Rip City Project
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
Portland Trail Blazers
(Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

Kelly Oubre for Ariza and Anfernee Simons

Kelly Oubre is an up and coming forward, who can stretch the floor, play above the rim and defend. He is six-foot-seven with a massive seven-foot-two wingspan. Although he is only 210 pounds, he is strong and his body has continued to develop over the last few years.

The Suns are at an interesting point in their trajectory in the West. For the first time in recent memory, they competed regularly this season, and had an incredible eight and zero run in the NBA Bubble. They only missed the play-in game by half a game.

But, Oubre missed all of the bubble games with a foot injury, leaving Mikal Bridges to take over at the three, doing a stellar job. Bridges is still raw, but he is a better defender than Oubre, and a better three-point shooter. He looks to be the longterm small forward in Phoenix, and he is better as an off-ball player, even if he isn’t the above the rim presence that Oubre is.

Oubre is the odd man out, and if they look to pay to bring back Dario Saric and Aron Baynes, then the frontcourt will be squeezed, meaning Oubre is on the way out.

The Suns would get Ariza back, who could play the back up forward role and help the younger guys to develop. He would require fewer minutes and less usage than someone like Oubre, and he has playoff experience.

The Suns could use the 16th pick to get another guard or package it with their own first to move up in the draft.

The Suns still need shot-creating guards, so Anfernee Simons makes sense here. He is still young and developing, but could do this off the bench without the pressure of being on a contending team like the Blazers.

For the Blazers, they would give up their 2020 first to get Oubre, but they at would last have their young small forward. Oubre still has time to develop, and although he may not be able to defend like Bridges yet, he is versatile. He can create off the bounce, he can shoot and he has a high defensive ceiling due to his excellent physical tools.

He can develop alongside Trent and Nurkic and still be ready to contribute with McCollum and Lillard in their prime.

Oubre is under contract for 2020/21, but this contract comes with bird rights meaning that he can be re-signed.