NBA Draft Picks Key to Blockbuster Trades

Several NBA stars are looking to new horizons for the 2023-24 season.

Despite vastly different routes in getting there, superstars Damian Lillard and James Harden are both likely set to join new teams in the coming months, via recently made trade requests.

NBA Draft picks are going to be key in facilitating those stars, among others, to their new destinations.

For starters, picks are essentially the league’s currency at the moment. Firsts have long been used to acquire talent, be it stars or high end role players, to configure rosters. And just last season, we saw as many as five second round picks dealt in just one deal for players.

Even more important, for teams like Portland — who’s looking to enter a completely new era headlined by Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe and more — picks are a necessity in landing more prospects via the draft, packaging to move up in the draft and creating general flexibility.

In Harden’s case, a first or two may be able to get the deal done between Philadelphia and whoever else, depending on the package.

In Lillard’s, Portland is almost certainly looking to come away with no less than three first round selections. And rightfully so, being that players like Rudy Gobert landed five in his own deal.

It of course makes sense from the Trail Blazers side, but certainly doesn’t make it any easier on those looking to spend in order to land the league’s top talent.

Regardless, it will be a necessity in order to see Lillard and even Harden don new jerseys next season. And that trend is likely to continue considering select teams are beginning to hoard picks.

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