available

  The future of Damian Lillard with the Portland Trail Blazers is uncertain this offseason as they come off another season in which they were out of the playoff picture well before the end of the season.

  Portland has attempted to rebuild around Lillard with win-now veterans such as Jerami Grant, but they have also wanted to keep young players with value such as Shaedon Sharpe.

  If Lillard and the Blazers decide to explore trade options, the Miami Heat are a team expected to have interest.

  "I think the Heat are on the cusp of looking for another star maneuver," said Brian Windhorst on his podcast. "I would put them on the list for Dame Lillard if Dame ends up getting traded. If he goes to market, I think the Heat are on that list. I don't know if they have enough. A lot of their offer would be built around Tyler Herro, who was just injured. I suspect, I don't know for sure, just to be clear, I don't know for sure if they're going to offer him, but I suspect that would be the type of thing. That and draft picks."