It was an eventful second day of the NBA Draft, and the Portland Trail Blazers were as active as any team in the second round, though they didn't end up adding any players to their roster on Thursday.
With a flurry of moves (that were difficult to track thanks to a sub-par broadcast and a timely account locking issue on X/Twitter), the Blazers ended up moving out of the second round altogether. They originally held the 34th and 40th picks.
First, the Blazers traded no. 34 overall, to the New York Knicks in exchange for three future second-round picks, in 2027, 2029 and 2030.
They then traded back from no. 40 to no. 52 with the Oklahoma City Thunder for cash, after the Thunder had just acquired that pick from the Warriors.
Not yet finished, the Blazers then sold the no. 52 overall pick back to the Warriors, who owned the pick originally, for more cash considerations.
The flurry of moves comes a day after the Blazers selected UConn center Donovan Clingan with the no. 7 pick and traded the no. 14 pick along with Malcolm Brogdon, a 2029 first round pick, and a pair of second rounders to the Washington Wizards in exchange for Deni Avdija.
Blazers recoup second round draft picks lost in Deni Avdija trade
The brilliance of the Blazers' convoluted day-two activity is that they've now reacquired both of the second-round draft picks that they sent to Washington along with Brogdon. The Blazers, who will have 15 roster spots filled after they pick up guard Dalano Banton's $2.2 million option, didn't have the space to use all four draft picks at their disposal.
In theory, Portland could have drafted a player in the second round with the intent of signing them to a two-way deal; but ultimately, they decided to move their picks to 2027, 2029, and 2030.
Another benefit of the Avdija trade is that it drops the Blazers below the luxury tax. They're now much more able to make trades this offseason. Veterans Matisse Thybulle, Jerami Grant, Robert Williams III, and Deandre Ayton could all be on the move this summer.
It's highly likely that Williams III will be on the move this offseason, and – while it's tough to imagine teams trading for Ayton with his max contract – it's possible that he is shopped around as well. Ayton played incredibly well down the stretch for the Blazers, averaging 22.7 points and 12.5 rebounds after the All-Star break. Don't be surprised to see him start the season with Portland but possibly garner some interest at the next trade deadline if he keeps up that level of play.
Thybulle is also likely to be moved with Avdija on his way in and Toumani Camara and Jabari Walker still in line for forward minutes.
The Blazers still have a lot of work to do and will likely have another poor record next season as they position themselves for a potentially high pick in 2025, but they helped position themselves for the future this week with their multiple moves.
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