Bleacher Report suggests Blazers trade for Kent Bazemore

As the NBA trade deadline approaches, publications are getting their two cents in about “possible” trades.

It’s unbelievable to think that the first half of the 2017-18 NBA season is over halfway completed. It seems like just yesterday the Blazers were setting records with a 48-point victory over the Phoenix Suns.

Now, teams are looking to improve in hopes of a major playoff run. Both conferences have tight races, as seeds three through ten are all just a few games within apart pre-All-Star Break. A lot of teams in the middle those scrums are looking to win now. Many teams outside of the playoff picture in rebuild mode are looking to sell.

Portland finds themselves as the former. With a prolific backcourt, some seasoned veterans, and younger talent that’s still developing, they have assets to sell and positions to fill. This is why the Blazers are buyers at this trade deadline.

Dan Favale of Bleacher Report, who seems to have some of the more abundant content when it comes to trade rumors/scenarios, recently put out an article on just that. This time, the trade contained a relatively plausible trade that involved Portland.

The proposed trade

Portland’s improvement is first up in the piece. It’s appropriately titled Portland Gets Its Wings: the Blazers would send Ed Davis, Meyers Leonard, a 2018 1st round pick, and a 2019 2nd Round Pick to Atlanta for Kent Bazemore and Luke Babbitt.

Of course, the aim of the trade is very smart – get Portland a great wing defender who can have a solid role on offense as well, all while shedding a poor contract (Leonard).

It also helps Atlanta attain a young stretch-four and a savvy veteran to help mentor, while the extra draft picks feed into their current rebuild. The first round pick is suggested to be top-16 protected.

Davis is on the final year of a three-year contract he signed back in 2015. Leonard is in the second of a four-year deal. Meanwhile, Bazemore has three years left in his four-year deal. Babbitt’s expires after this season.

Why it probably wouldn’t work

Meyers Leonard too expensive

What is Leonard’s value? Obviously, he was highly touted coming into the NBA draft in 2012. His play at Illinois, 7’1” frame, and ability to stretch the floor caught scout’s attention and led to him being selected 11th overall.

However, his time in Portland can be summed up in three words: boos, airballs, and tears.

Meyers Leonard had been given chances, especially with a coaching staff that slowly integrates and develops young guys.

But, Atlanta probably looks at Leonard like most do. His talent and impact come nowhere close to the amount of money he makes per year. Putting those numbers on their books, for little to no production, will put them back several steps from a rebuild standpoint.

Cap space

The trade tacks on $2.1 million for this season for the Blazers. Bazemore’s cap hit is roughly $7 million greater than Leonard’s, meaning the team would be going backwards in terms of recovering their payroll.

Portland would have two different players on the team who signed four-year, $70-million contracts (Evan Turner being the other). In 2018-19, unless one is waived or traded, the Blazers would have cap hits of $22 million, $19 million, and $16.5 million (twice). Talk about UGLY.

Ed Davis not right for a rebuild

Ed Davis has been improving for Portland, and he’s decent trade bait. But would Atlanta even want him? He’s going to be 29, which isn’t bad, but that’s definitely older than what the Hawks are pursuing.

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Plus, his expiring contract turns them off, as they need long, cap-friendly deals for their rebuild.

Luke Babbitt more dead money for Blazers

Babbitt and the second round pick are just kinda thrown in there as well. Do we utilize Babbitt? My guess is he would be waived, leading to even more dead money for the Blazers.

This trade is a good attempt, and the concept makes a lot of sense. But, the two players going to Atlanta may not even be wanted by them in reality, and the financial situation isn’t improved for Portland. That’s very important for the team, with Jusuf Nurkić’s contract expiration looming.