NBA Rumors: Trail Blazers Could No. 7 Overall Pick To Thunder For Luguentz Dort And No. 12 Pick

The 2022 NBA Draft is around the corner, and as the days go by, we learn about new rumors about what could happen in the league in the next weeks. The offseason has already started for 28 teams, and many of them are working to get the right pieces to compete next season. 

After a tumultuous 2021/22 campaign, the Portland Trail Blazers are ready to bounce back, build the right team around Damian Lillard and see if they can make a run for the championship next year. The Blazers are studying every opportunity they have, whether it is free agency, trade block, or the draft. They are ready to make some splash and give Lillard the right team to compete. 

That said, it seems like the Blazers are getting ready to use their 2022 draft pick to bring a defensive specialist to pair with Dame. According to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report, the Blazers aren't likely to land Deandre Ayton this offseason, but they could bring another player to boost their level.

Portland does not appear to be a legitimate landing spot for restricted free agent Deandre Ayton, sources said. The Trail Blazers are expected to retain starting center Jusuf Nurkic, and they are prioritizing Toronto Raptors swingman OG Anunoby in any return for the No. 7 pick in next week's draft, sources said. But there has been increasing talk about Portland potentially targeting the seventh selection to Oklahoma City for No. 12 and a package that could include Lu Dort.  

This is an interesting idea for the Blazers. Dort has improved his level on both ends of the floor, and he's still pretty young. Portland could benefit a lot from this move if they complete it, but there's also the chance to land a young player via draft. Yet, they want to capitalize on Lillard's prime and are looking to make win-now moves this summer. If Dort doesn't arrive in Portland, they won't miss candidates to join the team, but right now, the situation is unclear for the Blazers.