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3 scenarios for the Portland Trail Blazers to trade their 2020 NBA Draft pick

By Stevie Cozens

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 21: Kelly Oubre Jr. #3 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the second half of an NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on February 21, 2020 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 21: Kelly Oubre Jr. #3 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the second half of an NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on February 21, 2020 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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The Portland Trail Blazers have the 16th pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. Firmly in win-now mode, what are three trades they could make to bring in a forward?

The Portland Trail Blazers are in the midst of an exciting playoff run. With Jusuf Nurkic back on board, they are a strong playoff team who if fit, will likely win 45 games in the West next year and make the playoffs again.

There are a few positions of need where they have to make a decision pretty quickly though. Small forward is an area of weakness for a lot of teams, and the Blazers only have the 35-year-old Trevor Ariza. They are also weak at power forward. Zach Collins doesn’t necessarily fit at that position either. He is more a center than a power forward, and his injury issues mean his place in the rotation moving forward is uncertain. They do have Wenyen Gabriel, but he is very raw and is in just his first proper NBA season. It remains to be seen whether they will bring Carmelo Anthony back in the 2020/21 season as well.

Ariza had 21 strong games in town, but they need to pair the exciting foursome of Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum, Jusuf Nurkic and Gary Trent Jr with a young forward.

Rodney Hood will return, they will then have the combination of him and Trent giving a scoring or defensive option at the three. Either could come off the bench and play the two as well.

The need for athleticism, size or defense is still there regardless of Hood’s return. A scorer at the four would be great. Or a slasher who can get to the line, rebound and defend. The Blazers defense is still one of the worst in the league, so shoring this up should be a priority too.

All three trades would require Trevor Ariza’s contract for 2020/21 to be fully guaranteed.

There aren’t many forward options available in trade, but the following three make sense.