Should the Portland Trail Blazers Trade for Julius Randle, Nikola Mirotic, or E’Twaun Moore?

Nikola Mirotic

Nikola Mirotic seems to be the overwhelming favorite among the Blazer fan base.

Mirotic does make a lot of sense for the franchise. He can play the power forward position and unlike Randle is comfortable playing on the perimeter. Mirotic is on track to average 16.7 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, which would both be career highs.

Advanced stats only further prove Mirotic’s value. He owns a true shooting percentage of 59.1%, which would be the third highest mark on the Blazers roster.

Mirotic knocks down 2.7 threes per game and could space the floor for Nurkic. More importantly, Lillard and McCollum could keep defenders honest due to the threat of Mirotic on the perimeter.

A lot of criticism has surrounded Mirotic’s defense, but the numbers paint him as simply an average defender. He is fifth on the Pelicans in defensive rating and defenders are shooting 0.1% worse from the field with Mirotic as their primary defender. He is definitely not a lockdown defender, but he is certainly not a liability.

Mirotic is the Pelican that the Blazers should be targeting. So what will it cost to acquire him?

Lowe mentioned that the Pelicans are seeking draft picks. With Mirotic on an expiring deal, a first-round pick and salary filler should get the deal done. Here is a possible trade.

In this scenario, the Pelicans would acquire a first round pick to help them rebuild. Maurice Harkless makes the salaries match and at 25 years old he is worth a look in New Orleans. Meanwhile, the Blazers also get insurance if Mirotic leaves this summer by unloading Harkless’s salary.