The Portland Trail Blazers surprised a lot of people by actually using the first round pick they received from the New York Knicks in the 2023 NBA Draft. With the 23rd selection, the Blazers took Kris Murray out of Iowa.
In the days leading up to the draft, rumors suggested General Manager Joe Cronin was working to deal one or both of the 3rd and 23rd picks in exchange for a veteran to placate Damian Lillard, an 11th-hour attempt to convince the Blazers legend to stay in Portland for the rest of his career.