Blazers land third pick, lay out the red carpet for sliding doors offseason

One dream ended Tuesday night, and yet for Blazers fans it’s already time to start another.

May 17, 2023

∙ Paid

PORTLAND — For a few minutes there, it felt magical.

Applause, which rang out through Brix Tavern in Portland’s Pearl District several times throughout Tuesday night’s NBA Draft Lottery, arose first when the ESPN broadcast displayed a banner featuring the Trail Blazers’ logo and team name. Next to the logo, it read: Most intriguing fit for Victor Wembanyama.

The graphic only added to the mounting anticipation on a day where the fate of one lucky NBA franchise would seemingly brighten for the next decade-plus.

The next spurt of scattered applause and hollers came just minutes later, when former Blazer great Brandon Roy — the team’s lottery representative — was first introduced.

Portland’s good luck charm, perhaps?

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