Trail Blazers: 5 Things to Accomplish Before Winning a Title

Trail Blazers: Top Five Things For Title Contention

Apr 29, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) hugs guard CJ McCollum (3) after defeating the Los Angeles Clippers 106-103 in game six of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports /

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Portland Trail Blazers owner Paul Allen. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports /

Trading for a Third Option

The last decade of NBA play has shown that talented trio’s are tough to deal with. The Spurs, Heat, Warriors, and Cav’s have all brought home trophies with dangerous three-headed-monsters on their roster. So far, the Trail Blazers have two of the three components on their squad. Finding a third player to compliment Lillard and McCollum will likely be necessary for Portland’s title hopes.

The Trail Blazers have had little luck attracting top level talent in free agency, and their reduced salary cap flexibility will only add to it. With that in mind, a trade seems like the most viable option for Olshey to find a third impact player. Portland’s GM has struck gold once before in the trade market by landing Chris Paul – will he be able to do it a second time?

Portland has a ton of assets and they vary in contract size and length. Giving up too much leaves you in a similar situation that the Knicks were in after trading for Carmelo Anthony, so finding a balance can be a daunting task. It will likely take a perfect set of circumstances for the Trail Blazers to strike it rich (looking at you DeMarcus Cousins).

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