The Portland Trail Blazers were one of the worst teams in the 2022-23 NBA season, as they finished as the 13th seed in the Western Conference.

On a positive note, it helped them land the No. 3 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, which they used to draft Scoot Henderson.

However, the Trail Blazers could have picked Victor Wembanyama if they had been awarded the No. 1 overall pick in the draft.

Wembanyama is touted to become the face of the NBA in the future, and another benefit for the Trail Blazers would have been that Damian Lillard was reportedly “cool” with playing alongside Wemby, via NBACentral on Twitter.

“First of all, if they got the number one pick Dame would be good. He would have been cool playing with Wemby,” Sean Highkin said.

Damian Lillard would have been ‘cool’ playing alongside Victor Wembanyama in Portland if they had secured the No. 1 pick, per @highkin

“First of all, if they got the number one pick Dame would be good. He would have been cool playing with Wemby. That would’ve been an exception… pic.twitter.com/OEQlxd0ufQ

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 26, 2023

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Lillard requested a trade from the Trail Blazers earlier this offseason after 11 years of loyal service to the franchise.

But Dame would have apparently considered staying with the Trail Blazers had they drafted Wembanyama.

While the rookie may take a couple of years to reach his potential, he’s almost NBA-ready from day one.

On the other hand, Henderson also flaunts a lot of potential, but not many believe that he’ll become better than Wembanyama in the long run.

Unfortunately, the Trail Blazers didn’t land the No.1 overall pick in the draft, and Lillard is expected to be traded soon.

The 33-year-old superstar has named the Miami Heat as his preferred destination, but there’s no guarantee that the request will be fulfilled.

After all, the Trail Blazers will accept the best trade offer available to them, regardless of which team offers it.

The post Reporter Notes 1 Way Trail Blazers Could Have Made Damian Lillard Happy appeared first on The Cold Wire.

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New England Patriots QB Mac Jones has been involved in yet another questionable situation.

Jones has only been in the league for three seasons, yet he’s been deemed a dirty player multiple times thus far by many players.

Now, he’s being singled out for punching New York Jets star Sauce Gardner in the groin before he shoved him onto the ground.

Following the game, the Alabama product claimed that he didn’t intentionally hit Gardner, stating that he has a lot of respect for him and that he just wanted to get back into the huddle (via ProFootballTalk).

“Sauce is one of the best corners in the NFL. I have a lot of respect for him. On that play, nothing was intentional. I just got up and went back to the huddle, and that’s it,” Jones said.

Mac Jones: Nothing intentional with Sauce Gardner. https://t.co/awPZ4PnZzr

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) September 26, 2023

We all know what we saw, and he shouldn’t get the benefit of the doubt after so many times he’s been involved in these sorts of situations.

Even some of his colleagues took to social media to call him out and let it be known that it’s not the first time that he has done something like this, and turning that narrative and reputation around is going to be almost impossible for him at this point.

The Patriots have a date with the Dallas Cowboys and their fierce defense coming up next.

The Cowboys will look to bounce back from an embarrassing loss to the Arizona Cardinals, and they’ll want to make a statement.

That doesn’t bode well for Jones, and we can only hope he doesn’t get involved in any other situation like this ever again.

The post Mac Jones Opens Up On Controversial Hit On Sauce Gardner appeared first on The Cold Wire.

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New England Patriots QB Mac Jones has once again made the headlines for a rather-controversial play.

The Alabama product was caught on video punching New York Jets CB Sauce Gardner in the groin.

Gardner later shoved Jones onto the ground.

At first glance, it seemed like the Jets DB had taken an uncalled-for shot at Jones, but upon further review, it became blatantly evident that Jones had instigated him.

However, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that the league won’t suspend the Patriots star for the apparent cheap shot.

#Patriots QB Mac Jones isn't expected to be suspended for allegedly cup-checking #Jets CB Sauce Gardner in Sunday's game.

Jones said Monday nothing was intentional. The NFL reviews all plays and it's possible, though not certain, that Jones could be fined.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 26, 2023

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Pelissero stated that it’s still possible, although not likely, that the league will fine Jones for his involvement in yet another potentially dirty play.

Despite being in the NFL for just two seasons and three games, Jones has been tangled up in several questionable actions.

From tripping to shoving and pushing, he’s earned a bad rap around the league, up to the point where several NFL players took to social media to call him out for another potentially dirty play and point out that it’s not the first time it has happened.

Jones denied any wrongdoing or bad intention, stating that it was an unfortunate accident as he was trying to get back to the huddle.

It might come to a point where the league will have no choice but to discipline him in any way if this keeps happening.

The post Insider Reveals NFL’s Plans For Mac Jones After Alleged Hit On Sauce Gardner appeared first on The Cold Wire.

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