The Toronto Raptors and Portland Trail Blazers have discussed the framework of a trade centered on Pascal Siakam for CJ McCollum, but those talks have not gained any meaningful traction.

With the Raptors selecting Scottie Barnes at No. 4 in the draft, rival executives believe Siakam will become more available in a trade.

Siakam signed a four-year, $130 million contract extension with the Raptors in 2019. Siakam cannot become a free agent until 2024.

McCollum signed a three-year, $100 million extension with the Blazers in 2019 and also cannot become a free agent until 2024.

The Philadelphia 76ers continue to seek Damian Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Ben Simmons and are not prepared to settle for CJ McCollum.

There were suggestions this week that the 76ers were warming to the idea of trading for McCollum, who would give the team perimeter shot creation in the halfcourt.

Based on the reported trade offers the 76ers made leading up the draft, they are in no rush to resolve the future of Simmons.

The Portland Trail Blazers have agreed to sign Trendon Watford to a Two-Way contract.

Watford averaged 16.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 34.5 minutes in his sophomore season with LSU.

Damian Lillard is focusing on his Team USA commitments during the Olympics as the NBA enters its offseason and will wait to see how the roster of the Portland Trail Blazers looks like after free agency before reassessing his situation, sources tell Sam Amick of The Athletic.

Lillard has begun to question his future with the Blazers following their first round exit against the Denver Nuggets.

Lillard has four seasons remaining on his contract with Portland.

It's becoming increasingly likely that Ben Simmons of the Philadelphia 76ers will be traded. Teams in the mix for Simmons include the Miami Heat, Toronto Raptors and Washington Wizards, among others.

Washington remains in a bit of a holding pattern, as Bradley Beal debates his future with the team. If Beal requests a trade, that could open the door for a Simmons acquisition for the Wizards.

The availability of Damian Lillard, who is also reportedly mulling a trade request, could factor into a Simmons trade as well. Once there is clarity on either Beal or Lillard, it's expected the Simmons market will develop.

Philadelphia has considered a Simmons trade since he struggled in the 2021 playoffs. His fit alongside Joel Embiid has never come together as hoped for. With over $146 million owed to Simmons over the next four seasons, the Sixers are now considering moving him to retool their roster around Embiid.

Henry Abbott of TrueHoop reported on Friday, July 16th that Damian Lillard was planning on requesting a trade from the Portland Trail Blazers in the near future and the reporter offered additional insight in another post just two days before the draft.

During a dinner featuring several of Lillard's Team USA teammates in Las Vegas on Wednesday, July 14th, Lillard "complained most memorably" about his situation. Lillard shared the insight that he thought the situation with the Blazers was getting worse and he was considering demanding a trade with a percentage of 75/25. Lillard estimated that he was 25 percent likely to demand a trade that Friday.

Lillard's comments made their way around the league and eventually to Abbott, who reported the story. Trade offers to the Blazers began to arrive and Lillard spoke to the media Friday evening denying reports that he wanted a trade. But Lillard also expressed how he wanted to see immediate improvement from the Blazers.

Sources tell Abbott that Lillard is willing to forgo paychecks if he decides he wants a trade from the Blazers and the franchise doesn't oblige him. Lillard will also try to influence what team he ends up playing for. 

Derrick Jones Jr. will pick up his $9.7 million player option for the 21-22 season with the Portland Trail Blazers. 

Jones signed a two-year, $19 million deal with the Blazers during the 2020 offseason, leaving the Miami Heat.

Jones averaged 6.8 points and 3.5 rebounds in 22.7 minutes per game for Portland while staring 43 of his 58 games.

The Portland Trail Blazers have received trade calls from teams interested in CJ McCollum with offers of a pick in the top part of the draft.

The Blazers aren't entertaining those types of offers as they are in a win-now phase around Damian Lillard.

The Blazers don't own a draft pick as they used what became the No. 23 selection as part of the Robert Covington trade.

McCollum signed a three-year, $100 million extension in 2019 and can't become a free agent until 2024. 

Norman Powell will decline his $11.6 million player option for the 21-22 season with the Portland Trail Blazers to become a free agent.

The Blazers will make re-signing Powell a priority in the offseason but he will have multiple suitors. Powell is expected to receive a considerable raise on the open market.

The Blazers used Powell out of position at small forward due to the presence of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum.

The Miami Heat, Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets, New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers have recently been the "most aggressive suitors" for a trade with the Portland Trail Blazers for Damian Lillard.

Lillard has said he expects to remain with the Blazers next season, but he has become clear in his desire for more urgency in their efforts to contend for a title.

Should Portland eventually decide to trade Lillard, executives in the NBA expect the Blazers to receive a return for Lillard comparable to what the Brooklyn Nets sent the Rockets for Harden. Lillard is signed for four more seasons at $176 million total.