Trail Blazers unlikely to trade away no. 3 pick in 2023 NBA Draft / News - Basketnews.com

All indications are leaning toward Blazers keeping their no. 3 overall pick, Bleacher Report's NBA insider Chris Haynes told. Marc Stein added that there isn't evidence at the moment that would suggest that Damian Lillard is close to pushing himself out of the franchise.

Credit: AFP-Scanpix Credit AFP-Scanpix

The Portland Trail Blazers hold the no. 3 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. With speculations around the possible trade involving the selection, it now seems that the organization will retain it.

2-pointers this season

55%27,6Points made:27,6Accuracy:55,1%Place in standings:26Record max:41Record min:19Most made 2FGs:Damian LillardTeamNBAStatisticsSchedule

After holding the 5th-highest odds of landing the no. 1 overall pick in the Draft Lottery, the Trail Blazers moved up from the fifth spot and will select third in the upcoming Draft.

With superstar guard Damian Lillard's career slowly coming to an end, there were rumors that the franchise may trade the pick to increase his chances of winning a title while he's still in Portland.

However, it now looks that the Blazers will not trade the no. 3 selection. "All indications are Portland is going to keep that pick as of right now. All indications are leaning that way," Bleacher Report's Chris Haynes told during the #thisleague UNCUT podcast with NBA insider Marc Stein.

"There is still not a scintilla of evidence or hints to point us in the direction of thinking that Dame is close to pushing his way out," Stein added, essentially denying the possibility of a trade involving Lillard.

Lillard will earn $45,640,084 in the upcoming 2023-24 NBA season. He averaged 32.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 7.3 assists during the last season.

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