The 2023 NBA Draft Lottery produced a draft order that may present the Minnesota Timberwolves an opportunity to both clear up their currently cloudy financial future while also bring in another talented young player on same timeline as Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
Both the Portland Trail Blazers (No. 3 overall pick) and the Houston Rockets (No. 4 overall pick) are looking to make immediate upgrades to accelerate their turnarounds. Damian Lillard has made it quite clear that he wants Portland to build an immediate winner around him, while several outlets have reported that James Harden is expected to return to Houston in unrestricted free agency this summer and wants to make the playoffs — something he likely couldn’t do if the team adds yet another top five draft selection.