The New Orleans Pelicans weren’t ready to trade Zion Williamson to the Portland Trail Blazers for the third overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, according to Zach Lowe of ESPN. The Toronto Raptors also weren’t willing to part ways with Pascal Siakam or OG Anunoby in the same scenario.
Damian Lillard wanted the Blazers to trade the third pick in the 2023 draft for a star. However, Portland kept the pick and drafted Scoot Henderson. Lillard was upset the Blazers didn’t acquire a star and has demanded a trade to the Miami Heat.
“The New Orleans Pelicans and Toronto Raptors weren’t ready on draft day to pivot away from Zion Williamson, Pascal Siakam, or O.G. Anunoby, sources have said,” Lowe said. “Williamson is a franchise-changer when healthy, but he’s rarely healthy. Siakam and Anunoby are very good — Siakam is an All-Star — but would either have vaulted Portland into the ring of championship favorites?”
Williamson, the first pick in the 2019 draft out of Duke, will likely start next season on the Pelicans despite being in trade rumors. The same can be said for Anunoby on the Raptors.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers, Zion Williamson, Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby
However, Siakam may get traded to the Atlanta Hawks, Indiana Pacers or Orlando Magic. Toronto doesn’t want to sign the NBA champion to a max contract extension and has been actively discussing him in trade talks this summer.
As for Lillard, he is dead set on getting traded to the Heat. However, the Blazers have not been impressed with Pat Riley’s offers thus far. Most people around the NBA believe a third team will need to get involved for Lillard to land in Miami next to Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers, Zion Williamson, Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby
The Pelicans, Raptors and Blazers all missed the 2023 playoffs. The three teams are not title contenders. Portland is trying to get a massive package in return for Lillard, who averaged 32.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 7.3 assists last season in 58 games.
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