Portland Trail Blazers Roundtable: NBA Trade Deadline Preview

Portland Trail Blazers Jusuf Nurkic CJ McCollum Damian Lillard (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
Portland Trail Blazers Jusuf Nurkic CJ McCollum Damian Lillard (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
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Portland Trail Blazers
New Orleans Pelicans Anthony Davis Cleveland Cavaliers Kevin Love Portland Trail Blazers (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

What is one trade idea that you would love to see happen?

Ashlin: T.J. Warren and cap filler for CJ McCollum is a trade that I would love to happen. I feel like Warren is everything I want McCollum to become but in a bigger frame and on a cheaper contract. Warren has turned himself into a lights out shooter (42.8% from three) and could cause real havoc for opposing defenses. Phoenix has a lot of young wings and desperately needs players in the backcourt, so they would be motivated to add McCollum. I doubt that Olshey will trade McCollum, so this deal is not likely.

Patrick: I’d love to see the Blazers trade for Wesley Matthews and Harrison Barnes from the Dallas Mavericks. In this scenario, Portland would probably have to give up CJ McCollum and Maurice Harkless, but I wonder if what they’d get back would fit better. Although McCollum has been giving solid offensive output this year, Matthews could hopefully slot into that starting two spot as a spot-up shooter and better defender. Barnes provides the same type of length as Harkless at the three while also being much more dynamic offensively as both a shooter and a playmaker. I’d love to see what the Blazers could do with this personnel swap.

Gutbrod: My heart says Anthony Davis. I mean is there really any other answer right now? Every team would love to be the one to get Davis. I would consider anything but Lillard in a deal that led to Davis in Portland. I would expect the package to include either Nurkic or McCollum, not both. The common opinion is that Davis is only interested in joining LeBron on the Lakers in LA. That said, after watching what happened with Paul George in Oklahoma City I see no reason not to try. Damian Lillard would be the best player Anthony Davis has ever played with and vice versa. With a year and a half to keep AD around, I would bet Lillard and Rip City can get him to stay.

Piper: Some deal around CJ and Bradley Beal. Beal is a stud and I doubt he gets traded, but if they decide to blow it up I think John Wall is virtually unreadable with his gaudy contract and injury history so that leaves Bradley Beal as the next in line. Maybe they’d be willing to do CJ, Anfernee Simons, and 1st-Rounder for Beal? If the Wizards are wanting to mix it up but still stay competitive this could be the way to go. CJ and Beal’s contracts are virtually identical in length and amount and CJ might not be quite as good as Beal but I think he could possibly be an All-Star in the East and who knows maybe he’d pair better with Wall than Beal did. Also hopefully Simons, a first-round selection from last year, and a 2019 or 2020 first rounder would be enough to make up the difference in CJ and Beal. Doubtful, but dreaming big. Bonus: Anthony Davis (article about this just released)

Corn: In my last article I wrote, (3 trades the Portland Trail Blazers should consider before the deadline) I suggested a trade with Cleveland bringing Kevin Love to Rip City. I’m going to do that again here to stress how good this would be. The trade goes like this: trade CJ McCollum, Evan Turner, & a 2020 2nd rounder to the Cavs for Kevin Love, & JR Smith. There will also be a swap between both teams for the 2022 first round pick in which the Blazers would get the better between the two (closest to the first pick) since they, of course, are getting an injured player with more money on his contract and they included a 2nd round pick.

Kevin Love just makes the offense work so much smoother, and he can affect the game in a much more positive way. Besides scoring he also brings good rebounding skills and underrated passing ability. CJ has turned one dimensional. JR Smith is a good shooter who can receive passes from Dames drives and knock down corner 3’s. He lets Dame run the offense more effectively. Plus their playoff experience would help us out TONS.

Gershon: This trade is unlikely but it would help Portland out in a big way. They need a big-time power forward to strengthen their frontcourt. Aaron Gordon would be a perfect fit, but the Magic are going to have a high asking price, however, this trade using NBA trade machine may force their hand.

A three-team trade between Portland, Orlando, and Dallas make perfect sense. The Magic need a point guard and Dennis Smith Jr wants out of Dallas thus, Orlando is a perfect fit. Dallas ships Smith to Orlando, Orlando ships Gordon to Portland and Portland ships Al-Farouq Aminu and Seth Curry to Dallas who need of a power forward. In addition, role players are moved around. Though the NBA trade machine feels this would harm the records of each team I feel like everyone involved fills a big need and improves the balance of their rosters.