4 Big Stars The Blazers DON'T Want For The No. 3 Pick (And One That They Do)

Damian Lillard doesn't want any more young kids on the Portland Trail Blazers... He wants proven stars around him to help make his team a serious playoff contender. 

“Dame does not want a youth movement," said NBA Insider Brian Windhorst on Tuesday. "He wants to play with veterans. He wants the team to upgrade fast and immediately with veteran players that can help him now.”

But word is leaking out that the Trail Blazers might not want to trade that No. 3 pick in Thursday's Draft. At least not for the star players that have so far been in the conversation. 

In fact, according to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, there are four bigtime star players that the Blazers appear to have no interest in if they were to deal their elite lottery pick: 

He reports that Portland does not "covet" either All-NBA selection Pascal Siakam or All-Defensive Team selection OG Anunoby of the Toronto Raptors, nor are two-time All-Star Zach LaVine or three-time All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns of interest to them. 

But one big star that the Blazers would be looking at adding for the price of the No. 3 pick is likely off-limits. 

The Blazers are prepared to make a significant offer to the Miami Heat for Bam Adebayo 🤯, per @JakeLFischer pic.twitter.com/5e5k6DWuPz

— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) June 20, 2023

Fischer reports that the Portland front office is putting forth what it considers a “compelling” offer to the Miami Heat for Bam Adebayo. For what it's worth, Pat Riley has no intention whatsoever of trading Adebayo. 

For now, it looks like the Trail Blazers will be keeping that No. 3 pick on Thursday night and selecting either Brandon Miller or Scoot Henderson. And then, according to noted Lillard & Portland insider Chris Haynes, "Dame will have a decision to make at that point."

Photo: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports