The Trail Blazers are looking for a trade partner to get back into the NBA Draft

The Atlanta Hawks made news today by trading Jeff Teague to Indiana in a three team deal. By trading Teague, the Hawks have picked up the number twelve pick in tomorrow’s NBA Draft. Atlanta now owns two first round picks (12 and 21), but they are rumored to be willing to part ways with both draft picks (according to Marc Stein). That could be music to Neil Olshey’s ears, as it appears that the Trail Blazers are desperate to get back into tomorrow’s action.

The Hawks and Trail Blazers trade partnership works on two levels for Atlanta. First, they clear up cap space to make a serious run at retaining Al Horford. They already have the ability to keep his services by using his Bird Rights, but they can free up more space to add another piece by trading their draft selections. Secondly, the Hawks could hinder the Trail Blazers flexibility for their own pursuit of Horford. Portland has the ability to clear enough space to sign the Hawks big man to a max deal, but adding a guaranteed contract restricts their flexibility.

Acquiring a lottery pick would likely take a handsome trade offer from the Trail Blazers. Nabbing the twenty-first pick from the Hawks might be more realistic though. A combination of Cleveland’s 2018 first round pick and future considerations could lure the selection away from Atlanta. This potential deal is all contingent on a Portland target slipping to that draft spot. It is unlikely that Olshey would sacrifice future assets to get a prospect he is lukewarm on.

The offseason is here in full force, which should make the next 24 hours very interesting for the Trail Blazers.