I have been keeping one eye on the Portland Trail Blazers down the stretch of the NBA season.

Portland is currently 31-34 with their most recent win, and they are all but guaranteed to make the play-in in the Western Conference. The real question here is if they can run down the Warriors for the 8 seed.

Portland is currently the 10 seed, but just two games separate the Trail Blazers, Clippers, and Warriors. Getting that 8 seed would make Portland just one win away from making the playoffs, whereas the 9 or 10 would have to win two games in the play-in.

Why does it matter if the Trail Blazers make the playoffs? Because the Bulls are still owed a first-round pick from the Trail Blazers from the Lauri Markkanen trade, but the pick is lottery protected through 2028.

The first time Portland makes the playoffs, the Bulls get their pick. And what better year than a year like this one, where they would almost certainly be the worst team in the playoffs? That would give the Bulls the 15th pick in the NBA draft in addition to their own pick.