2015 Trade deadline grade: Arron Afflalo, Trail Blazers

This is easily an A for the Portland Trail Blazers. Arron Afflalo is about the best they could have hoped for in terms of scoring off the bench. On top of that, he moves the ball well, is a capable defender, and plays both the shooting guard and small forward position. He is a starting caliber player in his prime that will now bolster the wing behind Wesley Matthews and Nicolas Batum.

Jan 7, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Arron Afflalo (10) grabs a loose ball in the third quarter against the Orlando Magic at Pepsi Center. The Nuggets defeated the Magic 93-90. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

As a Denver Nugget, Afflalo averaged 14.5 points per game on 42.8 percent shooting in 53 consecutive starts this season. That may not sound spectacular, but part of his down-season can be attributed to the quality of his team. His efficiency should climb in Portland, where there are numerous other scoring threats to space the floor. Although he has shot 33.7 percent from deep this season, he is a 38.4 percent career three-point shooter.

The price Portland paid for Afflalo’s services was painful, but minimal from a utility standpoint. Thomas Robinson, Will Barton, and Victor Claver each resided on the usage spectrum between seldom utilized and rarely played. The inclusion of a first round pick in the deal was necessary, but not truly damaging all things considered. It will be conveyed in 2016 unless protections delay it further. If it is not conveyed by 2017, it becomes two second round picks, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports.

Portland's sending 2016 first-round lottery protected pick. If not conveyed, becomes '17 lottery protected. After that, it's two future 2nds
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 19, 2015

The 3-for-2 deal also opened up a roster spot that was previously unavailable to Portland. They can now pursue free agents as they see fit prior to a playoff run. The pool is shallow at the moment, but players on the verge of buyouts, like Tayshaun Prince, could hit the open market soon.

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The only reason this deal is not an A+ is that Afflalo’s contract could be considered somewhat of a lose-lose after this season. He is owed nearly $8M in 2015-16 and has a player option this summer. If he elects to stay, it may throw a wrench in Portland’s plans to retain big name free agents, but if he walks, then Robinson/Barton/Claver/picks were spent on a mere 2-3 month rental. No doubt President of Basketball Operations Neil Olshey has something in mind for his latest acquisition.

Dec 30, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Alonzo Gee (1) during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Pepsi Center. The Lakers won 111-103. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Alonzo Gee is a serviceable forward, but will not be part of the Trail Blazers’ long term plans. Like Afflalo, his contract expires this season. Unlike Afflalo, he has no player option to speak of. Head Coach Terry Stotts can play around with him in the second unit, but will not do so extensively unless Gee shows instant chemistry with his new teammates. Gee’s expiring contract gives Portland a modicum of financial wiggle room at season’s end.

Portland’s second unit now looks like:

PG: Steve Blake
SG: C.J. McCollum
SF: Arron Afflalo
PF: Meyers Leonard
C: Chris Kaman

+ Joel Freeland (PF/C) when healthy

That is three veterans and two lottery picks—a tremendous blend of experience and youth. In a conference where each team is scrambling to get a leg up, the Trail Blazers definitely came out on top with this addition. They are now the sixth team in Western Conference top-9 to complete an in-season trade in 2014-15.

We will have to wait and see how long it takes Afflalo to learn Stotts’ system, but the sooner he is able to contribute reliably, the sooner Portland’s success will reflect the cohesion. That success could come in the form of a brilliant record, a deep playoff run, or even an NBA championship. Although a ring is a long shot for any team, this deal cements the Trail Blazers as contenders.

A. The Trail Blazers gave up a lot to get this coveted wing, but nobody that played a significant role in rotation. Afflalo will provide the bench scoring Portland needs to make a deep playoff run, but comes with contractual question marks after this season.. SG/SF. Portland Trail Blazers. ARRON AFFLALO

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