Rip City Project
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Portland Trail Blazers: A Potential Trade With Every NBA Team

By Spencer Poole

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 08: Khris Middleton #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts after being called for a foul against the Golden State Warriors during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on January 08, 2020 in San Francisco, California. 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 08: Khris Middleton #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts after being called for a foul against the Golden State Warriors during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on January 08, 2020 in San Francisco, California. 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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Portland Trail Blazers
Will Barton, Portland Trail Blazers (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images) /

Denver Nuggets

Why It Makes Sense for the Portland Trail Blazers:

A former second-round pick of the Portland Trail Blazers, Will Barton would be returning to Portland a much better player than when he left. After barely being able to crack the Blazers’ rotation during his tenure, he blossomed into a key player on the Denver Nuggets.

Barton is a player who can bring multiple skills to the table. According to FiveThirtyEight, he was one of 16 players this season to average over 15 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and a steal per game. The other 15 besides Barton are all players considered all-star caliber, players like James Harden, LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard.

Admittedly, Barton is not the best defender but he is a step up in quality from most of the Portland Trail Blazers shooting guards and small forwards. He would be a welcome addition back in Portland and add another level of quality to the starting lineup.

Why It Makes Sense for the Denver Nuggets:

Will Barton is not the type of player contending teams are willing to part with easily, but luckily for the Portland Trail Blazers, Denver may be willing to bite due to who’s behind him in the rotation.

Michael Porter Jr. was one of the best players in the Orlando play-in games and cemented himself as one of the league’s bright young stars. With Porter Jr. breaking out, the Nuggets may be willing to flip Barton to open up more minutes for him.

Trevor Ariza is a good pickup for Denver because he can help to compensate for Porter Jr’s. defensive shortcomings. Jerami Grant is set to leave in free agency and the Nuggets are in need of another 3-and-D player to play big minutes. Ariza can slot right into that role like he has done for many teams before.

With Paul Millsap on the decline, Denver is also looking for some extra help down low and Wenyen Gabriel can bring that on the cheap. Although he is raw and unproven, Gabriel has shown flashes of quality, especially on the defensive end. He has the ability to come off the bench right away and perhaps blossom into a starter if things go well.

The 46th pick gives the cap-strapped Nuggets a good chance to pick up an extra depth piece for their deep bench.