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What would happen if the Trail Blazers traded Hassan Whiteside? A 2K20 experiment

By Austin Carroll

PORTLAND, OREGON - JANUARY 23: Hassan Whiteside #21 of the Portland Trail Blazers handles the ball in the first quarter against the Dallas Mavericks during their game at Moda Center on January 23, 2020 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 (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - JANUARY 23: Hassan Whiteside #21 of the Portland Trail Blazers handles the ball in the first quarter against the Dallas Mavericks during their game at Moda Center on January 23, 2020 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 (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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LaMarcus Aldridge #12 of the San Antonio Spurs talks with teammate DeMar DeRozan #10 on the bench (Photo by Edward A. Ornelas/Getty Images)
LaMarcus Aldridge #12 of the San Antonio Spurs talks with teammate DeMar DeRozan #10 on the bench (Photo by Edward A. Ornelas/Getty Images) /

There are three certainties in life: death, taxes, and fans proposing for the Portland Trail Blazers to trade for a power forward. Usually, they’re crazy ideas, sometimes they’re for sentimental reasons. This time, they’re both. What would happen if the Blazers brought LaMarcus Aldridge back in 2K? Even better, what would happen if he brought DeMar DeRozan with him?

Admittedly, this one is insane. But hey, 2K is nothing if not for crazy managerial decisions and employee turnover that would put McDonald’s to shame. So let’s prophesize what would happen if the Blazers had a reunion with LMA.

Even in a virtual world, trading CJ away hurts. But hear me out, this move sort of makes sense. McCollum is so valuable next to Dame because he possesses an elite mid-range game that complements Dame perfectly and allows Portland to score from all areas of the court. DeRozan is also one of the game’s best from within the arc, but also possesses the size and strength to adequately defend the other team’s best guard.

Meanwhile, Aldridge can still produce at a high level and would be an instant improvement over anyone else the Blazers could trot out there. Having three players that can go out there and give you 20 every single night is a threat most teams cannot claim. Keep in mind, this is before Jusuf Nurkic returns to full strength.

With this trio, the Blazers would improve to 43-39 in our experiment and actually go on to battle the Lakers in the first round. Portland would take two games from the eventual champions before succumbing to defeat. While this team had more star power, having only two plus shooters from deep would eventually be their downfall.