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Trail Blazers: Bazemore and Tolliver traded to Sacramento

By Ryan Gaskin

PORTLAND, OR - OCTOBER 12: Anthony Tolliver #43, and Kent Bazemore #24 of the Portland Trail Blazers looks on against the Phoenix Suns during a pre-season game on October 12, 2019 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - OCTOBER 12: Anthony Tolliver #43, and Kent Bazemore #24 of the Portland Trail Blazers looks on against the Phoenix Suns during a pre-season game on October 12, 2019 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Portland Trail Blazers finally got active in the trade market. It wasn’t a blockbuster, but did make use of one of the expiring salaries.

The Portland Trail Blazers have traded Kent Bazemore, Anthony Tolliver and two second round picks to the Sacramento Kings for Trevor Ariza, Caleb Swanigan and Wenyen Gabriel, per ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski.

Everyone was certain that the Trail Blazers would be active in the trade market, but I’m not sure how many saw this move coming! It does one thing for sure, and that’s cut costs. In making this deal, the Blazers will save $12.3M, and cut their luxury bill in half.

Portland’s payroll has been too high for too long, and this move seems like nothing more than trying to clear money off the books. Bazemore and Tolliver have been nothing more than rotation pieces for the Blazers this year, and their production shouldn’t be missed too much.

There is a chance though that this move may clear the way for some bigger moves in the coming weeks.

In return, the Blazers get Trevor Ariza, a player who fills the current hole on the Blazers wing, but is perhaps not the same player he was a few years ago; it will be interesting to see how much Portland can get out of him. The thirty-five year old Ariza has one guaranteed year next year and one non-guaranteed year the following on his deal.

Also included in the deal was former Blazer Caleb Swanigan, who they drafted back in 2017. Swanigan was traded last year for Skal Labissiere, but now gets the opportunity to redeem himself in Portland.

Also included was non drafted power forward Wenyen Gabriel, who is only on a one-year expiring deal.

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At first glance, it looks like the Blazers gave up a little much for what they got, especially considering the two picks (2024 and 2025). However, money has been cleared, and they could be gearing up for another trade very soon. The second round pick value will depend entirely on the Blazers record in 2024 and 2025.

What do we think, RipCity? Was this a good or bad move by the Trail Blazers?