The Portland Trail Blazers aren’t serious contenders for Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton but may be eyeing Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort in a draft-pick trade. The news comes from Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report, who threw in the rumor as part of a larger piece on the upcoming free agency decisions of Philadelphia 76ers superstar James Harden.
Fischer cites Portland’s affinity for Jusuf Nurkic and their desire for Toronto Raptors forward OG Anunoby before pivoting to the Thunder and Dort. The swap would require Portland to trade down in the 2022 NBA Draft, sending their 7th selection to Oklahoma City in exchange for Dort, unspecified players, and the 12th selection.