The Portland Trail Blazers finally fulfilled their first-round pick obligation to the Chicago Bulls this season, five years after the transaction it originated from. The completion of the deal opens up new trade possibilities for the Blazers, however, it deprives them of a selection in one of the more highly touted drafts in recent memory.
The 2026 NBA Draft class is brimming with talent from AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson at the top through the entire first round and into
the second. Athletic prospects with length and versatility that could change the fortunes of multiple franchises.
While the Blazers are improved, they’re in no position to miss out on young rookie contract-controlled talent with the June 23-24 draft at Barclays Center, the best way to acquire it. Since the Blazers also traded away their 2026 second-round pick in a long-ago transaction, Portland’s only way to get into this draft is to strike a deal with a team holding a pick or picks, which is never a simple proposition.
The Blazers front office will surely have to get creative if it’s going to put together a package that will convince a team to part with a pick. After the Blazers’ first-round loss to the San Antonio Spurs, General Manager Joe Cronin mentioned the front office had already looked at ways of finding its way into the draft after dealing both picks.
“We’ve had a ton of conversations already about how we can buy into this draft using cash.”
This comment probably refers to a second-round pick. But the fact that the Blazers are keen to move into the draft after doing everything they could to get out of the past two second rounds, tells me something about the talent.
Blazers Assets
Cronin has done an admirable job stockpiling assets since taking over from his wasteful, inefficient and narrow-minded predecessor. The Blazers now own all their firsts, an unprotected 2028 pick from the Orlando Magic and — despite lottery changes — the still-valuable Milwaukee Bucks’ first-round draft stocks between 2028 and 2030.
As for players, the Blazers are in a much better position than they were at the beginning of the rebuild, with a rich list of talented, athletic young players and a smattering of savvy, experienced veterans.
Of the roster’s 12 2026-27 contracted players, only Damian Lillard, Deni Avdija, Donovan Clingan, Toumani Camara and Yang Hansen are the names likely off limits in trade discussions.
The remaining seven players hold varying levels of trade value with the almost 36-year-old Jrue Holiday likely serving as the team’s best trade chip. Unfortunately, his $34.8 million deal for next season is a little restrictive in the fact that the Blazers would have to bring back similar value.
Though much more palatable deals, the Blazers are probably less interested in parting with the younger Scoot Henderson and his $13.6 million deal and Shaedon Sharpe ($20.1 million for next season) unless the return was spectacular.
Crucially, short of including one of those untouchable players and the Bucks picks, the Blazers probably don’t have the assets to get into the top 10.
Picks for Sale
I can’t see any team in the top 10 giving up their pick unless they’re getting another 2026 pick with a valuable asset back in return, which rules the Blazers out.
However, I see the Golden State Warriors with the 11th pick, along with a newly returned Steve Kerr and Steph Curry on board for another campaign. Are they really going to want another young talent when the 12-time All-Star is trying to eke out the last couple years of his career?
The caveat here is the Warriors’ cap situation and the fact the only player they’d probably be interested in is Holiday. An easier option would be to do something where the Blazers send out a future pick.
The Oklahoma City Thunder, which hosts a Game 7 later today to return to the NBA Finals, owns picks 12 and 17. They may choose to use one of them but not both. If it’s the lesser selection they’re willing to part with, perhaps they’d be interested in Portland’s 2027 pick, top-12 protected.
The Miami Heat has the 13th pick, an asset they might try and use in a package to get Giannis Antetokounmpo out of Wisconsin. But if they strike out with the Greek Freak, Holiday is definitely the type of player they’d be interested in to replace Terry Rozier. The Blazers may have to throw in a couple of future seconds as well.
From there, any selection in the 20s could be available for the right price with San Antonio, Detroit, Philadelphia, Atlanta, New York, Los Angeles Lakers, Denver, Boston, Minnesota and Cleveland all in line for contention.
Conclusion
The Blazers find themselves without a first- or second-round pick in next month’s draft after finally fulfilling their obligation to the Chicago Bulls. Though this year’s draft class is strong, the Blazers probably still have the assets to get into the late lottery if they’re willing to part with real pieces.
While I’m glad the Bulls obligation and that stupid trade is in the rear-view mirror, the Blazers should do their best to get back into the first round without parting with anything that will hurt the future too much.
Though they won’t have enough to snare a Dybantsa, Peterson, Boozer or Wilson, there should be deep enough talent in the teens for the Blazers to add to their talent stores.
With assets like Holiday and a highly protected future pick, the Blazers should at least try. If the return is greater, the Blazers should at least consider including one of Shaedon Sharpe and Scoot Henderson.
Whether or not they manage to get into the draft, the next month will be telling to the future of the franchise with trade and free agency shaping up as key periods for the Blazers to take the next step.
