Portland Trail Blazers: Trade ideas for Kyle Korver and J.R. Smith amid Cleveland Cavaliers drama

Portland Trail Blazers(Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)
Portland Trail Blazers(Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)
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Portland Trail Blazers
Portland Trail Blazers

Leonard and Turner for J.R. Smith and George Hill

The second trade looks like this:

The Blazers dump off Leonard for all the same reasons.

They take J.R. Smith for nearly all the same reasons they took Korver: he is a solid shooter, can defend when engaged.

The Evan Turner and George Hill portion of this trade is where things get interesting… (I also added it in because it was more fun than just J.R. for Meyers).

It’s funny. If you asked me about this trade a month ago, I’d be a lot more inclined to part ways with Evan Turner in any way possible. But now, I really like him in that backup point guard role. He plays within the offense, rather than stalling it out.

But in this deal, the Blazers swap Turner for a more traditional point guard in George Hill. So, if you’re doubting Turner’s ability to continue being effective in his new role, then this trade might be for you.

Hill would also be a very solid three-point shooter like Smith, a capable defender (when he wants to be), and secondary playmaker.

If it were me though, I’d want to keep Turner in this backup role.