Brooklyn Nets
Why It Makes Sense for the Portland Trail Blazers:
Taurean Prince is coming off an awful season in Brooklyn where he shot just 37 percent from the field but previous years have shown that he can be a great shooter on the wing when he’s on. In his two previous seasons in Atlanta he was great from behind the arc, shooting nearly 39 percent from long range.
The Portland Trail Blazers would be banking on Prince having a bounce-back year and if he did he would fit right into the starting lineup at the small forward position, relegating Carmelo Anthony to the bench for some added scoring.
The 19th pick gives Portland two quality first-round picks, leaving them with plenty of options. For a team like the Blazers whose cap situation is less than ideal, drafting well is critical and two first-round picks give Portland a better chance at snagging an immediate contributor. Or if Portland is feeling bold, they could trade up into the top ten to snag a prospect like Isaac Okoro or Obi Toppin.
Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot is just the icing on the cake. A young player who has been inconsistent throughout his career, he showed lots of promise during Brooklyn’s time in the Orlando Bubble. He gives Portland another possible scoring threat off the bench.
Why It Makes Sense for the Brooklyn Nets:
The Nets are in win-now mode and Trevor Ariza and Gary Trent Jr. are two players who can help them right away. Ariza is a battle-tested player who has played for a number of winning teams over his career, including the NBA Title winning 2009 Lakers.
His combination of elite perimeter defense and long-range shooting makes him an ideal complementary piece beside Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.
Trent Jr. projects as an immediate replacement for sharpshooter Joe Harris who is leaving Brooklyn in free agency. He is an elite deep threat but also brings a level of defensive acumen and versatility that Harris didn’t. Due to his potential, Trent Jr. is probably the most valuable piece in this deal
The 46th pick gives Brooklyn another chance to draft a quality prospect or they could use it in other trades.