Add Portland to Houston’s list of trade suitors for No. 3 pick

The Portland Trail Blazers are reportedly another interested trade suitor for Houston’s No. 3 pick in the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft. Previous reports identified the Charlotte Hornets and Memphis Grizzlies as potential trade partners for the Rockets.

Portland’s interest in a deal for No. 3 has been identified by both Jake Fischer (Yahoo! Sports) and Kelly Iko (The Athletic).

The framework for any potential deal appears similar. The Hornets, Trail Blazers and Grizzlies are currently projected to be selected in the 2024 lottery at numbers 6, 7 and 9 respectively. Portland also has the No. 14 overall selection (via Golden State).

In theory, all of these teams could offer a final lottery pick as well as another asset in exchange for moving up to Houston’s previous pick. The question, of course, is what that bonus asset would be.

Some reports have identified Grizzlies veteran Marcus Smart as a potential target for the Rockets, although Fischer reports that Memphis has no interest in moving him. Others on social media have dismissed Portland’s Anfernee Simons as a candidate for the Rockets, or perhaps a combination of both the No. 7 and No. 14 picks.

The Rockets would also have to send matching salaries in any deal involving established veteran players – although Houston has a number of short-term contracts between Jock Landale, Jeff Green and Jae’Sean Tate that could facilitate such a deal. .

Another option the Rockets would be interested in would be trading the No. 3 pick for future draft capital, which could potentially expand the pool beyond the 2024 NBA lottery teams.

The first round will take place Wednesday evening June 26.