Rip City Project
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Three offseason trades that make sense for the Portland Trail Blazers

By Stevie Cozens

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MARCH 6: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic looks on in the fourth quarter during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center on March 6, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Magic defeated the Timberwolves 132-118. 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 David Berding/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MARCH 6: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic looks on in the fourth quarter during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center on March 6, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Magic defeated the Timberwolves 132-118. 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 David Berding/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
(Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) /

Aaron Gordon for Simons and Ariza + a first-round pick

Aaron Gordon has been discussed as a trade to many teams because of his age, defensive versatility, and reasonable contract.

About to turn 25, the athletic Gordon can guard multiple positions while also being a strong secondary playmaker. The Orlando Magic have been a first-round and out team for numerous years, and have a roster and salary crunch coming.

Jonathan Isaac looks to be the primary building block for this team, potentially leaving Gordon as the odd man out. The ever-improving Nikola Vucevic alongside young center Mo Bamba means that the Magic frontcourt is packed.

They need guards and offense badly. This trade gives them a chance to bring in a young Anfernee Simons, while they can use the Blazers 16th pick to select an offensive piece. Alternatively, they can pair it with the 15th pick to move up in the draft.

By making this trade, the Magic also move down in salary. They get off the longterm contract of Gordon, with Ariza having just one year left. He can be used as an off-ball wing who can add defense and experience to a young Magic team.

For the Blazers, they get a young forward who can help them win now. Gordon can defend some of the best wings in the league while giving this Blazers team an above the rim presence it doesn’t currently possess.

His shooting may still come on, but regardless, he is the true power forward this Blazer team lacks.

To make sure this trade is even, the Magic will pass on their number 45 second-round pick in this year’s draft also.